Lou Gramm, the original voice of Foreigner, 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and Rochester native, will make a special guest appearance at this summer’s Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival on Saturday, August 9.
Gramm helped define the sound of classic rock as the voice behind hits like “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Hot Blooded,” “Feels Like the First Time,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” and “Cold as Ice.” His powerful vocals and songwriting have led to more than a dozen gold and platinum albums and nearly 20 chart-topping singles across his work with Foreigner and his solo career.
“Having Lou Gramm at Hoochenanny is more than just a hometown moment — it’s a rock-and-roll homecoming of the highest order. Lou’s voice didn’t just light up rock radio — it defined it,” said Tommy Brunett, Hoochenanny co-founder and co-owner. “We’re honored to have him as we support Lou in lifting up the next wave of musicians through his foundation. Lou’s coming home, and we’re cranking the amps to eleven!”
Gramm will appear in support of the Lou Gramm Foundation, one of three nonprofit partners Hoochenanny is working with this year to give back to the community. The foundation is dedicated to promoting the transformative power of music education through grants and advocacy, and to supporting emerging artists.
Hoochenanny is also partnering with Make-A-Wish Western New York and Endless Highway, with more details to come in the weeks ahead on how fans can support each cause during the festival weekend.
Hoochenanny, the ultimate three-day celebration of live music and world-class whiskey, returns for its second year, bigger than ever. Festival organizers Tommy Brunett and Sean McCarthy are bringing an expanded lineup of top-tier musical acts and an immersive whiskey experience to Camp Eastman.
The festival will take place Friday, August 8, through Sunday, August 10, 2025. Hours are Friday from 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 2 to 10 p.m.
Passes are on sale now at hoochenanny.com/passes, with advance pricing available through Thursday, August 7.
General-admission passes are available for one day ($55), two days ($95), or three days ($135), plus service fees. General admission includes access to the festival site during hours of operation, up-front standing room at both stages, entry to the Concert Pavilion Beverage Center and Stageview Craft Cocktail Lounge, the Artisans Bazaar and Barrel Bistro food experience, free beer tastings at Lager Land, water-fill stations, and more than 25,000 square feet of covered seating space. The event is open to all ages, with designated 21+ areas identified on-site.
Guests who want to experience the whiskey tastings can purchase General Admission Tasting Passes — available for one day ($85), two days ($150), or three days ($215), plus service fees. These passes include all general-admission benefits, plus access to the World of Whiskey tasting experience, featuring 20 curated whiskey tastings with additional options available for purchase on-site.
VIP Passes are available for one day ($160), two days ($310), or three days ($430), plus service fees. VIP guests enjoy all the benefits of General Admission Tasting, plus access to the VIP Loft double-decker tent, bird’s-eye views of both stages with exclusive VIP bridge access, private whiskey tastings, full cash bars, plush cocktail lounges, sit-down dining with dedicated catering for purchase, climate-controlled luxury restrooms, a cigar bar featuring custom-made hand-rolled cigars, and free on-site parking.
This year’s festival will span 14 acres and feature two outdoor music stages and seven custom-built experience tents. National acts include Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Charles Wesley Godwin, Old 97’s, The English Beat, Dark Star Orchestra, moe., and many more.
Whiskey lovers can explore five distinct tasting experiences inside the World of Whiskey, sip rare pours at the Rarities Bar, and join exclusive discussions led by industry experts at Bourbon Broadcast sessions.
For full festival details and to purchase passes, visit hoochenanny.com.
Music Lineup
The 2025 festival will feature an expanded music lineup with international, national, and regional artists performing across two stages, delivering a dynamic mix of Americana, rock, alternative, punk, outlaw country, and rockabilly.
Friday, August 8: Charles Wesley Godwin, Old 97’s, The English Beat, Cristina Vane, Checks & Exes, Johnny Hart and the Mess
Saturday, August 9: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Record Company, Tommy Brunett’s All-Star Cavalcade of Scoundrels featuring Andy Kim, The Jack Knives, Vandoliers, Mike Powell and the Echosound, The Isotopes, The Medicinals
Sunday, August 10: moe., Dark Star Orchestra, Galactic featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, EggyLou Gramm, the original voice of Foreigner, 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and Rochester native, will make a special guest appearance at this summer’s Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival on Saturday, August 9.
