Tone Lōc Joins ROC Fest’s “I Love the 90s Tour,” Bringing Star Power and Community Spirit

The nostalgic beats of the 1990s will take center stage this Sunday, Oct. 26, as ROC Fest: I Love the 90s Tour returns to the Rochester Sports Complex from noon to 6 p.m. The event promises not only chart-topping hits and throwback energy but also a strong message of community, service, and local pride.

Organizers announced this week that hip-hop legend Tone Lōc—known for his gravelly voice and party anthems “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina”—has joined the festival’s lineup.

The Los Angeles-born rapper’s 1989 debut album Lōc-ed After Dark went double-platinum and helped push hip-hop into the pop mainstream. His addition brings even more star power to what is already one of Rochester’s most anticipated cultural events of 2025.

Beyond the music, ROC Fest organizers are spotlighting community heroes through “ROC Fest 4 Community,” a new initiative celebrating educators, first responders, veterans, and local nonprofits. The festival will provide direct support to several organizations, including:

• Upstate Interiors Academy, helping residents train for careers in construction and trades.

• Center for Youth Services, empowering young people through outreach and resources.

• ROC-NPHC (Rochester National Pan-Hellenic Council), representing nine historic Black fraternities and sororities devoted to service.

• Sunny Mike Foundation, honoring veterans with resources and care.

The event will also highlight Taco Dero, a local favorite closing its brick-and-mortar restaurant amid economic challenges. ROC Fest has waived Taco Dero’s vendor fee, naming it the festival’s official spotlight vendor and supporting its final “Taco Tuesday” celebration the following week.

“ROC Fest: I Love the 90s Tour is about more than reliving the music — it’s about reminding people what community feels like,” said Rashad Smith, publicist for ROC Fest and owner of Everyday People PR. “When we can use an event of this size to spotlight local businesses, support youth, and uplift educators, veterans, and first responders — that’s what real impact looks like.”

To honor Rochester’s everyday heroes, educators, first responders, and veterans can attend for free using the Eventbrite promo codes Teach100, Hero100, and Vet100 at checkout.

Event Details:What: ROC Fest: I Love the 90s Tour featuring Tone Lōc When: Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025 | 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Where: Rochester Sports Complex Tickets: RocMusicFest.com. Free Entry Promo Codes: Teach100 (Educators), Hero100 (First Responders), Vet100 (Veterans)