A perfect Summer essential this year is Pat Benatar, Nick Giraldo, and Melissa Etheridge. Benatar and Giraldo were promoting their 40th year together in music, and Etheridge promoting her new release The Medicine Show. It was a nostalgic night for most and the crowd was ready to revisit their favorites live if just for one night.
Melissa Ethridge opened with “Your Little Secret”. She quickly asked for the house lights to be turned up a bit so she could see the (smiles) people. Etheridge has played this venue last year, so this was a sort of home coming as the crowd really embraced her performance. The audience became a sea of cell phone screens from my point of view during “Come To My Window”. Etheridge changed guitars throughout the evening and had the Etheridge swagger in full effect. The setlist which included songs from her newest release The Medicine Show was a fantastic mix of new and old favorites. She ended the evening with a musical masterpiece of “Like I Do”, which had to be over 10 minutes and included a drum solo which had Etheridge banging in unison with the drummer. She is an amazing talent, and her guitar chops are incredible!
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The Medicine Show tour continues through the summer. Check HERE for dates near you, and HERE for everything Etheridge!!
Legends Pat Benatar and Nick Giraldo walk on stage to an incredible applause. The married musical duo are celebrating their longevity in a musical world which is unheard of in the industry. Benatar provided some back story for songs like how “Promises In The Dark” was their first song which allowed them to openly write about their feelings to each other. The night was filled with all the classics which filled the youth of the audience members (including myself). Pat Benatar was an integral part of the MTV launch which became the focus for 80s youth. Benatar casually mentioned that their video “You Better Run” was the 2nd video ever played on MTV and Neil Giraldo was the 1st guitarist ever played, an amazing fact. The performance was top notch as Benatar hasn’t missed a note, and Giraldo is still the same six string gunslinger he was when I was watching after school.
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The 40th Tour continues throughout the summer, you can click HERE for stops in your area. Click HERE for more info and to purchase anything Benatar-Grialdo.
Article and Photographs by: Bob Linneman