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Pat Benatar Fan Club 2007 Summer Concert Reviews |
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July 4 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay Review by Steven Smith I've seen Pat the last 3 years at Mandalay Bay and this one was even better than the previous ones. It started with me having dinner outside at Mandalay Bay prior to the show. We could hear Pat warming up. During the Warm-Up she performed "You Better Run", "I Need a Lover", and "Go". This got us pumped because "Go" is one our favorite songs of hers and so we were a bit let down when she didn't perform it later during the show. At least I got to hear it! Needless to say the sold-out show rocked! It was a bit sad watching people try and get tickets at the gates, but had to be turned away because there was no room. The crowd was really into it and the hot summer night was nearly as scorching as Pat and Neil. After the concert Mandalay Bay lit up the sky with a stunning Fireworks show. It was the only place on the Strip where you could see Independence Day fireworks. Great show and incredible night. Here is the song line-up:
July 6 Agoura Hills, CA Canyon Club Set List compliments of Lisa Doyle
July 7 Alhambra, CA Summer Jubilee
TMZ.com "In the Zone" Review
This is about my 20th time seeing Pat. This show, if not the best, is definitely at the top of the list. I had seats in the second row so Pat was only about 10 feet away, and for the last half of the show I stood at the stage. She looked amazing wearing all black. At 7:50 she came on stage singing All Fired Up. I was worried at first because her voice was being lost through the music, but it must have been a mechanical problem that was cleared up right away. By the second song, Shadows of the Night her voice became as clear as possible and it was a perfect mix of band and vocal. At this point Pat told the crowd that they just started their first week of the tour and that we would hear a bunch of the old songs with a few they haven't played in a while. She then broke into I Need a Lover which sounded excellent. It became a blur of excitement so I forget the order of the banter between Neil and Pat but Neil also played his own drum kit and keyboards. There was Mick on bass and a drummer, Chris (?). Neil said after one song that he had the the wrong tune but nobody knew and Pat said that we wouldn't care anyway. They were enjoying themselves with Pat playing air guitar and really getting into it. At one point I watched Pat look at Neil as he played Shadows and I realized that she has probably watched him do that thousands of times but you would never know. The whole set was so fresh. Pat sang an acoustic We Live For Love which Neil gave the backstory to (amazing vocals) and also acoustic We Belong where Neil asked everyone to light up their cell phones and sway, it looked like the 80s with lighters. Pat introduced Hit Me with the usual talk BUT also said that without this song she would probably not be up here tonight, which really was cool. She mentioned the L.A. riots for Disconnected and at one point nearly tripped on tape on the stage. Again, this was probably my 20th time seeing Pat and I was COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY! I scored the set list so here it is:
July 20 Dallas, TX House of Blues Fan review by Natalie Jones The Friday show was amazing!!! The sound was great, and the crowd was really into it. Fortunately for me I was wrong, and the set list did change from last night. Set List (compared to Thursday show)
Over all, it was the best show I've seen this year.
Hi everyone! I'm enjoying my "Benatar Buzz" from the concert at the House of Blues in Chicago. The show started about 40 minutes late, but it was definitely worth the wait. Pat and Neil strolled out on stage with a thunderous applause. Pat said something like,"It must be summer....we're in Chicago! This must be our 10th time here!" I wouldn't doubt it. I've seen her every summer since 1996 (in a host of different cities)....a great way to learn geography! Melissa and I ate dinner at the House of Blues restaurant which allowed us to "pass the line" and get a spot in the front row on Mick's side. The band rocked the packed HOB. It was an amazing show! The enthusiastic crowd kept creeping closer and closer to the stage as the night went on. During "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," I could feel the floor vibrating with all the excitement. It was great to hear the fans singing along. After "Heartbreaker" a guy threw a cute, red, heart-shaped, cartoon-like-character on stage. Pat smiled and picked it up and placed it next to the red roses she received earlier from a Canadian couple. The monster hits were great to hear; however, songs like "Tradin' Down, "Stay Together," and "Disconnected" made the concert extra special for me. My favorite song of the evening was the acoustic version of "We Live for Love." Pat's voice is amazing. Pat and Neil looked like they were having as much as fun as we were. They both strolled along the edge of the stage and rocked right above us. It's always a thrill when they make that special eye contact with their fans. Pat is so sweet, and Neil's facial expressions are priceless. Pat laughed when I held up a box of Jell-O. I would have loved to hear that song live, but it didn't make it to the set list. As Pat came out for the encore, I held out my hand and she squeezed it as I was saying "thank you." At the end of the night, Mick tossed me a pick, and I got a copy of the set list. Another great part of going to Benatar concerts is meeting and reuniting with other die-hard fans. Hello to the guy with the Neil/Pat symbol tattooed on his arm! Canadian couple, please report back about the upcoming concerts. Nikki and Tracey, see you next year. Amy, we missed you! I plan to get a double dose of the "Benatar Buzz" in Indy. Hope to see more fan club members there! Here's the set list:
Libby Baker
The first concert was part of the “Rock the Park” celebration in London at which Pat, Neil, Mick and Chris were scheduled to appear at 9:30pm. The event started at 4:30pm with a couple of Canadian bands performing as part of the supporting cast. During the first act, a heavy rainstorm had the crowd scrambling for cover, but shelter proved to be scarce, so most of the crowd got soaked. As suddenly as the rain came, it disappeared and the sun came out to help dry everyone. As the evening wore on, the atmosphere was festive and Cheap Trick got everyone in the party mood. Their music was a blend of old and new songs and most of the crowd of 10,000 enjoyed their show. They were a little late leaving the stage and Pat’s road crew worked feverishly hard to get the stage ready and complete the sound checks by 9:30pm (kudos to all involved). Pat and Neil took the stage to the familiar strains of “All Fired Up” after which came “Shadows of the Night”, during which Neil kicked a couple of beach balls into the audience which brought raucous cheers from the crowd. Next up was “I Need A Lover”, which is a new addition to their set list this year. After the third number, Pat spoke to the audience and thanked the organizers for inviting them and for everyone for coming out. She then spoke about the next song, being about strength, courage and conviction and broke into “Invincible” during which Mick played a brief, albeit excellent bass solo. After this song, Pat spoke about how certain events in time leave lasting impressions and spoke of how she wrote “Disconnected” after seeing the Los Angeles riots in 1993. After “True Love”, which featured a stirring guitar solo by Neil, they quietened things down a little. During their conversations, it is good to see the warmth and affection that Pat and Neil still have for each other after 25 years of marriage. Neil played a new piano opening for “We Live For Love”, which still proves to be a fitting vehicle for Pat to showcase her vocal range. Before they played, “We Belong”, they asked everyone in the crowd to take out their cell phones and wave them over their heads in time with the music – the effect was quite remarkable with the lights from the crowd moving in unison. As the evening wore on, certain elements of the crowd were becoming somewhat rowdy, causing the security staff to be very busy and earn their pay. Several women had to be carried out in front of the stage (no-one was seriously hurt), but this didn’t cause any distraction for the band, as everyone remained focused. The song, “Let’s Stay Together” was next, during which Neil plays the drums with Chris, providing another addition to his already extensive resume. Next up were the staples “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, “Hell is for Children” (which Pat sang with the even more passion and conviction than usual), and “Heartbreaker”, after which they left the stage for a brief 2 minute break. The crowd went wild as the band came on to play their encore. Again Neil provided a different piano opening to the song, “Promises in the Dark”. “Love is a Battlefield” was the last song of the night, and had everyone in the crowd dancing. As they left the stage, Neil spotted a woman who had been trying all night to give Pat a red rose, but had no success because the distance between the crowd and the stage proved to be too far. The lady in question threw the rose on stage, and Neil picked it up, telling her he would give it to Pat (nice guy). All in all, a triumphant return to Canada, proving to all the Pat-starved Canadians that she still provides one of the best shows around !!!!! Set List:
July 28 Belleville, ONT Empire Square Rock Musical Festival Fan review by Steve McKay The next night, Pat appeared in Belleville as part of the “Empire Square Classic Rock Musical Festival”. As was the case the previous night, a cloudburst hit the arena just before the gates were opened, This time, much of the crowd took shelter in nearby buildings. The supporting acts were Emily Fennell and Sass Jordan. Emily Fennell, a raw but talented musician from the Belleville area, showed lots of promise and a strong stage presence – with a little more refining she could become a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. Sass Jordan needs no introduction to the music scene and has been belting out her own brand of rock for many years. She has surrounded herself with some very good musicians and knows how to enjoy herself on stage. Tonight was no exception as she brought the crowd to its feet after her 45-minute performance. The venue in Belleville was much smaller than the previous night, but the crowd of 2,500 were equally enthusiastic. The set was the same as the previous night except “Disconnected” was replaced with “River of Love”. During her performance, Pat remarked about the heavy rain during her sound checks, and hoped the concert would be able to proceed. Fortunately, the rain subsided and the show was on. Because of the rain, there was a multitude of bugs flying around and after swatting them away from her, Pat commented that she would it wouldn’t be good if she were to swallow one of them !!!!! She also mentioned how great it was that the evening’s festivities featured female singers who still knew how to rock !!!!! While enjoying a few mouthfuls of beer, Neil took a minute to give his opinions on the “Canadian Water” he was drinking, which brought an appreciative roar of approval from the crowd. In a change from the previous night, they did not ask the crowd to wave their cell phones during “We Belong”, which allowed the crowd to concentrate more on listening to Pat’s sweet dulcet tones during one of her more reflective songs. After the show, one of the road crew was kind enough to give a small girl one of Pat’s set lists. Of course the girl was thrilled to receive a piece of Pat memorabilia. As I watched her mother jump up and down, I have to wonder if she was more excited than her daughter !!!!! In summary, another terrific concert performance, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Set List
July 29 Orillia, ONT CasinoRama Fan review by Steve McKay The final leg of Pat’s Canadian tour brought her to CasinoRama in Orillia. Although the Internet indicated Sass Jordan was scheduled to open for her, this arrangement was cancelled and Pat and the band were the sole act for the evening. This concert was different to her previous two concerts in the fact that it was indoors and there was no rain !!!!! As Pat and Neil took the stage, hundreds of people flocked to the front and Pat greeted them with her patented, warm smile. After playing “We Live For Love”, a member of the audience held up their cell phone before “We Belong” had even been announced. Neil smiled and commented that this person obviously knew what was coming. The effect of having a thousand cell phones waving in a seated venue was even more remarkable than before. Although the set list was exactly the same as the previous night, Pat and Neil seemed to feed off the energy of the audience, making the show appear fresh. Once again, during the encore, the crowd were up on their feet and dancing. It is difficult to say which of the three Canadian concerts was the best, as each date was performed with the same polished, high quality we have come to expect from performers such as Pat and Neil Set List:
August 3 Clarkston, MI DTE Theatre Fan review by Rachel Phillips Rachel's Rave Review!!!!! Pat and Neil Rock!!!!!! I was sat nearly center in the front row and I have to say that's an AWSOME place to be when seeing Pat and Neil, They make eye contact with you and talk to you it's incredible! There was a pretty good turn out this time for the DTE Energy music theatre and Pat sounds great! Her voice is wonderful as it is every time you see her, and Neil's guitar was rockin' as always! I can't wait to see them again!!!! THEY ROCK!
peace & love, Set list:
August 4 Baraboo, WI Ho-Chunk Casino Fan review by Scott Reigstad Coming on the heels of a prior night concert in Michigan, and the second concert back in the U.S. after a three-show Canadian tour leg, Pat and Neil made their first stop ever at Ho-Chunk Casino in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The second-floor, Upper Dells Ballroom proved to be an intimate, indoor setting for an all-out rock show with a sell-out crowd numbering just over 1,800. Bassists Mick Mahan and drummer Chris Ralles initially fired up the concert goers with strong bass and drum beats which were quickly augmented by the off-stage lead guitar sounds of Neil "Spyder" Giraldo. Soon, Neil and Pat walked on stage and started into "All Fired Up", followed by "Shadows of the Night". After the first two songs, Pat said "Where are we?" and followed up by saying that it's difficult sometimes to know where you are when you get on the bus every night, sleep and then find yourself on stage the next evening. She then commented that since they were in a new place they'd never been, the band would "just play everything" and remarked that the crowd was "well-behaved" - likely a reference to the fact that the crowd had so far remained seated and not run to the front of the stage, which it later did during the tenth song in their set - "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" - and remained until the end of the concert. Pat shared many stories throughout the night about her early years on the road with her husband "Spyder" and as well as the history of her songs. Pat and Neil's interactions with each other during the acoustic parts of the show were refreshing and real. Pat's smile, warmth and obvious stage polish - she knows how to walk all areas of the stage and look out at the audience so it appears she is looking just at you - made you feel part of the show and part of her world for the 80-minute concert. The crowd was on its feet for the second half of the show and Pat's powerful voice - she clearly has lost little in her vocal range since the 70s - was pushed to stellar heights by Neil's blistering guitar work. The concert, which was professional, of great quality and enjoyment, showcased why Pat is one of rock's leading ladies. The only downside was that it all went too quickly. Set List:
August 26 Orlando, FL City Hall Plaza Fan review Linda and Jim Hailes What a day! The concert was rained out before it began, but then the show did go on and it was well worth the wait. This was about the 20th time I have seen Pat and Neil and it was awesome, they get better every year. On top of that, my 26 year dream came true, I finally got to meet both of them and got my pictures taken with them. I also got right in front of the stage and got the set list, here it is...amazing show!
October 8 Visalia, CA Visalia Fox Theater Review by Dave Hall I was never able to see Pat Benatar in her 80's hey-day, but 25 years later the show was as great as I had hoped. The first thing you notice is that Pat does not look her 54 years of age. She looks better, healthier now than in years past, and most importantly her voice is clear and controlled. She wore skinny black pinstriped jeans with a leopard print satin blouse. Her hair was cut with hard bangs and a cute above shoulder length bob. Neil looked like he just stepped out of a late 80's SKA band, wearing tan and red and green plaid pants, white socks and black shoes. Neil also wore a black rimmed hat most of the evening. The show was held at the beautifully restored Visalia Fox Theater originally built in the 1930's. The theater has 1,280 seats with the balcony holding about 500. Since the venue is small, all seats are great for watching the show. The set was composed of a small riser where the drummer was positioned on stage left, and a keyboard positioned stage right for Neil to jump up and play as needed. Positioned in the center of the riser was a small drum kit consisting of a tom, snare and two cymbals that Neil also played during the drum solo with Chris Ralles. The backdrop was three white "sails" stretched taut where simple but effective mood lighting was cast. The only downfall of the show was the sound. This is not a problem with the Theater acoustics, but the guy behind the mixer. It seems that all sound guys (except me) think that louder is better. I understand that lots of volume drives the energy of the show, but there is a point when the music gets lost in the noise. Pat has a strong voice and can push a lot of volume when the song requires it, but there were a number of times when Neil's guitar, set on medium distortion, was simply overpowering her. It was as if Neil and the sound technician both had the volume knobs set to 11. During the slower numbers, the balance between the instruments and Pat's vocals was, well... in balance. I really hate to use ear plugs, but by song 10 of 15 I just had to. I was able to enjoy the show once the wall of sound was minimized. One nice moment in the show is when a dedicated front row fan waived an LP copy of "Best Shots" at Pat to sign. Pat said "I never do this, but you have been screaming all night, I'll sign it for you". Unfortunately, just a few songs later, that same fan crossed the line when she jumped up on stage. Neil quickly crossed the stage to block her from getting to Pat. The security corralled her off the stage where she was promptly escorted from the theater, missing the rest of the show. The songs were performed with just the right mix of studio and live qualities. They were not overly live, where you could not recognize the tune, and not just a reproduction of the studio version, making you wonder why you bothered to go to the show. The majority of fans knew the lyrics and sang along most of the night, with a few choruses encouraged by Pat and a microphone pointed at the audience. The venue was filled with folks between 35 and 60, with a few teens obviously brought by their parents. Both Pat and Neil gave excellent performances. With this show being one of the last of the Summerized tour, you could easily expect that their energy and motivation would be waning. That was not the case. It felt as though they wanted to be there, enjoyed performing for us and performed with both professionalism and emotion. Overall the show was excellent and I enjoyed seeing Pat in concert. Throughout the evening, Neil referred to Pat as Patricia. Everybody went, aaah… Here is the set list they played:
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