Summers are too short in Oregon, and truly beautiful late Summer days seem even shorter. Oregonians are all too aware of the need to take advantage of such rare moments to enjoy the outstanding beauty of their surroundings. What better way than to spend a fine summer evening basking in the picturesque valleys of the coast range while celebrating the beautiful uproar of legendary artists Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo?

The lure of a laminated back stage pass at a Pat Benatar concert draws plenty of distracting “Who are you, how did you get those?” type questions. Once back stage we regained our focus, and were welcomed by Pat and Neil into a remarkably warm and soothing room. Of course they looked calm, cool, collected and perfectly fetching as always. Pat seemed genuinely surprised when asked to autograph her high school Christmas choir album. I mentioned to her another rarity, “Cerebral Man,” which Pat acknowledged was actually quite challenging to lay down in the studio. This is hard to imagine, given how effortlessly they perform. They just make it seem so easy! One last moment backstage before the show, I found myself asking Pat if “I Want Out” was on the evening’s set list, and naturally I was thrilled when she responded in the affirmative.

After taking our seats, Pat and Neil opened with All Fired Up, and continued through a list of well-known favorites including Promises in the Dark, Invincible, and Shadows of the Night. As promised, they performed “I Want Out,” from Get Nervous. Neil explained the story behind the song - how while making Get Nervous he and Pat were under a lot of stress with the record company, and the song is a reflection, and really something of a portrayal, of what they were going through at that time.

Pat’s vocals were breathtaking as usual, particularly during Love is a Battlefield. One of my personal favorite moments was hearing Heartbreaker mixed with Ring of Fire. This creation is truly awesome and hopefully is bound for the studio soon.

Between the performances of their work, Pat and Neil commented on their celebration of thirty years of marriage. As was obvious from our vantage point in the audience, the chemistry between them is alive and as strong as ever, even as I was seeing them for my 40th time. Watching them perform is more like watching two accomplished artists doing what they truly love, while inviting all of us spectators to glow with them in the limelight. Great artists are timeless. Fifty years after Federico Fellini presented the world with La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), Pat and Neil continue to live it, and to share it with us all.

1. All Fired Up
2. Shadows of the Night
3. Invincible
4. I Want Out
5. Promises in the Dark
6. Hell is for Children
7. You Better Run (acoustic)
8. Hit me With Your Best Shot
9. Love is a Battlefield
10. We Belong
    ENCORE:
11. Let’s Stay Together
12. Heartbreaker/Ring of Fire

"This is gorgeous," said Pat as she greeted her adoring fans at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana. The new, 150 million dollar venue is quite a contrast to the House of Blues in Cleveland where the Benatar Band played the night before. Pat seemed to appreciate the smoke-free air and said, "Ahhh....clean air." She continued to admire the beautiful center and gazed at the four levels of box seats and said, "You guys are everywhere." The diverse crowd replied back with cheers. Then she turned her attention to the front row where she recognized me, Melissa, my twin brother- Mike, and Steve & Julie McKay. She gave us her signature "I love you" sign and Spyder said hello with those adorable facial expressions.

I've always enjoyed Pat and Neil's playfulness and storytelling during their performances...and this concert was no exception! They interacted and connected with the audience immediately. Pat's vocals were amazing and Spyder's guitar playing was powerful. We had the pleasure of witnessing his talent up- close and personal as he played right over us. So cool! I was also impressed with his piano playing during "Let's Stay Together."--one of my favorites. "I Want Out" was an awesome addition to the set-list and "Heartbreaker/Ring of Fire" was the highlight of the show for me.

Libby Baker
South Bend, Indiana


July 24
Clarkston, MI
DTE
Rachel Phillips

Rochel's Rockin Review

I had an amazing time at the concert!!!! Pat & Spyder are amazing!! I was sitting side stage on Spyders side and it was awesome seeing Neil in action and Pat Rockin! Pat came over and said hi during Mick and Chris' solo and that made me feel so amazingly special!! It was amazing hearing "I Want Out " live!!!! I had an AMAZING night! One I will never, ever, ever forget!!! I am always and forever grateful to Pat & Neil as well as all of the opportunities I have had!! I felt so special!!!!!

It was an AMAZING night!!!

Peace and Love to all who rock,
Rachel ("R")


July 19
Washington, DC
The 9:30 Club
Brian Walmer

The 9:30 Club concert in DC was AMAZING! There was so much energy all around and it lasted from beginning to end. The first time I saw Pat & Spyder was in '08 at Bethlehem Musikfest and I was so far back. At this show, I was right at the stage and it was a COMPLETELY different experience. The crowd was also more lively and everyone was having fun. During the intro to "We Belong" when Pat tells everyone to take out their cell phones, Spyder noticed my phone and asked to see it because he couldn't believe how small it was LOL. Pat kept telling him to give it back before he breaks it or messes it up (which was really funny because my cell is already broken, but usable). He used it to demonstrate how to keep the rhythm and then gave it back to me. I thought that was pretty cool and something I'll always remember :) After the encore break, Pat and Spyder shook/touched hands with the people in the front rows and I was lucky enough to be included. Overall, a great experience. If you get a chance to see them in such an intimate up close venue like 9:30 Club...GO!

Brian Walmer


July 8
Hampton Beach, NH
Casino Ballroom
Charles Hunter

We have seen Pat Benatar many times here at Hampton Beach and all across the US for the past 25 years. Pat and her husband, Neil Giraldo on guitar, seemed newly invigorated on this night. At 58 years old, Pat not only still takes her music quite seriously but also still has a great time and enjoys what she is doing- performing live for her fans. With long time talented bass player, Mick Mahan, and top notch drummer Chris Ralles, the group performs a tight set.

Along with the "have to" play big his such as Love Is A Battlefield, Hit Me With Your Best Shot & Invincible, the set list featured some less seldom played gems in Precious Time, Sex As A Weapon, and Somebody's Baby. Neil scorched his guitar through Hell Is For Children. Midway through the set, Pat said they had to sit down now because they are old! Out came stools and an acoustic guitar for Neil. A nice jumping version of You Better Run followed by We Belong gave the band and the crowd a mellow break.

The final encore tune, a scorching version of Heartbreaker, included a middle jump to a Johnny & June Cash inspired Ring of Fire and then coming back to the end of Heartbreaker. After being married for nearly 30 years, Pat & Neil probably are much like Johnny & June and thus this is a great tune to share with the audience. If you have never seen them, go! And if you have seen them before, go again! Rock On.

SET LIST:
All Fired Up, Shadows of The Night, Invincible, Somebody's Baby, Promises In The Dark, Stop Using Sex As A Weapon, You Better Run & We Belong (acoustic), Hell Is For Children, Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Love Is A Battlefield, ENCORE: Let's Stay Together, Precious Time & Heartbreaker/Ring of Fire.


July 7
Hyannis, MA
Cape Cod Melody Tent
Robin S.

Absolutely fantastic! Pat's vocals were right on target, Neil wowed my friends (and the audience) with his guitar and piano skills. The audience loved their banter and Pat's remark about Neil never hearing her made everyone laugh and all the women scream in agreement. It was not sold out, but the crowd sure made it sound as if it was. They came out rocking and even "You Better Run" done acoustically was toe-tapping - the audience was on their feet clapping along. "Precious Time" sounded just like the record version (or for those of you too young for records, it was just like the cd version). It was hauntingly beautiful, as was "Somebody's Baby".

I had gone with my cousin and 2 friends, and at the last minute a few more friends came to the concert. One of them said it was the best concert she had ever been to. They were all amazed at all the different people there - teenagers to the elderly - all chilling out and enjoying the night thoroughly with no obnoxious drunks to spoil the fun.

There was no stroll through the audience for Neil unfortunately, but I think if they had taken out "Sex as a Weapon" and put a blues song in there, he would have done it as he has in years past at the Melody Tent. Regardless, Neil is now getting so many comments and compliments on his guitar playing and rightly so. The audience went crazy for his guitar solos - but Pat was still the main event.

Before and after the concert, you could hear people saying that her voice is still spot-on and they are one of the best concerts to go to. Man, are they ever right :)

Robin S.


June 30
Vernon, NY
Vernon Downs
Rachel Phillips

"R"'s Rockin' Review

Pat & Neil are amazing people! I sat front row and it was awesome!!! I actually had the platinum VIP passes, but the stage was too small for anyone to sit up at side stage so they had me sit in front row!!! It was an awesome, awesome, awesome show!!! I loved every minute of it!!! Getting to meet Pat & Spyder again was more than a dream come true! I always feel like I'm talking to two of my best friends when I'm with them! They put me at ease and make me feel special!

Pat sounds great! Actually, she sounds greater than great! And Neil rocked the guitar!!!! They played some songs that were great to hear live!!! The crowd was good, it was nice not having people stand up right in front of me so I was able to enjoy every minute of the show!! I had an amazing time! Certainly a night I will never forget!!!

Can not wait to see them again!!!

Peace and Love to all who rock,
Rachel ("R")


June 11
Rancho Mirage
Agua Caliente
Scott Keith

I think this was my 29^th or 30^th time seeing Pat live (I can't keep track anymore!) and from the part that I remember, she was, as always, amazing. I had 8^th row seats at Agua Caliente and it is a great place to see a band. By the encore I was at the stage but dropped my phone just as Pat was touching everyone's hands.

She sang Sex as a Weapon! All of the show was non-acoustic other than You Better Run. (from what i remember-too many martini's). The set list which some nice guy let me take a pic of was:

1. All Fired Up
2. Shadows
3. Invincible
4. Somebody's Baby
5. Promises
6. Sex as a Weapon
7. You Better Run
8. We Belong
9. Hell
10. Hit me
11. Battlefield
    Encore
12. Let's Stay Together
13. Precious Time
14. Heartbreaker

Scott Keith