Playing to a nearly sold-out crowd at the Lowell Summer Music Series, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo delivered a fabulous, high-energy show that certainly wowed me!

Pat Benatar and Neil ‘Spyder’ Giraldo

I am not sure what I expected from this 35th anniversary plus one tour, but the show exceeded any expectations I may have had!

Stage Backdrop

There was no opening act this evening; the show started with a five-minute slide presentation of the story behind Benatar and Giraldo. I did not know most of their story and I found this a good way to begin the show.

Pat Benatar

The band, without Benatar, took the stage to thunderous applause, following quickly by Benatar. It was dramatic without being hokey. They immediately launched into ‘Shadows of the Night’, one of their biggest hits.

Pat Benatar

Spyder Giraldo, Chris Ralles, Pat Benatar, Mick Mahan (l to r)

I knew that Benatar had a powerful mezzo-soprano voice back in the day, and was thrilled that she still has it. She sounds beautiful, she looks beautiful, and – from her conversation that evening – she has a beautiful spirit.

Pat Benatar

I had no clue about Neil ‘Spyder’ Giraldo’s talent as a guitarist (and also producer, although that obviously is not something that can be garnered from a live performance). He is a fabulous rock guitarist, who started his career with Rick Derringer. I did not know that he wrote Rick Springfield’s huge hit, ‘Jesse’s Girl’.

Spyder Giraldo

They are supported by Chris Ralles on drums and Mick Mahan on bass. Neither are flashy but both provide a solid surface on which Benatar and Giraldo may build.

Spyder Giraldo, Mick Mahan, Chris Ralles

The set list included their best-known hits – ‘Invincible’, ‘We Belong’, ‘Love is a Battlefield’, ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot’, and ‘Heartbreaker’ – as well as ‘Hell is for Children’, ‘Strawberry Wine’, ‘We Live for Love’, and ‘Promises’, to name a few. They played ‘You Better Run’ which has the distinction of being the second music video to be played on then-new MTV!

Spyder Giraldo and Pat Benatar

One song was introduced as the first love song they wrote, after penning many darker songs.

Spyder Giraldo and Pat Benatar

This 35+1 anniversary tour is the celebration of the time they have been partners, both creatively and in life. It is clearly evident that they have succeeded at both.

Pat Benatar

Spyder Giraldo

Pat Benatar and Spyder Giraldo

By the time the main part of the set ended and they departed the stage, the crowd was in a frenzy for more! They returned to the stage for a three-song encore, playing ‘Lay Down’ and ‘Precious Time’ before launching into an extended version of ‘Heartbreaker’.

Pat Benatar, Chris Ralles, Mick Mahan

I heard people complain about it being a short show. Other than a lack of opening act, the show was longer than quite a few I have experienced. What it may have lacked in length, it more than compensated for in energy. The performance felt emotional to me; Benatar and Giraldo (and really, the entire band) put their hearts on the stage for us this evening.

Pat Benatar

Spyder Giraldo

What more could anyone ask…

Many thanks to Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo for allowing me to photograph this terrific show.