Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Perform Intimate Live Show At Austin City Limits – Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo have been creatively writing and playing in front of audiences for nearly four decades. Their chemistry is still quite influential to this day. The duo has been triumphant from the age of radio, the age of television (being the second music video aired on MTV) and even has crossed over into film soundtracks over the years. So for me, this night at Austin City Limits is one to remember.
As the lovely couple made their way to the stage, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo took a moment to take in the response from all the adoring fans in the crowd within the Moody Theater.
Diving into a vast music collection, Benatar and Giraldo played a mixture of songs from old hits to deep tracks and newer stuff they have been working on. What made this evening a bit more memorable was how they conveyed to the crowd some details to the story and creative process behind the tracks. Something a fan can always appreciate is when an artist gives them a look into their frame of mind by going into detail of their thoughts at that time of recording. At one point, Giraldo asked the audience if anybody knew about “The Holy 14”? Benatar then graciously explained that the two of them attempt to play as many of the songs from their most famous hits as they can, otherwise the people of Facebook give them the hardest of times online. The two fooled around all night long but came to perform, and they delivered without question.
“All Fired Up” and “We Live for Love” kicked off the show while also setting the tone. The production consisted of Giraldo shifting between his acoustic guitar and keyboards and Benatar taking charge with her mighty voice as she has always done and that has inspired so many. Her vocals were on point and did not skip a beat. It is quite impressive to hear Pat Benatar deliver her sound with such fierceness and intensity.
Neil Giraldo took time to give the audience some insight into the songwriting at various moments throughout the evening. He went into detail about some of the elements that make up hit songs and how they are carried by such emotion. Some of those elements as he explained, are identifiable from the beginning of a song. Factors like a strong melody and deep lyrics are the things the audience will cling to if you do it right. He explained how the chord progression is what brings the words and the music together and how they should have a working relationship.
It was apparent to anyone in attendance that the two are still having the time of their lives, not only as musicians but also as a couple. They have great chemistry, are funny and enjoy giving their all to their fans. This type of show is not the typical show I am used attending. However, with flow of things going on during it, I knew it would be a show to cherish forever. I highly recommend anyone to catch these two live. You will not be disappointed.
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Setlist:
All Fired Up
We Live for Love
Run Between the Raindrops
Promises in the Dark
We Belong
You Better Run
After the Fall
Ties That Bind
Shine
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Love Is a Battlefield
In These Times
Let’s Stay Together
Heartbreaker / Ring of Fire / Don’t Slander Me / Heartbreaker
Follow Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo Online: www.benatargiraldo.com
