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Benatar & Giraldo Are Timeless in Charlotte

Legendary Rock Duo Rock Ovens Auditorium

It’s the fall of 1980, and every Saturday afternoon was spent at the roller rink with friends as we skated, boogied, and rocked for a few hours to all of our favorite artists. A few months prior, the soon-to-be 80s rock legend Pat Benatar had released her iconic Crimes of Passion album, which spawned classic hits “Treat Me Right,” “You Better Run,” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Clad in our favorite jeans and neon leg warmers, we happily skated along to all of these great songs, singing our hearts out, pretending for just a few short minutes that we were as cool as Pat Benatar. 

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Fast forward to 2025, and Pat Benatar is still as cool as ever. Along with her guitarist and songwriter husband, Neil Giraldo, Pat continues her rock and roll legacy with a spring tour that made a stop right here in the Queen City at Ovens Auditorium. 

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Benatar & Giraldo, both in music and together in life, have stood the test of time, and as fans packed into the venue, we were all excited to see and hear these living legends once again. The duo walked out onto the stage together, and the first thing I noticed was how great they looked. Benatar was both chic and classy, while Giradlo was the epitome of cool, guitar in hand. 

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The audience roared and sprang to their feet as the legends acknowledged the crowd with a wave before kicking things off with her cover of the Rattling Sabres’ tune “All Fired Up.” It was evident from the very first note that the two had not slowed down one beat. Benatar sounded amazing. Is she really 72 years old? She doesn’t sound like it. In fact, if you closed your eyes, you would think it was 1981 all over again. Her guitar-slinging husband is still in top form as well. Like a fine wine, his melodies and fretwork just get better with time. 

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I’ve been to a lot of concerts from bands that were once superstars and have unfortunately not lived up to the hype of years gone by. But I can honestly say, this was NOT one of them. Benatar & Giraldo still have it, and they gave the fans exactly what they came to see and hear: an evening full of fan favorites with some newer songs sprinkled in. 

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The show didn’t feature any big lighting or special effects, instead letting the focus remain on the music, which is exactly where it should be. The duo shone all night with a world-class band to back them up. A favorite highlight of mine was Pat’s acapella performance to start off “Shadows of the Night.” It really showcased how strong and powerful her vocals are. 

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The evening ended with a three-song encore capped off with a medley of “Heartbreaker” and “Ring of Fire,” which brought the house down. What an incredible performance by two rock and roll legends. My only complaint, and it’s a minor one, is the absence of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” from the setlist. Benatar stopped performing the song in 2022 due to the rise in gun violence, but we all wish she would bring it back. Fans know the song is tongue-in-cheek, and it would be welcomed back with open arms. Maybe, someday, Pat will have a change of heart on this matter. There are still a few dates left on the spring tour, and you can also catch them on tour with Bryan Adams this summer. 

See the Full Gallery of the Night Here!

If you captured any shots of the night, feel free to tag us on social media at Shutter 16 Magazine and throw in #Shutter16 and #TwitFromThePit for the world to see. 

Click Here for Tickets and Tour Information!

Did you know that Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo are grandparents? Indeed, and to celebrate that the duo has written a children’s book, My Grandma and Grandpa Rock! which will be released this September. 

Click Here to Pre-Order My Grandma and Grandpa Rock!

https://www.benatargiraldo.com



Pat Benatar Setlist Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, NC, USA 2025, Spring Tour '25
 

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