NITA STRAUSS w/ STARBENDERS & DIAMANTE
@ STUDIO B AT SKYWAY THEATRE, MINNEAPOLIS (MN)
MARCH 16, 2024
It may have been chilly outside in Minneapolis, but it was a hot Saturday night at the Skyway Theatre with three talented female-fronted bands.
As Diamante started the show, many people pressed towards the front of the stage. According to a fan, she hadn’t been to Minnesota since 2019, so many were eager to see her that night. The outpouring of enthusiasm from her fans in the crowd didn’t go unnoticed. With Neil Swanson on guitar and Taylor Carroll on drums, they energized the crowd with songs such as “American Dream”, “Ghost Myself”, “War Cry” and an amazing cover of Pat Benatar’s “Love Is A Battlefield” that Diamante nailed vocally. It felt like a short set and the crowd wanted more, but Diamante appeased the crowd with a promise to be at the merch booth to sign autographs and take photos.
The equipment take-down and setup in between sets was like a well-oiled machine, everyone working well together to ensure the performances ran smoothly. Kudos to the venue and tour staff for doing an excellent job!
The Atlanta-based rock ‘n’ roll quartet Starbenders brought their fashionista chic to the stage. With guitar solos and glam rock vibes, those who weren’t familiar with the band couldn’t help but be entertained and impressed. They played a mix of songs from their Love Potions album including the songs “Holy Mother” and “BITCHES BE WITCHES”, plus a good selection from their most recent album Take Back The Night such as “Blood Moon” and “Seven White Horses”. A fan called out to lead singer Kimi Shelter wishing her a happy birthday, which prompted the crowd to half-heartedly sing to her which made her smile in appreciation. “What a great way to spend my birthday, here with you great people” as they transitioned into playing “Cherry Wine”.
With drummer Qi Wei, guitarist Kriss Tokaji, and bassist Aaron Lecesne all playing perfectly together, their set went without a hitch with the crowd clapping and waving their arms by the end.
Rock goddess Nita Strauss was prepared to bring the house down with a near hour long set. Her band, consisting of fiancé Josh Villalta on drums, Johnny Young on rhythm guitar, Christopher Dean on bass and Katt Scarlett on Keyboards, turned up the heat in the already sweltering venue opening with the Terminator theme song as they took the stage before beginning “Summer Storm.” They made it about four songs into the setlist when technical difficulties struck with loss of power on parts of the stage. “This isn’t the first time this has happened,” Nita said with a smile as crew worked quickly to resolve the issue. Villalta entertained the crowd with drum solos, keeping the crowd enthused and Nita helped stall by bringing Shelter from Starbenders back out on stage along with Diamante to sing “Happy Birthday” again (this time the crowd sang
with more enthusiasm). Shelter smiled and with a laugh jokingly said, “I am so uncomfortable but thank you!”
The show quickly got back on track, and soon Kasey Karlsen of the NY-based metalcore band called the Deadlights joined to provide vocals for “The Golden Trail”, “Through The Noise”, and “Dead Inside”. The energy was nonstop, with Strauss seldom standing still, her long blond hair flowing as her Ibanez guitars got one hell of a workout.
Strauss paused long enough to introduce her first solo single “Pandemonium”. “Victorious”, a song about perseverance after being told “you’re not good enough”, had band members singing the chorus together to the crowd who responded with equal enthusiasm. The icing on the cake was the show ending with Pantera’s “Cowboys From Hell”.
It was the epitome of what a perfect rock show should be: amazing guitar riffs, high energy, talented musicians, with great lighting and smoke effects.
(Photography by Trista Whitman)
Nita Strauss Photos
Starbenders Photos
Diamante Photos
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