(Concert Therapy Reviews): VIXEN Live at The Landis Theater in Vineland, New Jersey (7/11/2021)

While trying to write this review… all I keep referencing back to in my mind is Lorraine Lewis’s use of the term “Hella-cool”. If I may be so bold, I’d like to use this word to describe the recent Vixen show I was lucky enough to see. Vixen has been rocking the stages for the past few decades and in their original hey-day I wasn’t able to see them. However this time around, that was not the case.
Playing recently at the beautiful Landis Theater in Vineland, NJ, I was not going to miss this opportunity. Local NJ Cat Manning opened up the show. I was unfamiliar with her work before hearing her at this show. But I have to say WHAT A TALENT. Cat has a great voice- powerful, expressive and she can really belt out a tune. She has the kind of voice which makes people take notice. A little bit of Lzzy Hale mixed with strong Carrie Underwood and Janis Joplin influences, I can see her becoming a force in the music industry very soon. Cat and her band finished up their set with a raucous rendition of Heart’s classic tune “Barracuda”. Be sure to check her out since she has a single coming out August 13th.

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Vixen started their set a few minutes after 8pm. One of the DJ’s from a local rock station came out to introduce the band and “hype” the crowd , a task for which the crowd was extremely ready.  Opening up their set with Rev It Up and How Much Love, the band did not miss a beat. They next launched into the Femme Fatale classic “Waiting for the Big One”, which of course Lorraine Lewis knocked out of the park. Prior to playing “Cryin”, Lorraine said how the song is very emotional, and announced that this was only their third show since last February, the crowd seemed quite surprised. It appeared a moment of shock and surprise which took over the crowd for a second. Most likely since the band sounded extremely tight like a well oiled machine.

The dynamics between Roxy , Lorraine, Britt and Share showed a band who were not only enjoying their time rocking out on stage together, but also having a really good time with each other. Between songs there was a lot of commentary and appreciation shown towards the crowd including Roxy getting down from the riser and giving her sticks mid-set to a lucky fan in the front. A few people shouted their adulations towards the band as well, which, I’m sure, was appreciated by the group. This was a great show for the fans from a great band or as Lorraine put it ever so perfectly….”Hella-Hella Cool”

Set List:

1. Rev It Up
2. How Much Love
3. Waiting For The Big One
4. Cruisin’
5. Cryin’
6. I Want You To Rock Me
7. Streets of Paradise
8. Fallin’ In And Out of Love
9. I Don’t Need No Doctor
10. Love Is A Killer
11. Oughta Know By Now
12. Love Made Me
13. Edge of a Broken Heart

Vixen has a series of shows coming up.  Check out the tour dates below:

Saturday, August 28th- New York State Fair in Syracuse, New York (w/Great White)

Saturday, September 11th- BMI Speedway in Versailles, Ohio (w/Slaughter)

Friday, October 1st- Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut

Saturday, October 16th- Apache Casino Hotel in Lawton, Oklahoma (w/Slaughter)

Sunday, October 17th- Monsters On The Mountain in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Saturday, October 23rd- The Cannery Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada (w/Skid Row)

Wednesday, February 9th, 2022- Monsters of Rock Cruise in Miami, Florida

Saturday, July 9th, 2022- Enfield Town Green July 4th Celebration in Enfield, Connecticut (w/Slaughter and Autograph)

For tickets and further information on any of the shows listed above, click here.

Fans can find Vixen on Facebook and their official website.

Check out the music video for their classic song “Edge of a Broken Heart” below:

• Photo Credit:  Bryan Bardes Photography