Just when we thought Nashville evenings couldn’t get any steamier, the Summer Storm tour blew into town, courtesy of guitar virtuoso Nita Strauss, kicking off her solo tour. The iconic Exit/In played host to this whirlwind of a night, the legendary venue hummed with excitement and anticipation.
The name Nita Strauss rings familiar to those ensnared in the world of rock, mainly for her masterful guitar contributions to Alice Cooper’s band. However, last night’s performance confirmed that Strauss has indeed carved her unique niche in the music industry, rising like a Phoenix amidst rock titans.
Brittany Ray was the first to take the stage, her energetic pop-rock tunes getting the crowd moving and setting the tone for the rest of the night. Her infectious energy was a shot of pure adrenaline that warmed up the audience, priming them for the musical journey they were about to embark upon.
Next, The Other LA took to the stage, their fusion of pop, rock, and metal resonating with the crowd. Their high-energy performance and polished presence kept the audience’s adrenaline levels spiked, ready for the next act to take the stage.
Up next was Lions at the Gate, their raw, and at times almost primal, sound, adding a delicious edge to the evening. Their performance was akin to the gathering of storm clouds, a siren’s call signaling the imminent arrival of the tempest that was Nita Strauss.
And then came the storm, led by none other than Nita Strauss herself. She took the stage like a force of nature, commanding attention with her dynamic presence and extraordinary guitar skills. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, Nita owned the spotlight. Her command of the guitar is extraordinary, matched only by the fire in her performance.
Accompanying Strauss’s shredding was the vocal talents of Kasey Karlsen. A perfect fit for Strauss’s music, Karlsen’s robust and fiery vocals not only complimented the music but enhanced it, drawing the audience deeper into the performance.
Nina’s performance was more than just a music concert; it was a personal journey shared with every single person in the room. Watching her on stage was like observing a force of nature, pure, raw, and unapologetically powerful.
One couldn’t ignore the radiating heat from the crowd, especially from a group of young women headbanging their hearts out, their eyes reflecting the stage lights, their souls, the music. It reminded me of my youth in Nicaragua, where such a spectacle would have been a mere pipe dream. To see a woman like Strauss, tearing down stereotypes with every note, was empowering.
As the ‘Summer Storm’ tour continues its path, I can only recommend fans to brace themselves for this tempest of talent, to revel in the monsoon of melodies that Nita Strauss is set to unleash. The storm has just begun, my friends. As for me? I can hardly wait for the rain!