I always enjoy waiting in line to get in to shows at Mohegan Sun‘s Wolf Den as it’s like a big family reunion. I got to reminisce about the last shows that we saw there and what shows are coming up. The last time Vixen played Mohegan Sun, it was in their arena opening for Pearcy/DeMartini last April. This time, they were in the more intimate Wolf Den, a 350-person capacity area set in the circular center of the main casino floor flanked by rockery and howling wolves. Most casino attendees just outside of the Wolf Den floor got to enjoy the music while trying to win big on slot machines or card tables.
80’s all-female rock band, Vixen, always draws a sizable crowd to their yearly show at The Wolf Den. With Roxy Petrucci being the only member that has been in the band since the 80’s on drums, Britt Lightning on guitar, and more recent additions, Julia Lage on bass, and Rosa Laricchiuta on lead vocals. Rosa brings a powerful voice to the band, and they seem to sound slightly heavier than in the past. Rosa has been the lead singer of the west coast Trans-Siberian Orchestra since 2016 and joined Vixen in 2024. Bassist Julia Lage Joined in 2022. Julia hails from Brazil, and we have to give her a huge congratulations for just receiving her US citizenship a few days ago! Britt has a laundry list of experience behind her which started with the all-female band Jaded in 2004, to playing stadiums, and has been Vixen’s resident shredder since 2017. Roxy keeps the band in time behind her drum kit which is adorned with fox tails and stuffed animals. Touring member, Tyson Leslie rocks the keyboards and sings backing vocals as well. Tyson is a Nashville based musician who never seems to stop working and is also known for his Rare Hare shows in Nashville and on The Monsters of Rock Cruise.
Vixen always brings 100 percent to the stage when they perform, but this time seeing them was over the top. The band just seemed to click from start to finish and it seems that Rosa has found a permanent spot with Vixen. The fans are loving what she is bringing to the band. The ladies always feed off of each other having fun throughout the set. Oh, and crowd participation is a must during “I Want You to Rock Me”. They hit the stage at 8:00 with “Rev It Up” and played a 13-song set. In addition to their hits, during the middle of the set, they always do a medley of mostly cover songs and including their own song “I Want You to Rock Me”. They ended the set with “Edge of a Broken Heart” with the crowd singing along. And then after the show they came out and greeted fans at the merch booth and signed autographs.
Vixen is still rocking in 2026, and they have a few more shows happening before hitting the high seas on The Monsters of Rock Cruise on April 12. If you have never been on the cruise, go check out the website for info. There are still a few rooms left.
Vixen is:
Roxy Petrucci – Drums, backing vocals
Britt Lightning – Guitar, backing vocals
Julia Lage – Bass, backing vocals
Rosa Laricchiuta – Lead vocals
Tyson Leslie – Keyboards, backing vocals
Setlist:
1. Rev It Up
2. Charmed Life (Jeff Paris cover)
3. How Much Love
4. Cruisin’
5. Hard 16
6. Cryin’ (Jeff Paris cover)
7. Runnin’ with the Devil/ I Want You to Rock Me/ Perfect Strangers/ What You’re Doing/ War Pigs/ Still of the Night/ Drum Solo/ I Want You to Rock Me
8. Streets in Paradise
9. Love is a Killer
10. Not a Minute Too Soon
11. You Oughta Know by Now (Ray Kennedy cover)
12. Love Made Me
13. Edge of a Broken Heart
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