MixTape Unleashes Pure '80s Madness And Magic At Cafe 27

By Joanie Cox Henry

While the world feels as if it's spinning chaotically out of control at the moment, MixTape is the South Florida based band offering pure, uncut musical medicine for the soul!

MixTape hit the stage at Cafe 27 Sunday afternoon like a neon tsunami. These cats have shared stages with the titans—Loverboy, 3 Doors Down, Warrant and many others—and it shows in every calculated power chord and choreographed hip thrust.

Kickstart My Heart: Mixtape's fierce front woman Lindsay Giova gets a kick out of Cafe 27

The afternoon's revelation came when they debuted Heart's "Barracuda"—a song that's been murdered by more cover bands than a John Wick franchise. But Lindsay Giova transformed this power hit into Ann Wilson's fever dream, her beautiful voice cutting through the thick South Florida humidity like a machete through lush jungle vines. This woman was born to bless the microphone. When she unleashed "I Touch Myself" later in the set, the crowd went full primal as they should. I have always loved this song. When Mixtape does it, I can't help but love it even more.

"The best part about playing Cafe 27 is the freedom and space to be wild and unrestrained without having to edit lyrics, restrict dance moves or water myself down to be more palatable to pearl clutchers," Giova said. "I hope audiences feel that freedom as well to authentically connect with how the music makes them feel, let loose and just fully enjoy the moment."

Fernando Santomaggio shined as a versatile virtuoso, a master of funk who commanded the low end like a fearless five-stringed sorcerer.

With his mane of raven-black hair whipping around with the fire of a rock deity, he is a bassist who doesn't just play the songs—he becomes them, breathing life into every note with an intuitive understanding of what makes a crowd move. His transition from Peter Gabriel's art-rock sophistication on "Sledgehammer" to Simple Minds' soaring stadium euphoria on "Don't You Forget About Me" was melodically brilliant.

"It was a great time," Santomaggio said about performing at Cafe 27. "It also warms my heart to get to play...more Heart!"

Mike Elmore's guitar during "La Grange" was pure Austin, Texas thunder, channeling Billy Gibbons with the confidence of a man who's stared down actual rock legends and lived to tell the tale. Steve Kaminer's rendition of "Cheap Sunglasses" is complete joy.

"I really enjoy playing there," Kaminer said of performing at Cafe 27. "They always draw a great crowd, provide amazing sound and have a big stage. It's one of the best venues for bands in South Broward!"

Back Atcha: Fernando Santomaggio and Steve Kaminer get into the groove at Cafe 27

And the enchantment continued in those moments between songs, when the band's collective decades of experience created an almost telepathic synchronicity. Kaminer's dual guitar/keyboard assault, Paco Camara's percussive precision—this was a well-oiled machine built for maximum crowd satisfaction. There was one point in the show where Camara was beating the drums so hard one actually needed to get repaired. In that moment, Elmore, Giova and Santomaggio cleverly performed a paired down version of "Rhiannon." Giova's take on Stevie Nicks is always a treat. The Gold Dust Woman is also in a Fleetwood Mac Tribute band True Rumours.

By the time Giova launched into Def Leppard's "Photograph," Cafe 27 had become a total time machine. The '80s weren't just being remembered—they were being resurrected, reanimated, and set loose upon an unsuspecting crowd at Cafe 27 on the edge of the Everglades. Frankly it felt really good, actually healing, to return to the '80s with Mixtape for a few hours. I also had the tremendous honor of hopping on stage to join this amazing band for covers of "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" and "I Love Rock 'N' Roll." Thank you, MixTape, for the priceless opportunity to rock out with you!

While it's always a bummer to return to the harsh realities of 2025, I am deeply grateful Mixtape is out there and these magical beings are just a gig away!

Check out https://mixtapebig80sradio.com/ for the latest on the band and where you can see them play next!

Some snapshots from the show! Thank you, Terry Griffin, for capturing a few of these photos.

Steve Kaminer, Fernando Santomaggio and drummer Paco Camara chill with a staff member at Cafe 27

Some highlights from the show: