I have been anticipating tonight’s show since the very moment I purchased tickets a fair few months ago. Blondie are legendary, and I am not using this term lightly. Having sold in excess of 40 million records since their formation in 1975 making them one of the most commercially successful bands to emerge from the 1970’s punk scene and most recently being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, they thoroughly deserve this legendary status. And the fact that they are playing this relatively intimate (for them at least) venue makes tonight’s show even more special.Before I go any further I’d like to give you a glimpse of the scene that I am confronted with in the space just outside of the main stage room. What I am standing in resembles tea-time at a retirement home. Tea and cakes are being served to individuals who were at least in their late teens when Blondie started and I am most certainly one of the youngest here (I’m 19 by the way). But this is a band of their childhoods, many of the women here idolised Deborah Harry and many of these men had enormous crushes on her! Given the huge task of being the sole support for such a legendary band is small Oxford band Little Fish. Without even an album to their name (debut to be released October this year entitled Baffled & Beat) they have already racked up some impressive support slots with bands such as Hole, Placebo and Alice In Chains. After my last experience of these live (supporting Placebo) I was dreading having to stand through these again. But something has changed, they’re good, very good! Their female fronted garage rock captivates me, and clearly the rest of the audience as no-one holds back applause after each song. Admittedly a few songs sound a little flat and uncatchy but then a gem like ‘Darling Dear’ comes along with its steadily increasing tempo that grabs my attention and the amazing vocals from Julia ‘juju’ Sophie, showing just why they were chosen for this huge feat. The highlight of their set for me is the new single ‘Am I Crazy?’ which I know well due the computer game Rockband. Little Fish’s job is done, and I’m ready for Blondie!!
As the backdrop becomes visible, a black and white striped sheet with BLONDIE across it, many of the crowd come close to peeing themselves with excitement, although for many of the older members the excitement may not be the reason! I may be playing on the fact that many of the audience are on the older side of life, but there are still plenty of young faces which is pleasing to see as it shows that Blondie are still attracting new fans that weren’t even born when the first album was released. When Debbie Harry walks out onto the stage, the cheers and screams are beyond deafening! This is understandable as for many of the women here she was an icon and they all wanted to be her. She neither looks, sounds or moves like the 64 year old lady she is as they plough through their massive hits while also given us a sneak peak at many new songs from forthcoming album Panic Of Girls. Hanging On The Telephone sounds phenomenal. Debbie has certainly not lost her dance moves over the years as she moves as if it was 1979, although she does require the odd rest here and there, which she uses as an opportunity to allow the rest of the band to show their talent, with guitar solos and a exceptional drum solo which all receive tremendous reactions from the crowd, and leaves me thoroughly impressed.Sandwiched between new songs are hits including Atomic, The Tide Is High, Rapture and Picture This which are all delivered with everything that Blondie have, I’m actually so surprised at how perfect they sound, and id happily stand here and watch them play all night long. Muse had clearly been listening to Call Me before writing their song ‘Uprising’ as there are many similarities. Blondie are clearly aware of this as they slightly change the intro and various parts to sound more like Muse and it sounds bloody amazing! Unlike many of the gigs I go to, the crowd here are relaxed. There is no pushing, shoving or people getting in each other’s faces. The room is full of people here to appreciate the music. ‘One Way Or Another’ is possible Blondie’s most well recognised song and tonight it sparks an energetic response from the crowd which equals the performance onstage. It seems that Blondie still have the ability to surprise as they deliver a shock cover of Taio Cruz’ hit single ‘Break Your Heart’. If I was told beforehand that they would cover this then I would have been wary of the result, but I’m pleasantly surprised and pleased that they performed it so much better than the original (which is actually a guilty pleasure of mine).
As ‘Heart Of Glass’ comes to an end, the excruciatingly painful cheers make an appearance once again. Debbie and the band smile as they have been all night, which is something I like from a band. I love it when a performer looks like they are enjoying themselves as much as I am. I may have not been around to witness a Blondie show back in the day, but their performance tonight makes one thing clear…they still have it!!
