Atomic Blondie hits the target

icNewcastle – 24th November 2003

Music & Gigs

By Francesca Craggs, The Journal

Strutting the stage of the City Hall in micro mini and stilettos, Deborah Harry proved that age is certainly no barrier.

After nearly 30 years in the business, Blondie rocked Saturday night’s capacity crowd with hits old and new.

Accompanied by former lover and songwriter Chris Stein on guitar, and backed by the brilliant beat of drummer Clem Burke, Harry gave an electric, tongue-in-cheek performance throughout.

Burke wowed and warmed the crowd with a breathtaking drum instrumental before Harry burst onto the stage to open with Atomic – and the atmosphere was definitely that.

The audience of die-hard and new generation Blondie fans danced in the aisles to all time classics Heart of Glass, The Tide is High, Sunday Girl and Rapture. There was also a taste of more recent work with songs from their new album The Curse of Blondie, interspersed throughout the line up.

From the popular to the punk, each song brought a buzz to the audience. Even some of the less known numbers like X Offender, Rip Her to Shreds, and Detroit 442 from one of the very first albums.

Appearing for her encore wearing an England rugby shirt brought elation from the crowd, as Harry belted out the final songs Call Me, War Child and One Way or Another.

Despite their longevity, Blondie’s energy, enthusiasm and willingness to entertain would rival any new band. A real punk pop bonanza.