Review of US rockers Blondie at the Hydro music venue in Glasgow
glasgowtimes.co.uk – 23rd April 2022
BY STACEY MULLEN
Verdict: Four stars.
Iconic rockers Blondie made their return to Glasgow tonight after a five-year break from touring the UK where they put on a night fans will never forget.
Walking on stage, it seemed like the seated crowd inducted Blondie into the Hydro rock n’roll hall of fame as they gave them a standing ovation right before the band even launched into a single note of X-Offender.
With a backdrop featuring monochrome stripes similar to their 1978 hit album Parallel Lines, lead singer Debbie Harry, 76, belted out the songs that made that same record a success, Hanging on the Telephone, Sunday Girl and Picture This.
Looking as stylish as ever, the stunner armed with a cheeky glint in her eye, said: “This is a long time coming for me.
“It’s really an honour to be back here and to see all of you.”
And it was an honour to have the songstress on the city stage as she impressed with the 1980 hit Atomic.
She oozed confidence and was energetic throughout the almost two-hour set proving she was more than ready to kick off the first UK date of the Against the Odds tour.
While drummer Clem Burke showed off his musicianship as the backbone of that Blondie sound guiding the rest of the band including former Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock who replaced Chris Stein after he was forced to pull out of the tour due to a heart condition.
From the Tide is High to Rapture, Maria and Dreaming, all Blondie sounds were covered during the set reminding fans why the band were so successful in the first place.
Their daring attitude to experimenting and stepping out of the box created songs that truly stand the test of time, something that showed on the night with an audience packed full of generations of fans.
The impeccable Heart of Glass delighted the crowd before the night ended on a high with Call Me and One Way or Another.
