Blondie
Wednesday 26th June 2013 – Waterfront, Belfast
Debbie Harry pranced onto stage wearing a hooded pink jump suit and sunglasses, kicking things off with the famous hit, ‘One Way or Another.’ The entire Waterfront screamed their appreciation. The set list was kept fresh with a mix of songs from each album including, Blondie, No Exit, Picture This and Parallel Lines, keeping all the fans happy. Debbie moved about the stage just as she would have in her prime, if you didn’t already know you wouldn’t have guessed that she was to turn 68 on July 1st; she was full of life and it made you realise how much of a privilege it was to be there.
The band changed-up a number of their songs to keep things fresh, adding in new guitar solos and getting Chris Stein to sing solo at times. They had a new guitarist, who performed some amazing guitar solos. Debbie Harry still knows how to work a crowd, getting everyone to sing along to the chorus’ of all the top hits. She looked and sounded amazing, it’s not often you can get the chance to see someone of that age perform at that standard. I was surprisingly impressed with the entire performance.
One of the highlights of the night was defiantly when ‘Atomic’ was performed. It was amazing and the entire venue sang along. It seemed like Debbie Harry herself and the rest of the band enjoyed this one the most as well, they really give it their all. They managed to plug a few of the new songs during the concert, they haven’t really changed their sound, just a slight twist but they have maintained the classic Blondie sound.
I don’t know if the Waterfront was the right venue for Blondie, the crowd was spilt in terms of who wanted to remain seated and those that needed to get up and dance. People are always going to want to get up and dance to, ‘Maria’, ‘Call Me’ and ‘One Way or Another’ to name just a few.
The set list was flawless, aside from ‘Denise’ and ‘Sunday Girl’, that were missing, but every other hit was covered keeping most of the audience happy. I was delighted when they played my favourite, ‘Union City Blue.’ The crowd was so mixed in regards to age, the die-hard fans to an entire new generation following her. It shows that Blondie has and always will be loved and respected. Growing up I never thought I would have been given the chance to see Blondie live, and couldn’t believe it when it was announced. Nothing disappointed I would go back again, again. It was an amazing hour and forty minutes and was so fortunate and ecstatic to be there. The night ended with ‘Dreaming’, which was such a creditable way to finish the night off, as Debbie Harry repeatedly sang, “dreaming is free” as she walked off stage to a standing- ovation.
