Blondie concert review,

Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

There’s a very ‘blokey’ theory that says any woman who waves her hands over her head whilst dancing is a nutter to be kept well clear of.

If such a lady is of a certain age (let’s say 64), wearing a platinum blonde wig and has a dance style veering between Spinal Tap and spinal board, then avoidance is highly recommended.

But, but, but . . .  then her hand reaches her hip, there’s a little sway, cheekbones flare, teeth gleam and, oh lordy, all is forgiven  it’s Debbie Harry; 70s icon, bona fide rock royalty and still looking good, even in a frock by Hyacinth Bucket. And so it was last night as punk-pop legends Blondie had the packed Civic eating out of their hands.

After opening with new song D-Day, Hanging on the Telephone lit the peroxide touchpaper for a set that introduced some impressive new material, especially Love Doesn’t Frighten Me from new album Panic of Girls.

Predictably, it was older tunes that went down best with an audience clearly, and quite rightly, still dreaming of the band’s late 70s/early 80s soundtrack.

Chart-toppers Atomic, Call Me, Tide is High and Rapture all went down a storm, while a pitch perfect Maria confirmed the voice is still capable of hitting the high notes  even if, at times, a smiling Deborah was happy to be drowned out by the crowd.

And in truth, she looked happy all night; flashing her New York gnashers at every opportunity and even raising her skirt to show off a garlanded thigh late on  the big tease.

Fellow founder member Chris Stein looked as nonchalant as ever, and original drummer Clem Burke has always been a one-man wall of sound, driving the band through the hits like a powerhouse.

Perhaps most random sight of the night was keyboardist Matt Katz-Bowen, resplendent in sleeveless white jump suit, racing to the front of the stage to play his instrument over his head. (Hendrix would have loved it.)

Or maybe it was guitarist Tommy Kess-ler’s screaming stadium rock solo, going unnoticed by an unruffled bouncer despite being played 12 inches behind his head. One Way or

Another set the scene for a finale framed perfectly by Picture This.

Yes, there were brief moments when the whole thing strayed dangerously from ‘New York sassy’ to Chicago Rock Café but when your material is as strong as this, you can virtually do what you like.

Which explains the unexpected encore of Taio Cruz’s Break Your Heart before an epic Heart of Glass sent the crowd home, happily “oo-ooing” into the night.

Review by Keith Harrison.

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