Blondie – The Piece Hall, Halifax – Sunday 9th June 2024

Blondie’s songs and music have lasted for decades. They’ve toured relentlessly and their music has appeared in countless TV shows and films. It’s a privilege to be able to enjoy their music in a live setting. Debbie Harry is one of the most iconic frontwomen in rock/pop/punk history and bands built around a female singer are all too rare. Her ability to create great music and put on entertaining live performances really resonates with her diverse range of fans.

With the five strong band, Harry takes to the stage dressed in a funky black and white outfit topped off with some shades which stay on for at least a few tracks despite it already being dark outside. She’s looking full of punk-pop-cool while the audience are dressed in waterproofs and plastic ponchos braving the rain that began just before the gig began and refuses to stop. The rain is pouring down but spirits remain high as Blondie storm through a setlist of hits including an opening salvo of One Way Or Another, Hanging On The Telephone, Sunday Girl and Call Me. Four huge hits back-to-back give fair warning that this is going to be an amazing gig. Blondie is a mix of pop lyrics, rock music and a touch of punk angst.

In terms of Blondie as a band the line up has not changed too much over the years. Chris Stein was ever-present on guitar until his retirement from touring in 2019 leaving Harry and drummer Clem Burke as the only remaining original members. But the current line up including former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock on bass and Tommy Kessler on guitar is more than capable.

“I can’t believe we haven’t played here before – it’s quite beautiful,” says Harry who is visibly enjoying the moment as she sings, dances and waves to the audience. Atomic really gets the audience excited followed by Rapture. Harry teases a line of Denis but goes no further into the song, and instead invites the audience to get closer to their loved ones, despite the rain, as she gives us a lovely performance of In the Flesh.

Three more crowd-pleasing hits – The Tide Is High, Maria and Heart Of Glass – round out the main set before a short encore break. Lightning flashes across the video screen on the stage with an accompanying crack of thunder, as the rain continues to fall in real time. Blondie return to the stage to play Dog Star Girl which is easily the heaviest guitar track of the evening before concluding, the encore, and the evening with Dreaming.

Blondie played two sold out nights at The Piece Hall over the weekend to thousands of eager and appreciative fans. An amazing start to what promises to be a fantastic season of summer shows at a truly outstanding destination for so many top acts. Amongst many others, still to come are Sheryl Crow, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Crowded House, Bryan Adams, Richard Ashcroft and Noel Gallagher.

Photos from a soggy sound desk by Mike Ainscoe

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