Blondie: Gig Review

Newcastle O2 Academy
15th June 2010

By Rosie Marsh

Blondie are still the unstoppable dolly-mixture of punk, reggae, pop and soul, and are just as popular today as they were twenty years ago, performing to a sell-out O2 Academy in Newcastle. They showcased material from their new album Panic Of Girls, and whilst the music is just as beguiling and innovative as it was in the band’s hey-day, the notorious Blondie ‘classics’ were the real crowd pleasers, with Hanging On The Telephone, Atomic, Maria and One Way Or Another whipping the Geordie crowd into a frenzy.

Debbie Harry’s distinct and powerful vocals, long blonde locks and envious silhouette made it easy to forget that this beautiful pop star is verging on 65. The audience ranged from teeny boppers to mum-rockers yet the generational gap did not leave out the younger crowd, who were treated to a whirlwind rendition of Taio Cruz’s Break Your Heart.

An hour into the gig the band were banished off stage while sound technicians fixed the faulty equipment. The audience were left wondering, “so, has the gig actually finished?” but the tremendous roaring crowd coaxed them back on stage, injecting the northern throng with another ‘hit’ of Blondie. The sheer enthusiasm on stage almost 3 decades later means the band has truly reached iconic status.

Isle Of Wight Festival 2010: Little Boots

Little Boots

Isle Of Wight Festival 2010

By Rosie Marsh

Victoria Hesketh joined the hordes of hippies across the tiny patch of water and on to the Wight Isle. She played a stripped acoustic set; no gadgets or a fancy tenori on. She was exposed to the bare bones of her songwriting; just her and a piano. The sun was shining and the crowd stood underneath a giant oak tree whilst songs such as Earthquake, Remedy and New In Town deliciously swam through their ears.

Hesketh, a mere freckle in the distance, told the crowd of how anxious she was to play what would be her only festival appearance of the year, and whilst it wasn’t particularly what her fans were used to, the lack of fancy electronic instruments on stage didn’t dampen any spirits, and had the relaxed audience on their feet chanting to music from Lumidee with Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh) and Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill (Here is another version of it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf8SUA7SDdU)

Victoria looked festival-chic with her new fringe and Princess Leia-like hair, but she wouldn’t be Little Boots if she didn’t fashion a peculiar garment on stage, this time a silver, almost mirror-like, other-worldly top. Hesketh’s set was impressive and showcased her compelling vocal range. Her reflective and utterly absorbing lyrics resulted in her making an H1N1 strain of music. The set apprehended just what an accomplished piano player she is as those little hammers barely got a rest. The Acoustic Stage was in awe, and this lady's next record is eagerly anticipated.