LIVE CONCERT REVIEW: JOHNNY MARR & BLONDIE
April 29, 2022, Hull, UK: Hull Bonus Arena,
(written by Deborah Fialkiewicz)
May 19, 2022
PART 1: JOHNNY MARR
Finally here to see Blondie at the bonus arena after cancellations due to covid. Been looking forward to this for so long. The support now is Johnny Marr, the iconic Smiths’ guitarist. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him again. The original support was to be Garbage. When it is time for the gig to start, the lights go down and the bond theme of ‘No Time to Die” by Billie Eilish comes on, that Johnny played on. The set opens with the synth-heavy Armatopia, then into The Smiths’ Classic Panic, which mentions Humberside. Night and Day, Spirit, Power, and Soul, then the classic This Charming Man, which gets the crowd going. Johnny’s beautiful guitar work is impressive, and he sounds great with a really tight band. He introduces the next song as a Manchester dance track. It's electronics getting away with it. A stunning version. Walk Into the Sea follows, then The Smiths’ Please Please Please Let Me Get What I want, followed by The Familiar sound of How Soon Is Now, then Easy Money, and ending with the beautiful There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. The band wave their goodbyes! A superb set - exceptional! What a great start to the night!
Finally here to see Blondie at the bonus arena after cancellations due to covid. Been looking forward to this for so long. The support now is Johnny Marr, the iconic Smiths’ guitarist. I’ve been looking forward to seeing him again. The original support was to be Garbage. When it is time for the gig to start, the lights go down and the bond theme of ‘No Time to Die” by Billie Eilish comes on, that Johnny played on. The set opens with the synth-heavy Armatopia, then into The Smiths’ Classic Panic, which mentions Humberside. Night and Day, Spirit, Power, and Soul, then the classic This Charming Man, which gets the crowd going. Johnny’s beautiful guitar work is impressive, and he sounds great with a really tight band. He introduces the next song as a Manchester dance track. It's electronics getting away with it. A stunning version. Walk Into the Sea follows, then The Smiths’ Please Please Please Let Me Get What I want, followed by The Familiar sound of How Soon Is Now, then Easy Money, and ending with the beautiful There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. The band wave their goodbyes! A superb set - exceptional! What a great start to the night!
Jonny Marr;
Photo Credit: Alie Koser
PART 2: BLONDIE
Now it's time for the headliners: Blondie. The intro to the set is the Damaged Coda. The band appear with Debbie Harry dressed in yellow. The whole set and backdrop is very colourful, with pop art images. They open up with X Offender, then move onto Hanging On The Telephone. Then 2 classics: In Sunday Girl and Picture This. The powerful drumming of Clem Burke pounds in these classic hits. The band have drafted in former Sex Pistol, Glen Matlock, and guitarist Andee Blacksugar, to replace the ill Chris Stein. Tommy Kessler is on guitar, and Matt Katz Bohen is on keys. Debbie, at 76 years old, looks and sounds amazing! And with the energy of someone half her age. The band begins another classic - The Tide Is High, which gets the large crowd moving! What I Heard is next, followed by a powerful version of Atomic. This middle section sees classics such as I'm Always Touched by Your Presence Dear, Shayla, and Union City Blue. The tight rhythm section and powerful drumming from Clem are impressive, Along with the colourful visuals on the screen. Long Time is next up followed by Rapture. The band then plays Maria, which Debbie dedicates to all the girls and those who want to be girls! The main part of the set finishes with Dreaming, and Heart of Glass. The band leave the stage to cries for more. They return with Debbie sporting a cape, which she then removed, showing off her newly-donned black top. They launch into No Exit, then Fragments. The encore ends with Calls Me and the usual ending of One Way or Another. The band end their set to a standing ovation. An absolutely great night of classic rock and pop, with classics delivered by a great band on top of their game. A magnificent show!
Blondie; Photo Credit: Alie koser
Find out more about Blondie on their official page, and enjoy this fun video of Blondie performing "Detroit", off their official YouTube page.
