A few shrill beats of a vintage telephone ringing sent the M&S Bank Arena into a delighted, manic frenzy last night as the iconic Blondie launched into a medley of epic songs.
The legendary rock band, who shot to fame in the 70s, kicked off their much-anticipated Against The Odds tour with a rendition of their debut single X Offender, with lead singer Debbie Harry still as effortlessly cool as ever in oversized black sunglasses and an almost-neon pink blazer. The tour’s title is fitting, given the months of delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but the eager anticipation from the crowd was more than satisfied by the band’s relentless energy and perfect setlist.
Blondie’s famed guitarist and writer Chris Stein was missing from the band’s line-up due to ill-health, but the clever mash-up of seasoned punks and younger - though no less talented - performers ensured the show went on without even a hint of a glitch. After opening with their debut single, they launched into Hanging on the Telephone, the crowd united in rapturous joy. From there, the hits didn’t stop coming.
