Critic for a day: A reader reviews Blondie at the Roundhouse

Debbie Harry stole the show, says Kristien De Wulf
Played the classics: Blondie

As part of the Standard's Christmas charity campaign in support of Centrepoint, Kristien De Wulf generously bid and won the chance to head to a gig of her choice with the Standard's David Smyth. Below, Kristien shares her experience of Blondie at the Camden Roundhouse.

When I won the bid 'Critic for a Day' published by the Evening Standard, Jan 17, to raise money for Centrepoint, I felt very lucky. Not only did I get to choose the concert, I was also set the challenge to write about my experience.

Not long after that I saw that one of my favourite bands of the eighties was coming to town: Blondie. Who could ever forget their magical singer, Debbie Harry, with her beautiful looks and amazing voice? As a teenager we loved to party to her uplifting music and I can only feel embarrassed now as I read the lyrics online and remember my own version of made-up English. That was then, growing up in Bruges, Belgium.

Now, on May 3, I saw Blondie live at the Roundhouse, a fantastic place for concerts – not too big, friendly crowd and real London vibes. On top of that I was accompanied by David Smyth, the Standard’s music critic.

Debbie made her entrance, singing One Way or Another and that was it; I forgot the time, felt like a teenager again and enjoyed every minute of it.

The band played the classics, intertwined with new songs and gave it their all. The musicians were great, showing off their musical skills with guitar and drum solos, but Debbie Harry stole the show. Her message was that we should take care of the planet but for me the best message of the night was her showing that a woman can be proud of herself at any stage in her life.

I would like to thank David for being informative and charming the whole evening. For him it was a job, for me a fantastic evening out.

A Blondie fan forever,

Kristien De Wulf.

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