blaker23
07-23-2009, 02:19 PM
Blondie, Pat Benatar Kick Off U.S. Tour
The punk and new wave queens of yesteryear rock out for Chardonnay-slammin' soccer moms in Saratoga, CA.
By Josh Fernandez 07.22.09 12:34 PM
The opening show of Blondie, Pat Benatar, and the Donnas' Call Me Invincible Tour Tuesday night in Saratoga, CA, was like a riot -- a nicely organized riot with a seating chart, vigilant security, and lots of Chardonnay.
Harry seemed shy -- distant, even -- as the band (Clem Burke on drums, Leigh Foxx on bass, Chris Stein on guitar, Paul Carbonara on guitar, and Matt Katz-Bohen on keys) covered many of their decade-spanning hits without so much as a word from the quiet frontwoman. Occasionally strutting to the side of the stage to let the band play, Harry mostly danced by herself in the corner. But it was during "Maria" when she seemed to realize that she was at a concert, of which she was the star, moving center stage to bask in the fans' praise.
And then her performance took shape. Audience members stood up for "Tide is High," "Rapture," and "Heart of Glass" -- and couldn't help but swoon over the 64-year-old rock'n'roll icon whose voice still resonates with that unmistakably crisp tone.
Blondie ended their set with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," a Michael Jackson tribute that finished just in time to let fans make a break for the bar before Pat Benatar took to the stage.
Benatar soon stormed on, leading her band into "All Fired Up" -- and the four piece didn't let up until "Heartbreaker," which came almost a dozen songs later. Benatar's voice was immaculate. The range, power, and emotion behind her balladry held up well even 30 years later. She hit all the high notes while digging for the lows without much strain or effort.
By the end of the night, the crowd was falling over itself, things got loose, and some brave soul finally lit up the first and last joint of the night. Diehard fans saw a great show, got wasted, and might even decide to skip work and Pilates class the next day.
http://spin.com/articles/blondie-pat-benatar-kick-us-tour
The punk and new wave queens of yesteryear rock out for Chardonnay-slammin' soccer moms in Saratoga, CA.
By Josh Fernandez 07.22.09 12:34 PM
The opening show of Blondie, Pat Benatar, and the Donnas' Call Me Invincible Tour Tuesday night in Saratoga, CA, was like a riot -- a nicely organized riot with a seating chart, vigilant security, and lots of Chardonnay.
Harry seemed shy -- distant, even -- as the band (Clem Burke on drums, Leigh Foxx on bass, Chris Stein on guitar, Paul Carbonara on guitar, and Matt Katz-Bohen on keys) covered many of their decade-spanning hits without so much as a word from the quiet frontwoman. Occasionally strutting to the side of the stage to let the band play, Harry mostly danced by herself in the corner. But it was during "Maria" when she seemed to realize that she was at a concert, of which she was the star, moving center stage to bask in the fans' praise.
And then her performance took shape. Audience members stood up for "Tide is High," "Rapture," and "Heart of Glass" -- and couldn't help but swoon over the 64-year-old rock'n'roll icon whose voice still resonates with that unmistakably crisp tone.
Blondie ended their set with "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," a Michael Jackson tribute that finished just in time to let fans make a break for the bar before Pat Benatar took to the stage.
Benatar soon stormed on, leading her band into "All Fired Up" -- and the four piece didn't let up until "Heartbreaker," which came almost a dozen songs later. Benatar's voice was immaculate. The range, power, and emotion behind her balladry held up well even 30 years later. She hit all the high notes while digging for the lows without much strain or effort.
By the end of the night, the crowd was falling over itself, things got loose, and some brave soul finally lit up the first and last joint of the night. Diehard fans saw a great show, got wasted, and might even decide to skip work and Pilates class the next day.
http://spin.com/articles/blondie-pat-benatar-kick-us-tour