Sting, Blondie, Germein (16.6.2024) live at The Summer Sessions, Plymouth Hoe
New venue for me – the historic Plymouth Hoe – my first Sting performance and a chance to see Blondie play again. A sunny day and dry evening, despite the awful weather warnings earlier in the week.
I didn’t see Blondie back in the 70s/80s. Realistically a bit early for my gig going but that Parallel Lines album was a regular on my turntable. Yup, I know it’s not the same now but it is what it is. I managed 1998 at Reading Leisure Complex and two gigs prior to this one in the last two years. (Last one blogged here at Dog Day Afternoon.) It is still special to see a Blondie in 2024, with Debbie Harry and Clem Burke drumming, from the original line up. Ex-Pistol Glen Matlock is on bass, as he has been on recent Blondie tours.
I confess to only hearing Germein, first band on, from the bar area – knee in a stretchy support thing and I’m grateful for a bench. I peered over a plastic hedge for one song and these three sisters from South Australia were being enjoyed. Poppy and danceable and a crowd happy in the realisation that it wasn’t raining, with blue sky emerging.
As Blondie came on stage I went into the main standing area, the right hand front premium priced bit. This was tarmac, sloping away right (to test any knee or foot weakness). I was expecting a slippery, muddy field earlier this week, so I am very again grateful.
Debbie Harry is 78 but this is still Debbie Harry live in front of us and I appreciate that. What an icon. As with last time I saw her, the voice works and well on most songs. Possibly the set list needs to accommodate the voice these days and I think that makes the shorter support sets work better.
They open with One Way or Another, then Hanging on the Telephone, preceded by the recorded phone ring.
Clem Burke’s drumming so distinctive and loud that he’s behind a plastic screen so the old girl can sing without bursting an eardrum.
A couple of older old ones from the first LP in 1976 appear: X-Offender and In the Flesh. Then later hits Rapture and The Tide is High. This gives Debbie Harry more of a chance for the toothy smile she can sing through, with an occasional lazy slur. Still the cool New Yorker in town. She has a few words between songs – just enough to know she’s real, and she’s enjoying it.
The 1999 single Maria has elevated in popularity as more time has passed on. That was the comeback single. I wander down front right for a pic but don’t linger as a posse of tall people are there. The venue isn’t huge but quite big enough (I think about 15,000 but not much info about on this) and there is a decent view even if you wander back to the mixing desk.
Heart of Glass gets the disco going. There are a few Debbie Harry solo numbers and Dreaming to end. It is all a bit dreamy really – 2024, aged 61 and standing on Plymouth Hoe seeing Debbie Harry sing live. Doesn’t seem that long since I was stood in Sunbury Record Scene in 1978, aged 15, clutching Denis single, picture cover.
No Denis today. Enjoyed this set enormously and nostalgically but a hint of regret at not hearing my picks that would include Presence Dear, Picture This and Union City Blue.
The blinding sun drops down below the level of the stage backdrop and apartment buildings behind. As a crocked gig-goer at the moment I had to retreat to the bar area and ‘my’ bench. I could hear the beginning of Sting and peer through a fence and I settled for saving myself for a bit and standing for the last estimated hour. This worked.
My first Sting gig and I didn’t see The Police either (my dad prohibited my attendance at Reading Rocks 1979). After the first few Police hit singles, which I still have, and a taped first album, I don’t remember having a particular interest. It was radio music from a band with a huge global following. Sting went solo and continued in that vein. Yes, I saw the appeal of Englishman in New York but that is about it. So I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd pleasing set. There were a few songs I’d never heard but a lot of Police songs and familiar tunes.
With Message in a Bottle second song in, I thought I may have messed up as I peered through the plastic hedge, resting my dodgy knee. All was fine.
When I joined the crowd about 40 mins in, I got a good view, crystal clear sound, and lighting to help the photos. Unlike other performers in their 60s, there is no need for Sting to lurk in the shadows from a backlit stage. It looks like Sting’s been in the gym and eating sensibly since the 1980s so hell, shine a light on it mate. I contemplate another beer and the kebab stall potential.
Can’t Stand Losing You, So Lonely (Sue Lawley) and Walking on the Moon in a 15 minute spell was the sort of thing I was hoping for but surprised to witness.
Sting had a bit to say but not too much – no preaching. He said he hadn’t played in Plymouth – “beautiful city”- since 1978 and said sorry. He came over as a normal guy just playing his best. No fancy stuff. A very good rock guitarist and a drummer (who has played with Devo and Mumford and Sons) with him so the old Police songs with pace could sound quite nicely raw. I suppose I was expecting backing singers, brass and a bit of overindulgence.
I say ‘just a normal guy’. He refers to his lovely little house in the English countryside and corrects himself: “well it’s more like a castle actually”.
My anthem for the day was King of Pain I guess – OK it wasn’t that bad but a burden. Maybe a good tune for an ibuprofen advert. A relaxed Every Breath You Take to end the set. An encore was inevitable. Minimum fuss and Roxanne. Brilliant to hear that once live in my life. It’s taken a surprisingly long time – maybe I’m surprised it happened at all but I’m glad it did.
To end, “a gentle, thoughtful one to say goodbye”, Fragile from his second solo album in 1987. Just Sting, sat on a stool, playing and singing on his own. That was good. I preferred Blondie, but that’s me and Sting was great. All in all, a super weekend away in Plymouth, with friends, and a well organised event.
Gigs with Ivan 