Bootleg Blondie the world’s No.1 official Debbie Harry and Blondie tribute band, certainly must love Sussex, as they recently played a blinding set at The Official Jordan Mooney Charity Memorial Concert in Brighton at the end of May – Read the account of that day HERE – and they have now announced a welcome return to these parts, but not with one gig but two! And their ranks will be bolstered by the one and only Gary Valentine, who was a founder member of Debbie Harry’s Blondie!
It then comes as no surprise that Jordan also met Bootleg Blondie and as a homage to this, vocalist Debbie Harris and the band rescued a doll (out of a skip I do believe) and they gave it a second lease of life (despite it having lost a leg), and both they and Jordan decorated the doll to look like Jordan. It was their new lucky mascot, which can often be spied sitting somewhere on stage when Bootleg Blondie play a gig.
The two new Bootleg Blondie concert dates are Thursday 1st September 2022 and Friday 9th December 2022. The first of these will be a return to The Factory Live in Worthing where they performed last October (see the review below) and the second concert will be taking place here in Brighton at Patterns, which is across the way from Brighton Pier. Both of these venues are a little compact and with Bootleg Blondie’s avid following, I would recommend purchasing your tickets sooner rather than later, and so without further ado, here are the ticket links:
For tickets for the Worthing concert, click HERE.
For tickets for the Brighton concert, click HERE.
Further reading:
The Brighton & Hove News covered Bootleg Blondie’s concert in Worthing last November. Here is Ian Bourn’s account of that night…
BOOTLEG BLONDIE – THE FACTORY LIVE, WORTHING 22.10.21
Bootleg Blondie are the world’s No.1 official Debbie Harry and Blondie tribute band. They started up in 2001 and have played the infamous CBGB club in New York City, the Isle of Wight Festival, the Shepherds Bush Empire, London’s 100 Club and the legendary Hammersmith Palais and appear regularly at many top venues and festivals in the UK, Europe and around the world. Tonight Debbie and her band stopped off in Worthing for a 2 hour set at The Factory Live which is located at 9a Ivy Arch Road, Worthing, BN14 8BX.
Bootleg Blondie are honoured to have been thanked on Blondie’s latest album ‘Pollinator’ and to celebrate 40 years since the release of Blondie’s iconic 1978 album ‘Parallel Lines’ Clem Burke, Blondie’s renowned and celebrated drummer, joined Bootleg Blondie on drums for not one but two UK tours in 2019 covering nearly 5,000 miles and playing to over 7,000 people!
Bootleg Blondie arrive on the South Coast, Worthing at the rather splendid The Factory Live! They were here to deliver a tribute to the New Wave legends, Blondie.
The fairly sizable crowd arrived in plenty of time to get an up close and almost personal show with Bootleg Blondie. Sadly no sign tonight of Clem Burke, Blondie’s drummer, in the venue. That would have been kinda cool! Tonight Bootleg Blondie were going to bring the songs and music of their namesakes to life. Unlike most tribute bands the group have a strong link with Blondie, and have all met the members of the original. They have a signed drum cover and a signed guitar including all the members of Blondie that Bootleg Blondie’s Debbie Harris uses. Little things I know, but it just gives the gig tonight a little of Blondie’s magic touch.
With a mixed age crowd tonight, a back catalogue to choose from and a reputation these guys have as one of the best tribute acts out there. I think it safe to say Bootleg Blondie has the ingredients on hand to serve up a perfect set. This gig had been postponed several times due to the Covid Pandemic and, I think, we were expecting nothing less. We were ready for some dancing and singing and a good night out.
Debbie Harris, lead vocalist of Bootleg Blondie, has got it all – those looks, the voice and dare I say a healthy slice of the attitude of the one and only Debbie Harry.
Debbie Harris has been known to wear dustbin liners, thigh length boots and t-shirts and a series of outfit changes through the performance, perfectly reflecting the varying stages of Debbie Harry’s career. Tonight a bin liner was worn, with “Debbie Does Worthing” written on the back! A nice touch, which drew a good cheer from the crowd.
The band was hot tonight and generated an authentic sound of the Blondie era. Andy on guitars put on a stunning performance. It was a pleasure talking with him after their performance and discussing his lucky setlist. There was also strong percussion from the drum kit and some great bass playing, including a nice bass solo spot. Put these together and they provide a seriously strong support for Andy and Debbie. A nice touch was that both guitar and bass players were dressed in black suits and ties in a ‘Parallel Lines’ homage. The drummer was at one stage wearing an identical shirt that Clem Burke had worn when he joined up on two tours.
