Wednesday 27 April 2022.

Tuesday 26 April 2022...I went to two events today... 5.30pm to 8pm PIZZA PILGRIMS "pizza playground showcase " West India Quay, Canary Wharf, London E14. This is Pizza Pilgrims largest pizzeria – with amazing outside terrace, and the basement "pizza playground" to play bocce ball, Mario Kart, Pinball ,PS2, Nintendo etc – and to watch sporting events on the screens. There is also the private basement kitchen where we are the first group of six to "make your own" pizzas. We washed our hands, and put on the apron and had some fun rolling the pizza and adding a half a dozen ingredients, and then chef put it in the oven and then we took it to our table, and it tasted very nice.We also had slices from all their different pizzas on the menu. I had also had a full size double pepperoni with honey which was delicious. Also a yummy tiramisu for dessert along with complimentary Aperol Spritz, wines & beers. We had a great time here. They have central locations including Kingly Court off Carnaby Street. www.pizzapilgrims.co.uk - Visit their website here. ----------------------- then just two stops on the tube to... BLONDIE and JOHNNY MARR live at The 02 Arena, London. Blondie are playing a 10 date UK arena tour, with support from Johnny Marr. 16 April update - Blondie guitarist CHRIS STEIN has revealed he won't be joining the band on tour this year because of a cardiac issue. He noted that he was "sad and frustrated" about the decision. Sex Pistols legend GLEN MATLOCK will be on bass guitar duties for Blondie on this tour. I have seen Blondie live around 15 times since 1977 when they supported Television at Hammersmith Odeon. I have also seen Debbie Harry solo a few times when Blondie split up. Blondie have had 11 x Top 10 singles in the UK, including 6 x number ones. Incredibly Debbie Harry is now aged 76, so this could easily be Blondie's final UK tour. --------- Due to the previous event, i ended up missing Johnny Marr. A few empty blocks unsold up in Level 4 tonight, but otherwise pretty full. Great to see some of my friends here in the guest block who also know Glen Matlock. BLONDIE arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 1 hour 45 mins. A very nice arena stage production with three big screens mixing live footage and colourful pre-recorded images. Neither personnel changes nor the passage of time can wash the colour out of Blondie’s bubblegum blitz fare, its mix of Manhattan trash and flash complimented by bursts of bright pop art imagery. The 76-year-old Debbie Harry – still cool with her peroxide hair in a permanent state of wind-machine whipped. Sex Pistol bassist Glen Matlock remains on a small platform most of the time next to his chum Clem Burke. Great to see Glen on this big stage, and Blondie is a perfect band for him. After this tour Glen will be playing with Blondie on their North American tour. Drummer Clem Burke is his spectacular self as usual, with his visually great drumming. Blondie had so many well known big hits in the UK, that it really is pretty much a greatest hits show. At the end of the main set , they even riffed out 30 seconds of Sex Pistols "God Save The Queen". An excellent show. Full BLONDIE setlist played tonight... X Offender (from Blondie, 1976) Hanging on the Telephone (from Parallel Lines, 1978) Sunday Girl (from Parallel Lines, 1978) Picture This (from Parallel Lines, 1978) Mother (from Panic of Girls, 2010) Fade Away and Radiate (from Parallel Lines, 1978) The Tide Is High (from Autoamerican, 1980) What I Heard (from Panic of Girls, 2010) Atomic (from Eat To The Beat, 1979) (I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear (From Plastic Letters, 1977) Shayla (from Eat To The Beat, 1979) Union City Blue (from Eat To The Beat, 1979) Long Time (from Pollinator, 2017) Rapture (from Autoamerican, 1980) Maria (from No Exit, 1999) Dreaming (from Eat To The Beat, 1979) Heart of Glass (from Parallel Lines, 1978) (featuring 30 seconds riffing of Sex Pistols GSTQ at the end) Encore: No Exit (from No Exit, 1999) Fragments (from Pollinator, 2017) Call Me (from American Gigalo soundtrack, 1979) One Way or Another (from Parallel Lines, 1978)

Posted 27th April 2022