@ The ICA The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH on Today 5th of July- 7th of July
Curated by Tom Wilcox, Associate Curator ICA and Hanna Hanra, Editor in Chief of BEAT Magazine., Blondiefest: One Way or Another surveys and celebrates the cultural legacy of Blondie and their iconic frontwoman Debbie Harry
As one of the greatest bands to ever come out of New York, Debbie Harry and the band define their epoch – their records and image are synonymous with their time and place. Their beginnings were in New York’s mid-’70s punk and new-wave scenes, but by the late ’70s and early ’80s their eclectic musical style, compelling rhythms and seductive pop melodies had propelled them from the fringes to the mainstream.
Founded by Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein, Blondie have released nine studio albums, and after a fifteen-year hiatus (from 1982 to 1997) they are back touring to sell-out audiences. More than 35 years after forming, the band remains hugely popular and culturally significant.
Check out this retro video of the whole band getting questioned by University students in an 80’s classroom in NewYork:
Blondiefest programme highlights include:
• In-conversation between Clem Burke (legendary drummer with Blondie) and television presenter and journalist Katie Puckrik
• Screening of David Cronenberg’s Videodrome
• Tony Fletcher and David Quantick talk on Blondie and the 70s NYC music scene
• Blondie as fashion icons debate with BEAT Magazine’s Hanna Hanra, designer Luella Bartley and journalist Francesca Burns
• Screening of John Waters’ Hairspray
• Screening of Tales from the Darkside – the Movie, introduced by funk and punk legend Chaz Jankel with journalist Sophie Heawood
• Music and stories from Manhattan with Philip Rambow
• ‘Blondieoke’ in the ICA Bar
‘More than any other act, Blondie represented the synthesis of New York City’s multiple influences. Raised on Village folk and underground rock, the girl groups and glam, they were the only band of the 1970s CBGBs punk scene to embrace both disco and hip-hop. Without Blondie, pop music would have sounded so very very different – and it wouldn’t have looked half as good, either.‘ – Tony Fletcher, author of All Hopped Up and Ready To Go: Music from the Streets of New York 1927-77.
To see a full list of events happening all weekend go here: www.ica.org.uk
Attend every event with a Blondiefest multi-buy ticket
£60 / £55 Concessions / £40 ICA Members
Book at the ICA Box Office in person or call 020 7930 3647
