Blondie

Led by the indefatigable Deborah Harry, Blondie delivered a flawless festival performance on the first day of Electric Picnic. Rather than plugging their new album — a record casual fans are probably cheerfully unaware of — the New Yorkers lit up the evening with a short, snappy greatest hits revue. For those just arrived and finding their legs, it was a perfect start to the weekend. What was remarkable was how much variety was packed into the 10-song set. As the sun hung low over Stradbally, they traversed post-punk, reggae and, via brilliant, brittle smash Heart of Glass, depressive disco-pop. There was an element of karaoke — this long in the tooth, bands inevitably become their own covers act — yet the gig also served as a reminder of how ambitious and innovative Blondie were in their seventies pomp. Dressed in black, Harry, 69 , was agreeably stern, cajoling the crowd members out of their shells. During Atomic she jumped on the spot, practically breathing fire as she sang. On an overcast Friday in the depths of Laois, you weren’t expecting a tour de force. But you got one anyway.