Live Review: Blondie, The Stranglers, Machinations

Lighting up the room with their energetic funk-pop, '80s indie outfit Machinations proved a 30-year absence is never too long. Figurehead Fred Lonergan hopped from stage left to right, fired-up by outstanding bass guitarist Nick (Nero) Swan, using a pick to deliver chords in rapid succession. Old age cracks went down well with the more mature Enmore audience, with a huge ovation for the great Sydney-based support act who know how to entertain.

Four-piece The Stranglers stood in the four corners of a square, bringing fans a truthful but outgoing punk rock performance, and the die-hards in attendance loved every minute of their fast-paced bill. The Guilford band's distinct sound allowed the boys to simply stand and play as lead guitarist Baz Warne's clear vocals complemented the beautifully characteristic organ keys of Dave Greenfield, and popular hits like Golden Brown simply fell out the frontman's mouth.

As their set rolled on, the Enmore crowd saw the lustful cheekiness of Warne during Peaches, before Greenfield effortlessly slapped his keys one handed in a stunning solo during No More Heroes – a playful end that ramped the room up before new wave legends Blondie.

From the moment Debbie Harry made her fabulous entry in red and gold, the room was in her palm, sunglasses striped off during the set's early stages to rapturous applause. Now 67 years of age, the rock frontwoman was determined to show her ever-vibrant sex appeal, seductively gazing into the crowd and holding the mic stand close during 1980's Call Me. Towards the end of the tune, young keyboardist Matt Katz-Bohen walked down stage with a large white keytar, rocking out amidst the swirling rainbow lights filling the theatre.

The talented youth of the new-look band was the night's real triumph, a breath of fresh air given to the classic repertoire of Harry and founding guitarist Chris Stein. Lead guitarist Tommy Kessler seamlessly interchanged between classical acoustic guitar and rockin' electric during the latin-flavoured Wipe Off My Sweat, before he delivered a phenomenal solo in Atomic – fans giving the relative Blondie newcomer huge props. The young blood drew greater attention to the age of the others on stage, with Harry's dance moves leaving a bit to be desired. Likewise, her voice sounded tired on occasion and the frontwoman gestured sporadically for the crowd to take some of the high notes, but thankfully she saved herself for Heart Of Glass, which was by far her strongest vocal performance and the highlight of the night.