New York pop-new wave outfit Blondie has weathered the storm like few bands have done. Yet after three decades proving, this group is hardly slowing down.

For singer Debbie Harry, guitarist Chris Stein, drummer Clem Burke et al, this recent rare trip over this side of the globe was certainly one to savour. It was the same for the 5,000 or so who turned up at Fort Canning Green in Singapore to watch, reminisce and yes, sing-along to those golden NY new wave, punk, reggae and even ska-influenced hits of yesteryear. With a white corset-like outfit, mini skirt and white frilled denim jacket, the blonde Debbie still cuts a voice as fresh as anytime during the prime of the band's career.

Harry doesn't hold back either, even at the grand age of 59, giving it up to the crowd with that familiar plaintive vocals, with a harder edge to it in recent years since the band's comeback seven years ago. Never mind that this was perhaps only three quarters of Blondie, with keyboardist Jimmy Destri not making the trip. With three more musicians in tow, Paul Carbonara (guitar), Leigh Foxx (bass) and Kevin Patrick (keyboards), this six-piece was enough to get the crowd going. But not before having two Singaporean outfits making their own mark as supports. Pug Jelly carried a more American teen-rock vein to start the evening with. Zircon Govt Pawn Starz were well worth the watch and listen with its electro-retro-new wave sampling matched with B52-ish vocals to boot, a perfect run up to Blondie if ever there was one.

For Blondie, then, with hits from eight albums to choose from; Blondie, Plastic Letters, Parallel Lines, Eat to the Beat, Autoamerican and The Hunter from before the first break up and No Exit and The Curse of Blondie since the 1998 comeback, you'd have thought it somewhat difficult to carry through a 90-plus minute set to satisfy the heartiest of fans. With songs like Atomic, Dreaming and Hanging on the Telephone to start the night rolling, Harry stoked the crowd up for more before filling in the gaps of their music career with some offerings from the two most recent albums, No Exit and The Curse of Blondie. Number one hit Maria was as well accepted as any of their older hits although the most recent Good Boys may have swept a little over most heads that night.

Nevertheless when the band went back into its 1980s mode, with that rock-reggae-ska-tinged new wave pop touch it is loved so much for, the crowd was back up to its feet with arms in the air (No Doubt, eat your heart out). Accidents Never Happen, The Tide is High, Rapture, Call Me and One Way or Another were delivered with as much panache as in their early days, even though guitarist Chris Stein, no spring chicken either at the of 55, must have looked a sight, delivering his guitar solos during some impressive lengthy instrumentals with enough style to impress. Shouts go to drummer Clem Burke, too, who at 49, was kicking up a storm on the beats. Sure it wasn't enough when the main set ended. Blondie was back for encores,