Siouxsie Takes To The Stage Once More

 

A much vaunted musical event happened this month, the Ice Queen of punk made a return to live performance after an absence of ten years. 

I have to say that I was a bit shocked at some of the comments that have been directed at her from members of Banshees related fansites no less on Facebook. For some it seemed nothing was right, the voice, the dress even her choice of footwear was the subject of much ‘critical debate’ Really?

Sioux for many including myself is a punk icon. She had a look and style that appealed to the band’s male and female fans in equal measure…. Girls aspired to achieve her look and boys aspired to dating the girls that achieved the look!

Now, I am not a follower of fashion by any stretch of the imagination but Siouxsie has a great sense of style that she has carried off over the course of five decades. She is touring at the age of 65. Who in their right mind would expect her or want her for that matter to take to the stage in similar gear that her 30 year old self wore!

As to the voice, come on… The Banshees material would I imagine be pretty tough to sing. Siouxsie is blessed with a very distinctive voice and a distinctive voice means much more to me than a voice that is pure and pitch perfect (Joe Strummer?). Debbie Harry has suffered similar criticism since Blondie reformed, but at the end of the day, it is Debbie singing Blondie material! There will be people out there for whom this tour will be the first opportunity that they have had to see Siouxsie and for them I am glad and I am sure that they can live with the odd misplaced note.

I have listened to a couple of the European gigs and to my Burnel battered ears it all sounded pretty good. So good luck to the old girl!