The proof of longevity with pop and rock bands is when they can still sell out arena tours after decades of doing so. Over 40 years in this case as Duran Duran blasted off in 1981 with Planet Earth and have been in orbit ever since.
I am fortunate to have seen them four times now, each at various stages and incarnations during their existence and with 15 studio albums behind them, the quality shows no sign of declining.
Billed as the Future Past Tour, only three songs (Invisible, Give it All Up and Anniversary) from the 2021 album of the same name were performed. The rest of the set, in contrast, drew heavily on the early 1980s and nothing else post 1995. But I guess it’s what many of the fans want and even some classics from the height of fame didn’t get a run including Union of the Snake. It goes to show, when you have such an enormous popular catalogue, you can’t fit it all in, even in two hours.
The 80s were additionally represented with banging tunes such as The Reflex, View to a Kill, Wild Boys, Notorious and Is There Something I Should Know? In contrast, the handful of 90s tunes were the amazing Ordinary World, Come Undone and one of the best cover versions ever — White Lines (Don’t Do It).
So, focusing on the origins, what was good for the ageing fans who were there at the very start was the inclusion of non-album classics from the first two albums, some of which may not have been played live for a long time. Opening with Night Boat from the debut 1981 Duran Duran (Which I bought at the time and still have on vinyl) before Friends of Mine in addition to the singles Planet Earth, Girls on Film and Careless Memories. Then from Rio, we had Lonely in Your Nightmare and Last Chance on the Stairway as well as hits, Hungry Like the Wolf, Save a Prayer, and of course, Rio itself.
42 years after first hearing it, Simon Le Bon’s voice is as good as ever and more controlled as well. The rest of the main lineup still retain charisma, despite advancing years. Roger Taylor has an abundance of energy; John Taylor is still the heartthrob and even Nick Rhodes has a certain … Je ne sais quoi. Also on stage was Dominic Brown on lead guitar, plus saxophonist, Andy Hamilton with backing singers, Anna Ross and Rachael O’Conner.
Duran Duran were supported by Lia Lia, who was excellent and Jake Shears … who wasn’t (Worst cover version in the history of music with Comfortably Numb). All in all, though, a great night, even if a faulty spotlight did blind the audience stage right for much of the evening and all through Jake (bloody) Shears. Despite that blip, there is still mileage in Duran Duran and they are well worth the money when they tour again.
Cheers.
Antony N Britt - Author 