Simon (front) still has great presence. Nick (back right) has an Apple hooked up to his keyboards.
I jumped the gun on Duran Duran’s anniversary (allmusic says they formed in 1978 around Birmingham, UK) with this month’s color scheme, besides Somara suggested it and I feel it turned out really well. For my friends who were born probably after 1975, the probably don’t recognize the colors from the band’s first hit album Rio which incidentally turned 25 this Fall.
Last night they graced Austin in the recently remodeled Austin Music Hall, a venue I haven’t been to in nine years because it’s too large and impersonal. I hadn’t seen them in concert since 1989 for Big Thing and due to miscalculations by a friend (who is still a great guy), I missed the chance for Astronaut when they last came here; he did make it up to me by informing me of this show. Good thing he did, it was sold out too.
How were they? Duran Duran is still as amazing as I remember then in 1984 and 1989; energetic, skilled, a force on stage and fashionable. They may not be mega-popular anymore but it has never affected their performance. Time has also been good to them. We were within 30 feet of the stage so we could see Simon and John’s faces and expressions clearly. Those guys have aged better than me, I think they work out. Seriously, Simon LeBon will be 50 next year, other than some minor wrinkles, age lines and natural hair recession, he looked well. If I didn’t know his age courtesy of imdb.com, I would’ve guessed he is in his low forties. On the fashion and style angle, they remain pioneers. I loved their coordinated black suits and ties. These were mainly black jackets and slacks with what appeared to be subtle red splatters of paint on them, not a lot, about the same amount one would seen on a drop cloth; the red “representing” the new record Red Carpet Massacre. John and Simon had white D’s on the upper right sections of their jackets. To me, this was a nod to the old-time fans who remembered the letter D logos they had in the early Eighties. The music was even more impressive. Duran Duran opened with a couple new tracks from Carpet. Normally, when I’m unfamiliar with a band’s new material I worry, either it’ll catch on in my mind later, making me regret how much better the show would’ve felt if I “knew” the songs; or worse, listening to the new stuff becomes a chore you wish would end quickly. Sadly, most people attending these concerts are in the latter camp. They did mix it up with their past hits: “Notorious,” “Planet Earth,” “Ordinary World,” “Save a Prayer,” “Rio,” “The Reflex,” “(Reach up for the) Sunrise,” “Wild Boys,” “A View to a Kill” and “Girls on Film” for the encore. Duran Duran has 14 albums to work with, it’s a pretty tough set list to make once the mandatory hits are selected. I was pleased though. They continue to exceed my expectations as live performers despite the lack of airplay (only Austin’s Mix *gag!* stations plays the current single) and packed stadiums filled with teeny boppers.
I hope they’re touring again in a couple more years for another record. By then my oldest niece Madison may be over the Hannah Montana crap and we can take her to Duran Duran. It’ll probably register in her mind the same way Pink Floyd did for me 20 years ago; I get to experience a piece of Pop Music history even if they’re over the hill. I should have a better camera too because I was pretty jealous of the crisper pictures people got with their cell phones.