DURAN DURANIt's not just an image with white suits, polished music videos from the MTV era, and two incredible debut albums. The Birmingham band, which has seen some lineup changes since its initial formation in 1980, blends new wave, pop, disco, and funk to our great delight.
With 16 studio albums and countless EPs, one might think they were trying to compete with Depeche Mode. Their career has had its ups and downs, but it has always been punctuated by concerts all over the world.
For the skeptics, I recommend watching the documentary filmed in 1984, called "Sing Blue Silver" (available on YouTube) which helps to understand why the group was nicknamed the "Fab 5" in reference to the "Fab 4" embodied by the BEATLES.
Duran Duran have a long list of hits, and their fans, predominantly British and female, turn out in droves. They recently proved once again that they can release catchy tracks like "Free To Love," a collaboration with Nile Rodgers (formerly of Chic and a friend of Daft Punk). Now a quartet again, they've also released a successful covers album including "Psycho Killer" by Talking Heads, "Evil Woman" by Electric Light Orchestra, and "Paint It Black" by the Rolling Stones.
Last year, Duran Duran performed at the Zenith in Paris as part of their "Free To Love Tour," and the setlist will be slightly modified. Under these circumstances, the idea of a performance pop rock The Bercy arena is ridiculous, since the audience spends two hours standing. Personally, I would have preferred the venue at Porte de la Villette.
THE CONCERT
The entrance is thunderous, revealing three screens, including a giant one at the back of the stage, which will be used throughout the show. "Is There Something I Should Know," "The Wild Boys," and "A View To a Kill" hit the mark immediately, and spectators unfamiliar with the band might be surprised by the freshness and sharpness of the members. Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, the ever-smiling Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor (no relation to the drummer from Queen) seem to have stepped straight out of the music videos that made them famous 40 years earlier. They're bursting with energy and clearly eager to rock.
London's THE MOLOTOVS had effectively warmed up the crowd with a solid opening set, and DURAN DURAN were on a roll. "The Reflex," the unstoppable hit from our 80s parties, blew the applause meter, while lesser-known tracks like "Only in Dreams" and "Winter Marches On" also held their own.
Simon speaks and expresses his hope for a peaceful world before launching into "Ordinary World." He invites the audience to slow dance to one of their most beloved classics, "Come Undone," accompanied by a stunning and talented backing vocalist. Each song unfolds a new visual tableau. After "Notorious," the singer announces an old favorite they've brought back for their tour, "I Don't Want Your Love." This period (1988) represents an album I adored, and I confess I'm rewarded for having waited 35 years to see Duran Duran! "Free To Love" and "Planet Earth" are danceable, as the encore approaches. A magnificent version of "Girls On Film" blended with "Psycho Killer" is performed, and the audience finally moves closer to the stage now that they're no longer held back by the Bercy security guards (who are just doing their job).
The band returned for "Save a Prayer," sung in unison by English fans surrounded by a few Parisians in the audience (laughs), and Duran Duran offered a gift that other audiences hadn't received. Nick Valensi of The Strokes took the stage for the finale, "Rio." Once his instrument problem was sorted out, it was a musical apotheosis. At 45, the American guitarist, who could be the son of any original member of the band, was clearly enjoying himself immensely.
Of particular note were the excellent performances of the two backing vocalists and the saxophonist who accompanied the evening's stars. Like U2, Depeche Mode, and The Cure, Duran Duran left a lasting mark on their era, and this concert will remain a highlight for any self-respecting music lover. Perhaps less intimate than a more intimate venue, but undeniably powerful.
Diego: text and photos
