Duran Duran is a British Band

Simon LeBon declared Duran Duran to be a British band last night, just as he was about to intro the song “Ordinary World” in front of what had to have been at least a near sell-out crowd last night at Brighton Center. This was the first stop on their very late-to-begin UK tour, and while the tour began late, it roared to life and shows no signs of stopping any time soon. While it may be true that the band is in fact internationally known and loved at this point, it was made perfectly clear last night to this reviewer that yes, Duran Duran IS a British band, and those roots run deep.

There is a warmth and respect that flows easily between the band and their UK fans that can’t really be explained in words, but was quite evident within moments of the band taking the stage last night in their homeland. The affinity between the band and audience breathed life back into songs that, quite frankly, I’d long since been ready to send to their graves. The vitality and strength that the band as a whole showed on stage was something I’d been aching to see since well before my own venture to this side of the pond back in May. I felt that much of their set list had grown tiresome, and hoped that with a new album of songs, there would be excitement brought back to their live show. Of course since my trip in May, Simon had his share of vocal trouble, and there was another US tour that has already since been reviewed here on Daily Duranie. Last night however, was a completely different animal indeed.

Without going into huge detail (I have a train to Bournemouth to catch!!), I will say that while yes, most of the setlist that the US fans enjoyed in October is still around. Hungry Like the Wolf was in fact played (although very late in the set list!), and yes – Rio was still the encore moment. However, as a treat that only my closest friends will understand, Secret Oktober was added into the setlist, and immediately followed by White Lines. Let me have my fangirl moment when I say that I screamed like a girl as the first chords (first drumbeats to be honest) of Secret Oktober were played, and yes – I had to force myself not to cry. I am still a fan, and a dream was fulfilled last night. I hope they play it again, but if they choose not to, I will hold onto last night for a lifetime.

There were many, many special moments last night for me – I had to nearly pinch myself several times to remind myself where I was and whom I was standing in front of, and it didn’t help matters at all when I waved to Dom Brown and he nodded, winked and smiled back. Yes, I am still a fan.

This band may indeed be British, and I may also be American, but I loved seeing them here in the UK and look forward to a few more shows while I’m here!

Onward to Bournemouth!

-R