So this was it for me – my last show for the last leg of a 20-month tour that has been anything but dull. I’m really not sure how I feel at the moment. Part of me is working hard to forget that I probably won’t see the band for another three years or so (Yeah, I’m assuming it’ll take that long to get another album out of them), and part of me is downright exhausted after a mere 4 shows.
Tonight’s show in Portsmouth was solid and good. Probably not their greatest, and not really a standout for me personally. I can’t say why this was the case specifically, and I can’t even be sure that it isn’t about a post-concert let down than anything else. Tonight’s set included The Man Who Stole a Leopard, which was a great addition, and while the band did not play Mediterranea (and they should be spanked for not putting it in the setlist), the songs were good. Yes, even that song about the wolf…(I need to remind myself that I turned over a new leaf. No more complaining on that one. Sigh.) For me personally, I found the show took time to gather steam as opposed to the sheer explosions of joy I saw taking place around me the night before in Durham. The crowd seemed energetic, but admittedly I felt the band seemed tired. For that matter, *I* was tired. I AM tired. As far as interacting with the audience goes, I really need to something I rarely do – and that is give Simon some credit. He really does try to look out past the first few rows, and tonight he even picked someone out of the crowd from about the 10th row to sing the Ta Na Na Na’s with him during The Reflex. Simon isn’t content to only entertain the front section of the audience, and that is fair. He is an incredible front man, even if I don’t say it very often. I still wish he’d give up on spitting water over the crowd during White Lines though. Nobody likes being spit on, and definitely not me. Sure, laugh at me when I turn my head and duck, but honestly – it’s gross and the effect he is trying to achieve just isn’t there. I wanted to strangle him when I saw the spit coming my way! I know he thinks it’s cool and all – but the fans hate it. Trust me, we talk. I noticed that Roger even took the time to smile over his set once in a while, and Nick is always good for a very small smile. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve noticed a definite lack in the JoSi department on this leg of the tour (and I’m not even a huge fan like some other members of Daily Duranie….), instead we’ve been treated to what Amanda and I have taken to calling DoJo!! (Seriously, where do we come up with this crap??) While I dearly loved seeing Dom and John meet at center stage, I know plenty of fans out there miss the JoSi. Balance is a tough act. As for Dom, I’ll just say I’m completely biased and leave it at that. The one big thumbs down, well actually TWO thumbs down I’ve got for this show have to do with the encore and Save a Prayer…as in Save a Prayer doesn’t really feel right in the encore. I still really like it in the setlist, but when I think of Duran’s encores – they are always so high energy, and in this case, it doesn’t live up to the hype. Ultimately though, I just can’t decide why the show wasn’t a home run for me. I have a few ideas, most of which have to do with me getting on a plane to fly home tomorrow, but I have so many great memories to look back on. The entire Durham show (My 30th show as it turns out) is something I will never, ever forget, and this trip gave me the opportunity to see quite a few states I’ve never been to before. I can’t get over just how many TREES grew along the highways! (In California I’d say we’ve got more rock than trees, and definitely more buildings!) I wasn’t a huge fan of the weather, and I’m really looking forward to getting home and snuggling with my four year old – as well as hearing about how my 15 year old is enjoying what she tells me is a perfect school schedule for her sophomore year in high school. My son is NOT looking forward to seeing me, as that means his summer has come to an end and homeschooling begins in earnest next week. Truth be told, I’m nervous about that too. It’s difficult not to feel at least a little emotion when I think about the idea of this show being my last for a while. This album will go down as my very favorite Duran album, and I’m sad to see that end up on the shelf. I’m also looking forward to whatever the band will work on next. I’m hopeful that they will continue to reach out and stay in contact with the fans during their absence (I am talking to YOU John, Simon, Roger & Dom!!), and I think you’ll find that your fans – myself included – will stick with you. My last blog from the road…. -RIt’s All Up to You Now
By Daily Duranie
Once upon a time, there were two Duran Duran fans. One named Amanda, the other named Rhonda. Over many vodka tonics, they would laugh about the idea of one day writing a book about their fan experiences. While that manuscript is still being composed...Rhonda thought they should write a blog. (What was she THINKING?!) Lo and behold: The Daily Duranie was born.
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Hi ladies, I've been following your tour and wanted to thank you for letting me vicariously share your journey! I love your honestly, and its been interesting to follow the level of energy from one show to the next. Sounds like you had an amazing time, you'll have plenty of memories to look back on. As a long time Duran fan, I've never had the chance to see them! 🙁 I live in a faraway corner of Canada where travel is always expensive. I'm hoping to change that with their next tour. 🙂 I might need a cane…but I'll be there! Good luck settling back into your routines and coming down from the Highs…
I am with you Rhonda – feels like I have had at least a year and a half of a constant show in the future – London Take 1, London Take 2, then Durham… now… nothing…. I was quite down yesterday and still feeling it today… kids in school, paying bills, making lunches, working… sigh.
I also loved living vicariously though you two via your tour updates. Thank you Daily Duranie!
I just want to ask about the whole Simon spitting water over the crowd scenario. What the heck is that about? He does it at every show? It doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy either. I wonder if this has been captured on video via you tube?? I will say I love that he's been getting so involved with the audience at each show for The Reflex. I love to see that kind of interaction.
Hello, I discovered your blog last year and have been enjoying reading snippets of your blog everyday. Thanks for sharing your concert experiences, I love it! I was second row center at the Hard Rock Tulsa, OK show, the atmosphere was 21 and older and more like being in a club scene with the band. I Must admit I enjoyed this type of atmosphere better than a large theater ala the October 2011 show in Dallas. Tulsa was an intimate high energy show. I love dancing, so the space was nice between seats was enough to dance the whole night. Lots of partying going on at least in the first 3 rows and drunk groupies hanging on the stage, I assisted many a drunken gals request to help them step over my seating so that they could hang on the stage! Anyway, so long as I (very sober) could sing along with every song and enjoy the smiles and nods from Simon and John I was in heaven. It was kinda surreal, but I zoned off into my own little world with the band. I would rate the Tulsa show as an (A), No RIO encore. I was just so thankful to dance and meld with the music! What to do until another tour? Plan to catch John's book signings and listen to the audiobook I guess?
I find your honesty refreshing. I'm a little startled at the lack of chemistry in the JoSi front suddenly…. I'm also a little startled at Save a Prayer in the encore. When I think of Duran and encore, I think Wild Boys, Girls on Film, etc…Save a Prayer is one of my favorite Duran songs, and I think it would feel better in the set list.
Heather, I am so sad when I read that a big fan hasn't ever seen them live. I hope that you are able to finally make it to a show next tour because you will absolutely love it. They are worth the hassle (although I totally understand about the money. My husband says that I need to figure out how to start making money with all of this or else my travel budget is DONE. :P)
Coming down from the high is not always easy, but I'm making headway. Reality is setting in, and I'm currently staring at the pre-algebra book on the table, knowing that I am going to have to teach math to my son starting next week. The world should be afraid. 😀
Thanks so much for your support – I just hope we're doing our job well!
-R
-R
A future without shows sounds so bleak, doesn't it?
We have a lot of things going on through Daily Duranie, but nothing beats standing in front of them in the audience….
now I'm sad! 🙁
-R
Ah yes, the spitting water thing during White Lines. Let me explain what I know:
Basically, he likes the effect that the lighting gets when he spits up into the air at the show. The light hits it, and I suppose that if you squint just right way, it will look like powder. Sort of. Until it hits you and you realize that yes, the lead singer just spat on you.
My feelings about this are well-documented, but basically – if he is going to spit, he should do it straight up in the air and get HIMSELF wet, not the audience. He did that (mostly) in Biloxi. I wasn't so lucky at this show – I would almost swear he was aiming for me if I didn't know better. I don't care what he says, it's gross. So many of us end up getting sick from going to a few shows as it is, having more germs covering us doesn't help. I know he doesn't think of it in those terms, but it is what it is. The only thing that makes it even slightly funny is when Nick looked out at me and grinned a little.
I'm sure his White Lines spitting scene is on youtube somewhere, but you'd have to search for it. They play the song quite often so I have to believe it's out there somewhere.
You are right about his interactions during The Reflex, and those are the things that make Duran Duran concerts so much fun. Glad you enjoyed the blog – it would have been fun to go along the entire tour (keep dreaming Rhonda) and have been able to blog the entire thing from start to finish. Of course then I would have been served divorce papers and that would NOT have been fun. 😉
-R
Interesting…I think that every single fan has their own personal idea of what makes the best show. I'm not much for GA, I love seated venues, and I really tend to prefer proper theaters as opposed to arenas. There's no one right answer though and I although I've got my own preferences, I know many friends who love GA shows! 🙂
My favorite shows on this tour go in this order: Durham (by a landslide), Atlanta (although I was sticky and soggy), Portsmouth and Biloxi. I don't expect everyone would agree, and that's OK. It's the beauty of the fan community!
We have a ton of things brewing here at Daily Duranie, and so to be frightfully honest – we need the hiatus in order to get some of the mechanics finished. We are planning to create a brand new website using a different “machine” or client, we want to create an RSS Feed app for our blog (something that will be delivered to our subscribers each day), I am working on some new blog topics, we're trying to finish the book and start doing a hard edit, we want to do a book club sort of deal for reading John's book, and then we also are taking a good look at doing a convention. It's going to be busy, so stay tuned!!
-R
Hi Georgette!
I have to say that I didn't even really notice the lack of JoSi until the Portsmouth show. I was too busy drooling at the DoJo. Can't help it, there is something VERY good and hot about those two meeting on stage and playing together. They've got great chemistry. Then suddenly in Portsmouth I realized that Amanda hadn't given me bruises on my arm this trip – and I knew why. Not much JoSi! I don't know why that is, but it could be that fans are starting to really warm up to Dom (where in the hell have they been? I've been all about that guy since day one!), and seriously – the two guitars facing one another so close? Come on now!! I think I said “Are you kidding me?” about 50,000 times during the shows I attended. I hope they keep it up, but I also hope the band remembers that there are thousands of JoSi fans out there. Balance is a difficult tightrope to navigate, but it's key because if you take the JoSi away, people may end up pissed at Dom for taking that role after so many years, you know? Yes – these are the things that consume my thoughts at 30,000 feet. (on the airplane coming home last night, get it?) 😀
I am not sure what they were trying to do with Save a Prayer in the encore, but I can tell them this – it didn't work. 🙁
-R
It's understandable being a tired out, you two traveled pretty far for your tour – considering where you both live, it wasn't near your home turf at all. 🙂 Sounds like it was a fun tour though, esp being with you guys getting together with so many other fans. It's great that it worked out so well, hopefully you'll be able to do it next time too. I do hope they speed up Durantime, ::whinyvoice::I don't wanna wait 3 years!!!::footstamp::. I wish I was going to another show on this tour but it the two in my relative area were scheduled at the worst possible time in terms of family events.
LOL It must kill you to have give to Simon even a small compliment, given you had to follow it with a long complaint. 🙂 If I ever see a straight up compliment towards him on this site without some sort of a negative qualifier thrown in there someplace, I figure it'll be Dec 20th 2012(Mayan Calender claims the end of the world is Dec. 21st 2012:)).
(If it makes you feel any better, would you shake the band's hands if you met them, or how about if Dom gave you a guitar pick he'd been played with? Then I wouldn't worry about the “germs” in the water because the hands carry more germs than the mouth does because there are enzymes in the mouth that are there to kill germs. You are far more likely to get sick from sharing the steering wheel in the car or opening a door in the hotel room than from droplets of water Simon spits out of his mouth.)
In all fairness, I don't want to wait 3 years either. I kind of like hanging out for two hours with those guys while they're playing on stage. 😉
As far as complimenting Simon goes, we are extremely fair. I would point you back to 2011, anytime between about May and December when we say over and over how much we love the guy, how much we hope his voice gets better, and how thrilled we are when it did. We give compliments when they are due, and over the course of this project – we have given many. I'm sorry if it seems otherwise because that really isn't the case. (and the world had better not end this year because I'm not done yet!)
With final regard to White Lines, it is one of my most favorite songs in their entire set – ever. I just don't like the idea of water being spat and landing on me. I have met very, VERY few Duranies that actually like it – so I know I'm not the only one out there saying so, even if it is my particular “voice” that is heard loudest. I won't even get started on the biology of the germs that are carried – it really doesn't matter because the bottom line is that in my opinion, it's gross and many of us out there just really don't like it. It's one tiny moment in the set though, and even if it means getting wet from here on out – I wouldn't miss a show or refuse to be near the front just because of that. I might carry a rain hat though. LOL ;D -R
A rain hat might be cool. You could make it a Duran Duran rain hat. Maybe get a couple of those clear plastic rain hats, put the words “Duran Duran”, or some artwork inside the outer one, then put the other rain hat inside, over the artwork and sew them together somehow. Then when White Lines comes along – and that part of the song where he spits approaches – pull on the rain hat. It could be very funny and at least you wouldn't get wet. 🙂
Might even help you find a way to make money off this, as your husband suggested – making and selling rain hats to other fans.
I read the posts, in mid-2011, but I figured that was more of the “we feel bad for him, being sick/injured, and the band could end if he doesn't recover, we should be nice to him”. I can't imagine either Daily Duranie kicking a person when they're down, you're compassionate people.
But generally speaking you rarely mention him without some sort of complaint or qualifier added on, which isn't the case with the others. Look at the comment in this post, it starts off “I need to do something I rarely do – give Simon some credit”. Kind of makes it sound like pulling teeth(half expecting an “awww…do I hafta!?”) instead of simply mentioning the lead singer of your favorite band. 😀 [That said, you guys did criticize John's clothes in the next post. I wouldn't even have thought of it, so props there–maybe they are his lucky pants? So let it not be said I don't recognize that there is occasional criticism of all band members. 🙂 ]
It's almost like there was some sort of uncontrollable force inside going “RED ALERT, RED ALERT! Complimenting Simon, quick DO SOMETHING!!!/Here Ma'am, I found one, spitting water during White Lines, oldie but a goodie/Disaster averted, Private. You'll get a commendation for this!”. 😀
I can almost imagine it like a comedy show, you know Ricky and Fred betting Lucy and Ethel they won't be able to go a day without gossiping and they try with much effort and biting of tongues but then the flood gates open and the gossip roars out! “I'm gonna do it, I'm gonna type something nice about Simon, yessss I am, see.I'm.typpping.ittt….arrrrgh…butwhataboutthewater! Have to mention the water. GROSS!!!” LOL
It was a good effort, though. 😀
Like I said, you can't help where your interest lies. It's not a big deal, but it IS kind of funny. It's a quirk.
—Same poster as you replied to
Ok, you've got me here, and even I can see where you're coming from. Honestly and truly though – I *don't* mean for it to come off the way it seems. I love Simon. I honestly and truly do. I do recognize though that we're hard on him at times, and I will make a better effort not to qualify myself so much when I pay him a complement. Fair enough.
(and we're nothing if not quirky. Have to be if we're willing to drive 1300 miles over the course of a 5 day period to see the band, you know??)
One thing I will say though is that when we were blogging about his voice, never once did I have in the back of my mind that I needed to be nice to him in case he didn't recover. Not ever. From day one all I could think about was how HE must feel. Being a singer is what he is. It's not just a job. I couldn't imagine what he must have been going through. It wasn't just pity for the sake of pity. I can't stress that enough.
The rest of what you said though, I'm taking to heart. I'm not above saying I'm being extra hard on him, and maybe I am. -R