You can file this under the ever-growing “Can’t we all just be HAPPY?” tab in the Duranie cabinet.
Today’s news brings the tidbit that alas, I will not be making a hasty drive up to Monterey next week. I will not be missing the chance to walk my youngest into her new first grade classroom on the first day of school, and I will not have the incredible opportunity to (probably) hear Hungry Like the Wolf again. *deep, sigh* (whether that’s a sad sigh or a cleansing one clearly depends on your point of view. I’ll let you decide)
Seriously though, I’m OK. Sure, I was disappointed when I didn’t win, but I kind of figured it was a slim chance anyway. I got over the idea that I wouldn’t be driving five hours up and then another five hours back home within a 24-hour period pretty darn quickly. My luck is pretty terrible by nature, and I’ve gotten used to the fact that “many enter, few will win”. I hope the winners all have a great time!! I just don’t have time to be negative, you know?
On the upside, Duran Duran announced something today that I think could be fun – the show they’re playing at next week is for Mazda (I love it when my detective work pays off and is correct!) to unveil the Mx-5 Miata in Monterey. The good news is that the show, or highlights thereof, will be filmed, and WE can view it online at Mazda’s YouTube channel. Check out the details here on duranduran.com I don’t know how much of Duran’s performance will actually be shown on YouTube, but given that most of us haven’t really seen them play since 2012 – we’ll take what we can get! Daily Duranie will set up a viewing party very similar to what we did for Duran Duran Appreciation Day…so be on the lookout for information in a future blog. We’re looking forward to “seeing” all of you!
Back to the point of this post though, why can’t we all just be happy they’re playing?? I’ve seen so much negativity today, it’s really kind of pathetic. Much of it comes in the form of “You’re totally selling out by doing shows like this.” Really? Could someone please explain to me how playing shows they’re being paid to play is selling out? ‘Cuz…you know when YOU buy a ticket to see them play somewhere, they’re being paid, right? That’s kind of the way this all works. Is it just a matter of who is paying them? So it’s OK for the band to make money off of the people who love them and have worshipped them forever, but it’s not OK for the band to make money off of brands and/or products. Interesting. Or, it’s OK for the band to make money off of fashion, perfume, maybe even alcohol brands (because you know they’ve done shows sponsored by Baileys and Smirnoff among others)…but not cars. You also know that they’ve done private gigs for people able and willing to pay them before, including corporations, right??
*scratches head*
This is all ridiculous. While I wouldn’t necessarily argue that yogurt felt a little weird – the point is that the band is being paid to play, and I’d probably guess they’re being paid a lot of money to play. Good for them. It costs real money to create and record an album. Nile Rodgers doesn’t work for free. Neither does Mark Ronson. I’m sure Ben Hudson isn’t free….and for that matter, neither are Dom and Anna, or management or their team or the many, many other people that work for Duran Duran. I’m well-aware that the band doesn’t NEED to record albums and they don’t NEED to play live. But the fact is, they choose to do those things, and it costs money to do them….and we’re VERY glad they do! This is a BUSINESS. The band doesn’t put their own personal paychecks or savings right back into the band to pay producers or put on tours…not after 30 years of being a band. The business has to self-sustain, so in order to make those albums, they’ve got to have money. In order to tour, they’ve got to make money, and that’s not exactly as easy to do now as it was back in 1985. Before fans say they shouldn’t act as shills for cars or anything else, perhaps fans should take a basic business economics class and understand what they’re saying first.
Bottom line, be glad the band is still playing. Who really cares where? It’s one show of many to come. Pay attention to the music, support the band however you can, and BE HAPPY. Life is incredibly short, stop wasting time with negativity.
-R
Totally agree.
All support.
Support is due, after so many years, consudering the ups and downs their history is plenty of, although they play miles away from my country.
And …. pssst… I just read somewhere on their FB page, a certain “2015-2016 world tour” is upcoming.
I am not at all surprised that they’re going to be touring again, given that the album will eventually see light of day! And you’re 100% correct – support is definitely due. -R
First, I think a viewing party is a fantastic idea. (Depending on the time zone thing of course.) Barring that, I’m in!
I’ve heard the discussion about “selling out” too. I don’t know how aware we are of how often this happens with bands and performers in general. My bff works for a huge company, and they hire the likes of the U2, Blondie and Green Day for their corporate conferences. Also, I’ve heard stories about Beyonce playing private parties for Saudi royalty. I think there *a lot* of gigs that go on, that are not reported on, and are not for public consumption.
And lets face facts. The band needs a revenue stream. And if you are between albums … where is that revenue going to come from? These guys have to …eat… LOL. I’m being cheeky there, but you know what I mean!
Totally agree. It happens ALL. THE. TIME. The argument I’ve seen from some is that Duran Duran is “special”. Listen people – they put out a music video that they knew would cause controversy because it would sell records. That’s how special they are, and I LOVE THEM FOR IT. This is a band that prides themselves on a certain amount of frivolity, so I don’t really see the problem…and again, I applaud them for it. *shrugs* -R
Also Heather, I’m assuming that the show is on west coast time, but I will check on that right now and fix the time if necessary…I already did an event page through Daily Duranie on FB. -R
I think this is a great marketing/exposure event for them. From what I’ve discovered, the LiveStream event by Mazda is coinciding with similar events in Barcelona and Japan simultaneously….so Duran is getting exposure in 3 continents at the same time.
I saw that, and I agree. This is a great opportunity for them, and it gives them a huge amount of exposure, which they definitely need. I just don’t understand people…we complain that they don’t do promo and blame that on their management and the label…then we complain that they ARE doing a type of promotion because they are “shilling themselves for a car company”. What?!? -R
I just love that they are out there. This is their JOB – and a lot of people forget that. Sigh…. Anyway, why people choose to spend their day being negative and defeatist is beyond me. I will hang out with fans online this week watching the Mazda broadcast and then online for the Fashion Rocks, and THEN in Durham for the movie. WHAT AN AWESOME week ahead!