There are some days when I honestly and truly should not leave the house, and yesterday…particularly the afternoon…was indeed one of those times.

If you haven’t heard yet, please allow Daily Duranie to be the first to break the news (to you)…

You should probably grab a beverage of choice and sit down. Trust me.

DURANLIVE IS COMING!!

I know, I know….you might need oxygen. I understand. You were expecting it…but at the same time you were starting to wonder if they were really going to do anything at all, and certainly nothing else besides festivals right??  Take a breath and know that we’re all probably feeling the same way right now.

Before I give the list of confirmed (yes, confirmed) of dates, I very much want to commend DDM. Not only did I receive the dates by email (not smoke signal, not listed on a variety of different social media, and not just haphazardly stuck up on a website without notice or fanfare), but they wanted to give them to fans first. Granted, you needed to be a member of DDM in order to get them last night before anyone else, but to be fair – people are PAYING for some exclusivity with that fan club. Getting an email with the dates listed seems fair. The email thanked us for being members, then explained that while these dates will not go on the public site until Monday (which means I suppose I’m giving a spoiler, and I really hope I don’t get into trouble for doing so, they are literally posted ALL OVER Facebook right now anyway), DDM wanted members to have them first in order to plan and even called it “their version of a leak”.  (Well DDM…now this is Daily Duranie’s version.)

The email was split into two sections, the first explaining the various ticket packages. As with previous tours, you can either buy straight pre-sale tickets, or go for one of the upgraded VIP packages, which have several different pricing levels. Keep in mind that not all VIP packages are available for all shows, and in certain markets and/or places, pre-sales might not even be available. Those are the breaks, and so pay close attention to what your particular show of interest offers. I really don’t want to see anyone complaining on social media that some show in Timbuktu doesn’t have a pre-sale or Platinum VIP and that DDM sucks just because someone didn’t bother to read closely.  Caveat Emptor (Let the Buyer Beware). DO YOUR HOMEWORK. 

1) The Platinum VIP Experience

2) The GOLD VIP Experience

3) The SILVER VIP Experience

4) The BRONZE VIP Experience

5) Premium pre-sale tickets will also be offered with reduced service charges for our members.

Bottom line: YES, VIP can be pricey. My advice? Choose wisely.  DDM is bringing back the infamous cocktail party (please, please, please let it be something more like the cocktail party in NYC for the fan show) …they seem to have some fantastic merchandise lined up, including the ever-popular tour laminates, AND….if you’re really into front row, Platinum guarantees just that…a front row seat. Additionally you’re getting one of the coolest offerings I’ve heard of in a long time – a tour of backstage. I think that is going to be fantastic! Again, kudos for DDM because they have obviously been reading…um, I mean listening….to the fans.  Well done, in my opinion!

If you’re not into the idea of a cocktail party but still want a great seat – Silver is the package for you because you’re still guaranteed a seat in rows 1-5.  I’d love some clarification for Bronze because it just says a premium reserved seat with no real indication of what that means. Is that a premium seat in the same row 1-5 or is that a “premium” seat in section 300 in row ZZ?  I’m not really sure, so if anyone knows, please let me know in the comments.

Ok, Ok…time for dates.  Ready???

Dates? You want Duran Duran tour dates?  Here you go:

USA

U.K.

Not only do I think they did a good job in giving us the dates first (I want to give HUGE applause for this even though I am well-aware that there are people complaining that they still haven’t received the email. My question is this: are those people really and truly CURRENT members – because the few that have come to me asking for them have been people who realized that they’d allowed their membership to lapse.), I have to take pause on the fact that these dates are nearly ALL on the west coast…which quite honestly blows my mind to pieces. I don’t know how, I don’t know why…I only know that I’m going to take full advantage.  (“Honey, I’m gonna be gone for a couple of weeks….hope you don’t mind…” as I sneak out the door in late September…)

Truth be told, when my friend Krista sent me a text message yesterday, I was in the middle of a final school meeting for my son. I heard my phone buzzing, and I just knew. I had to do major self-talking, as in: “you will NOT look at that phone, Rhonda. FOCUS. You are talking to Gavin’s teacher about his final grades. You are listening to Gavin talk about his year end projects…no, no, NO don’t think about Duran Duran right now. Do not even ponder over what could be going on. Just don’t!”  As Gavin’s teacher wrapped up the meeting, I scrambled for my phone. Ridiculous. I hadn’t even left the building and had my phone in hand. I took one look at her text and sent the following:

“am going to scream and quietly rock in a corner.”  

As I’ve been going on and on all year – my oldest is about to graduate. Her graduation party is at my house on Saturday. Two days from now (as I nervously glance at my clock because I should be cleaning right this very second). I will have 70 confirmed guests in my backyard, most of them teenagers, but still plenty of family. I have about 5,000 things to do, none of which include this band. Until yesterday. So…I told Amanda to let me know what shows we’re doing…because that’s how much I trust her. I’m just thrilled that we’re planning something, and on Sunday, after the party is over…I can focus on Duran Duran.  YES!

I’ve already been asked if there will be Daily Duranie pre-parties and I think the answer is a resounding YES, when possible. We’d love to do them everywhere – but the fact is, Amanda and I are paying our own way, and both of us have “day” jobs. We are probably only doing three shows (out of these first initial dates), and where it is possible to meet up before or even after the show, we can certainly do that. We’ll have our own VIP cocktail party, rest assured! More info on those to come, so stay tuned!

Happy Weekend! I bid you farewell until Monday (assuming I’m still alive after this weekend’s graduation festivities!).

-R