“All You Need Is Now Tour 2011”

The almost original crew of Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, Dom Brown and Roger Taylor descended up Chastain Park Amphitheater, in support of their All You Need Is Now tour, last Friday night to the delight of a few thousand primarily thirty and forty-somethings. I had seen the guys here a few years back on their Red Carpet Massacre tour and suspected I was in store for a treat.

I arrived in my usual fashionably late manner thinking I was just going to miss whatever opening band I had never heard of. Unfortunately as I walked through the gates I was quite disappointed hear none other than the Neon Trees closing out their opening set with their hit “1983”!  Needless to say if I had known they were the opening act I would have been there right on time. I have no idea why they didn’t advertise them as the opening act. Anyway, it was clear that the crowd had been primed and was ready to dance.

The new wave Brit poppers took the stage to rousing applause, and an array of lights and special effects. The night air was pleasantly cool and a three-quarter moon shined down brightly. It was a perfect environment for the show and the crowd immediately around me seemed to concur. Other than missing Neon Trees the only other thing was realizing that Simon was sporting a full beard, which was new for him….but I recovered quickly and resumed dancing with my fellow fans throughout the following set list:

BEFORE THE RAIN/PLANET EARTH/A VIEW TO A KILL/ALL YOU NEED IS NOW/BLAME THE MACHINES/COME UNDONE/SAFE/REFLEX/LEOPARD/GIRL PANIC/SECRET OKTOBER/ORDINARY WORLD/CARELESS MEMORIES/OTHER PEOPLE’S LIVES/LEAVE A LIGHT ON/NOTORIOUS/HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF/SUNRISE (encore)WILD BOYS/RIO

Despite the fact that the guys were at the top of their game back in the mid 80’s they still possess all of the vigor, vitality and sexuality they always did. I think that is a huge part of what makes their shows so much fun. Duran Duran never get old for me, they are always consistent, and the energy they exude from their music means a big amphitheater sized dance party will definitely ensue!