Thousands of fans packed into a sold out Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Friday night (May 5) to witness Duran Duran’s huge homecoming show.
Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, Roger Taylor, Dominic Brown and Nick Rhodes all took to the stage to provide a performance of the band’s greatest hits, as well as some older classics and a couple of new numbers which will appear on the group’s next album. Of course, the New Romantic hitmakers were without bandmate Andy Taylor, who is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, but the band recently revealed during their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that they will be working with him on their next release.
Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters warmed up the crowd with an energetic performance as the main support act, before the Birmingham-band arrived on the brightly lit stage which included on stage images of the band’s early years. Duran Duran opened their set with the atmospheric Night Boat, before electric performances of The Wild boys and Hungry Like the Wolf to really set the tone.
On stage, Le Bon, who was dressed in a silver metallic blazer and jeans, told the audience of the time he was dubbed an ‘honorary Brummie’ by UB40’s Ali Campbell at a pub, before mentioning his love for the city and joy at the group being a real Birmingham band.
The dance rock heroes worked their way through their back catalogue in front a devoted audience - many who who were delighted to see their 80s heroes perform on their home turf once more.
The band also incorporated some brilliant covers into their songs, including White Lines and Super Freak. The band sounded as tight as ever, and Le Bon’s voice certainly hasn’t waned despite years of huge arena shows.
And despite a rather apt rendition of Calvin Harris’ 2007 hit Acceptable in the 80s, it’s their brilliant performances of classics such as Ordinary World - the song which ‘saved the band’ Le Bon told the audience - Planet Earth and Reflex where the synth-pop icons really come into their own. Girls on Film also provides one of the night’s best moments, as does the powerful Is there something I should know?
During the encore, Le Bon and co return to the stage, and finished with Save a Prayer and the briliant exotic dance hit Rio before departing the stage as one of Birmingham’s truly great acts.
Thousands of fans witnessed the band roll back the years for the show. Here are 16 photos from the evening:
All photos from David Jackson
1. Lia Lia opened the show on Friday
2. Jake Shears performed Scissor Sisters hits such as Take Your Mama and I Don’t Feel Like Dancing
3. Jake Shears performing at the Utilita Arena
4. Duran Duran enter the stage