Gig review: Duran Duran in Auckland (+photos)

Stuff.co.nz

Last updated 07:35 27/03/2008

BEN WATSON/Fairfax Media

WILD BOY: Front man Simon Le Bon performs with Duran Duran at Vector Arena in Auckland.

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The 80s were alive and kicking as Duran Duran kicked off their world tour in Auckland. Reviewer Nicholas Russell was there.

Duran Duran
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland
When: Wednesday, March 26

Every babysitter in Auckland must have been on duty when Duran Duran took to the Vector Arena stage on Wednesday night for their first ever headlining gig in New Zealand.

You could say most of the audience remembered the 80s really well - evidenced by their enthusiasm for the hits that propelled the English 'yacht rockers' to 85 million album sales.

From the minute Duran Duran walked on to the stage the seats were for handbags and it stayed that way for the whole two hours.

Lead singer Simon Le Bon still manages to look sexy at the age of 49 and the high kick he pulled out for The Reflex would have had most men his age crawling off to the physio.

Classics like Planet Earth and James Bond theme song A View to a Kill got the party started, but cracks began to show when they stopped midway through the set and lined up across the front of the stage with synthesizers and an electric drum set.

The first show of a world tour is a bit like popping into a restaurant on opening night - there are bound to be teething troubles.

In this case it was during the "Electroset" as band members swapped bemused looks as they struggled to get the sound right.

They restarted two of the songs and stopped to fix a few faults - at one point they were left standing in front of their synthesizers like confused cashiers in a supermarket.

A less experienced band might have lost their momentum, but Le Bon casually laughed it off as "f**king up in style".

Bassist John Taylor called it "a work in progress" and the fans were happy enough with the dance floor beats, but when the band swapped back to their instruments for a fantastic rendition of Rio the crowd erupted.

At times it seemed the audience was hanging out for the hits but were content to wait through some of the newer material.

As expected the band didn't get the same rise for new single Falling Down off Red Carpet Massacre as they did for the song straight after, Save a Prayer.

Save a Prayer was the first crowd participation moment of the night and fell a bit flat as the audience butchered the chorus - twice. They later redeemed themselves when lending a hand to a raucous rendition of Wild Boys.

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Despite the "Electroset" issues, Duran Duran were as slick as you would expect considering their years of experience, but it felt like they interacted better on the older material and seemed to be finding their feet with new songs like Nite Runner and Skin Divers.

You've got to give them credit for trying as it would be easy to rest on their laurels and be a Duran Duran tribute band.

No-one struts quite like Le Bon and he proved it during the final song of the night - Girls on Film - as he took time out to introduce the band, which killed the song.

But it didn't really matter. If you took a Duran Duran hits checklist with you to Vector Arena you would have crossed off nearly every one - and that left punters well satisfied.

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12 comments

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Miss Z #12 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I was there, and then I was at several Australian shows. Amazing band. Veteran act who moved with the times.

Roger Taylor and John Taylor are one of the finest rhythm section teams in the world.

Agree with all Alistair above said. Very professional. Complete rubbish about John Taylor 'storming off stage'. He didn't even leave the stage, let alone 'storm off'.

Met them the next day and they've proved to be down to earth and fun.

Check out lonelysatellites.com (NZ and Aussie DD fan site)

Mel #11 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I was at this show. It was brilliant. Yeah, there was a monir technical glitch during the uber groovy electro set - but it lasted about 10 seconds. In fact, if anything, it points to the band's professionalism in wanting to keep it tight. Reports of John Taylor "storming off stage". Rubbish. He just wandered to the side to fix something. Afterall, the electro set is his brainchild.

We were well spoilt, after such a long wait. Being front row was quite the experience. I've seen this band live 12 times, and they never disappoint. Energy, fun and charisma. Songs that last the distance, but the new ones also sound fresh and relevant (eg Tempted, Night Runner).

LesleyR #10 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Have just got home from seeing Duran play 4 times - 2 solo shows and 2 V-Festival shows in Australia. The Auckland show was fantastic and my first Duran show after 24 years of waiting. You've got to expect some glitches on the first night of a world tour. The electro-set is brilliant! They've included this in their shows since late last year when they did a 12 night stint on Broadway. John didn't storm off the stage - I was there in the first row and saw it all! Love the new material just as much as the old.

Scott #9 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Glad to see that Stuff, unlike the lady who wrote the factually incorrect and sensationalised Herald review, has got their facts right in regards to the technical issues - good to see there are still some Journos out there with a sense of integrity.

Missee #8 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Reading all the reviews and subsequent comments has made me laugh. Back in the 80's anything less than complimentary that was written about Duran Duran was always greeted with a barrage of outraged retorts and it appears nothing has changed! Saw them in Auckland and Sydney and would rate the NZ gig as the best simply because of the sheer love and gratitude from the fans and band for finally making it here. After seeing 100's (1000's?) of bands over the years, they still really are one of the best and appear to have improved with age. The new material is just as good as the old. Danced my booty off to all of it! Keep it up guys, look forward to seeing you again!

Joaquim Meireles #7 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Duran Duran please! Will do a show in Brazil in the city of Fortaleza hope you! Please ... Duran Duran simply the best band in the world!

carole barker #6 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Well what do I say! My daughter has been a great fan and absolute devottee of DD since the early 1980s when she was in her very early teens and we were still living in England. She is now in her mid 30s (thanks Mum, she will say!) and we are now in NZ. Keeping her away from the southern hemisphere concerts in Auckland and Sydney, has not been negotiable! I only wish I could have been there too... DD rock. The negative reports of the Auckland concert are ill informed and smack of envy from an ill informed and envious group of media morons.

Alastair Ross #5 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

I agree with the comments about poor journalism relating to the bands recent visit, the same lazy cliches trotted out about ageing stars....yawnarama! Their age is irrelevant, fact is they are a peerless pop act who continue to make great music and should be appreciated for their longevity and willingness to move with the times.

Since seeing them in Auckland I have heard many nonsensical comments from people who were not even there saying John stormed off stage and they were huffy about things, the complete opposite occurred, they had some technical issues which they resolved and were consumate professionals about it, keeping us amused and joking about it.

They were as always a class act! respect to Duran Duran

Louise #4 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Gee I thought the Poms whinged alot. Nothing but negative and sarcastic reviews coming out of NZ. Not to mention some really poor questions asked by silly reporters who have no idea of the Fan base in NZ/AUS.

Well DD rocked the Sydney Entertainment on Friday night and not one person was sitting for the entire 2 1/2 hours. They are pure class and make us DD and NZ fans proud.

Please get some decent reporters in NZ next time DD grace your shores with there presence and show some freaking respect.

robi #3 05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Well we saw Duran last night @ Sydney Entertainment Center and they were AMAZING!

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