Oregon Music News: Oregon’s all-genre music magazine since 2009

06/04/2023

Duran Duran with Bastille and Nile Rogers' Chic at the Moda Center on 06/01/23

By BRENT ANGELO //  PHOTOS AND REVIEW

Duran Duran brings their 40th Anniversary Tour to Portland's Moda Center

Duran Duran are currently on tour in celebration of their 40th anniversary. For those like me, who remember those good times and good music of the 80s, Duran Duran dominated MTV and pop/rock radio back then. Songs like “Girls on Film”, “Hungry Like the Wolf”, and “Rio” were on constant repeat and for good reason. Duran Duran made great songs together and appealed to the masses including dance, pop and rock crowds. Over the years, the band, who consists of Simon Le Bon (vocals), John Taylor (bass), Nick Rhodes (keyboards) and Roger Taylor (drums) have released fifteen albums worth of material with their most recent being 2021’s Future Past. Future Past is a cool journey in sound and in their evolution of making music show they are far from done.


Duran Duran just played the Moda Center here in Portland to a packed house. The band emerged on the stage to start the show with a song that took the band all the way back to its earliest days. “Night Boat” from 1981’s Duran Duran kicked off the show. The concert went to the next level with “Hungry Like the Wolf” from 1982’s Rio. One of Duran Duran’s biggest strengths has always been the vocals from Simon Le Bon. That singing voice is one of radio’s most easily recognizable, cool sounding and his vocals live are truly something special. Bassist, John Taylor and Roger Taylor held down a tight groove while keyboardist, Nick Rhodes, almost like a mad scientist behind numerous keyboards and synthesizers added those special touches that filled out the band’s big sound.

Original guitar player, Andy Taylor is missed due to his continuing battle with metastatic prostate cancer, but current guitarist, Dominic Brown kept the guitar rocking as he has helped the band over the years since Andy’s departure. Live highlights included “Girls on Film”, “Careless Memories” and “Planet Earth” all being from their 1981 debut showing these great songs remain timeless. “Ordinary World” from 1993’s Duran Duran (also known as the Wedding Album) sounded big and beautiful in concert. Simon Le Bon’s vocals truly shined brightest here even dedicating the song to the people of Ukraine. For the Encore, “Save a Prayor” filled the arena first before “Rio” capped off the night strong.

Duran Duran put on a live show that honored their storied career in music. There were the hits, new songs and even some deep cuts to make the hardcores happy. They proved live they are not just some washed up 80’s band but remain a band that continues to make great music on record and in concert.

Duran Duran
Moda Center Portland, OR, USA
Future Past - 40th Anniversary Tour

Setlist
Night Boat
The Wild Boys
Hungry Like the Wolf
The James Bond Theme
A View to a Kill
Notorious
Give It All Up
Lonely in Your Nightmare (with Super Freak)
Is There Something I Should Know?
Anniversary
Friends of Mine
Careless Memories
Ordinary World (with Ukraine tribute)
Come Undone
Planet Earth (with band intros)
White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) (Grandmaster Melle Mel cover)
The Reflex
Girls on Film (with Acceptable in the 80's)
Encore:
Save a Prayer
Rio

Fan Filmed Video

Duran Duran “Hungry Like The Wolf” (Live From the Moda Center, Portland, Oregon on June 1, 2023)

Duran Duran “Ordinary World” (Live From the Moda Center, Portland, Oregon on June 1, 2023)

 

 

 

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