Last Wednesday night as Duran Duran ELECTRIFIED the Garden, I was wondering, will I get to see normal again? Was I at a rave club in the 1980’s, blinded by lights, not caring if I ever got my hearing back. Ok, now for the positive part of this review. Duran Duran took an adoring, packed TD Garden fan base back to the 80’s. It was an ELECTRIC, on your feet, night of hits, memories and FUN!
Simon Le Bon
Lead singer Simon Le Bon dusted off his funny, charming, goofy charisma. He charmed the mostly female audience, with his jokes about New ENGLAND, (a joke about being a Brit) before bangin’ out hits like Hungry Like A Wolf, which sounded exactly like it did the first time we heard it in 1982. Simon vocally, hasn’t changed. I loved the opening of A View To A Kill, where the big screens featured the classic 007 movie opening.
The Hits Came Early In The Night
The crowd was especially pleased that we didn’t have to wait for a hit. “Wolf” came very early in the show, and it was appreciated. Wild Boys, slammed in with two giant screens of Simon and John Taylor sharing one mic screaming “WILD BOYS, WILD BOYS.” It was awesome to hear that early. The audience loved it.
Welcome To The 1990’s
It was wonderful to hear their 90’s hits Ordinary World, and Come Undone, which sounded exactly like the CD. The light show and flashing media on the screens made it feel like we were in a giant dance club. Backup singer Erin Stevenson nailed every high note on Come Undone so perfectly, I could have sworn it was prerecorded. It was not. She was awesome.
Opening Acts Chic and Bastille
The electric night started with dance band Chic. Creator Nile Rodgers shared fun stories, reminding us HOW many HIT songs he produced. He is the genius behind giant hits like David Bowie’s Let’s Dance. He also produced Like A Virgin by Madonna. Add to that, a crowd favorite Bastille took the stage and keep the energy going right into Duran Duran.
The good news, that my hearing is back, and with my eye sight, the black spots I’m seeing, are now white spots. Duran Duran ELECTRIFIED the Garden! Maybe it was worth it.