Post by singbluesilver on May 28, 2008 17:51:38 GMT -5
When I awoke yesterday I quickly realized that it may be the first day of the year that I needed to break down and turn the air conditioning on. The temps toppled 92 and the humidity was equally oppressive. After a beautiful, clear and humidity free weekend I wondered why the day I was going to an outdoor concert would be so muggy? but then I thought to myself, well how fitting, Duran Duran is in town. Two years ago when they braved Baltimore in July it went on record as the hottest day of the year. Yes my friends some DO like it hot and I was prepared no matter what!
So, this is the first time I joined the fan club to try to get a decent ticket and it was well worth it. I did not buy VIP-first and foremost, I can’t justify spending that much and after meeting INXS I decided that meeting these band guys tends to be one big let down and disappointment so I am better off just dreaming they are perfect! Lol So I did, however get Tier One and I got 6th row seats, on the floor, center-just behind the VIPS-how awesome was that? I could look each of the boys in the eye and I felt like it was my own private show. I was wowed by the diversity of the audience, white, black, young, old, gay, straight-you name it they were there. I was very impressed that the entire Merriweather Post Pavilion interior seating was sold out-I understand that it is about 3400 capacity there so not so shabby for an 80s band-not many other 80s bands can hold their own like that.
Next thing you know the lights went down and the boys were standing right in front of me. I could not believe how clearly I could see their faces and how I could easily look right into their eyes. I believe they started with The Valley-please correct me if I am wrong-I am never good at remembering the names of the songs and the order-I am so caught up in the moment it sort of meshes all together. Although it was hot and humid the boys looked cool and they were ready to rock. Suited up in their RCM jackets they pranced on the stage like it was their very first show. Simon, looked the best I have seen him in years and his hair was perfectly blonde and perfectly coiffed. The quintessential showman/actor he posed and used his eyes to tell his story to the audience. Nick masterfully looked over the audience from his perch of keyboards and played with his Apple computer and made all the funny voices and sounds. He snickered every time he would accentuate the deep voices and resembled a 12 year old with his toys. I guess he reminded me a little of that closet computer geek that I would be friends with at work or in school!lol The new guitar player and sax guy were both friendly and kind and probably sick of being ignored by all of the hardcore Duranies!lol-I smiled a lot at the new guitarist and he returned the favor-he rocked! This was the first time I really got to watch Roger in action and I was so happy to have seen him bang on those drums. It really made a difference having him there-I danced and moved to his every beat. And last but not least, Mr Sexy himself, John Taylor, still as beautiful as ever and I was so honored to have shared a few stares and smiles-very sweet smiles I must add and I am so ashamed that I was just too shy to hold those stares for very long-he won every time!
As I watched the band move together with the beat I thought to myself -what a perfect combination of talents and personalities-the true mix of a winning team. I watched Simon and John and tried to imagine them as young again. For a second I could see John in his long coat performing with Power Station. I also thought of myself playing those albums over and over in my small bedroom in the home that I long grew up in and thought that back then if I had ever known that at age 39 I would still be listening to the band I probably would have surprised that younger version of myself. After all this time and all of the past concerts I think that being so close and being the age that I am I most appreciated them at this concert. I even said a little prayer to thank God for Duran Duran-that may sound silly to some but they have brought me great joy over the years and I am so thankful that they continue to perform.
Some other new songs included in the show were RCM, Nite Runner, Skin Divers-cool beat, Falling Down-did the new guitarist really miss his cue or were they just joking?, and many of the older classics. I was pleasantly surprised with that little techno interlude when they all came to the front of the stage and put a new techo twist on many of the old classics. I could not have been happier to hear LAST CHANCE ON THE STAIRWAY live! I LOVE that song-it was just like heaven-I could not have ordered up a better lineup if they had personally asked for my input!
So in the end, while a few songs meandered a little and the rhythm sort of lost me, overall I consider it one of the best shows I have seen. I truly respect a dedicated performance from a band-one that you can see a true effort to do their best for the fans. I have been at other concerts where they just move through the motions or when they are clearly high and that is always a disappointment-but you know the boys are not angels and they HAVE disappointed me at one concert in years past but certainly not THIS time! They are all grown up and doing what they love and it shows.
Although I am very fit and work out regularly, even I was tired a little at the end. It is amazing how much energy they still have and how great they performed under those lights and in all of that heat. They were true professionals to the very end. As the fans orderly exited the venue, I thought, what a well behaved mature crowd. A mist of rain ended the evening and we all slowly walked to our cars and reluctantly returned to our ordinary worlds. No standing out in the rain to meet them this time although somehow now I am thinking that they wouldn’t have disappointed me, no not at all, not Duran!-hmmm, maybe next time!
Oh and here is a pic I took!
So, this is the first time I joined the fan club to try to get a decent ticket and it was well worth it. I did not buy VIP-first and foremost, I can’t justify spending that much and after meeting INXS I decided that meeting these band guys tends to be one big let down and disappointment so I am better off just dreaming they are perfect! Lol So I did, however get Tier One and I got 6th row seats, on the floor, center-just behind the VIPS-how awesome was that? I could look each of the boys in the eye and I felt like it was my own private show. I was wowed by the diversity of the audience, white, black, young, old, gay, straight-you name it they were there. I was very impressed that the entire Merriweather Post Pavilion interior seating was sold out-I understand that it is about 3400 capacity there so not so shabby for an 80s band-not many other 80s bands can hold their own like that.
Next thing you know the lights went down and the boys were standing right in front of me. I could not believe how clearly I could see their faces and how I could easily look right into their eyes. I believe they started with The Valley-please correct me if I am wrong-I am never good at remembering the names of the songs and the order-I am so caught up in the moment it sort of meshes all together. Although it was hot and humid the boys looked cool and they were ready to rock. Suited up in their RCM jackets they pranced on the stage like it was their very first show. Simon, looked the best I have seen him in years and his hair was perfectly blonde and perfectly coiffed. The quintessential showman/actor he posed and used his eyes to tell his story to the audience. Nick masterfully looked over the audience from his perch of keyboards and played with his Apple computer and made all the funny voices and sounds. He snickered every time he would accentuate the deep voices and resembled a 12 year old with his toys. I guess he reminded me a little of that closet computer geek that I would be friends with at work or in school!lol The new guitar player and sax guy were both friendly and kind and probably sick of being ignored by all of the hardcore Duranies!lol-I smiled a lot at the new guitarist and he returned the favor-he rocked! This was the first time I really got to watch Roger in action and I was so happy to have seen him bang on those drums. It really made a difference having him there-I danced and moved to his every beat. And last but not least, Mr Sexy himself, John Taylor, still as beautiful as ever and I was so honored to have shared a few stares and smiles-very sweet smiles I must add and I am so ashamed that I was just too shy to hold those stares for very long-he won every time!
As I watched the band move together with the beat I thought to myself -what a perfect combination of talents and personalities-the true mix of a winning team. I watched Simon and John and tried to imagine them as young again. For a second I could see John in his long coat performing with Power Station. I also thought of myself playing those albums over and over in my small bedroom in the home that I long grew up in and thought that back then if I had ever known that at age 39 I would still be listening to the band I probably would have surprised that younger version of myself. After all this time and all of the past concerts I think that being so close and being the age that I am I most appreciated them at this concert. I even said a little prayer to thank God for Duran Duran-that may sound silly to some but they have brought me great joy over the years and I am so thankful that they continue to perform.
Some other new songs included in the show were RCM, Nite Runner, Skin Divers-cool beat, Falling Down-did the new guitarist really miss his cue or were they just joking?, and many of the older classics. I was pleasantly surprised with that little techno interlude when they all came to the front of the stage and put a new techo twist on many of the old classics. I could not have been happier to hear LAST CHANCE ON THE STAIRWAY live! I LOVE that song-it was just like heaven-I could not have ordered up a better lineup if they had personally asked for my input!
So in the end, while a few songs meandered a little and the rhythm sort of lost me, overall I consider it one of the best shows I have seen. I truly respect a dedicated performance from a band-one that you can see a true effort to do their best for the fans. I have been at other concerts where they just move through the motions or when they are clearly high and that is always a disappointment-but you know the boys are not angels and they HAVE disappointed me at one concert in years past but certainly not THIS time! They are all grown up and doing what they love and it shows.
Although I am very fit and work out regularly, even I was tired a little at the end. It is amazing how much energy they still have and how great they performed under those lights and in all of that heat. They were true professionals to the very end. As the fans orderly exited the venue, I thought, what a well behaved mature crowd. A mist of rain ended the evening and we all slowly walked to our cars and reluctantly returned to our ordinary worlds. No standing out in the rain to meet them this time although somehow now I am thinking that they wouldn’t have disappointed me, no not at all, not Duran!-hmmm, maybe next time!
Oh and here is a pic I took!