Post by Tin on Oct 14, 2011 16:19:29 GMT -5
www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Culture-Cafe/2011/1014/Duran-Duran-fans-spend-hard
Duran Duran, the 1980s British pop band, often say they are “the band designed to make you party.” Die-hard Duranies, as the band’s fans are known, will go to extreme lengths to party like a rock star.
While Duran Duran is currently touring North America, Duranies are spending thousands of dollars on concert tickets, travel, haircuts, cameras, and clothes to see their '80s teen idols. Give it to Duranies: They are fueling at least a part of a dismal economy.
Duran Duran captured the imagination of Generation X women with dashing good looks, stylish designer suits, and songs about exotic places and romance not every day life. Women of a certain age not only wanted to meet their favorite member. No, they wanted to run away to Paris or the beach with him. Now, in their 40s, Duranies still have the same dream even if they have a few wrinkles. So do the band.
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Maya Grigoraia traveled to San Francisco from Chicago to see the band perform in Saratoga last month. She connected with other Duranies from around the country who she had met through social media channels over the last several months.
Ms. Grigoraia plans to see the band three times on its “All You Need Is Now Tour,” including in Chicago and Atlantic City.
“I am spending money on travel to two out of three concert venues, as well as getting haircuts, manicures, and new clothes every few weeks so I am definitely making my contribution to the economy,” Grigoraria says. “It’s my patriotic duty to attend as many Duran Duran shows as possible.”
She’s not alone as she tries to find the perfect outfit for a Duran Duran concert. Jeans and a T-shirt simply won’t do for the Duranie who wants to look like a glitzy “girl on film” from one of the bands numerous videos.
Laura Harms of Taylor, Texas, has spent close to $2,000, including travel to a concert in Las Vegas in late September and to Dallas last week. Earlier this year, when Duran Duran swung through the United States, Ms. Harms traveled to Oklahoma to see the band.
“I’m thankful I have an understanding husband who pushes me to spend money on myself to see the band I enjoy,” says Harms, a mother of two. “If I have to tighten the budget, it’s so worth it in the end.”
Camping out with family. That’s what Jennifer Mayberry of Chicago has done for two West Coast shows to cut some costs. So does combining shows with work trips.
Duran Duran, the 1980s British pop band, often say they are “the band designed to make you party.” Die-hard Duranies, as the band’s fans are known, will go to extreme lengths to party like a rock star.
While Duran Duran is currently touring North America, Duranies are spending thousands of dollars on concert tickets, travel, haircuts, cameras, and clothes to see their '80s teen idols. Give it to Duranies: They are fueling at least a part of a dismal economy.
Duran Duran captured the imagination of Generation X women with dashing good looks, stylish designer suits, and songs about exotic places and romance not every day life. Women of a certain age not only wanted to meet their favorite member. No, they wanted to run away to Paris or the beach with him. Now, in their 40s, Duranies still have the same dream even if they have a few wrinkles. So do the band.
Patti Smith: Just Kids autobiography to be a major motion picture
Maya Grigoraia traveled to San Francisco from Chicago to see the band perform in Saratoga last month. She connected with other Duranies from around the country who she had met through social media channels over the last several months.
Ms. Grigoraia plans to see the band three times on its “All You Need Is Now Tour,” including in Chicago and Atlantic City.
“I am spending money on travel to two out of three concert venues, as well as getting haircuts, manicures, and new clothes every few weeks so I am definitely making my contribution to the economy,” Grigoraria says. “It’s my patriotic duty to attend as many Duran Duran shows as possible.”
She’s not alone as she tries to find the perfect outfit for a Duran Duran concert. Jeans and a T-shirt simply won’t do for the Duranie who wants to look like a glitzy “girl on film” from one of the bands numerous videos.
Laura Harms of Taylor, Texas, has spent close to $2,000, including travel to a concert in Las Vegas in late September and to Dallas last week. Earlier this year, when Duran Duran swung through the United States, Ms. Harms traveled to Oklahoma to see the band.
“I’m thankful I have an understanding husband who pushes me to spend money on myself to see the band I enjoy,” says Harms, a mother of two. “If I have to tighten the budget, it’s so worth it in the end.”
Camping out with family. That’s what Jennifer Mayberry of Chicago has done for two West Coast shows to cut some costs. So does combining shows with work trips.