Duran Duran closed out the American Express Presents BST run of events in Hyde Park, London on Sunday night (10th July 2022), with a spectacular set that saw the Wild Boys celebrate four decades in pop. Touching on all corners of their career, the show also witnessed Nile Rodgers join the band for a brace of classic tracks.
Photo: Louise Morris.
The show was the last of three weekends of events that featured some of the biggest names in music on stage in the leafy corner of London. Other acts to appear included The Rolling Stones, Adele, Pearl Jam - who played a pair of back to back nights ahead of Duran Duran - and Elton John, who opened up the event at the end of June.
Bringing the hits, a stunning visual production, and a party atmosphere, Duran Duran were a fitting closing act, seeing out the Hyde Park happening on a glorious high.
Going right back to their earliest days, the Birmingham band kicked off with and explosive 'The Wild Boys' from 1984 sophomore album 'Arena', enrapturing the 70,000 strong audience from the off.
Greeting the crowd from the magnificent Great Oak stage, front man Simon Le Bon said simply; "Good old London town, how are you doing!?"
Dropping in ‘Invisible’ and ‘All of You’ from 2021’s excellent ‘Future Past’ album, the band showed their faith in the newer material from the off, with the new songs effortlessly slipping in among the catalogue of songs that defined a generation.
007 theme 'A View to a Kill' followed, with the atmosphere raising fever pitch as Nick Rhodes' keyboard stabs rang out dramatically over the stunning London sunset.
Addressing the electric atmosphere in the park Simon asked; "Can you feel that?" before thanking the bands that had opened up the day; "You've had some amazing acts play today", he said, adding; "This has been an incredible day of music here in Hyde Park".
In a weekend of collaborations that had already seen Johnny Marr step up with Pearl Jam, Duran Duran had one of their own prepared.
With Nile Rodgers, the man behind the desk on their 1986 hit album 'Notorious' on the bill - having played a disco-heavy set of his own with Chic - only a fool would have bet against his presence on stage with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. And that's exactly what happened.
"We're going to introduce somebody we worked with in the '80s", announced Simon; "If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be around. Please give your biggest welcome to Nile Rodgers. Today this man becomes an honorary member of Duran Duran!" With its instantly recognisable guitar lick - played by Rodgers along with long time guitarist Dom Brown - and the tasty bass runs of the uber-cool John Taylor, the slinky track provided one of the night's most memorable moments.
As with last month's show in Dublin's St. Anne's Park, the set was of course packed with the high-octane hits that built their reputation; from the anthemic ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ to the iconic 'The Reflex’, and the out of this world ‘Plant Earth’.
However the evening’s most poignant moment came during a heartfelt ‘Ordinary World’. Introducing the track, Le Bon said; “I'd like to take a moment and spare a thought for our brothers and sisters out in the Ukraine. We wish them peace in their country and in their lives”.
With the night coming to an end, the singer’s endearing boyish enthusiasm was writ large, with Le Bon admitting; "I've got to do this once... Hyde Park, make some noise!" ahead of closer 'Rio'.
Signing off on what had been an unforgettable night, and the perfect way to end BST’s 2022 run, Simon said; “London town, you couldn't be better”, declaring the capital the; “Greatest city in the world!”
From the reception they received, it's safe to say that feeling is mutual in London, with Duran Duran still one of the greatest bands in the world.
Duran Duran's 'Future Past' is out now. For limited edition vinyl, CD and more, click here.
Bringing the hits, a stunning visual production, and a party atmosphere, Duran Duran were a fitting closing act, seeing out the Hyde Park happening on a glorious high.
Going right back to their earliest days, the Birmingham band kicked off with and explosive 'The Wild Boys' from 1984 sophomore album 'Arena', enrapturing the 70,000 strong audience from the off.
Greeting the crowd from the magnificent Great Oak stage, front man Simon Le Bon said simply; "Good old London town, how are you doing!?"
Dropping in ‘Invisible’ and ‘All of You’ from 2021’s excellent ‘Future Past’ album, the band showed their faith in the newer material from the off, with the new songs effortlessly slipping in among the catalogue of songs that defined a generation.
007 theme 'A View to a Kill' followed, with the atmosphere raising fever pitch as Nick Rhodes' keyboard stabs rang out dramatically over the stunning London sunset.
Addressing the electric atmosphere in the park Simon asked; "Can you feel that?" before thanking the bands that had opened up the day; "You've had some amazing acts play today", he said, adding; "This has been an incredible day of music here in Hyde Park".
In a weekend of collaborations that had already seen Johnny Marr step up with Pearl Jam, Duran Duran had one of their own prepared.
With Nile Rodgers, the man behind the desk on their 1986 hit album 'Notorious' on the bill - having played a disco-heavy set of his own with Chic - only a fool would have bet against his presence on stage with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. And that's exactly what happened.
"We're going to introduce somebody we worked with in the '80s", announced Simon; "If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be around. Please give your biggest welcome to Nile Rodgers. Today this man becomes an honorary member of Duran Duran!" With its instantly recognisable guitar lick - played by Rodgers along with long time guitarist Dom Brown - and the tasty bass runs of the uber-cool John Taylor, the slinky track provided one of the night's most memorable moments.
As with last month's show in Dublin's St. Anne's Park, the set was of course packed with the high-octane hits that built their reputation; from the anthemic ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ to the iconic 'The Reflex’, and the out of this world ‘Plant Earth’.
However the evening’s most poignant moment came during a heartfelt ‘Ordinary World’. Introducing the track, Le Bon said; “I'd like to take a moment and spare a thought for our brothers and sisters out in the Ukraine. We wish them peace in their country and in their lives”.
With the night coming to an end, the singer’s endearing boyish enthusiasm was writ large, with Le Bon admitting; "I've got to do this once... Hyde Park, make some noise!" ahead of closer 'Rio'.
Signing off on what had been an unforgettable night, and the perfect way to end BST’s 2022 run, Simon said; “London town, you couldn't be better”, declaring the capital the; “Greatest city in the world!”
From the reception they received, it's safe to say that feeling is mutual in London, with Duran Duran still one of the greatest bands in the world.
Duran Duran's 'Future Past' is out now. For limited edition vinyl, CD and more, click here.
