May 15th 1987 – Birmingham International Arena (NEC)
1982 Duran Duran came to Leicester on the Rio Tour, that was the height of their fame and a fascinating time for me getting into music. Due to a combination of no money and tickets selling out super quick, I didn’t get to see them. Then, they never played Leicester again! Too big for lil old us!
So, this was one I was really looking forward to. I’d got a car by now, so the adventures of driving to and from a Birmingham gig was now a remarkable step forward. Sadly the tickets we had were high up on the back row……this was definitely the start of my loathing of the NEC!!!
Duran Duran weren’t necessarily in the best place by now. Both Andy and Roger Taylor had left the band, Roger had just had enough of the whole thing as Duranies had been consistently recording, touring and in the public eye since the early 80’s. Andy was a bit different as he had side solo projects, but it’s fair to say there were personal tensions too. The break did them some good in the long run.
Nevertheless, the remaining threesome of Simon Le Bon (Vocals), Nick Rhodes (Keyboards) and John Taylor (Bass) were on form and on their return to their home town’s largest venue.
I have no idea why this was called the “Strange Behaviour” Tour. The album they were touring was Notorious and this also being the classic title track. They launched straight into A View To A Kill (Bond film soundtrack) and then onto Notorious. A great start and already the crowd was dancing.
In the 80’s you chose, it wasn’t the done thing to like everything…so in Duran Duran’s case, you were either following them (A Durannie) or Spandau Ballet (Spandau)…I was most definitely a Durannie. Of course, later on, we would all realise both were fantastic…but Duran Duran were better ;-)!!
The setlist was a rattle through songs from Duran Duran, Rio, Seven and the Ragged Tiger and Notorious with a couple of project tracks from Arcadia and The Power Station thrown in. Great concert and Le Bon’s vocals were sparkling.
Set List
- A View to a Kill
- Notorious
- American Science
- Union of the Snake
- Vertigo (Do the Demolition)
- Play Video
- New Religion
- Play Video
- Meet El Presidente
- Play Video
- Election Day (Arcadia cover)
- Some Like It Hot (The Power Station cover)
- A Matter of Feeling
- The Chauffeur
- Save a Prayer
- Skin Trade
- Hold Me
- Encore: Is There Something I Should Know?, Hungry Like the Wolf, The Wild Boys
- Play Video
- The Reflex
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