28 July 2024 (gig)
31 July 2024
Headlining on the Sunday, the legendary band Duran Duran gave the huge crowd just what they wanted – a setlist packed tight with hit after hit including Hungry Like the Wolf, Girls on Film and Rio.
The global band, who originated from Birmingham, have a massive back catalogue to choose from, having had numerous smash hits over the last five decades including two UK and USA number ones, as well as14 Top Ten UK hits and 30 Top 40 hits.
Duran Duran started their set with a bang, an energetic and visually dynamic rendition of their No 2 hit, Wild Boys, complete with a huge image of the creepy animatronic head which featured in the video for the song.
The 1984 song was produced by the incredible Nile Rogers of Chic (who also performed on the Sunday of Latitude). Nile also produced their hits Notorious and one of their two number ones The Reflex, both of which went down a storm with the festival-goers.
Dressed in silver trousers and at one point rocking an 80s-style neon yellow jacket, charismatic lead singer Simon Le Bon had the crowd in the palm of his hands, as he switched his vocals from the haunting ballad of The Chauffeur (complete with Simon playing the flute) to the up-tempo Invisible and Sunrise, two of the band’s later hits.
Whilst the set was enjoyed by young and old at the Obelisk Arena, there was undoubtedly a large section of their long-time fans who had come to the festival to watch their favourite band in action.
And these fans would have been particularly pleased to hear the band play some hits from back in the early 80s including Careless Memories, Friends of Mine and the band’s first hit in the UK Charts, and a true classic, Planet Earth.
White Lines has been a staple cover of Duran Duran’s through the years and as always, went down a treat with the crowd. They also did a great cover of Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer, released last October as part of their Halloween-themed Danse Macabre album (which incidentally features ex-Duran Duran guitarist Andy Taylor on guest guitar).
Also given a spooky vibe, with a slowed down version of the first verse and chorus, was their song New Moon on Monday, not always performed by the band on their tours and lapped up by fans at Latitude.
Whilst the 80s were undoubtedly unchallenged in their success for the band, the 90s also wielded some huge hitters, including fan favourite Come Undone (duetted with incredible backing singer Anna Ross), as well as the beautiful Ordinary World, which Simon dedicated to people affected by war who are desperately seeking peace.
It was a beautiful moment in the crowd, as was the band’s encore rendition of the iconic Save a Prayer, in which the entire arena was lit up by mobile phone lights held aloft. A true magical moment.
A couple of classics missing from the set were their No 2 hit A View To A Kill, their other no 1 track Is There Something I Should Know? and Union of the Snake – the band will just have to come back again to include those in the set too!
Duran Duran – featuring original members bassist John Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes and drummer Roger Taylor - finished their set with the brilliant Rio, perfectly harmonising the warmth of the sunny day festival goers had just enjoyed, with visions of the band’s sun-kissed video by the beach.
When the time came to end the show, Simon seemed reluctant to leave the stage, clearly wishing to continue the Duran party – a sentiment that was definitely shared by the crowd. With the band usually spending a lot of their time touring and performing in the USA, this Latitude Festival appearance had been a chance for their UK fans to soak up their favourite band while they had the chance!
Duran Duran’s set rounded off a fab day at Latitude, including The Darkness, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and Nile Rodgers & Chic.
Confiding with the audience about feeling nervous, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man took a shot of tequila and performed a blistering set of hits including Human, Giant, Lovers in a Past Life and Crossfire. It was a memorable and heart-winning performance, with festival goers of all ages singing and dancing along with this musical giant.
Disco sensations Nile Rodgers and Chic took the audience on a funk extravaganza, performing hit after dancefloor hit, including Chic’s Le Freak, Good Times and Everybody Dance.
The band played a string of songs written and produced for other artists by multi-talented, Nile Rodgers, including Madonna’s Like a Virgin and Material Girl, Bowie’s Let’s Dance and Sister Sledge’s He's the Greatest Dancer and We Are Family. Diana Ross hits, I'm Coming Out and Upside Down, also went down a storm with the crowd.
Nile Rodgers told the audience that Daft Punk’s song Lose Yourself to Dance held a special place in his heart as he was undergoing treatment for cancer while recording it, and it was the power of music which helped him overcome the disease.
All in all, an incredible day of music at Latitude Festival, with the music uniting all age groups who partied hearty in the glorious summer weather.
