When Duran Duran released his second studio album — Rio — in 1982, the Theoi Mousikoi – The Gods of Music – must have agreed that human beings were presented music that would last for ages. Music hits like: “Save a Prayer”, “Hungry Like the Wolf” , “My Own Way” and “Rio” earned the British new wave/synthpop band a Gold disc on March 1983, and went Platinum on April 1983, eventually reaching Double Platinum status.
Duran Duran was a successful band of the 1980s in the so-called “Second British Invasion” of the US and a leading band in the New Wave and dance-rock music genre ever since. They will perform in SunFest’s opening night at the Ford Stage on April 27. Our city’s annual music and art festival that lasts 5 days is the largest festival by the waterfront in Florida and besides promoting local talents, the event has become notorious countrywide for its renowned headliners. This year, it is awesome that Duran Duran will headline at opening night alongside other terrific performers like Meghan Trainor, Lucas Graham, Secret Weapons and Cade.
When we reached out to the band in regards to their upcoming gig at SunFest, they expressed to be really excited to take on the stage Wednesday night and perform a plethora of songs that will include many of the hits that put them on top of the charts worldwide, and also from their new album, Paper Gods. This last album by the band was released in September of 2015 and features special guest contributions from Janelle Monáe (on the first single “Pressure Off”), former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, Canadian Juno-Award winning singer Kiesza, British singer/songwriter Mr. Hudson, violinist Davidé Rossi and actress Lindsay Lohan.
The songs on Paper Gods capture the duality and sense of conflict at the heart of Duran Duran’s music. “It really goes back to that strange early Duran mix: the hard-edged pop, coexisting with this dark, weird, experimental side,” says bassist John Taylor. “That’s something that’s essential to all of us,” keyboardist Nick Rhodes added. “It’s great to be able to lift people’s spirits – and your own – with a strong shot of pure pop, but the world we live in isn’t all just made of that stuff, so it seems natural to me that we have kept one foot in the darker, more Gothic side of life.”
“Pressure Off” is the first single off their 14th studio album Paper Gods. A collaboration with Nile Rodgers, a music producer, and guitarist of one of the most successful groups of the disco era, Chic. Rodgers first worked with the band when he was recruited to remix the band’s 1984 single “The Reflex” and also produced the band’s 1986 album Notorious. Here is Duran Duran’s official video of Pressure Off (feat. Janelle Monáe and Nile Rodgers)
Duran Duran members found a whole new level of inspiration on this album that revelers at SunFest will be able to enjoy this year because the only rule they follow is that it’s got to be music you can live with for the rest of your life. Duran Duran’s 1986 album Notorious was a strong touchstone for the band and kind of a starting point for this album as they reflected back on their previous 14 albums.
Singer Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, John Taylor, and drummer Roger Taylor feel they are fortunate to be inspired by a long catalog of great music for more than three decades, – “not many bands can say that”, said Le Bon.
Duran Duran has had the support of its fans for nearly four decades. They have always been very image-centric and have presented themselves with charismatic videos making them very influential in the new wave, synthpop rock music. The British pop veterans are not resting on the laurels of their 80’s fame and will bring to SunFest an emotional experience for its legion of fans in South Florida.
Watch Duran Duran’s recent collaboration with Steve Aoki, another artist performing at SunFest 2016…
Duran Duran’s SunFest 2016 concert details
Date: Wednesday, April 27
Where: Ford Stage
Hour: 8:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Admission: Included in your ticket to SunFest (One day pass at $45) – for tickets go to: www.sunfest.com/get-your-tickets
Enjoy other videos by Duran Duran:
Duran Duran will perform at SunFest Opening Night on Wednesday, April 27, 2016. Get tickets for SunFest to enjoy Duran Duran’s new Album, Paper Gods, and all their greatest hits.