Nostalgia ruled Thursday night at the Hollywood Bowl, as children of the 1980s crowded into the ampitheater in order to hear classic tunes from both iconic groups. It was the first Hollywood Bowl concert for Duran Duran, which still features original members singer Simon Le Bon, bassist John Taylor, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, and drummer Roger Taylor.
Solid-out crowd at the Bowl.
It's a little bit disconcerting to realize that yes, you're now attending concerts sponsored by an oldies station. And that "oldies" means 1980s music. And that 1980s music is 30 years ago. Just as in the 1980s, music from the 1950s was from 30 years ago. Sigh.
Chic feat. Nile Rodgers setlist:
Dance, Dance, Dance
Everybody Dance
I Want Your Love
I'm Coming Out / Upside Down / He's The Greatest Dancer / We Are Family
Get Lucky
Let's Dance
Le Freak
Good Times
It's truly impressive the number of hits that Nile Rodgers has been involved with through the decades. "He is RICH," Maria proclaimed.
Chic's set ended with a dance party on stage, as several people -- including Craig Robinson -- were brought out to groove behind the group during "Good Times." (Nile also did a solid first verse of "Rapper's Delight," which, of course, used "Good Times" as a back beat.)
Duran Duran setlist:
Paper Gods
Hungry Like the Wolf
A View to a Kill
The Reflex
Come Undone
Last Night in the City
What Are the Chances?
Notorious
Pressure Off
Planet Earth
Ordinary World
White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)
(Reach Up for the) Sunrise
Danceophobia
Too Much Information
Girls on Film
Encore: Rio
Simon Le Bon turns 57 later this month, and still had ladies swooning in the audience.
Some interesting choices for their Hollywood Bowl set, including their 1995 cover of Grandmaster Melle Mel's "White Lines."
The show ended with "Rio"; unfortunately, things had to end there, as the Hollywood Bowl has a strict 11 p.m. curfew. Which meant planned performances of "Save a Prayer" and "Wild Boys," reportedly planned to be a part of the encore, had to be scrapped.
