For a band that’s been around for over four decades, Duran Duran still manages to make nostalgia feel brand new. Their September 2023 show at Blossom Music Center was more than just a victory lap for one of the biggest bands of the ’80s—it was a vibrant, expertly paced performance that reminded everyone how timeless great pop can be. This wasn’t a group just surviving off their back catalog; this was a band still deeply engaged with their music, their fans, and the spectacle of live performance.
Blossom Music Center, tucked among the trees of Cuyahoga Falls, felt like a fitting backdrop for Duran Duran’s mix of elegance and energy. The amphitheater was buzzing long before the lights went down—neon shirts, sequins, and enough eyeliner to make Simon Le Bon proud. You could sense the excitement rippling through the crowd of thousands, spanning generations from Gen Xers who grew up with MTV’s golden age to younger fans who discovered the band through their parents or TikTok. And when the lights finally dimmed, and the opening synth of “Night Boat” crept through the speakers, the place erupted.
Setting the Tone
Starting the night with “Night Boat,” one of their darker and moodier early tracks, was a bold move. It immediately set the tone that this wouldn’t just be a run-through of greatest hits—it was a curated journey through their catalog. The deep blue lights, the slow build, and Simon’s haunting vocals made it feel cinematic, like a prelude to something grand.
Then came the burst of adrenaline: “The Wild Boys.” Instantly, the energy shifted from eerie to electric. The crowd was on their feet, fists in the air, as Le Bon prowled the stage with the charisma that made him a household name in the ’80s. Even after all these years, he still commands attention without ever feeling forced. “Hungry Like the Wolf” followed, and Blossom turned into a massive karaoke session. That song will always be their atomic bomb—it detonates any venue it’s played in.
Bond, Bowie, and Big Hooks
What’s remarkable about Duran Duran is how well their setlist flows between eras and influences. Right after “Hungry Like the Wolf,” they dove into The James Bond Theme and “A View to a Kill,” their 1985 Bond anthem that remains one of the coolest film songs ever made. The visuals—spy silhouettes, gun barrel graphics, and moody lighting—were pure rock theater.
Then came “Notorious,” that irresistible funk-laced hit from their mid-’80s period. The horns were crisp, John Taylor’s bass was popping, and the crowd groove was undeniable. It’s a song that proves Duran Duran’s versatility—they weren’t just pretty boys from Birmingham; they were bona fide musicians who could hang with the best rhythm sections of their era.
The new track “GIVE IT ALL UP” was one of the night’s most surprising highlights. Modern, moody, and hypnotic, it showed that Duran Duran still knows how to craft sleek, stylish pop that fits comfortably in 2023. Many veteran bands struggle to integrate new material, but this one blended perfectly with the hits.
Nostalgia Meets Funk
One of the night’s most joyful moments came with “Lonely in Your Nightmare,” which morphed into a mashup with Rick James’ “Super Freak,” dubbed “Super Lonely Freak.” It was pure fun—Simon Le Bon grinning ear to ear, the band stretching out the groove, and the audience fully surrendering to the rhythm. It felt spontaneous, even though you know it was rehearsed. That’s the Duran Duran magic: precision that still feels effortless.
“Is There Something I Should Know?” and “ANNIVERSARY” came next, keeping the momentum high. The latter, from their recent album Future Past, felt like a perfect bridge between their early sound and where they are now—sharp, self-aware, celebratory.
The mid-show deep cut “Friends of Mine” was a treat for longtime fans. It’s one of those tracks that defined their early art-rock side before MTV turned them into pop icons. “Careless Memories” followed, keeping that edge alive with Andy Taylor’s guitar riff slicing through the humid night air.
The Heart and the Humanity
Then, in a tonal shift that only a band with true depth could pull off, Simon slowed everything down for “Ordinary World.” He dedicated it to the people of Ukraine, and the crowd went silent—a collective breath of empathy and reflection. The song has always carried a melancholic beauty, but in that moment, it felt almost sacred. You could see people holding hands, swaying, eyes closed.
“Come Undone” followed, and it was equally mesmerizing. The band’s female backing vocalist absolutely soared on the chorus, matching Simon’s emotional intensity note for note. Those two songs back-to-back created one of the most emotionally resonant stretches of the night, proving that even among the glitter and groove, Duran Duran has always had heart.
“Planet Earth” brought things back up to full throttle. It was one of those songs that reminded you why this band changed the pop landscape—tight, cool, effortlessly stylish. Simon introduced the band mid-song, and the applause for John and Roger Taylor was thunderous. You could tell the crowd still idolizes them, and they’ve earned every bit of it.
White Lines, Reflexes, and a Perfect Party
When the pounding beat of “White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It)” kicked in, Blossom turned into a dance floor. The band leaned hard into the groove, giving the Grandmaster Melle Mel classic a funky rock twist that only Duran Duran could pull off. Simon stalked the stage with swagger, egging the crowd on, and when the chorus hit, it was pure chaos—in the best way possible.
“The Reflex” brought everyone right back to the peak of the MTV years, and you could practically feel the nostalgia radiating from the audience. Every lyric was shouted, every note hit with joy. It’s one of those songs that never gets old, and Duran Duran still plays it like it was written yesterday.
They closed the main set with “Girls on Film,” but not before blending it with Calvin Harris’s “Acceptable in the 80s.” It was a perfect, clever touch—acknowledging their influence on modern pop while still reveling in their own legacy. The mashup was seamless, fun, and a fitting finale before the encore.
The Encore: Sentimental and Spectacular
As the lights dimmed again, the stage glowed in deep blue hues, and Simon returned alone to start “Save a Prayer.” The crowd lit up with phones, swaying and singing softly—it was beautiful. The band joined in midway through, giving it a gentle lift that made the song feel timeless and new all at once.
Then came “Rio,” their ultimate closer and still one of the best pop songs ever written. The opening notes were enough to make the entire amphitheater lose its mind. It was pure euphoria—people dancing in the aisles, couples kissing, parents with kids on their shoulders, everyone locked in the same joyful trance. “Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand…” echoed across the venue as confetti shot into the night sky.
It was the perfect ending to a night that reminded everyone why Duran Duran endures.
Setlist
Duran Duran at Blossom Music Center – September 2023
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Night Boat
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The Wild Boys
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Hungry Like the Wolf
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The James Bond Theme (John Barry cover)
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A View to a Kill
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Notorious
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GIVE IT ALL UP
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Lonely in Your Nightmare / Super Freak (AKA SUPER LONELY FREAK)
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Is There Something I Should Know?
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ANNIVERSARY
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Friends of Mine
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Careless Memories
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Ordinary World (Dedicated to the people of Ukraine)
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Come Undone
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Planet Earth (With band intros)
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White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It) (Grandmaster Melle Mel cover)
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The Reflex
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Girls on Film / Acceptable in the 80’s
Encore:
19. Save a Prayer
20. Rio
Final Thoughts
Duran Duran’s 2023 tour stop at Blossom wasn’t just a trip down memory lane—it was a masterclass in how to stay relevant while embracing your past. The show had everything: impeccable sound, stunning visuals, smart song selection, and a frontman who still knows how to make a crowd swoon.
What stood out most was the joy radiating from both the stage and the audience. There was no sense of going through the motions; every note, every dance move, every smile felt genuine. For a band that’s been called everything from “new romantic pioneers” to “MTV poster boys,” they’ve long since outgrown the labels. What they are now is simple: one of the greatest live acts of their generation—and still one of the coolest.
As the crowd filed out into the cool September night, the echoes of “Rio” still hanging in the air, you could sense everyone realizing they’d just witnessed something special. Some concerts are fun, some are nostalgic, but few remind you why you fell in love with music in the first place. This was one of those nights.