Duran Duran didn’t come to Phoenix on January 5, 2026 to simply relive the past. They came to remind everyone why the past still matters — and why their music continues to feel alive, elastic, and emotionally relevant decades after it first soundtracked bedrooms, dance floors, and late-night radio. Inside a packed Mortgage Matchup Center, the band delivered a career-spanning performance that balanced sleek professionalism with genuine warmth, moving effortlessly between glossy new wave, darker post-punk edges, and moments of unexpected intimacy.
From the opening moments, it was clear the crowd was locked in. When the lights dropped and the atmospheric pulse of “Night Boat” crept out into the arena, the response was immediate — cheers, movement, and that unmistakable buzz that comes when an audience realizes it’s in capable hands. “Night Boat” set the tone perfectly: moody, propulsive, and slightly ominous, reminding everyone that Duran Duran’s catalog has always had depth beneath the polish.
The momentum only grew as the band slid straight into “The Wild Boys,” instantly transforming the arena into a mass of movement. Simon Le Bon commanded the stage with ease, balancing charisma and control, never overplaying the moment but always present. His voice — remarkably strong — cut through the mix, especially impressive on songs that demand both power and restraint. Any lingering concern about age or endurance vanished early in the set.
The transition into the James Bond Theme, played as a dramatic intro, drew a knowing roar from the crowd before exploding into “A View to a Kill.” It remains one of the band’s most cinematic songs, and live it hit with full force — dramatic lighting, pulsing rhythm, and a sense of scale that filled the room. It was one of several reminders that Duran Duran didn’t just dominate pop charts; they helped shape the sound of blockbuster cool.
“Hungry Like the Wolf” brought the first true sing-along of the night, with the entire arena shouting back the chorus. Rather than feeling obligatory, the song felt energized, driven by John Taylor’s elastic bassline and the band’s tight, polished delivery. “Union of the Snake” and “Notorious” followed, keeping the danceable groove intact while showcasing the band’s ability to make funk and synth-pop feel muscular rather than slick.
One of the more surprising moments came with their cover of Electric Light Orchestra’s “Evil Woman.” Instead of playing it straight, Duran Duran leaned into its darker undertones, letting the rhythm simmer and giving the song a distinctly Duran sheen. It fit seamlessly into the set, not as a novelty, but as a statement of shared musical DNA.
The mid-set stretch allowed the band to dig deeper. A blended segment of “Lonely in Your Nightmare” and “Super Freak” was playful and inventive, followed by the raw urgency of “Friends of Mine” and “Careless Memories.” These older tracks carried a sharper edge, reminding longtime fans of the band’s club-born roots before global fame polished their image.
The emotional core of the night arrived with “Ordinary World.” The arena softened as phone lights flickered and voices dropped into a collective hush. Le Bon delivered the song with restraint and sincerity, letting the lyrics breathe. It was one of the evening’s most powerful moments — not because of spectacle, but because of how deeply the song still resonates in uncertain times.
“Come Undone” followed, lush and sensual, before the band pivoted into newer territory with “INVISIBLE,” which fit comfortably alongside the classics. Rather than feeling like a modern add-on, it sounded like a natural extension of the band’s evolving sound, proof they aren’t frozen in time.
The energy ramped back up with “(Reach Up for the) Sunrise” and an electrifying cover of “White Lines,” which turned the arena into a full-on dance floor. The choice highlighted Duran Duran’s long relationship with groove-based music and their comfort stepping outside genre boundaries.
As the main set pushed toward its finale, “Planet Earth” and “The Reflex” landed like victory laps — sharp, joyful, and perfectly paced. The crowd was fully on its feet by the time the band tore into “Girls on Film,” which cleverly incorporated elements of Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer,” creating a thrilling mash-up that felt both irreverent and respectful.
The encore sealed the night. “Save a Prayer” was haunting and spacious, giving the audience one final moment of reflection before the euphoric release of “Rio.” The closing track exploded with color, movement, and pure joy — a perfect reminder of why Duran Duran remains one of pop music’s most enduring live acts.
The production throughout the night was sleek and tasteful. Visuals complemented rather than distracted, with lighting shifts that enhanced mood and pacing. Nick Rhodes remained a visual focal point, his keyboards providing the atmospheric glue that holds the band’s sound together, while Roger Taylor’s drumming stayed sharp and propulsive without overpowering the mix. Dom Brown’s guitar work added bite and texture, particularly on the heavier, more rhythmic songs.
The Phoenix crowd reflected Duran Duran’s multigenerational reach. Longtime fans stood shoulder-to-shoulder with younger listeners discovering the band in real time. There was dancing, singing, and a genuine sense of shared experience — not a passive audience watching a legacy act, but an engaged crowd celebrating music that still feels vital.
By the time the final notes faded and the lights came up, the takeaway was clear: Duran Duran isn’t touring because they can — they’re touring because they still can deliver. Phoenix didn’t get a nostalgia show. It got a confident, expertly performed reminder of how pop music can age gracefully without losing its edge.
Setlist — January 5, 2026
Night Boat
The Wild Boys
James Bond Theme (intro)
A View to a Kill
Hungry Like the Wolf
Union of the Snake
Notorious
Evil Woman
Lonely in Your Nightmare / Super Freak
Friends of Mine
Careless Memories
Ordinary World
Come Undone
INVISIBLE
(Reach Up for the) Sunrise
White Lines
Planet Earth
The Reflex
Girls on Film / Psycho Killer
Encore:
Save a Prayer
Rio