Duran Duran chat to John Kearns ahead of 2023 Dublin show
Last updated 20th Dec 2022
Duran Duran continue their Future Past tour into 2023 with a date at Dublin’s 3Arena lined up for May 7th.
The band have played some amazingly high profile shows over the past year – Party at The Palace, Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, a Las Vegas Halloween Special and of course their very own Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame induction show.
Simon Le Bon tells me that Dublin also promises to be a very special gig.
“Last year we did St. Anne’s Park and the crowd were absolutely amazing! That of course was an outdoor show so we’re actually really looking forward to taking it indoors at the 3 Arena and playing the set with a lid on the kettle this time. It’s going to be exciting...very exciting.”
Roger Taylor agrees and underlines just how much the band have been simply loving being on the road and playing live again.
“It has been amazing to be back out playing again because of course like so many musicians we were obviously unable to do that during the pandemic, so to be out there seeing the fans and playing live is just fantastic.
It’s totally my favourite part of what we do. I’m always saying ‘do we have to record another album? Can’t we just get back out and do some shows?’ But of course, it’s great to have the new songs feature in our sets as well as the older Duran material.”
Those new songs of course are from the band’s current album, Future Past, a captivating record that has thrilled fans and critics alike. Songs such as Invisible, Give It All Up, Tonight United and Anniversary have become show highlights and weave seamlessly into the set alongside the ever-present classics such as Hungry Like The Wolf, Wild Boys and Rio.
That of course was the desired effect when making the album, to come up with material that would effectively combine an understanding of Duran Duran’s rich musical heritage while simultaneously pushing forward and creating a collection of cutting-edge contemporary songs.
“It was very important for us to approach Future Past with that in mind,” Simon reflects. “It’s not a concept album but it does have a core concept in that it’s about being able to survive musically while at the same time sticking to your true values. The title is so appropriate for us because of course we are deeply rooted in our past but as a band we have always looked to the future, to try and do something new and try and be part of the future of music. I think the album does have staying power and the songs are deep enough and have enough layers that you can listen to them again and again."
Roger concludes, “Yeah to have those new songs in the set is fantastic and I think my favourite of the new ones to play is actually Anniversary. It’s a juggling act of course when you’re putting the set list together because some fans will want to hear deeper cuts but then somebody may be seeing the band for the first time so it’s important for us to deliver so many of the big classic Duran Duran hits as well which I’m pleased to say we always do.”
Duran Duran play Dublin’s 3 Arena on May 7th. Tickets on sale now via ticketmaster.ie