Review: Duran Duran Triumph with their Era-Defining Songs at the Metro Radio Arena

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The North East faithful defied the high winds and extreme weather to beat a path to the Metro Radio Arena doors to see a band that perhaps epitomises the eighties.

Duran Duran were at the Arena last night and thousands came to see them in their splendour.

Opening with Paper Gods, from their 14th and latest album of the same name, immediately the crowds were standing and cheering to see the enigmatic foursome.

Straight into Wild Boys the audience erupted.

Simon Le Bon, who has definitely been in a deep freeze, strutted his stuff in his white jeans and black and white leather jacket and cut a fine figure as he belted out one of the most memorable songs in their impressive back catalogue.

And the audience, mainly forty and fifty somethings like me, did their best ever mam dancing and shrieked along with him.

The fun continued with Hungry Like The Wolf and there wasn't one person not singing their heart out to show their appreciation for Duran Duran who have been around for 37 years.

Next it was the Bond theme A View to a Kill and then the majestic Come Undone with a backdrop of huge screens behind with blonde females looking sexy and suggestive.

What Are The Chances was followed by Grandmaster Flash's White Lines which got everything a little bit funky with some great old school.

And for two hours we were transported back in time and revisited top ten hits, one after the other, including Planet Earth, Ordinary World, Girls on Film and New Moon on Monday.

There were one or two big hits missing like The Reflex, but everyone was still grinning broadly and lapping up their era-defining songs which are firmly part of British pop culture.

We had a brilliant finale of Rio and Save a Prayer. And Simon Le Bon revealed the Eagles of Death Metal are now recording the latter song to aid the victims of the Paris Massacre.

Everyone was asked to switch on the lights on their camera phones to create a sea of light in memory of those who were killed in the atrocity.

It was a very moving and powerful moment. And at the end of the set, the band gathered at the front for a standing ovation, and John Taylor paid homage to his former band member Andy Taylor from Cullercoats and another roar went up.

They are complete showmen and it was a magnificent night.

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Courtesy Chronicle Live