By Glenn Gamboa glenn.gamboa@newsday.com
Duran Duran still has plenty of surprises up its leather-jacketed sleeves. That included an unexpected appearance from Lindsay Lohan to deliver her spoken-word performance from “Danceophobia.”
The Merrick native, dressed in a silver-fringed pants and matching top, made no mention of her reported engagement, which her spokesman has denied. She only danced and screamed for Duran Duran. However, her appearance certainly fit in with the mood of the night.
Though the new-wave pioneers could easily have celebrated the 35th anniversary of its eponymous debut album, their focus at Barclays Center on Tuesday night was last year’s “Paper Gods” album and showing how their music remains fashionable, yet still timeless.
“I can promise you an hour and three-quarters of politics-free entertainment,” singer Simon Le Bon said early on, promising surprises. “No bad clothes . . . Just plain fun.”
The band blended a gorgeous version of the late David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” into a booming version of their hit “Planet Earth.” They brought out the great Nile Rodgers, who opened the show with his band Chic, to lay down some funky guitar from 1986’s “Notorious” and last year’s “Pressure Off.” And up-and-comer Kiesza joined them for “Last Night in the City.”
Le Bon even rapped on a fiery, arm-waving version of Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel’s hip-hop classic “White Lines (Don’t Do It).”
The result was a massive dance party, especially as they roughed up “(Reach Out for the) Sunrise” with grungy guitar and bass and sped up “Girls on Film” to new heights.
Le Bon was in fine voice for most of the night, though the strain of touring showed on the upper end of “A View to a Kill.” However, the rest of the band proved that they could keep up with any of the bands they have influenced for decades.
“Music brings people together,” Le Bon said, introducing “Save a Prayer.”
Then he proved it.
SET LIST
Paper Gods / Wild Boys / Hungry Like the Wolf / A View to a Kill / Come Undone / Last Night in the City (w/ Kiesza) / What Are the Chances? / Notorious (w/ Nile Rodgers) / Pressure Off (w/ Nile Rodgers) / Planet Earth > Space Oddity / Ordinary World / I Don’t Want Your Love / White Lines (Don’t Do It) / (Reach Up for the) Sunrise > New Moon on Monday / Danceophobia (w/ Lindsay Lohan) / Too Much Information / Girls on Film // ENCORE: Save a Prayer / Rio
Courtesy Newsday
