Well, here we are on day two. After that lovely trip to Atlantic City (with a very rude bus driver on the way back), we were more psyched than ever for this one (being the fact that we're going to be getting the full set list this time).
I had to pick some people up at the train station before leaving (I later found out they were in Atlantic City, and the guy who I was with told me he ran into SIMON in the bathroom over there! LOL!).
We went back home and hung out for about a half hour. By 4:20, we all left for the concert. (Hey, you never know. If any of you know the Garden State Parkway, you know what I mean. Rush hour usually happens between 4:30 and 6:00 I believe). However, though, traffic wasn't too bad (surprisenly) we ran into a little bit of it. Naturally, I was blasting a DURAN concert in my car.
We got there around 5:30 (usually, it would take me a half an hour; but because of the traffic, it was an hour). There were people already waiting outside. We saw the people who we met in Atlantic City, and we all hung out together. At first, though, we were a tad bit frightened. Some of these people didn't look like Durannies. But then, by 6:00 or so, they started coming in (hey, you know, after awhile you can tell which ones are the Durannies!).
I think they started opening the doors at 6:30; but we didn't go in until 7:00. They had some band playing (they were bad), thank God they were finished by 7:00. We wanted to go inside so we could sit down at least (not neccesarily inside the arena; but there were refreshment stands and tables before you went in there).
This venue, of course, was much better. It was also bigger. I've never seen DD in an outdoor arena before; so this was exciting for me. I have to say, the good thing about this was that we didn't have to sit through that God forsaken awful opening act. I mean, they were loud (no offense if anyone out there likes that kind of music). I mean, we couldn't hear ourselves think. So, we quickly left; and waited by the refreshment stands (where there were chairs, tables, and HIGHLY OVERPRICED food. Come on, $3.00 for a pretzel? $3.50 for an iced tea? Give me a break. I only had the pretzel [had to eat something before the show (but nothing big!)]).
The opening act (I forgot the name) sounded terrible even from where we were sitting (and we weren't even inside the arena). We were warned about them, so we were prepared (I think). While we were waiting, though, we met up with three other people who we were talking to on line at Atlantic City (what a small world, huh? I'm sorry, I don't know their names. They were three guys and a girl). They were pretty cool. In addition, we saw some other people (who we just happened to start talking to); so we weren't lonely. Personally, I think everyone was waiting for the opening act to finish, 'cause it was pretty packed where we were; and hardly anyone in the arena. Frankly, though, I don't blame them.
They were selling, basically, the same things they were at Atlantic City - except there were two more T-shirts. A black one with some funky design on it and an orange one that just said "Let It Flow" (and I think there was a pink one, too, that said that; but I could be wrong). We decided to buy another tour book.
My friend and I decided to wait until 8:30 to go sit in the arena; and man, what perfect timing! As soon as we started for there, the opening act was gone (hooray)! We had 8th row center orchestra. It was still another half an hour until Duran came onstage; so we looked at our tour books to keep ourselves occupied.
I looked around at the venue and saw the place was filling up pretty quickly. I don't think the show was sold out like Atlantic City was because of the fact lawn seating is unlimited. (I couldn't even see the lawn from where I was.) However, our area was full. I happen to glance up and noticed there were three screens (I didn't even know they had screens; but it makes sense for those people who had lawn or terrace seating). Everyone cheered when they saw DD's name appear on the screen several times.
And when it was time for showtime, ladies and gentlemen, (drumroll please) DURAN ACTUALLY CAME OUT ONSTAGE ON TIME!!!! (WOO HOO!!!!) This is the first time (out of the concerts I've seen), that this has ever happened. (Let's bring out the cake, it's time for a party)!
They opened with the same song as they did in Atlantic City. Actually, the set list went like this: "GIRLS ON FILM", "NOTORIOUS", "HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF", "HALLUCINATING ELVIS", "COME UNDONE", "FRIENDS OF MINE", "ALL SHE WANTS IS", "SOMEONE ELSE NOT ME", "SECRET OKTOBER" (I could hardly stand up after this song was over), "WHITE LINES", "LAVA LAMP", "ELECTRIC BARBARELLA", "PLANET EARTH", "ORDINARY WORLD", "THE REFLEX", "POP TRASH MOVIE", and "RIO".
What can I say? MAN, WHAT A SHOW!!!! Let's see, SIMON was wearing all black (a black tight shirt, black pants, and black and white sneakers). NICK had the same sneakers on as SIMON, a black shirt with a 70's look to it, and I think black pants with a glitter stripe. I'm not sure what WARREN was wearing. I think he had a hat on and sunglasses.
I didn't care too much for the sound, though, it sounded distorted or something. I mean, don't get me wrong, I was able to hear them just fine; but it still sounded distorted (maybe it's just me). I LOVED THE SHOW, THOUGH!
Well, the fellas were looking in fine form as usual. SIMON jumping around onstage and NICK at his keyboards. Lots of energy these guys had, which was very good considering they only had two days of rest (since AC), then a show, the two more days off before now. That could make anyone tired.
As usual, the crowd was jumping. Folks, I gotta tell you, New Jersey is a place to see a show (and I'm not just saying that because I live there)! Everyone was dancing, singing, having a great time (except for the guy next to me. He stood there with his arms crossed for the most part, or he would get up to get a beer or something. Probably there because of his girlfriend).
A couple of highlights from this show include: SIMON messing up the first verse in "NOTORIOUS", SIMON saying "somebody was messing with my mike stand" and then slipping during "HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF", and I LOVED THE COWBOY HAT in "FRIENDS OF MINE". Loved the glittery jacket he was wearing in "HALLUCINATING ELVIS", and I thought the candle in "OUT OF MY MIND" was neat. A very cute moment during "THE REFLEX", where he goes over to NICK and puts his arm around him. NICK taking an EXTREMELY LONG drink of water at one point before a song started (he might have drunk the whole bottle, I'm not sure). WARREN trying to be a "show off" (trying to get attention - not that I was paying any attention to him), the spotlight once again shown on us (does anybody know what song that was done that in?); and yes, once again SIMON noticed me. (How could he miss me? I was waving my tour book! Hee, hee!) All I have to say is whoever the lucky girl was that got the lovely crawling thing towards the end of "RIO", are you still standing? (LOL!) In addition, once again, some girl jumped onstage; but this time, when the band was leaving.
Once again, DURAN packed an awesome crowd, and a kick-ass show. It's ashame it went by so quickly, but I still had one more show to go. (ALL RIGHT!)
I did notice something, though. Right before "THE REFLEX" started, people were booing. (I later found out that SIMON said something about Bruce Springsteen and people were going "bruuuce!"; but it sounded like booing to me; and apparently to SIMON 'cause he said "no, we don't like that noise!" LOL!)
It was hot as hell that night, the humidity was terrible, we were all sweaty from dancing (Boo!), and for about an hour after the show, we walked around the arena trying to find them. The best we could do was finding their tour bus. (There was no one in it, but at least we saw their bus! LOL!) It was getting late and we had to catch a bus the next day to New York; so we left.
Scary, though, I was still wide awake at 12:30 in the morning, by 1:00am I was home; and I didn't get to bed until 3:00am (my friend was asleep by 2:00).
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