Hi, everyone, I got yet another chance to see Duran Duran in concert thanks to WPLJ and Kim Ashley (I have to thank her because she was the only DJ taking e-mail requests). I also have to thank the good Lord above too for making this happen for me because it was very, VERY HARD to win tickets. Let me just say I had the time of my life and loved every minute of it! Once again, it was New York City, but this time it's in Town Hall. (This is my sixth time seeing DURAN this year!)
So Carolynn and I got into the city around 1:30-2:00pm I think; and man- the weather was terrible! It was raining and windy. We weren't having a good time. After walking for a few minutes, we decided to hail a taxi. Well, trying to find one that would actually stop for us was another story. Finally, one cab did stop; and since we had awhile before we had to pick up Monica, we went to go buy flowers for the band later.
When that was over, it took a year and a day to find yet another cab (as usual); and it wouldn't of been so bad if the weather didn't suck. So a limo car stopped for us and took us to the Port Authority to get Monica.
Once we found her, it was around 4:00 so we still had time and Town Hall wasn't far away. We were meeting Tina at 5:15; so we stopped off at Burger King and Starbuck's Coffee for a little something to eat (I had half a bagel).
After that, the rain started to let up (thank God), and it wasn't windy anymore. We walked to Town Hall and met up with Tina (hello, girlfriend, darling!).
Well, there were quite a few people waiting (most were people who were last minute ticket winners). For a BRIEF (AND I STRESS BRIEF) few minutes - the NICK fans outnumbered us SIMON fans....LOL! That later changed, though....ha, ha, ha, ha! (LOL! Too funny, guys.)
Anyway, the promotional guy of WPLJ, Juan (who turned out to be really funny), told everyone that the doors will open at 7:00 and there really wasn't a line since we had assigned seats (which is good - I like seats better than general Admission).
Time actually went by pretty fast while we were waiting; and I was getting a little nervous because - well, it was going to be my first time meeting the fellas. Not to mention, it was really crowded outside and I hate crowds (even though I was with people who I knew).
However, folks, drumroll please, it finally stopped raining! (Woo hoo! Things always clear up for DD).
So it finally came the time for Carolynn and I to get our passes to meet the band before the show. It was brief, but damn well worth it to be standing next to SIMON & NICK and getting our picture taken and giving them the flowers. :) I had NICK to my left and SIMON to my right - two of my favorite people. I was happy. :) [And both are tall....NICK was tall; but SIMON - damn! LOL! I still love him, though.] The only thing I was able to say to SIMON was "hello!" hee, hee! And, although didn't say anything (as we all know he doesn't speak before shows) - just seeing the look on his face was all I needed (**thud!!**).
When that was done, the band left to go onstage; and we almost got lost leaving backstage (and nearly walked onstage); but we found our way out and went to find Juan on how to get our pictures from him.
So when that was done, we went to sit with Tina and Monica. Then, Kim ashley and some other guy come out to introduce the band; and then....lights go out, lights start flashing, and the "Heaven" song starts. The band walks out onstage; and stood like statues throughout the whole song and a little bit of the introduction of "GIRLS ON FILM" (**Faint!!**).
In any event, the song starts and we all go crazy. SIMON had on a brown jacket which he instantly takes off (like, OMG). He was wearing all black, ladies (**collapse**). A black short sleeve shirt and black, tight pants. NICK was wearing, as I quote Tina "He was wearing a red scarf, white shirt, black jacket, black pants and those LET IT FLOW white shoes" (LOL!).
The band was full of energy that night (as usual); and the whole show kicked some major ass (as usual). They had the same set list as they did on their 1999 tour. It was so funny, we kept calling out what songs were next....hee, hee! (Hey, we got noticed! ROTLMAO!)
We had ninth row center right Orchestra; and since the place was small, it seemed like we were closer. I, of course, had the seat closest to SIMON (LOL!).
SIMON smiled at us during "SOMEONE ELSE NOT ME", and noticed me taking pics; so he kept looking over. "WHITE LINES" was so awesome! (Despite the techinal difficulties with the microphone. I didn't even notice it. We were too busy singing. However, I thought it was quite funny when he started singing into Warren's microphone until someone sent him a new mike.) SIMON started laughing in "PLANET EARTH" - I didn't know why at the time; but I later found out that he was laughing at the people's reactions to when he was shining the light in their faces, and kept messing with them. He then said "I bet you're all seeing spots now aren't you?" (Not me! I knew what was coming; so I made sure not to look directly into the light....Hee, hee!)
Overall, though, the show was great; and- well, I'm not going to mention anymore highlights because if you read my past reviews, it's going to end up being the same....hee, hee!
After the show, we were going to take a taxi to the train station; so we could get home; but something happened. First off, we said goodbye to Tina and she went off with Rinanna and her other friends; so it was just Carolynn, Monica, and I. I guess everyone was waiting for the band to show up; so we kind of hung out (Monica wanted to catch a glimpse). So someone said that NICK was leaving; so we went over to see him off -they were fans everywhere. Then the van started leaving without SIMON (don't know why - maybe to get out of the way of the crazy fans).
At this point, we started walking back thinking maybe SIMON went in another car; but then, all of a sudden, he walks out and gets mobbed by the fans (and even more showed up at that point). I'm sorry, guys, but anyone who did that is really stupid and naive. He had every right to be pissed off, I would be too. Not only did the fans mobbed him, but started running after him - which nearly caused a fuckin' accident in the middle of Manhattan! It's a damn good thing no one got hurt. We were just looking at everyone like "this is 1984 all over again". Question - where the hell was security? I tell you one thing, it's probably the first and last time the band will play in Town Hall again. That was crazy.
Anyhow, the rest of the night we (along with Val) hung out with Rob, Jerry, and Robbie (I think that was his name) at the hotel. It was a great night; and Rob was nice enough to drive us home because we missed our train. He's a very cool guy. We didn't get home until around, maybe, 4:00 am and since Carolynn had to take the 7:52am train, we ended up staying up the rest of the night (made no sense to go to bed then); so I was dead tired after I dropped her off at the train station; and went right to bed when I got home. First time me staying up 24 hours straight!
All this for Duran Duran....it was shit well damn worth it. I got to meet the band finally after 14 years, they played a kick ass show, and I had a lot of fun. I'm so ready for the next tour!
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