Review: Duran Duran rocked Phoenix with career-spanning set

I can’t go to a Duran Duran show without channeling some portion of my teenage self.

That’s no surprise, as most bands easily take us back to that point of discovery. That’s where I was last night, Jan. 5, at Mortgage Matchup Center — blissfully rocking out, hanging on every word like I still had that Walkman in the pocket of my jeans.

Judging from the amount of grey in the crowd — hair, not clothes — I was far from alone in being a longtime rider on the Duran Duran fan train. Not that it matters, they brought the collective spirit and cheeky swagger that made them timeless new wave icons. And the crowd of all ages, we soaked it up.

John Taylor, Simon Le Bon and Dom Brown at Mortgage Matchup Center on Jan. 5, 2025.

Neil Schwartz Photogrpahy

The band took the stage with smiles, and their good-mood vibe permeated the room. Their fashion, of course, was on point, from John’s leather to Nick Rhodes’ puffy prints that had singer Simon Le Bon later refer to him as “the queen of the shoulder pads.”

Everyone who wasn’t already standing rose and stayed up for the nearly 20-plus song set that started with “Night Boat” into “Wild Boys.” The stage setup was simple, with no frills, save for the compelling videos that played along with the music, and a set of steps leading up to Roger Taylor’s drums, Nick’s keys, and the backup singers (who are also excellent dancers). A sax player peppered the night, too.

Le Bon worked the steps throughout the show, punctuating songs with some jumps and dance moves, along with gliding down them after making an outfit swap that found him donning a hot pink leather jacket to sing “Friends of Mine,” a standout gem from their self-titled 1981 debut album. His energy continued to rise as the night continued, his infectious, mischievous aura present and accounted for.

In between all the favorites, like “Hungry Like the Wolf,” when Le Bon asked the crowd to engage in a group howl and “Planet Earth” and “Reflex,” they threw some covers in, including ELO’s “Evil Woman,” which was enhanced by John’s playful and sneaky walk to the mic to join in on the vocals.

“Girls on Film” got infused with Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer,” elongating the classic track in a zesty way.

Simon Le Bon and John Taylor have a moment at Duran Duran’s Jan. 6 Phoenix show.

Roger Taylor, on drums, was the hardest person to get a look at, as he was tucked away behind his kit, but video close-ups showed that he was super focused, though he looked up when band members rocked their way over to him and offered up some smiles.

Dom Brown has been touring with the band for nearly 20 years, filling the void left by original member Andy Taylor. He certainly has the chops and also just feels like a natural fit.

The band dynamics were one of the best things to watch throughout the night. Those moments where a smile or laugh between Simon and John, or John going up to Nick’s keyboards to say something that leaves them both in a grin, are a testament to what it can mean to have creative partners. For these guys, we are talking about more than 40 years of engagement.

After the set, they came back for a two-song encore and, after a rousing version of “Rio,” said their thank-yous and goodbyes.

As they were exiting the stage, John turned around, ran back to the mic, and said, “See you next time.”

I sure hope so.