Duran Duran at BST Hyde Park

In case you hadn’t already been spoilt for choice this weekend with a smorgasbord offering of live open-air gigs, BST Hyde Park quite literally knocked it out of the park again with a rammed day of back-to-back musical talent. This was one of those line-ups where the “supports” were anything but, very much holding their own, as much of a draw and putting on as much of a show as the headliner.

Nile Rodgers and Chic were contagious energy in a bottle. Utter professionals in engaging and hyping up a crowd, there were beautiful anecdotes accompanying each selection from an impressive back catalogue of tracks, probably only scratching the surface of how many Rodgers can put writing and producing credits to alongside the Chic numbers, including Madonna’s Material Girl, David Bowie’s Modern Love and Let’s Dance, Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, Diana Ross’s I’m Coming Out and Upside Down and Sister Sledge’s We Are Family, closing out with the rather fitting Good Times, with Duran Duran’s John Taylor teasing his cooler-than-ever appearance.

Then it was onto Scissor Sisters, who were pure joy personified, and somehow reminiscent of simpler times, when I Don’t Feel Like Dancin’ was on the radio. Somewhat fittingly, on the weekend of Pride, their entire set was a celebration of flamboyant disco-pop, complete with transgressive cabaret-esque choreo and eye-popping colour, and an ode to unapologetically being oneself – as well as a little bit silly and unashamedly horny. This reviewer’s favourite Laura came hot off the opening, and as if this reviewer hadn’t been treated enough already, the nostalgia vibes went into meltdown with the appearance of the Spice Girls’ very own Sporty Spice, Mel C, looking as ripped as ever, to bring the house down alongside Jake Shears on Take Your Mama. Their take on Comfortably Numb and, of course, Filthy/Gorgeous were a non-negotiable on the dancing front, quite literally not a dry, still body in the park at this point.

After a break to catch Sophie Grey, who took her audience on an otherworldly journey through “retro-electro” on Video Killed the Radio Star and new self-written and self-produced track, Lunar Highs (Hands Go Up), complete with theatrical performance and retro-futuristic stylings, it was time for the main event.

An early appearance of A View to a Kill and Hungry Like the Wolf set the tone that Duran Duran were not that kind of 80s band phoning it in for a pay cheque – they meant business today. It was a journey through decades of music-making, accompanied by backing dancers and plenty of camp on-stage antics, Simon Le Bon ever the consummate frontman. There’s barely enough space to mention all the big hitters, never mind the deeper cuts that mega fans were lapping up. The obvious crowdpleasers did not disappoint: The Reflex was quintessential 80s new wave synthpop, the extraordinary Ordinary World sent chills (dedicated to the England team, no less), and Girls on Film was a delight. Rodgers returned for the banger that is Notorious, then The Wild Boys quite literally set the stage alight, flames shooting up from the stage, Save a Prayer was something of a religious experience with torchlights held making Hyde Park like the “Milky Way” and Rio, obviously, sent the eclectic, all-ages crowd into an en masse sing-and-dance-along: “Her name is Rio, and she dances on the sand…” – the whole park was Rio, the sand was grass, and everyone danced the night away.

The world can seem like a rather bleak place right now. It’s probably no coincidence audiences want to escape back in time. Duran Duran and co helped them do just that, reminding everyone for one day of the timelessness of well-crafted songs, the bliss one can feel listening to them together under the stars, and, most importantly, not to take oneself too seriously.

Sarah Bradbury
Photos: Sienna Lorraine Gray/Nick Bennett

For further information and future events, visit Duran Duran’s website here.

Watch the video for Ordinary World here: