{"id":13631,"date":"2016-04-06T05:21:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-06T09:21:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=13631"},"modified":"2016-04-06T05:30:21","modified_gmt":"2016-04-06T09:30:21","slug":"httpwww-thevalleyledger-comp1904-210","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=13631","title":{"rendered":"The Sands Event Center \ufeffwelcomed Duran Duran \ufeffback to the Lehigh Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Story & Photographs by Diane Fleischman<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sands Event Center <\/a>welcomed Duran Duran <\/a>back to the Lehigh Valley last night, as they played for a full house of devoted fans.\u00a0 Their last visit was on the cusp of the release of \u2018Paper Gods\u2019, their 14<\/span>th<\/span><\/sup> studio release, and now promoting their latest effort on the road until September.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The opening act was Shamir<\/a>, born in Las Vegas, Nevada, who grew up in a musical family.\u00a0 Notably, one of today\u2019s new artists on the rise,\u00a0 Shamir is known for portraying a most androgynous character to the stage, while his voice easily transitioned from hip hop, dance, and electronic techno.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After a brief intermission, the fans grew anxious waiting for Duran Duran to take the stage.\u00a0 White lights blasted as Duran Duran appeared and opened with the title track, \u2018Paper Gods\u2019.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to imagine that it\u2019s actually been 35 years since we were introduced to these British young men during the MTV explosion back in the early eighties.\u00a0 Their videos raised the bar early on for incredible direction, exotic locations, high fashion, and the highly sophisticated lifestyle.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As they performed \u2018Pressure Off\u2019 from \u2018Paper Gods\u2019, it is apparent that the poster boys of the eighties have grown up, and their music has also along the way.\u00a0 Plenty of favorites were performed, which pleased even the die-hard fans.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you guys up of a little dance?\u201d Simon Le Bon, asked the crowd.\u00a0 The bass lines kicked in for Notorious, with other favorites, \u2018A View to a Kill\u2019, \u2018Ordinary World\u2019, \u2018I Don\u2019t Want Your Love\u2019, \u2018(Reach Up for the ) Sunrise\u2019, \u2018New Moon on Monday\u2019, \u2018The Wild Boys\u2019, and \u2018Rio\u2019.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A touching addition to the set was a tribute to David Bowie with a brief interlude of \u2018Space Oddity\u2019.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Simon Le Bon explained how \u2018Save a Prayer\u2019 recently took on a new meaning, \u201cWe were supposed to do a duet with Eagles of Death Metal in London, and I\u2019m sure you heard what happened in Paris.\u00a0 This song is now a torch of hope for people.\u00a0 Music is designed to bring people together, to convey love, understanding, and tolerance.\u00a0 We\u2019d like to support that initiative.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For everyone in the audience, Duran Duran\u2019s goal was achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

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