Irvine Meadows Amphitheater: Duran Duran, Nile Rogers strength in family and music

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Michael Hepworth

By Peter Peterson

Duran Duran

Irvine Meadows Amphitheater, CA July 30, 2016:(Perfect Music Today)7/1/16/– After the last two shows all staff was hoping for an easy to manage crowd. Staff showed up better than we last saw each other. At the pre-shift meeting, management stated the “show was not sold out, but it could be”. The Meadows tops out at around 16,000 fans. Barricade crew knew this fan base would be older women reliving fond memories of great songs. And we were correct. Duran Duran has been around for over 30 years, so they have a very dedicated fan base. One lady in the pit had all the band members tattooed on her right arm, that’s dedication. The tat was good, but we all know, once was a butterfly, in time, it becomes an ugly dragon. Seen it, just saying. It was a seated pit, so that made our job a lot easier. Aside from a few fans trying to justify getting into the pit, there were no incidences to speak of. Although, I had to respond to a call to speak with a gentleman, I mean asshole, that objected to us having to close the restrooms. Upon arriving, this guy was berating this tiny little woman just trying to do what she was instructed to do, but this guy was a jack wagon! He pulled the “my wife is blind card, the I am military card, and the we are assholes card”. The girl and I wondered why he didn’t pull the “I have a small penis card”. Cause you could tell he did.

The show was excellent as I have a lot of great memories with this band. Everyone stood up and sang every song as any Duran Duran fan would. I mentioned in my Dixie Chicks article that the Chicks brought out the Texas size confetti cannon. I guess someone from the DD stage crew read my article and brought out double the size of Chicks confetti cannon. The Duran Duran crew had five LARGE cannons setting on top of five LARGE boxes of paper ammo. When these cannons went off, you could not see anything in front of you for about a minute. $12 beers and $15 mixed drinks were filled with white and pink confetti paper! The entire pit was covered in confetti. And then after, fans grabbed handfuls of confetti and tossed it around for selfie pix. God, if those fans only knew what is on the floor, yuk! DD ended the show with “Save a Prayer” and a speech about the recent violence in the world and how this must end. DD further stated that music doesn’t see gender, color, age or hate, it breaks down all barriers and unties people. Music can move mountains. Because the people that commit these horrific events, don’t have music in their hearts. And it sucks to be them!

Nile Rogers

I could not end this article without some mention of the opening band CHIC with Nile Rogers. Anybody who loves music will know who this man is. Nile is a premier artist producer, songwriter, composer, arranger and guitarist. Nile loves him the Stratocaster! Nile has written and produced number one hits for Diana Ross, Sister Sledge, Sheena Easton, David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, Madonna, INXS, Britney Spears, Spoons, and yes, Duran Duran off their new album Paper Gods. Not to mention a little song known as “the reflex”. Chic put on a great show playing all his Nile’s number one hits. His two female singers were a s beautiful as talented.

During David Bowies song “let’s dance” CHIC allowed about 20 fans to come up on stage and Dance! Niles mentioned he had finally beat cancer after a 5-year battle. It shows you how strong the human body and mind can be. Because without his strength in family and music, it would be a different day. Thanks for being that strong Nile, and fuck cancer! Until August 5, 2016 with Miranda Lambert, oh crap, a country concert! Peace Out!

Michael Hepworth

287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211