Duran Duran Triumphs Over Stormy Weather

First: a testament to fortitude during adversity--keyboardist Nick Rhodes found out his father died three hours before the previous night's performance and he STILL did the shows! I send out healing comfort vibes to him and his family.

I was so dreading the General Seating thing, but there was no line and the audience area was pretty empty. Somehow, my spidey sense took us to a certain part of the Rumsfield Park half an hour before the concert started. Within minutes, squealing erupted and there was the super-blond Simon Le Bon, about 40 feet from me. He smiled and waved to us--I waved back thinking he would see me. Then the ever-stooping John. Later, Roger and Nick went into the trailer that was RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. Honestly, I almost barfed I was so thrilled. We were sickeningly close to the stage, closer than I'd been in 20 years. It was almost too good to be true. Because it was sticky out, my left ear got blown out from the speaker and I'm horribly claustrophobic at celebrity centric events (am a wreck during star-studded plays), I went for some fresh air and passed Yasmin Le Bon, whose beauty twenty years after her modeling peak is still heart-stopping. Also, the girl was grooving like a groupie, which was fun. Who says marriage goes stale?

The band sounds even better twenty years later. Lots of energy, funk, and popness. The crush of people in front was overwhelming but then the rain came down. Several idiots whipped out umbrellas but my friends and I refused all barriers. I was thankful for my armorlike padded bra.
I'm not sure I'm up for noisy crowded concerts anymore but it was exciting to be that close, after waiting 25 years. Pictures to come when my friend, who illegally recorded parts of the concert by accident, sends some good ones.

Style points: All wardrobe was fantastic, though I imagine the boys were sweating like stuffed pigs in July. We were right up near John Taylor (who used to be my favorite but now not so much, though he is my friend on MySpace). He's succumbed to the I'm-going-to-dye-my-hair-a-really-dark-color-so-you-don't-notice-I'm-old phase but is still the cute one. He and Nick keep brushing their hair forward to mask the receding hairline, as if we won't notice. And if my eyesight is correct, Nick has a gut, which is interesting considering he's a vegetarian. Vegetarians are usually pale, thin, and always have colds, though maybe he overcompensates by eating dessert, which is what I do even after a cheeseburger. Keep eating, Nick! It's all fuel for your artistic excellence! Simon has the eternal short blond spikes and is sleek, sassy and rubberlike on stage. I hope I am in as good shape when I'm 500. Roger is quiet, powerful, and efficient--the only drummer for me. Yasmin Le Bon has blond highlights and is just the picture of gorgeousness and health. Nick Rhodes's girlfriend (Meredith?) is tall, blond, and lovely and was holding up some kind of technology and jumping up and down. My friend told me a Le Bon daughter walked right behind us. Also, as we were leaving, Waitress, Serenity and Desperate Housewives gynocologist actor Nathan Fallion was spotted.

Panic and overexcitement aside, it was a brilliant night. Duran Duran FOREVER!

ps: To those who stood, danced, and pushed up against me for two hours: Thanks. I'm totally pregnant now.