By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Saturday 31 October 2026, tour runs through 6 November 2026

This is probably the 10th or 11th time we’ve seen them (and by we, I mean my friend and I, not Mr H!).

• Read on for reasons including don’t come to a Hallowe’en gig if you’re a fan who wants to hear their hits – come if you want something different

In fact, this is the second time this year (first at Hyde Park in the summer). I don’t usually review them as I just gush about them, but this gig is different. This ghoulish takeover is a completely different type of concert and I have read many fans complaining they didn’t play all their hits (they never satisfy everyone), they didn’t play Save a Prayer (yes odd but it wouldn’t have fitted in) and why did they play so many covers? More on that later.

We dressed up as Claudia Winkleman as the Traitors final was on the same night (or Claudia Wrinkleman as a very rude friend of mine quipped) and we saw so many amazing costumes; people really do go to town on this. And the band dress up too.

We didn’t mind being way back (after being front by the barrier at all the festival shows!) because they’re all in heavy costume. John sported a vicar look at the start, before finishing off in a black fishnet top and a red feather boa! I can’t help thinking his wife Gela dressed him for this!

Duran have never opened with Friends of Mine (from the eponymous debut album) before, but it set the spooky scene. Hits included: A View to a Kill (without the Le Bon, Simon Le Bon intro), Hungry Like the Wolf, Union of the Snake, New Moon on Monday, Notorious, Free to Love, Planet Earth, White Lines, Girls on Film, Wild Boys and Rio. There were quite a few spectral songs from other albums.

The set also included many covers: ELO’s Evil Woman (performed many times now), Siouxsie and the Banshees’ Spellbound (just wow), Rolling Stones’ Paint it Black, Cerrone’s Supernature (with lyrics by Lene Lovich, who knew?), Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Heads Will Roll, Talking Heads’ Psycho Killer which is always played now, blending in with Girls on Film and The Clash’s London Calling introducing Wild Boys (played before).

The boys went all out in stage effects too – pyro, lasers, nuns, devils, Lord Vishnu arms, fire eaters – it really was a gothic spectacle to be seen.

Trick or treat? Don’t come to a Hallowe’en gig if you’re a fan who wants to hear their hits. Come if you want something different. You won’t be disappointed.

As Siouxsie herself sang: ‘Following the footsteps of a rag doll dance, we are entranced, we are spellbound’.

We followed their footsteps, we were entranced, we were spellbound.

• Pictures via Facebook courtesy Duran Duran Tickets
• Read more from Carron at her blog A Humdrum Mum
• Have you seen Duran Duran before? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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