Ta - Na - Na - Na - Duran Duran Lit Up Atlanta

I've officially seen Duran Duran in three decades.

That's a hefty statement, and less indicative of the band and I getting old than that they are a band that's
amazing and so much fun you WANT to see them again and again.

Their show at Chastain Park this past weekend was so much fun, it's kind of difficult to quantify without squealing like a teenage girl. But, I can try.

I got to take my husband with me as my date. He'd never seen Duran Duran despite the plethora (YES A PLETHORA) of bands he's seen over the years. I assured him how amazing it was going to be, we nabbed a sitter and off we went - praying the rain would STOP. It did.

The opening act was so like Missing Persons it was weird, like young Dale was up there singing. The girl was called MNDR and she was a band unto herself, singing very 80s style solo stuff. I think in 1984 she would've had an awesome video or two. :)  With ninjas, and tigers. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't bad at all. She was just - anachronistic. A pure throwback in 80s style and sound. It was kind of cool.

The was a rather lovely prelude before the band came up, an artsy film set to what I think was Water Music but it's been too long since I had requisite hours in the listening library at college to be sure. I am of the opinion that their boat, their rules applies when seeing any band. The yahoos in the crowd were a bit cranky as it went on, but they were the exception. It laid a very calm and mellow mood across the audience as the band came on stage and opened with Before the Rain.

Here is why, in a nutshell, it's still brilliant to see Duran Duran.

They are having a great time, and it's infectious. My husband, the veteran concert warhorse proclaimed to me after the show "This may be the best concert I've ever seen." And I agree. The band is full of JOY on stage, having fun, laughing, singing their old and new songs with equal glee. Another thing I thought was interesting, you know how bands always go "This is our new single"and the crowd kind of sits down and goes YAWN as a dirge about trains and human rights or something rolls out?

That didn't happen. Duran Duran plays new stuff that keeps the crowd on it's feet and just as excited as The Reflex. The ladies next to me proclaimed at one point "I don't know what this is but I've gotta dance!"

I danced and sang for two hours solid. I'm sorry to those around me. I sing loud. I am pretty sure the band wants me to. But the fun I was having, and probably most of the crowd too, might best be summed up by what my husband said to me at the end of the show. RIO was in full swing as the band closed and I was dancing and singing only to realize I was being watched.

I stopped and looked at my husband and asked "WHAT?"

He was grinning like a madman and said, "You're 16 again."

Probably so.

Duran Duran, "...you make me feel ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE."

Thanks for being awesome for three decades. Here's to three more.

If you want to be 16 again too, you can catch their tour as they continue to wind around the country playing venues that are perfect and cozy.
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Ta - Na - Na - Na - Duran Duran Lit Up Atlanta

I've officially seen Duran Duran in three decades.

That's a hefty statement, and less indicative of the band and I getting old than that they are a band that's
amazing and so much fun you WANT to see them again and again.

Their show at Chastain Park this past weekend was so much fun, it's kind of difficult to quantify without squealing like a teenage girl. But, I can try.

I got to take my husband with me as my date. He'd never seen Duran Duran despite the plethora (YES A PLETHORA) of bands he's seen over the years. I assured him how amazing it was going to be, we nabbed a sitter and off we went - praying the rain would STOP. It did.

The opening act was so like Missing Persons it was weird, like young Dale was up there singing. The girl was called MNDR and she was a band unto herself, singing very 80s style solo stuff. I think in 1984 she would've had an awesome video or two. :)  With ninjas, and tigers. Don't get me wrong, she wasn't bad at all. She was just - anachronistic. A pure throwback in 80s style and sound. It was kind of cool.

The was a rather lovely prelude before the band came up, an artsy film set to what I think was Water Music but it's been too long since I had requisite hours in the listening library at college to be sure. I am of the opinion that their boat, their rules applies when seeing any band. The yahoos in the crowd were a bit cranky as it went on, but they were the exception. It laid a very calm and mellow mood across the audience as the band came on stage and opened with Before the Rain.

Here is why, in a nutshell, it's still brilliant to see Duran Duran.

They are having a great time, and it's infectious. My husband, the veteran concert warhorse proclaimed to me after the show "This may be the best concert I've ever seen." And I agree. The band is full of JOY on stage, having fun, laughing, singing their old and new songs with equal glee. Another thing I thought was interesting, you know how bands always go "This is our new single"and the crowd kind of sits down and goes YAWN as a dirge about trains and human rights or something rolls out?

That didn't happen. Duran Duran plays new stuff that keeps the crowd on it's feet and just as excited as The Reflex. The ladies next to me proclaimed at one point "I don't know what this is but I've gotta dance!"

I danced and sang for two hours solid. I'm sorry to those around me. I sing loud. I am pretty sure the band wants me to. But the fun I was having, and probably most of the crowd too, might best be summed up by what my husband said to me at the end of the show. RIO was in full swing as the band closed and I was dancing and singing only to realize I was being watched.

I stopped and looked at my husband and asked "WHAT?"

He was grinning like a madman and said, "You're 16 again."

Probably so.

Duran Duran, "...you make me feel ALIVE ALIVE ALIVE."

Thanks for being awesome for three decades. Here's to three more.

If you want to be 16 again too, you can catch their tour as they continue to wind around the country playing venues that are perfect and cozy.
Tweet

Duran Duran Tonight Is Gonna Rock My Socks

So tonight I'm turning into a 15 year old girl and going to see Duran Duran at Chastain Park here in the ATL.

I was a huge fan back in the day, and I can say that some of my favorite pop culture moments are grounded in memories that are dressed in Duran Duran's clothes, and some of their lipstick.

Examples? Oh I've got them...

• In 8th grade we would RUSH home from the bus to gather at Kim's house to watch the MTV top 20 Countdown because THE REFLEX was in the countdown. Come on, you KNOW The Reflex was the AWESOME at the time. MTV played videos back then, those were the days kids.
• I saw Duran Duran on one tour, promoting which album I forget, and ERASURE opened up for them. These dudes came out dressed in corsets and were announced as "MADONNA'S FAVORITE BAND" and we yawned & went to get hot dogs and sodas. Now we're like "OH HELL WE COULD'VE SEEN ERASURE TOO!" Sorry, in Indiana in the mid 90s we didn't know they were cool.
• I saw Duran Duran on a comeback tour (Ordinary World? I forget) and the entire place came off their FEET for JAMES - the opening act. Everyone with me went - who? We came off OUR feet when Duran Duran came onto the state. Hello generation gap. I swear we were only in our mid 20s at that point.
• I saw them again the next year or two years later, and it was like drinking good beer versus Bud. Their hits were still awesome and their new songs were actually good to listen to, unlike some bands that go "this is our new song" and the entire audience starts wondering how much the nachos are.

I'm really excited to be going again as a proper grown up. I lack the Aqua Net and the hot curlers to really get my 80s look on but I like to think the boys of Duran Duran are also proper grown ups and might not have their 80s look going either. Unless it's a retro chic show and I didn't notice that. (don't think so).

I'll try to snap some of the boys at the show, can't wait. And now if you don't mind I gotta go, I'm hungry like the wolf....

#duransocial

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Duran Duran Tonight Is Gonna Rock My Socks

So tonight I'm turning into a 15 year old girl and going to see Duran Duran at Chastain Park here in the ATL.

I was a huge fan back in the day, and I can say that some of my favorite pop culture moments are grounded in memories that are dressed in Duran Duran's clothes, and some of their lipstick.

Examples? Oh I've got them...

• In 8th grade we would RUSH home from the bus to gather at Kim's house to watch the MTV top 20 Countdown because THE REFLEX was in the countdown. Come on, you KNOW The Reflex was the AWESOME at the time. MTV played videos back then, those were the days kids.
• I saw Duran Duran on one tour, promoting which album I forget, and ERASURE opened up for them. These dudes came out dressed in corsets and were announced as "MADONNA'S FAVORITE BAND" and we yawned & went to get hot dogs and sodas. Now we're like "OH HELL WE COULD'VE SEEN ERASURE TOO!" Sorry, in Indiana in the mid 90s we didn't know they were cool.
• I saw Duran Duran on a comeback tour (Ordinary World? I forget) and the entire place came off their FEET for JAMES - the opening act. Everyone with me went - who? We came off OUR feet when Duran Duran came onto the state. Hello generation gap. I swear we were only in our mid 20s at that point.
• I saw them again the next year or two years later, and it was like drinking good beer versus Bud. Their hits were still awesome and their new songs were actually good to listen to, unlike some bands that go "this is our new song" and the entire audience starts wondering how much the nachos are.

I'm really excited to be going again as a proper grown up. I lack the Aqua Net and the hot curlers to really get my 80s look on but I like to think the boys of Duran Duran are also proper grown ups and might not have their 80s look going either. Unless it's a retro chic show and I didn't notice that. (don't think so).

I'll try to snap some of the boys at the show, can't wait. And now if you don't mind I gotta go, I'm hungry like the wolf....

#duransocial

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The Green Concert!

The big Paul McCartney concert this past weekend was a GREEN Concert - no parking provided and we all had to load up on the Marta to get downtown. This might've been greener had Atlanta actually built trains all the way out to the suburbs - driving TO the train station 20 minutes or more is somewhat counter-intuitive.

Regardless we made it to the Doraville station and jumped on the next southbound Marta along with all the other blanket carrying 40 somethings.

And we were off!

After we walked the million miles from Midtown station to Piedmont park we found a comfy post in the field and took in the sights. And we obtained some delicious festival food. I went with an Atlanta Tradition - The Varsity - WHAT'LL YA HAVE?? My hunny had a burrito. I think. My mind is fuzzy and he's not here to ask. Let's call it a burrito.

We should've known from the great breeze and cooling weather that rain couldn't be far off and about halfway through the show we got completely soaked. It was unpleasant - but given it was the 40th anniversary of Woodstock - somewhat apropos.

It was also, significantly enough - the 45th anniversary of the Beatles SHEA STADIUM concert. Which was sort of exhilarating - and Paul reminisced and played tunes from that show which he doesn't normally play. He also played Give Peace a Chance and spoke very lovingly of John and George, referring to John as "My Best Friend" which was pretty tearjerking.

That being said, now that I have seen Paul McCartney - I never need to see another concert. I probably WILL see other concerts but I have never in my life been so completely thrilled and just energized by a show. In the midst of the singing and the frenzied dancing going on all around you sort of just GET IT. This is why the girls when crazy when the Beatles Arrived. It's this MAGNETISM, with talent and humility and the fact that he was simply having such a good time - and inviting us all to come along. Paul McCartney was literally the best concert I've ever seen in my life. Absolutely brilliant.

As an aside - I think it's negative that the religious freaks always park outside of concerts peddling negativity and judgment. Did anyone ever stop and find innerpeace from this sort of judgmental bullshit? You know what was beautiful and sending out love to our fellow man? It was 50 THOUSAND people singing GIVE PEACE A CHANCE at the top of their lungs. It was 50 THOUSAND people walking down 10th Streeting singing HEY JUDE at the top of their lungs, smiling and laughing and singing together - in happiness and joy. There was no sex, no violence - it was pure joy and love radiating from a mass of strangers. And that, ladies and gentlemen - was what love and acceptance really feels like. Thank you Paul McCartney for giving us those moments.

The Green Concert!

The big Paul McCartney concert this past weekend was a GREEN Concert - no parking provided and we all had to load up on the Marta to get downtown. This might've been greener had Atlanta actually built trains all the way out to the suburbs - driving TO the train station 20 minutes or more is somewhat counter-intuitive.

Regardless we made it to the Doraville station and jumped on the next southbound Marta along with all the other blanket carrying 40 somethings.

And we were off!

After we walked the million miles from Midtown station to Piedmont park we found a comfy post in the field and took in the sights. And we obtained some delicious festival food. I went with an Atlanta Tradition - The Varsity - WHAT'LL YA HAVE?? My hunny had a burrito. I think. My mind is fuzzy and he's not here to ask. Let's call it a burrito.

We should've known from the great breeze and cooling weather that rain couldn't be far off and about halfway through the show we got completely soaked. It was unpleasant - but given it was the 40th anniversary of Woodstock - somewhat apropos.

It was also, significantly enough - the 45th anniversary of the Beatles SHEA STADIUM concert. Which was sort of exhilarating - and Paul reminisced and played tunes from that show which he doesn't normally play. He also played Give Peace a Chance and spoke very lovingly of John and George, referring to John as "My Best Friend" which was pretty tearjerking.

That being said, now that I have seen Paul McCartney - I never need to see another concert. I probably WILL see other concerts but I have never in my life been so completely thrilled and just energized by a show. In the midst of the singing and the frenzied dancing going on all around you sort of just GET IT. This is why the girls when crazy when the Beatles Arrived. It's this MAGNETISM, with talent and humility and the fact that he was simply having such a good time - and inviting us all to come along. Paul McCartney was literally the best concert I've ever seen in my life. Absolutely brilliant.

As an aside - I think it's negative that the religious freaks always park outside of concerts peddling negativity and judgment. Did anyone ever stop and find innerpeace from this sort of judgmental bullshit? You know what was beautiful and sending out love to our fellow man? It was 50 THOUSAND people singing GIVE PEACE A CHANCE at the top of their lungs. It was 50 THOUSAND people walking down 10th Streeting singing HEY JUDE at the top of their lungs, smiling and laughing and singing together - in happiness and joy. There was no sex, no violence - it was pure joy and love radiating from a mass of strangers. And that, ladies and gentlemen - was what love and acceptance really feels like. Thank you Paul McCartney for giving us those moments.

I Would Love To Write You a Blog Post....

BUT I AM ON THE WAY TO SEE PAUL MCCARTNEY!


WWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOO!

That is all.

Gotta catch a train people! PEACE!

I Would Love To Write You a Blog Post....

BUT I AM ON THE WAY TO SEE PAUL MCCARTNEY!


WWWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOO!

That is all.

Gotta catch a train people! PEACE!

We Now Return You To Your Regularly Scheduled Blog Posts

It's a real trick, when you have autistic twins, to get out of the house. Those of you with just one special needs child probably understand this very well. Now, double your dramaz and that's my house. It's hard, it's hard to even think about burdening anyone else with your kids nutty behavior.......but then again.....


You need to get out and be a couple and have time together.



We're so so lucky in having my friend Emma.


Emma loves my kids and they love her. I should say WE love her. What is so refreshing is that she's fascinated by their minds and their quirks, and finds them a challenge........a source of interest but not a burden.


She isn't terrorized by them - which is always my greatest fear when I think about someone else watching them.


Because she loves them, she watched for them for us last night so that we could step out on the town........TO SEE THE BOB DYLAN SHOW

First Up.......

Followed by.....

AND THEN........

Bob Dylan was amazing although I say he sang a song about Zombies and Scott says he did NOT. John Mellencamp truly blew us away, he totally just rocked and it was like being home to me......that Hoosier in him was having a blast of a time. It was awesome.

Willie Nelson was baked. That's all I'm saying. Ok, maybe he wasn't baked because I would have no way of knowing THAT. However, he played in time with the band but sang on some other time signature all night. That's all I'm saying.

Regardless, hearing Willie Nelson sing GEORGIA in GEORGIA was a little amazing. And you know we're in the bible belt when the tune of Nelson's that brings them to their feet for the entire song is "I SAW THE LIGHT".

Storms rolled through the greater Atlanta metro during the concert. We were sitting under the canopy and escaped the fate of those on the lawn!

We also feasted on festival foods which may or may not have contributed to my illness at 3am on. Or it could've been the Awful Waffle we stopped at AFTER. I dunno. All I know is, I was unpleasant and unfit for human interaction after about 3am last night.

a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh2ZfNmwaKod8-8Xrv_uxNhyphenhyphen-NwS5zlN2IwT_ZUNsHj56ROI1n3NDsWCr73fOZ8OpZTM1JCuxIJtZlkGIWp-qIXgROTi6ODSU4IgPfZzk0yuB7xNyPmm27ejVjFoUQfIsyuu5/s1600-h/Picnik+collage.jpg"> It was a great evening out of the house. Thank You Emma, for all that you do as a friend! We really appreciate you!

We Now Return You To Your Regularly Scheduled Blog Posts

It's a real trick, when you have autistic twins, to get out of the house. Those of you with just one special needs child probably understand this very well. Now, double your dramaz and that's my house. It's hard, it's hard to even think about burdening anyone else with your kids nutty behavior.......but then again.....


You need to get out and be a couple and have time together.



We're so so lucky in having my friend Emma.


Emma loves my kids and they love her. I should say WE love her. What is so refreshing is that she's fascinated by their minds and their quirks, and finds them a challenge........a source of interest but not a burden.


She isn't terrorized by them - which is always my greatest fear when I think about someone else watching them.


Because she loves them, she watched for them for us last night so that we could step out on the town........TO SEE THE BOB DYLAN SHOW

First Up.......

Followed by.....

AND THEN........

Bob Dylan was amazing although I say he sang a song about Zombies and Scott says he did NOT. John Mellencamp truly blew us away, he totally just rocked and it was like being home to me......that Hoosier in him was having a blast of a time. It was awesome.

Willie Nelson was baked. That's all I'm saying. Ok, maybe he wasn't baked because I would have no way of knowing THAT. However, he played in time with the band but sang on some other time signature all night. That's all I'm saying.

Regardless, hearing Willie Nelson sing GEORGIA in GEORGIA was a little amazing. And you know we're in the bible belt when the tune of Nelson's that brings them to their feet for the entire song is "I SAW THE LIGHT".

Storms rolled through the greater Atlanta metro during the concert. We were sitting under the canopy and escaped the fate of those on the lawn!

We also feasted on festival foods which may or may not have contributed to my illness at 3am on. Or it could've been the Awful Waffle we stopped at AFTER. I dunno. All I know is, I was unpleasant and unfit for human interaction after about 3am last night.

a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh2ZfNmwaKod8-8Xrv_uxNhyphenhyphen-NwS5zlN2IwT_ZUNsHj56ROI1n3NDsWCr73fOZ8OpZTM1JCuxIJtZlkGIWp-qIXgROTi6ODSU4IgPfZzk0yuB7xNyPmm27ejVjFoUQfIsyuu5/s1600-h/Picnik+collage.jpg"> It was a great evening out of the house. Thank You Emma, for all that you do as a friend! We really appreciate you!