Duran Duran to headline Latitude Festival in only UK performance next summer

05 November 2023 , 18:31

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Duran Duran to headline Latitude Festival in 'sole UK performance' next summer (Image: Debra L Rothenberg/FilmMagic))

Duran Duran has been announced as the main act at next year's Latitude Festival, marking their "sole UK performance next summer."

The British new wave band will perform at Henham Park in Suffolk for the annual event, which runs from July 25-28 and is expected to attract around 40,000 people.

With popular songs like Rio, The Wild Boys and Hungry Like The Wolf, Duran Duran has been one of the world's most iconic rock musical acts since breaking onto the scene in the 1980s. The current members - singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor - have recently made a comeback with several high-profile performances.

Duran Duran's John Taylor and Andy Taylor in concert at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham, UK (Sachin Jethwa/REX/Shutterstock)

In 2022, they performed at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace and the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Birmingham, as well as headlining the British Summer Time festival in London's Hyde Park.

The band has also just released their 16th studio album, Danse Macabre, which saw them reunite with their original guitarist, Andy Taylor, for the first time since 2006 on their new song, Black Moonlight.

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Earlier this year, Taylor revealed that his stage four prostate cancer is now "asymptomatic" after receiving treatment following his diagnosis in 2018.

Duran Duran star Andy Taylor - second from left alongside Roger Taylor, John Taylor, and Simon Le Bon - was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago (Getty Images for The Rock and Ro)

The gothic-themed album also features Chic star Nile Rodgers and reimagined versions of Duran Duran classic tracks Nightboat and Secret Oktober 31st.

Bassist John Taylor said: "We are excited to be making Latitude our sole UK performance next summer, before adding, "It's a great festival, and it's been a long time since Duran have been in that part of the country. In fact, it's our first time ever in Suffolk."

The 63-year-old musician also said Duran Duran is "riding high" over the positive reception to their Danse Macabre album and is now "looking forward to bringing music from that record" as well as tunes from their all the 1981 debut album.

Festival director Melvin Benn said: "Duran Duran's fusion of artistry and innovation seamlessly resonates with Latitude's commitment to curate a multifaceted cultural experience.

"Celebrated for their iconic style, ground-breaking music, and a consistent string of chart-topping hits, the band have unquestionably left their mark on both the music and fashion realms.

"With their ongoing evolution and the ability to transcend musical boundaries, the band's mesmerising live performances make them an ideal fit for the Latitude Festival." The announcement has already sent Duran Duran fans wild, with many taking to Twitter to share their excitement over seeing the band play live in just a few months' time.

"duran duran headlining latitude??? GOING TO CRY x," one emotional person wrote, while another said, "Got to say that when they were really big, i just didn't like them but over the past decade or so I am warming to them."

The festival has said further additions to the line-up will be announced later this year. The 2023 festival saw Pulp, Paolo Nutini and George Ezra top the bill, with The Kooks, Metronomy, Paul Heaton, and The Lightning Seeds also part of the line-up.

Emma Dooney