The Psychedelic Furs at the Surf Ballroom

The Psychedelic Furs made a rare stop in Iowa, bringing the band's classic alternative sound to an iconic venue, the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake.

The Surf is known as the last stop before "the day the music died," when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper perished in a plane crash nearby after playing their final concert at the venue. The Surf tastefully pays tribute to the trio, as well as to the many, many musicians who have played the venue over the years.

Tim and Richard Butler. Rich Good and Richard Butler (at top).

The Furs joined those acts on Aug. 8 with a solid, 18-song setlist that spanned the band's career. Though there's not yet new music from the Furs, the band manages to make each tour special, swapping out and shifting deeper album tracks around and still playing all of the hits that the crowd expects.

Case in point, when we last saw the Furs, the band opened with "India," not quite harnessing all of the song's energy to full effect. Nearly two years later, the Furs closed the show with the blistering track off its debut album. It turned out to be the perfect song to follow the band's defining track, "Pretty in Pink."

Rich Good and Richard Butler (at top).

At the Surf, the band opened with the "Mirror Moves" hit "Heartbeat" and followed with the must-hear "Sister Europe." "She is Mine" and "Only You and I" were welcome additions to the setlist, the latter giving guitarist Rich Good a chance to let loose. The band members are always entertaining, with singer Richard Butler's trademark moves, bassist Tim Butler's interplay with the audience, and saxophonist Mars Williams' boundless energy.

There are many, many reasons the band attracts a crowd: the shimmering beauty of "The Ghost in You," "Heartbreak Beat," which always prompts a sing-along, and the ever-relevant "President Gas," to name a few. We'll be back. A Furs concert is where we met, after all.

Nearly five years later, we see a lot of concerts, but we can always count on the Furs to put on a great show.

All photos by Christopher Windle.

Happy Duran Duran Appreciation Day 2018!

Duran Duran offered a taste of an upcoming live concert film to thank fans on Duran Duran Appreciation Day 2018.

The clip of "Pressure Off" and "Hold Back the Rain," slickly directed by Gavin Elder, captured the band onstage during its triumphant show at Budokan last year.

Duran released a limited edition record of several songs from the show for April's Record Store Day. On Friday, Nick Rhodes said the band is hoping to complete editing on the film of the full performance for release later this year.

Duran spent most of the past few years touring behind its last album, "Paper Gods,” ending the tour at the iconic Tokyo venue.

As Duran spends some time relaxing and possibly recording this year ahead of its 40th anniversary, 2018 is looking to be a great year for watching the boys on film.

In addition to the recent BBC documentary and special, a release of the Budokan concert film this year would mark the band's most recent official concert film release since "A Diamond in the Mind" in 2012.

Although it might be hard to top that film, the Budokan footage features Nile Rodgers as well as Duran in some of its most colorful stage wear in some time. It's hard not to smile as Simon Le Bon dances in white denim and Nick Rhodes displays an extra dose of onstage energy in a fabulous sparkly purple jacket.

I'll be looking forward to seeing the full film. Until then, happy DDAD!

Photo by Christopher Windle