Duran Duran's top moments of 2018

BBC4 takeover

It was a proud moment for Duranies as Duran Duran took over BBC4 for an evening on June 29. Sandwiched between episodes of "Top of the Pops" featuring Duran and the band's David Lynch-directed "Unstaged" concert were two hours of new programming. One, an early 40th anniversary bash/documentary "There's Something You Should Know" was followed by "A Night In," featuring the band members watching clips of their biggest influences from the worlds of music, TV, movies, and more. The gem of the evening was "There's Something You Should Know," an endearing look back at the band's career highlights and a good reminder for the general public that Duran is still deserving of the recognition that so many young fans gave the band so many years ago.

Back in the studio

Duran returned to the studio late in the year to work on new music with producer Erol Alkan. In year-end comments on duranduran.com, Nick Rhodes said he thought "we have the start of something quite special," and John Taylor said the band would return to the studio again in March. There's no timetable yet for when the new music will be released, or an indication of whether that music will be taking the form of a new studio album.

Duranversaries

Duran albums had a few milestones in 2018. "The Wedding Album" turned 25, "Big Thing" marked its 30th, and "Seven and the Ragged Tiger" hit 35. Duran also belatedly released a video for the "Big Thing" track "The Edge of America," timing it to the immigration crisis in the United States.

Budokan

Duran took part in April's Record Store Day, releasing the live record "Budokan." There was also an unofficial release of the "Thanksgiving" live show from the "Medazzaland" era that had previously been released on CD. On Duran Duran Appreciation Day, the band teased footage from an upcoming video release of the "Budokan" show, but there has been no word on when that release might materialize.

Step into the future

There's much to look forward to for Duranies in the new year. In addition to a handful of live shows the band is planning and more studio time, there's anticipation of the band's 40th anniversary coming in 2020. Will that be the year Duran gets a nod in the direction of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Duran influencer Roxy Music recently was pegged for induction, as well as Duran contemporary the Cure. With Nile Rodgers' new role with the hall, as well as the influence of critics like Rob Sheffield, the future looks brighter for the band when it comes to its chance of finally getting the call.

Photo by Christopher Windle

Top five live shows of 2018

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the Slowdown

It's rare to be truly blown away by a band's performance, but Black Rebel Motorcycle Club managed to do just that in Omaha on May 17.

We were actually there to see Pete International Airport, the Dandy Warhols guitarist Peter Holmstrom's other band. While the openers were great, we weren't prepared for BRMC, who stormed onstage with a 22-song set of its biggest tracks as well as ones off its latest album, "Wrong Creatures." (Along with PIA's "Safer With the Wolves," "Wrong Creatures" is one of the best albums of the past year or so.)

If there was a show that topped all shows in 2018, this was the one. While we ranked our list last year, we couldn't come to much agreement this year. It's lucky that BRMC is first alphabetically, which just happens to be how we're presenting the list this year.

Robert Levon Been and Peter Hayes commanded the stage, seamlessly trading off vocals, and sometimes bass and guitar. In a time when musical acts often rely on backing tracks or even offstage musicians, it was refreshing to see a three-piece band with a huge sound playing with little, if any, help in that department. BRMC put on just that type of impressive show. (Read more: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club leaves an impression.)

All photos by Christopher Windle, from top: BRMC, as
shared on Facebook by the band itself, and the Buttertones.

The Buttertones at the Slowdown

The Buttertones won fans on tour in the Midwest last year and were back to melt hearts once again on a cold autumn evening in Omaha.

With the fall tour, the band capped a bit of a whirlwind year: playing South by Southwest, debuting at Coachella, and putting out a new album, "Midnight in a Moonless Dream."

On Oct. 1, the Buttertones played highlights from each of the band's four timeless albums while displaying the members' multiple facets in an 18-song set.

Singer Richard Araiza charmed the crowd, and guitarist Dakota Böttcher and drummer Modeste Cobian even took the lead on a few songs. (Read more: The Buttertones melt hearts on fall U.S. tour.)

Clan of Xymox at the Oriental Theater

Clan of Xymox mesmerized the sold-out crowd in Denver on March 16 with its ethereal sound.

The band played 19 songs from 11 of its impressive discography of 17 studio albums, starting with "Days of Black," the title track from its newest album.

From there, it kept coming in waves, with fan favorites like "Louise," "Emily," "Hail Mary," and "Jasmine and Rose," to name a few.

But the highlights for the crowd were the goth classics "Muscoviet Mosquito" and "A Day!" With everyone dancing and singing along (not loudly), the show kept going and going in such a good way. (Read more: Clan of Xymox puts on ethereal show in Denver.)

The Damned at the Gothic Theatre

The Damned, riding a wave of success from "Evil Spirits," a new album more than 40 years into the band's career, brought its energetic live show to Denver on Oct. 25.

The band was back in town for the second time in a year and half, playing the "appropriately named" Gothic Theatre. Although the Damned are known for putting on great concerts, there was a new energy in the band less than a week before Halloween.

Singer Dave Vanian prowled the stage and hit every note in a "Black Album"-heavy set. Guitarist Captain Sensible was his usual wisecracking self, appearing to truly be having a blast, along with the rest of the band. (Read more: The Damned conjures evil spirits in Denver.)

The Dandy Warhols at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox

The Dandy Warhols of Portland, Oregon, were right at home in Denver during a two-night stand on July 12 and 13.

The band showed off its depth of talent at the Thursday night show in the cozy venue packed with dedicated Dandys fans. It was a cool scene that was perfect for the Dandys, with surroundings seemingly straight out of one of the band's videos.

The Dandys played a well-curated set of 14 songs spanning its breakthrough album, "The Dandy Warhols Come Down" to its most recent, "Distortland."

The new year will mark the band's 25th anniversary and bring a new album, "Why You So Crazy?" (Read more: The Dandy Warhols at Ophelia's Electric Soapbox.)

Honorable mentions: Gary Numan at the Slowdown; Beck at Pinewood Bowl; Psychedelic Furs at the Surf Ballroom; GBH at Lookout Lounge; and Closeness with Digital Leather at the Slowdown.