Duran Duran came back from its pandemic-induced hiatus in a big way in 2021 with a new album, a smattering of live shows, and some of its best reviews in years.
The return of this list, a year-end tradition, was doubtful when the year started quietly for the band. There was new music, a cover of David Bowie's "Five Years," but not original music.
But come May, the band's 15th studio album was in view, with a fresh new single and television appearances.
"Future Past" finally materialized in October. The album boasts four of five original members, a pedigreed guitarist in Graham Coxon of Blur, and a curated selection of musical guests. The album’s three singles, "Invisible," "Anniversary," and "Give It All Up," all made the BBC Radio 2 A-list. But those weren’t the standout tracks on “Future Past.” Just some of the highlights: the effervescent "All Of You," the majestic "Wing," and the funky "Hammerhead." Read the review.
U.K. love: Radio 2 had a field day with Duran in 2021. In addition to the playlisted singles and naming "Future Past" its album of the week, the station also aired a two-part "Duran 40" radio show in the spring. Radio 2 and Duran seemed in lockstep, the station's support fueling sales. Then, after "Future Past" debuted at No. 3 on the U.K. Billboard chart, Radio 2 featured the band on "In Concert." The album has lingered in the U.K. charts since.
DuranLive: There weren't a ton of live shows during 2021, but Duran played when it could. The band went on a mini-tour of the U.K., performing at the Scarborough Open Air Theatre, at the Isle of Wight Festival, and in their hometown of Birmingham over two nights at the O2 Institute. The band also played the Austin City Limits Festival in the U.S.
On the agenda so far for next year: a 40th-anniversary bash in Ibiza, Rock in Rio Lisboa, and the pandemic-delayed Hyde Park gig, among others.
At top, band member portraits from the deluxe edition of "Future Past."
