Ross and his notepad. Yes, he is a writer.

September 30, 2011 – The Joint @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

The Neon Trees – celebrated an incredible breakout year with their debut album, ‘Habits,’ the flashy Utah-based pop band played through a fun, upbeat set. Wearing a red glitter-covered jacket and a Mohawk, singer Tyler Glen lead the crowd both young and old into rock themes of nostalgia.  He spoke about making mixed tapes, mentioned Duran Duran and launched into songs, “1983,” “Sins of My Youth” and their first single, “Animal” which skyrocketed to platinum on Billboard’s Hot 100 in just weeks. The band has had an amazing year, performing at the KROQ Weenie Roast, SXSW and Coachella.

Elaine Bradley pounded the drums, giving an edge to the pop band. Chris Allen, guitar, and Branden Campbell, bass, complete the band’s sacred harmony. A few songs into their set, frontman Tyler Glen said he’ll now ‘Take you to church.’ He’s known for mentioning how ‘music is a sacred act of communion’ for himself and the ‘heart of the band.’

From the nostalgic past, we now take you to the ‘now’ as in ‘All You Need is Now,’ Duran Duran’s 13^th studio album, released digitally on December 21, 2010.  ‘Now’ sports new songs and lead singer Simon Le Bon sported a new beard. Producer Mark Ronson, an avid Duran Duran fan, revitalized the band’s ‘hunger.’ Drummer Roger Taylor remarked in a press release on the band’s website that Ronson told them to ‘go back and reclaim’ their original sound.

Those screaming female Diehard Duran Duran fans older now still roared as the band entered the stage. They launched into a set of songs old and new. Highlights include: “Planet Earth,” “Rio,” “Come Undone” with back-up singer Anna Ross and “The Wild Boys” as the band mashed the song into Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s “Relax (Don’t Do it).”

Images and videos screened on the back wall such as silhouettes of Bond girls to “A View To a Kill.” Other special effects appeared on four giant faces above the stage. Matrix-like effects accompanied new song “Blame The Machines.”

Bassist John Taylor, an avid tweeter, encouraged the crowd to tweet, using #duranlive when Simon Le Bon took a break. After thirty years or so, Duran Duran is still a viable and exciting band.