Duran Duran, Bastille And Chic A Blast As Future Past Tour Winds Down

“You guys probably know that I write and produce the songs for this band,” said Nile Rodgers of Chic on stage in Chicago, opening up the current leg of Duran Duran’s “FUTURE PAST 40th Anniversary tour.” “But here’s a little secret: I do it for other artists too!”

Between Chic and his work writing, recording and/or producing artists like Duran Duran, David Bowie, Madonna and Daft Punk, Rodgers has had a hand in music responsible for the global sale of more than half a billion albums.

On stage in Chicago, Rodgers offered fans a masterclass in songwriting 101, running through the Chic canon in addition to cuts by artists like Diana Ross and the Sugarhill Gang.

Chic’s “Le Freak” came first, with Rodgers, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, backed by an eight piece group including a horn section and a pair of backing singers.

“Everybody Dance” followed, the Chicago faithful a step ahead, on their feet and moving throughout Chic’s 50 minute performance.

Rodgers pulled back and to his left, ceding center stage to his band, and his backing vocalists in particular, during a jubilant take on Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” moving into a medley of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl” (both of which he played guitar on and produced).

“Now is the time to take it to maximum funkosity!” Rodgers asserted. “And I only know one way to do it! But I need everybody to participate,” he declared, soon channeling Stevie Ray Vaughan during a late solo as horns soared during David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.”

Responsible for worldwide sales in excess of 100 million, Duran Duran played for just shy of two hours on stage along Lake Michigan as the “FUTURE PAST” tour winds down.

“Chicago! How you doin’?” asked frontman Simon Le Bon rhetorically, Duran Duran digging deep for “Night Boat” to open the set.

Percussion stole the early portions of “The Wild Boys,” with the crowd shouting the song’s memorable chorus at Duran Duran while the bass of John Taylor thumped along in time. Stalking left and back, Le Bon ultimately hovered near keyboard player Nick Rhodes, Taylor leaning into him as the pair exchanged shouts.

“Look at that moon!” shouted Le Bon, introducing “Hungry Like the Wolf,” backing singers and live saxophone bringing to eight the number of performers on stage.

“OK. We’ve broken the ice,” mused Le Bon. “Now it’s time for us to bond!”

The theme to James Bond rang out as imagery from the films ran on a massive screen behind the band, the intro giving way to “A View to a Kill” as the hit parade continued, Le Bon bounding right as Taylor dove into the song’s trademark ascending disco bass line.

While they’re prepping next month’s release of their 16th studio album Danse Macabre, “GIVE IT ALL UP” made the case for Future Past, with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers working a bit of Rick James’ “Super Freak” into “Lonely in Your Nightmare” shortly thereafter.

Rhodes turned, playing a different keyboard with each hand as Duran Duran launched into “Is There Something I Should Know,” following up with a pair from 1993’s The Wedding Album.

“This is a song about self redemption…,” said Le Bon, setting up “Ordinary World.” “Living the life you’ve got, not the one you wanted – with all of its ups and downs,” he continued, dedicating the track to the people of both Maui and Ukraine. “Help them if you can,” he said, soon jousting vocally with singer Anna Ross on “Come Undone.”

“I want you to put on your best selfie face,” joked Le Bon, setting up “Girls On Film.” “Because Nick is going to take your photograph!” he continued, soon jogging in place on stage as if he was just getting started, Friday’s night’s show cruising toward the finish line in the Windy City.

Ultimately closing with “Rio,” Duran Duran returned from encore in contemplative fashion, offering up “Save a Prayer” on stage in Chicago.

“We would like you to reach into that most sacred of places and put a little light on us,” requested Le Bon of the audience. “It won’t use that much battery. I promise!” said the charismatic singer with a smile.

Strapping on an acoustic guitar, Le Bon was at his best late as Duran Duran wrapped up on stage.

“Chicago! Let me hear your voice!” said the singer. “That is the sound of a good time!”

For 40 minutes on stage at Huntington Bank Pavilion, French electropop outfit Bastille served as the bridge between Chic and Duran Duran.

“Chicago!” screamed founding singer and songwriter Dan Smith. “Are you excited for Duran Duran?” he asked to a deafening roar.

Opening with one of their biggest U.S. hits in “Good Grief,” Bastille put forth a fun, energetic opening set, live drums driving a crowd clap along during the rock leaning “WHAT YOU GONNA DO???”

Keyboards opened the more electronic based “Million Pieces,” Smith bounding from side to side on stage as drummer Chris Wood stood up behind his kit, sticks in the air as he took in the massive outdoor crowd during the song’s synth-driven chorus.

“Nile Rodgers and Chic…” marveled Smith. “Let’s hear it! An honor to share this stage with them and Duran Duran,” said the singer. “You’ve only got about another half hour of our music,” joked the singer during the opening set.