Ok I must admit that before going to the concert I was skeptical. A Tribute band? Seriously? This is going to be so lame, but hey I have not seen the real thing in years and I am going with my DFW Duranies friends so it will be worth it..right?
Picture this..House of Blues Dallas July 10, 2010. Twenty women, starved for Duran Duran attention, enter the concert area and head straight to the front. Yep we did. The floor was empty but we will be up front. Tribute band or not we will be up front. At this point it was a light crowd but a fun crowd, including a group of ladies dressed in their best 80′s attire. Man we all looked interesting in the 80′s.
First up was a local Dallas cover band–The Mumbles. According to their My Space page their goal is to “bring back the music, energy and drunken madness of late 70′s-early 80′s New Wave, Punk and Power Pop”. They were a blast. The music was great, the guys were entertaining, and they put on a great set. I would definitely see them again. Then the break. Ok this is it…it will be either rockin or lame.
Lights fade, smoke covers the stage and from the darkness emerges 5 figures. HOLY COW–is that Simon? Is that John? It looks just like them. Music cranks lights come up and it is clear that this is not the real Duran Duran but WOW how they have got down exactly how the real members of Duran Duran dress, talk, and move. It was unreal. Literally unreal. If you closed your eyes you would swear that it was the real thing. And what a show! Tons of energy, perfect renditions of some of Duran’s best songs, and songs we never get to hear live.
After the show the guys came down, greeted all of us, took pictures and talked. Let me tell you 20 DFW Duranies were happy, excited, and left wanting more. More from Duran Duran and more from Rio. Congrats Rio—you did us and Duran Duran proud.
Check out Rio a Tribute to Duran Duran on Facebook.
And for more about The Mumbles check out myspace: http://www.myspace.com/themumbles#ixzz0tra8WUaM
Written by Carrie Castleman for Chic Galleria magazine.
Photo Credit: Cortney Dewhurst
Posted by: michele0511 on July 17, 2010 at 6:29 am
Great write up!!! I was there with all the fun DFW Duranies and it was a GREAT time! Rio did an outstanding job!
Posted by: Cortney Dewhurst on July 17, 2010 at 9:51 am
Carrie! What a fantastic and accurate review! I wish I could go back and do it again! I loved how the singer had Simon’s hip swings and mannerisms down! Even my Brit hubby said they had a decent Brummie accent…classic! Thanks Carrie for writing this…oh and, photo credit goes to Daryl…the paparazzi.
Posted by: johnny alonso on August 9, 2010 at 9:59 pm
hai – this is johnny alonso – the andy taylor of the band “Rio”. we had such a blast playing at the House Of Blues in Dallas for you on July 17th – we really hope to get back to your city this fall. follow us on our NEW facebook page under “Rio – A Tribute To Duran Duran – or hit me up at Johnny Alonso on facebook or http://www.johnnyalonso.com
hoping to see you guys again, sooner than later
Rio – A Tribute To Duran Duran