It's 8 O'clock on a Friday night, and I honestly can't think of a better place to be right now, I swear there's not a dry gusset (including mine) in Trinity Centre's modestly sized main hall, and we've still got an hour or so to go to showtime.  But this, the third rehearsal show in four for UK eighties wunderkids Duran Duran before they head off to play the enormodomes of the US is one of those 'have to be there' nights, and a little bit of perspiration between some of the most loyal fans you can ever wish to meet won't really upset this Bristol crowd's apple cart will it?

Well for those of us lucky enough to be squeezed in tight at the front of the venue's tiny stage, we certainly don't seem to care too much about the relentless heat, or in fact the lack of support band tonight, but some of the natives a little further back are starting to get restless, and I for one can't help but wonder how these same people would react if they ever found themselves in the middle of a show by Fucked Up.  We are here after all to see a gig, not take pictures of ourselves looking all 'cool'.... well aren't we? Also tonight everyone directly around me is a good foot or two shorter than I am, and I'm the only one who isn't screaming at the top of my voice when bottles of water or towels are put on stage, so who am I to complain? This is Duran-mania people, get used to it, and let's remember that these loyal fan club members are the reason this series of shows are happening in the first place.

That's right, this gig all stems from the recent postponement of Duran Duran's UK arena tour due to issues with Simon Le Bon's voice, the double D guys (and full credit to them for doing so) decided to play this short series of shows as a way of giving something back to their loyal fan club, (along with a smattering of paying punters) before setting sail across the Atlantic to play venues where the hot dog stands are about roughly the same size as tonight's main hall.  Amd what a great venue The Trinity Centre is, full of community spirit, the converted church may not be every band's first choice of venue when they play Bristol, but it seems the ideal setting for one of Duran Duran's smallest shows in over three decades.

With band members flitting in and out side stage (was that really Nick Rhodes or was it some new romantic headmaster in a cape?) the anticipation was building to a frenzy of make shift paper fans and glow in the dark ice cream cones (don't ask...really don't ask) and then almost as quietly as the show itself was announced, with no fanfare or over zealous introduction, the (wild) boys were among us with the gentle 'Chauffeur-esque' ballad 'Before The Rain' from the band's latest album 'All We Need Is Now'.

Polite warnings around the venue asking people not to take pictures may have fallen on largely deaf ears, but watching a band play in all but the most subtle backlighting was certainly a novel concept as 'Blame The Machines' flew past quicker than that woman going up the M5 the wrong way, something that Le Bon was also quick to point out...touché sir, and it's great to hear him back in pitch perfect voice I must say.

It's also great to see messers Taylor (both of them) and Rhodes smiling from ear to ear at the rapturous welcome they get when 'Come Undone' is unfurled in all its glory as the first oldie of the night, and credit has to be given to both guitarist Dom Brown and backing singer Anna Ross who complement the core members perfectly.  Ross cutting an almost Bond girl like presence in the low light excels on the high vocal notes, whilst Brown resplendent in a Death Cult T Shirt, chops away at his Les Paul for most of the night, and once again stimulates that old "are Duran Duran rock?" argument.  Well if the end of show one-two sucker punch of 'Hold Back The Rain' and 'Careless Memories' were anything to go by tonight, then Duran Duran would certainly give the likes of Def Leppard et al a fair run for their money in the rocking stakes these days, and if we in the UK can term Nine Inch Nails as rock but not Duran Duran, then it will take a far wiser man than I to understand the difference.

Warning - labels really can damage your musical health.

With large swathes of 'All You Need is Now' being dusted off ready for the American audiences, it's the odd eighties gems like 'Union Of The Snake' and its' B side 'Secret Oktober' that really get the crowd moving. Whilst previous nights on this short tour have had a few less in the way of old tunes, tonight sort of got the balance just right, even if tracks like 'Leave A Light On' make you pine for the classic tracks they oh so unashamedly shadow.

Tonight though was all about having a great time, and come the encores as the stage lights were finally turned on, the paparazzi around me let loose one final time lighting a chaotic 'Girl Panic' and an orgasmic 'Rio' with hundreds of tiny flashes, and maybe just maybe they finally got one picture that wasn't of a wall or that bald bloke in front's horse head.

Back out in the cold evening air it was time to reflect on a really special night and a wonderful celebration of a band's musical legacy that has come full circle. America you are in for a real treat let me tell you. 

Duran Duran, Uber Rock salutes you.