Another Honor for Duran Duran – Headlining the Olympics

by Jade Robledo

It is a GREAT time to be a Duranie. That is, a fan of Duran Duran.

First there was the release of the artwork for their upcoming DVD / CD, A Diamond in the Mind. Then there was the first date of the South American leg of the All You Need Is Now tour, a date in which the band was joined on stage by popular Brazilian singer Fernanda Takai for a duet of “Ordinary World.” Now the news from this morning.

It has been announced that Duran Duran was selected to perform at the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympics to be held in London on July 27th. As the United Kingdom consists of four different nations, it was decided that the opening ceremonies should consist of live performances from an act representing each part. Duran Duran were chosen for England, with Snow Patrol representing Northern Ireland, Stereophonics selected for Wales and Paolo Nutini on behalf of Scotland. Each act will perform a “greatest hits” set in front of 60,000 fans in Hyde Park, and countless others watching throughout the world.

For those who may want a bit more than one of their many hit songs from the past three decades, the tentative release date for A Diamond in the Mind is set for July 10th, 17 days before the Hyde Park show. Filmed at MEN Arena in Manchester, England on December 16th, the DVD / CD set showcases the band’s critically acclaimed 2011 release, All You Need Is Now, along with their older hits.

If you are lucky you will be able to catch the band live. Their upcoming dates can be found on their official site.

Win a Trip to see Duran Duran in Austin, TX at SXSW

by Cindy Robinson

Southwest Airlines, Urban Outfitters and Thrillist have teamed up to offer a lucky winner and their guest a VIP trip to Austin, TX and two badges to South by Southwest (SXSW) 2011 Music & Film Festival to see the best new bands out there along with guest appearances and concerts by Ozomatli, the Strokes, possibly Snow Patrol and Duran Duran.

Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes

Duran Duran are currently doing promotional appearances around the globe to promote their latest album, All You Need Is Now, which is currently available in a 9 song EP on iTunes with a physical CD Deluxe Edition due out in the USA on March 22nd. The band will embark on a world tour in March including a stop at SXSW on March 16 to headline the Time Out showcase at Stubb’s  and give a Featured Interview at the Austin Convention Center on March 17.

The band has also scheduled a stop in Los Angeles to visit the Tonight Show with Jay Leno on March 22nd. Limited tickets are available now for the TV show taping via the Tonight Show’s site.

Go to Thrillist’s contest page to sign up now! The winner will receive a VIP Trip to Austin during the SXSW Festival , March 14th-19th, featuring:

• $500 Urban Outfitters Shopping Spree
• (2) Roundtrip Tickets to Austin on Southwest Airlines
• (2) Music Festival Badges
• (5) Nights Deluxe Hotel Accommodations
• VIP Access to Thrillist Austin’s Party @ Antone’s
• Guaranteed Access to UO’s “Live in Austin 2011” Performances
• Dinners at Thrillist-curated Restaurants
• Lifetime Subscription to Grooveshark Anywhere