In recent years, Duran Duran have become Masters of Halloween. Inspired by a smash Vegas concert that occurred days before they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Duran Duran released a new album, Danse Macabre in 2023 and followed up with an expanded edition only weeks ago. Along the way, they also released that Vegas show as a concert film, Secret Oktober, available for streaming.

This remarkable output reached its apex with a thrilling sold-out Halloween concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City a few days ago. And along the way, Duran Duran played some Halloween-week dates including a recent show at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore. The Baltimore concert was absolutely amazing, a testament to the band’s musical prowess for long-time admirers and curious onlookers alike.

On Oct. 28 at CFG Bank Arena, Duran Duran conjured some songs from Danse Macabre to the excitement of the bustling audience, and perhaps their cover of “Evil Woman” by ELO generated the most excitement. The cover appears on the 2024 Danse Macabre Deluxe edition, and the band performed it soon after the midpoint of the show, leaning into the song’s R&B bones and dressing it up with disco shine.

Duran Duran also unearthed the Danse Macrabe originals early in the very substantive and magical show. They played the trippy “Danse Macabre” as the second song in the set, showcasing frontman Simon LeBon’s lyrical dexterity and his ability to sell a rhyme. Simon looked absolutely dashing, by the way, in a Tom Ford outfit and a Union of the Snake t-shirt by perennial Duran collaborator Punk Masters. And at about the one-third mark, the band performed “Black Moonlight,” a great old-school styled Duran Duran disco number that really bounced thanks to dance-worthy drumming by the remarkable Roger Taylor.

My favorite Danse Macabre experience during this show, however, was the presentation of “New Moon on Monday,” long a personal love, which received a new treatment as “New Moon (Dark Phase)” on the 2024 special edition release. The refreshed mix imbues a mysterious, romantic air to the already intriguing song.

Stream “New Moon (Dark Phase)” by Duran Duran on YouTube:

With all of these elements, this show already clocked in as a quality show that I was excited to see. And Duran Duran took this to the next level with a rare performance of the exquisite song “Missing,” recorded for their Arcadia side band in 1985.

Now, you must understand: I believe that So Red the Rose by Arcadia is the single best album ever recorded. It is peak New Romantic, archly Eurothink music, and an ultimate manifestation of the skills of young LeBon, R. Taylor, and synthesist Nick Rhodes. (Recall that John Taylor and Andy Taylor were simultaneously away on other side project Power Station.) On occasion, Duran Duran acknowledge the existence of the album with a performance of “Election Day,” the record’s beloved lead single. But to my knowledge, they have never performed live any other track from So Red the Rose.

That changed in Allentown, Pennsylvania, when Duran Duran started this USA Halloween-week mini-tour. On Oct. 21, Duran Duran made the apparent live debut of “Missing,” a gorgeous piece of ambient pop that truly showcases the wizard-like genius of Nick Rhodes. The news of the debut quickly shot across social media, and I was agog! Would they perform it again? The answer was “yes!” Although “Missing” did not make every date on this tour, it did appear several more times including at the Baltimore show and the Madison Square Garden Halloween date.

Watching Rhodes unspool the moving melody of “Missing” in Baltimore while the richly alluring video — made in the Arcadia style — played on screen in the background was an apex concert experience. I could never have imagined a moment so completely elating. Phenomenal work, Mr. Rhodes.

Watch the official music video for “Missing” by Arcadia on YouTube:

Let’s not forget that Duran Duran also packed their CFG Bank Arena performance with massive hits. Early in the show, they played “A View to a Kill” and “Hungry Like the Wolf.” In the middle section of the show, the band added “Ordinary World” and “The Reflex.” And the hefty encore was a triple delight of “The Wild Boys,” “Save a Prayer,” and “Rio.” Simon called for the audience to hold their smartphones flashlights aloft like lighters during “Save a Prayer,” and the arena lit up like a beautiful starry night.

Throughout all of this, Duran Duran elevated the audience through its signature funk, and no one deserved more credit for this intoxicating musical elixir than bassist John Taylor, who completes this murderer’s row of excellent musicians. As tall and lean as ever, John stood tall throughout an amazing show defined by his incomparable basslines. He charmed with his smile and captivated with his skills.

Duran Duran wrapped this extremely satisfying string of dates with a show in New Hampshire on Nov. 2. I would say that was a wrap on an extraordinary year, but they are coming back to the states for a Vegas show on Dec. 30 (and I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a few more shows up their sleeves). And let us not forget that 2024 was a banner year also in part because of Duran Duran’s fantastic headlining performance at the annual Cruel World Festival, a musical celebration of everything that helped — and continues — to make the band great. Duran Duran arrived at Cruel World ready to own it, and trust me when I tell you that they completely did so.

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Here are some photos of Duran Duran performing at CFG Bank Arena on Oct. 28, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mickey McCarter.