Duran Duran’s recent performance at the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam received a lukewarm reception, with critics pointing to underwhelming visuals and musical shortcomings. The sold-out show, marking the band’s first Dutch performance in seventeen years, failed to live up to expectations as a serious comeback.

The concert’s visuals were a significant point of criticism. The projection screen behind the band displayed poorly drawn, amateurish animations that were considered an insult to the audience. Examples included a sloppily drawn angry head during “The Wild Boys” and a bloody wolf’s head during “Hungry Like a Wolf.” The lack of camera focus on the band members themselves for side-stage projections further disappointed audience members in the back.

Musically, Duran Duran’s performance also fell short. While the band’s music in the 1980s had a sinister edge, the live renditions sounded more like festive disco, characterized by tinny synths and a bass-heavy underlay. Singer Le Bon’s vocal performance was particularly criticized, with frequent off-key moments, especially during falsetto passages. While his hoarse singing sound was occasionally appealing in lower registers and ballads, it more often caused listeners to hold their breath.

The concert quickly became too comfortable, featuring covers of “Super Freak” by Rick James and “Evil Woman” by Electric Light Orchestra early in the set. While these covers got the audience dancing, the overall impression was that of a substandard performance from a band that once held significant cultural weight. Despite the high demand for tickets and the apparent desire for feel-good music from the 1980s, Duran Duran’s Amsterdam show failed to deliver a compelling and memorable experience.