Duran Duran turned BST Hyde Park into a massive party with a hit-packed headline set on Sunday night, as frontman Simon Le Bon delivered a passionate rallying cry for the England football team hours before their World Cup match against Mexico.
Simon Le Bon's England Rally
“We normally dedicate this one to someone less fortunate. But tonight, I think we just have to play it for the England football team,” Simon told the thousands of fans gathered in the scorching London sunshine. “C’mon England!” he bellowed, drawing huge cheers. “I have faith in our team. I believe in them. I think they are going to do us proud, I really do. They can overcome the cauldron that is the Azteca Stadium. They can overcome the altitude. They can overcome the team that is Mexico. So we are going to dedicate this song to them tonight. This is Ordinary World.”
Harry Kane’s team appeared to heed the call, beating Mexico 3-2 in a nail-biting clash later that evening.
Nile Rodgers Joins the Band
During the set, the 80s legends brought out long-time collaborator Nile Rodgers for a crowd-pleasing performance of Notorious. “We’ve written and recorded some of our best songs with Nile and we’re so thrilled to have him on stage,” said Simon, introducing the pioneering guitarist. “A lovely man he really is too. We recorded this way back in the 1980s. But music keeps you young,” joked the 67-year-old singer as the band launched into the hit.
Simon remains one of the most effortless and charismatic frontmen, strutting down the Hyde Park runway, spraying water over ecstatic fans and delivering flawless vocals.
Band Chemistry and Classic Hits
The rest of the band – keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor – were as tight as ever, proving they’ve lost none of the musical chemistry and precision that have defined Duran Duran for decades. Nick, dressed like he’d stepped straight off an 80s music video set, raised a camera as its shutter clicked through the intro to Girls on Film, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The band powered through hits from their decades-spanning career on the Great Oak Stage, including Hungry Like the Wolf, The Reflex, Planet Earth and A View to a Kill. Earlier this year, they unveiled their first single for 2026 – Free To Love – featuring and co-written by Rodgers.
BST Hyde Park Festival Atmosphere
Also playing BST earlier on Sunday were DJ sets from Groove Armada and Mel C. The Spice Girl made a cameo with the Scissors Sisters as they performed a cover of George Michael’s hit Freedom. Hyde Park has transformed for the summer festival, with Cuban-themed bars, a myriad of pop-up food spots and funfair rides on the doorstep of Buckingham Palace. Guests looking to escape the heat could head to the House of Peroni for a shady retreat and refreshing lager-themed summer cocktails.
Duran Duran's Legacy
Duran Duran, formed in Birmingham in 1978, have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, with 18 American hit singles and 21 UK Top 20 tracks. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and are two-time Grammy Award winners. Other stars to have appeared at the BST festival include Maroon 5 and Mumford and Sons, with Pitbull heading to Hyde Park this Friday for a World Record attempt.
