Halloween Manchester Live Review!

Ruth Galvin
4 hours ago
4 min read

Manchester, UK: Friday 31st October 2025

Duranies: 20,500

Steps: 16,000

Calories: 16,000

Divine mezcal cocktails: 4

Orange confetti in my bra: 3

Sore feet: 2

Hangovers: 1

Setlists procured: 0

It's the morning after the night before, and completely out of partying practise, I'm struggling to finish a sentence, let alone a review. The new day did indeed break "like a speeding train"

Holding your own in a battered car

All-night parties, cocktail bars and smile

When the butterfly escapes the killing jar.

Last night's highlight, Secret Oktober 31st aptly captures the mood of my 1st November morning as Adam recalls the setlist. I have zero memory of Spooky. It's not looking good for a review!

Last night's gig holds the dubious honour of most expensive tickets I've bought for mediocre seats. (Row 10 B block). But to call it a "gig", with associations of sweat and darkness, is really a disservice; it was a spectacular piece of musical theatre that shone brighter than the sun. And that distance from the stage allowed a wide angle lens on the complete fabulosity of it all; disturbing doll heads, monster-slaying vixens, seances, corpse brides, and a zombified Rio. Not to forget four near-naked dancers..... just to remind me this is still Duran Duran. Enough to distract me from tracking individual members of the band across the stage to catch their eye. Enough that the connection was with the people all around me, who, as far back as we were, knew every word to Danse Macabre and also that the only thing sitting on your seat should be your jacket.

The band looked amazing, but we looked better. A Sing Blue Silver JT was a row in front of us with a 1981 Simon in tow. Two guys in Red Carpet Massacre suits gave Jeffrey Bryant a run for his money. On stage, Rachael and Anna embodied an "outta my mind" Georgian pallor and courtesan coifs. Nick was giving ghostly undertaker vibes. JT's bleached barnet was ironically less deathly in appearance than the black locks he has recently been sporting.

Unusually, there was little to no banter from Simon. It's only now I realise we got 22 full songs, which might explain why. It is the only time I have ever seen Duran and not heard Ordinary World (and its ever recycled tributes). I didn't miss it. Personal faves were Danse Macabre (a first for me) and Secret Oktober 31st.

Simon was in great voice. The band were in sparkling form. Today my throat is sore and my hips ache from singing and dancing to every syllable (except Spooky apparently ).

The new "Shadows" is a strange beast; on one hand I laud the innovation to make it fresh and it opens with promise before the momentum killing pre-chorus that reminds me of Knock on Wood. (Amii Stewart). In the context of it being a Halloween gig, I think anything would fly, but unlike Secret Oktober 31st, I feel it lacks the internal cohesion to make this version a staple. An angel winged Victoria D'Angelis joined them for Psycho Killer and The Wild Boys while I tried to earn some kudos points with my 15 year old daughter and Maneskin fan at home by taking a few video clips.

I have previously procured a setlist from 12th row before, but from the B block, it was never happening. Of course that didn't stop me shamelessly trying and feeling the full force of the confetti canons as the evergreen Rio predictably closed the set.

Fancy dress made finding friends at the bar a nightmare. So was the venue bar itself. Nine pounds for a can of wine (no cup), to stand in an aircraft hanger minus tables or chairs was positively clinical and a stark contrast to the cultural vibrancy of the city. Apparently THE Halloween 80s party was happening there post concert. However, by this stage Mr. Lipstick had already popped outside, where, after quick eyeball of the merch stand, i found him discussing vaginas with female security.... (I am still unclear of the origins of this anatomy detour). Five of us had our own after party, returning to Arcane cocktail bar where i had lured Mr. Lipstick earlier, in an effort to avoid Wetherspoons. We danced, we sang, we saw 3am, to everything from Madonna to Depeche Mode to... Everything Everything!

But back to the gig. Clearly this was a unique show for diehards but with a seated capacity for 20,500, its safe to assume many were still there to hear the hits. What they got was 6 non-Duran cover versions, several reworked Duran tracks and The Reflex by means of an apology. Were they happy? I have to believe surely yes, with such a visual feast on offer. What is rare is beautiful and it is the very (super)nature and participatory spirit of these specialist shows that makes them such fun.

Recharged spirits: 1

Can't wait till next year!