Danse Macabre Ultimate Halloween Setlist!

What do the masses devour over Halloween? Scary movies. What do these scary movies have? Rules. Never say ‘I’ll be right back’ unless you want a grizzly death scene, such as impalation by Rock Rod.

Rules are pivotal to selecting the Ultimate Duran Duran Halloween Setlist™ - a highly subjective attempt to imagine a suitably spooky concert that never deviates from its purpose. These rules are:

1. 20 songs.

2. No cover versions.

3. No catering for casual fans who just want to hear the hits. F*** ‘em. This is OUR night.

4. Never say ‘Violence Of Summer’. Under any circumstances.

The Setlist

      0.   INTRO MUSIC - MASQUE OF THE PINK DEATH (2024)

It would be rude not to. Velvet Newton is in need of a Logan’s Run style retirement.

1. NIGHTBOAT (2023)

The new reworking used to open recent concerts instantly instills a foreboding atmosphere for what lies ahead, complemented by the chilling imagery used on the video screens. If it ain’t broke…

2. THE FLAME - 7” MIX (1986)  LIVE DEBUT

The most Duran-sounding Arcadia song finally gets its chance to shine, ramping up the tempo and providing an excuse to showcase the brilliant haunted house video by Russell Mulcahy on the video screens.

3. NEW MOON (DARK PHASE) (2024)

Even though this is very much a fan-orientated setlist, it’s great to have something for the audience to sing along to - and this rework keeps the glorious chorus intact.

4. DANSE MACABRE (2023)

Time to fire up the AC Cobra and get a bit dirty if you don’t mind, if you don’t mind.

5. EL DIABLO (1985) LIVE DEBUT

Oh el diablo, el diablo won’t you sell me back my Duran Duran NFT? It’s worth so much! This song demands inclusion not just for being a song about the devil - but a GREAT song about the devil. Random movie trivia - screenwriter Diablo Cody (Juno, Young Adult) took her pen name from this song.

6. FALLING ANGEL (1993) LIVE DEBUT

If we’re going into devil territory - and DD has tempted enough hellish fate by including a ouija board with the Danse Macabre deluxe vinyl set - then we need an angel to counterbalance proceedings. This mesmerising and shockingly ignored track could have been a gamechanger if DD didn’t release Thank You as a standalone album and saved this to be a single for the Wedding Album follow-up. Instead it was cruelly left to dangle in the blue. Yes, I have an agenda here and need psychotherapy.

7. A VIEW TO A KILL (1985)

Another excuse for a crowd singalong - even the hardcore fans like a bit of familiarity every now and then. Is this Halloweeny enough? Well, if dancing into a fire doesn’t leave you with a complexion like Freddy Krueger then I don’t know what will.

8. ONLY IN DREAMS (2015)

A bit of an uneven mishmash of a track, but when it soars it delivers the dopamine. Besides, you can’t ignore a track that features a vampire in a limousine. What’s he even doing there? Could he be…

9. THE CHAUFFEUR (1982)

The creepy and ethereal mood to this song - along with David Lynch’s love for it - justify a place in the set for this classic.

10. TRICKED OUT (2007)

This spooky track feels like it’s from a Danny Elfman soundtrack. Also a great excuse for Senor Le Bon to have a breather backstage and a costume change into a werewolf.

11. RED CARPET MASSACRE (2007)

There’s a massacre, a blood-drenched floor and a death squad referenced in the song. That’s like half the plot of Stephen King’s Carrie. The song’s fast pace is needed to keep the concert balanced with quite a few slower numbers in the mix. Speaking of which…

12. CONFESSION IN THE AFTERLIFE (2023)

It’s about the afterlife. It sounds a bit like Frozen by Madonna. It gives the audience a bit of a piss/bar break opportunity. It’s in!

13. LOVE VOUDOU (2023)

The subtle melody changes in the reworked Danse Macabre version, along with the new Warren Cuccurullo guitar helps this song become even more of an infectious treat (not trick).

14. LONELY IN YOUR NIGHTMARE (1982)

The original version and not the recent Super Freak mashup is required here. It sounded so good live recently that it was a shame not to hear it in full.

15. CHAINS (2004)

Astronaut representation! This visceral, brooding effort would fit in well with the Halloween vibe.

16. MISSING (1985)

How wonderful is it to have this ghostly gem make a surprising appearance on the late 2024 US tour in time for Halloween? It sounds superb live judging by the videos, with Dean Chamberlain’s award-winning video playing behind the band.

17. HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF (1982)

Oh, you thought I was joking about the Le Bon werewolf costume? No chance. He’s sung this so many times he could probably pull it off wearing fangs too.

ENCORE

18. LADY ICE (1985) LIVE DEBUT

Long rumoured to have been rehearsed for previous tours but sadly never played, this epic number would bring the adoring crowd to a chilling epiphany en masse. The world is frightened too.

19. BLACK MOONLIGHT (2023)

Hold tight! Duran Duran are in Halloween party mode for this funky number that seriously ups the tempo from the previous track. The pretentious arts student in me wants to say ‘tonal contrast, darling’.

20. SHADOWS ON YOUR SIDE (1983)

The plot of many horror movies revolves around a great evil that has lain dormant for many years, only to be reawoken and cause absolute chaos. Substitute the word ‘evil’ for ‘good’ and that would sum up the resurrection of this classic. The crowd would be in a frenzy and leave on a Halloween high. Which is infinitely better than any Hollywood high.

Would you want to attend this concert? Let us know in the comments below!