Duran Duran returning to hometown to headline Birmingham Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony-Jess Bacon-Entertainment – Metro

Hitmakers Duran Duran will headline the opening ceremony in Birmingham next week (Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Duran Duran are set to headline the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next week in a joyous return to the band’s hometown.

The 80s icons – made up of singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor – will join Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi on the line-up at Alexander Stadium. 

It comes after the chart toppers performed a host of London gigs at The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert as well as BST Hyde Park, but this event will be extra special as it’s in their home city.  

Musing over the event, frontman Simon said: ‘The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is a momentous event for the great city of Birmingham. And we in Duran Duran are honoured to be a part of it in our home town.’

His bandmate Roger added: ‘We are so proud to be returning to our home town to close the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony. 

‘It is a true honour to be part of a global event that will bring sportspeople of all cultural backgrounds around the world together as one. Another milestone in a most incredible year for us.’

It comes weeks after Duran Duran performed at the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and BST Hyde Park (Credits: PA)

Duran Duran, here in 1981, were formed in Birmingham in 1978 (Picture: Mike Maloney Birmingham Post/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

Bassist John continued: ‘It is so good to be participating in the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games this year, performing for the first time with the CBSO. 

‘It will also be exciting to hand around some of the world’s greatest athletes, hoping to get some fitness tips.’

This Commonwealth Games marks a decade since the prestigious sporting occasion began with 11 days of sport, 19 events over 16 venues. 

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It’s also set to make highest as the “biggest ever para sport programme and featuring more women’s medals than men’s for the first time ever” according to the games minister, Nigel Huddleston. 

The line-up for the Closing Ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks. 

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