Duran Duran Performs At Kennedy Space Center Marking Apollo 11 Moon Landing

Duran Duran performed at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex last night to mark the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s mission to the Moon, the only event at the location of the mission’s launch five decades ago today.

The British band collaborated with the artist duo Studio Drift, whose artwork Franchise Freedom was brought to life by hundreds of drones as the band led off with “The Universe Alone” with a 40-piece choir and 16-piece orchestra. The performance took place in the Rocket Garden of KSCVC. Profits from the concert’s ticket sales benefited the Aldrin Family Foundation’s STEAM education programs.

Studio Drift co-founder Ralph Nauta said, “The Apollo 11 moon landing exemplifies what technology can do for humanity. We’re ready and excited for the next 50 years.”

Band co-founder Nick Rhodes said, “The indelible impact of the moon landing has been one of Duran Duran’s main sources of inspiration. In the last half-century there have been very few events that have captured the world’s attention and united everyone in such a positive way. We are truly thrilled and honored to be a part of the 50-year celebration of the Apollo 11 mission, the performance tonight, at KSCVC where the launch took place.”

Boxoffice reports from the band’s 2017 tour featured a performance July 16 at a Live Nation promotion Neal S. Blaisdell Arena, playing to 88% capacity at the 6,000-seat venue for a gross of $504k. Their Fox Theater show in Oakland on July 7 was a sold out at 2,828 tickets for a gross of $264k while their July 8 date at San Francisco’s The Masonic was a virtual sellout with a $283k gross.