The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) confirmed on Saturday, September 14, 2024, that renowned 1980s English New Wave band, Duran Duran, performed at the 67th birthday celebration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The event took place the previous day, Friday, September 13, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.
Duran Duran, known for hits like “Wild Boys,” “Rio,” “A View to a Kill,” “The Reflex,” and “Save a Prayer,” delivered a private performance, sparking public interest and criticism regarding their quiet arrival in the Philippines and involvement in the event.
In response to the reactions, the PCO issued an official statement outlining the president’s activities on his birthday. “The President spent his birthday as just another busy day in the office, with the same dedication to his job that has marked his presidency,” the statement read. According to the PCO, Marcos Jr. spent part of the day engaging with farmers, initiating a debt condonation program, and launching a new financing scheme aimed at increasing farm productivity. He also directed the settlement of bills for eligible patients in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals and welcomed well-wishers at Malacañang Palace, where food stalls were set up.
Following a day filled with official engagements, President Marcos Jr. attended a private gathering organized by close friends at a Pasay hotel, where he was “surprised and appreciative” of the live performance by Duran Duran.
While details of the band’s fee remain undisclosed, online sources from Celebrity Talent International, a booking agency involved in high-profile events, suggest that Duran Duran’s performance fees range from $750,000 to nearly $1 million for corporate events and private parties.