Duran Duran perform first pop concert at the Louvre

photo by Stephanie Piste

If the Mona Lisa had not been the coy subject of a 16th century painting, but rather a teenage girl in the early-to-mid '80s, she would be, like, so totally psyched right now.

Why the excitement? Duran Duran, '80s synthpop gods, performed at the Louvre on June 10, making this the first time the museum has allowed a pop concert in or around the structure in its 810-plus years.

The concert was a fundraiser for the museum's 18th century Decorative Arts Gallery, set to re-open in 2011. It was set in the Louvre's famous glass pyramid, home to museum's entrance.

The group will return to Paris on July 2 for an invite-only performance with producer Mark Ronson.

In a BBC article about the event, singer Simon Le Bon said he hoped the show had "put a smile on the Mona Lisa's face."

Related links:
Duran Duran on MySpace
BBC: Mark Ronson teams up with Duran Duran
Duran Duran's blog

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