TUNE IN ALERT: American Express Announces MARK RONSON and KELIS as Special Guests for DURAN DURAN's 'Unstaged' Performance, Directed by DAVID LYNCH

NEW YORK, March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- American Express announced today that artists Mark Ronson and Kelis will join Duran Duran as special guests from the Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles on March 23rd for the "Unstaged: An Original Series from American Express" live-stream concert, directed by filmmaker David Lynch (The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, and Mulholland Drive).  Produced by Mark Ronson, the band's new album, ALL YOU NEED IS NOW, which arrives in stores on March 22nd, is a return-to-roots homage to Duran Duran's most celebrated musical panache, and features guest vocals from Platinum award-winning singer/songwriter Kelis. The performance will be live-streamed Wednesday, March 23rd at 10:00PM ET/ 7:00 PM PT at http://www.youtube.com/duranduranvevo.

Singer Simon Le Bon said today:  "It really means a lot to the band that both Kelis and Mark Ronson are able to join us for this show.  Mark is making an Herculean effort to be here – flying in specially for the night – which is typical of his generosity and the enormous support he has shown us on the ALL YOU NEED IS NOW project throughout.  As we get closer to Wednesday our excitement is building daily.  It's going to be a really incredible week for us with the release of the album – and the start of our world tour.  Having our friends with us on stage will make it an even bigger celebration."  

In response, Ronson said: "How could I have missed this?  Playing live with one of my favorite bands of all time and being a part of this concert film with David Lynch, it's a true honor."

Duran Duran will kick-off the second year of "Unstaged: An Original Series from American Express," which launched in the summer of 2010, and is the latest offering from American Express in partnership with VEVO, the leading premium music video and entertainment service, and YouTube, to feature live-stream concerts with some of today's most talented musicians and directors over the course of the year. Duran Duran's performance will mark the first time an artist within the "Unstaged" music series will play from Los Angeles.  Upon release, tickets for Duran Duran's performance at the Mayan Theatre sold out in under five minutes.

American Express ® Cardmembers and music enthusiasts can digitally connect to this live music experience:

• Choose Your Cam: The audience can control their viewing experience throughout the show by switching between the director's main stream and alternate "Lynchian" artistic lenses on the night.
• "The Now Pulse" Crowd Visualizer: Further uniting the audiences at the show and at home, this new interactive project will create a real-time visualization of crowd excitement based on social chatter online. When the social buzz reaches a climax, a special Duran Duran memento will be unlocked for fans everywhere.
• "All Of Us Now" Photo Project: Audiences worldwide are already collaborating with David Lynch in an on-stage and online art installation, by submitting photos. In true Lynch style, the photos will be showcased on surreal displays throughout the night. Visit http://bit.ly/fjDY99 to find out more and submit your images.
• On-line Pre Show: Building anticipation of the night, viewers who tune in early to the live-stream will catch an exclusive segment directed by David Lynch.

The interactive "All Of Us Now" Photo Project has resulted in numerous submissions from fans all around the world. Fans still have the chance to participate in the interactive project by submitting their custom Duran Duran inspired photos at http://bit.ly/fjDY99

TUNE IN TO www.YouTube.com/DuranDuranVEVO ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 AT 10:00PM ET / 7:00PM PT

SOURCE American Express