Throughout 2001 , 2002 and 2003 , the band worked on writing new material , initially renting a house in St. Tropez where sound engineer Mark Tinley built a recording studio for their first serious writing session . They then returned to London to do some self-financed work with various producers ( including old friend Nile Rodgers ) and search for a new record deal . It proved difficult to find a record label willing to gamble on the band 's comeback , so Duran Duran went on tour to prove the drawing power of the reunited band . The response of the fans and the media exceeded expectations . The band played a handful of 25th-anniversary dates across 2003 , starting with two arena dates in Tokyo filled to capacity . Tickets sold out for each show within minutes , and celebrities turned out '' en masse '' for reunion dates . Amongst these were a number of shows at smaller venues that the band had played on both sides of the pond when they first got together in the early 1980s . In August , the band were booked as presenters at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards , only to be surprised with a Lifetime Achievement Award . They also received a Lifetime Achievement award from '' Q '' magazine in October , and the equivalent Outstanding Contribution award at the BRIT Awards in February 2004
2003 MTV Video Music Awards
2003 MTV Video Music Awards
Duran Duran