TORONTO - Duran Duran touched down at the Air Canada Centre last night for a sold-out evening of music that provided a major '80s flashback if nothing else.

The British uber-pop band is touring again in support of 2004's Astronaut -- the first studio album featuring the original fab five members in two decades.

That meant that many of the 15,000 mostly female fans in attendance were on their feet, screaming and clapping loudly for singer Simon LeBon, 46, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, 42, bassist John Taylor, 44, guitarist Andy Taylor, 44, and drummer Roger Taylor, 44.

The fabulous-looking, video-friendly fivesome -- who always favoured fine tailoring, great hair and models as companions -- first regrouped two years ago, when they played a sold-out show at Kool Haus. That event seemed to pack more of a punch, in terms of anticipation, perhaps due to the intimate setting and the fact that it had been 18 years since the original quintet had hit the road.

LeBon, in particular, proved way more playful in the smaller space although he really came alive at the ACC in the last 15 minutes as he prowled the floor until he found a woman to introduce him as "the incredibly sexy Simon LeBon!"

Generally, though, last night's concert suffered in the energy department with the band looking stiff and often overwhelmed by their large, circular stage with two mini-catwalks on either side. (Roger Taylor missed Monday's appearance at MuchMoreMusic because he was sick.)

As they had done at Kool Haus, Duran Duran first appeared at the front of the stage just standing and staring at the crowd, with a pulsating beat as a sonic backdrop.

Their first song was (Reach Up For The) Sunrise, their poppy, likable No. 1 hit from Astronaut.

But it didn't take long for Duran Duran -- who have sold 70 million albums worldwide -- to reach way back into their catalogue for such quintessential '80s hits as Hungry Like The Wolf and Planet Earth.

Still, it wasn't until the sexy guitar ballad Come Undone that the band finally hit a bit of stride mainly due to the playing of Andy Taylor and soulful performance of the group's female backup singer. (The band are also touring with a sax player.)

Also good was the new song What Happens Tomorrow, the Bond theme A View To A Kill, Ordinary World -- again featuring Andy Taylor in top form -- Save A Prayer, which prompted a major singalong with lighters flickering, the funky Notorious, and the fun, flashy trio of Wild Boys, Girls On Film and Rio that recalled Duran Duran's '80s heyday.

Less successful were Hold Back The Rain, the title track from Astronaut, I Don't Want Your Love, the instrumental Tiger Tiger and the bizarro The Chauffeur, the latter featuring LeBon dressed as a driver complete with hat.

Better left off the set list too was their cover of the Grandmaster Flash classic White Lines (Don't Do It). Not even LeBon changing into a shirt emblazoned with "1978" -- the year Duran Duran formed -- could save that one.

SET LIST

* (Reach Up For The) Sunrise

* Hungry Like The Wolf

* Planet Earth

* Hold Back The Rain

* Astronaut

* I Don't Want Your Love

* Come Undone

* What Happens Tomorrow

* Chains

* Tiger Tiger

* The Chauffeur

* A View To A Kill

* Ordinary World

* Save A Prayer

* Bedroom Toys

* Notorious

* Nice

* The Reflex

* Careless Memories

* Wild Boys

ENCORE:

* White Lines (Don't Do It)

* Girls On Film