Duran Duran will perform the first concert at the new Sears Centre in the Hoffman Estates suburb of Chicago tonight.

The band released the following statement on its Web site:

“We know that there has been a tremendous amount of speculation over the past few weeks regarding Andy Taylor’s continued involvement with the band and we are sorry that we’ve been unable to provide you with more information until now. ….

“As of last weekend… the four of us have dissolved our partnership and will be continuing as Duran Duran without Andy, as we have reached a point in our relationship with him where there is an unworkable gulf between us and we can no longer effectively function together.”

The bands tour runs through November 11 and is expected to go into the studio soon.