Coming back from the concert, I'm thinking there must be some seriously pissed off people that had tickets in floor blocks behind the drummer and keyboards, and even the lower tiers 113-118. Prince's mic is fixed facing forward. His choreographed sequences with the twinz are also facing forward. He naturally walks along the arrow at which times people in the back blocks really just see a small head in the distance. Prince also has to keep remembering to work the stage in an unnatural fashion. So when soloing rather than standing and doing his thing he turns round and goes somewhere else. I feel this interrupts his natural flow.

Also, the symbol stage is sooo high close up floor blocks really struggle to see things on the the stage. I was row C floor E1 and I could not make out what the twinz were doing when on the floor. Not being able to see the moves and interplay with Prince was frustrating. Also II could not see all band members. I could barelly see Renato at all and only the back of the bass and keyboard player. However Maceo seemed to spend most of his time in front of my block (and probably invisible to others)

What did others think?

I was in block F3 behind the drummer - but was to the side a bit so I had a great view and P came round enough times to work the crowd - absolutely no complaints from me as I only paid NPGMC member price of 31.21 and just in front of me were some VIP package mugs - I must say I feel more sorry for those guys, perhaps the VIP lounge is VERY special - who knows?

headboy said:

ok, glad you had a good view there. I'll be in F1 sept 6th via fanclub.

Are the seats in E2 a good view? Does Prince face in the direction of E2 or in the direction of D1? Thank you in advance.

i was in row z of the 1st tier , it was a shame coz again we had his back for alot of the time but we were far enough up to be able to see the show as a whole ... i love that venue ...he worked the stage but i would prefer it at one end if i could choose , but id still go anywhere and sit anywhere to see him

on the musicology tour you were up shit creek if you were seated on the floor behind the drummer or anywhere near the bass speakers. The show sounded horrible and you ended up staring at speakers sometimes.

I think first tier side seats are better in the round, even front row 2nd tier is cool.

ufoclub said:

I dont know ...for musicology, I had 7th row, 4th row and 1st row.....and they were all AWESOME!!!!!

I sat in the lower level for one show and it was great to see the whole show but the vibe was not as exciting as the floor.

Although this set up is different, but I would still prefer good floor seats anyday.

I am so jealous and know how you guys must have felt when Musicology was going on. PLEASE BRING THIS TOUR TO CALIFORNIA!!!!

I'm thinking the same thing. I was in block 103 today but will be block 115 Saturday. It'll be interesting for me to see more of the band (I have 111 for Friday), but anybody experiencing that part of the arena only will feel disappointed.

here is a tip if you happen to get great floor seats but quickly realize that the sound is shitty

run up to where the sound is good and tell people you would rather sit in their seats

when they hear you have floor seats they will probably love it and take them

i did that a few times for the Musicology tour

obviously they have not worked out the sound issues.....or they don't care

but isn't it odd that fan club seats sometimes end up being the worst sound?

i miss the ONA days

Xpertlover said:

I`m in block 103 on saturday, how were those seats? Were the view and sound good?

headboy said:

What seat number were you - What numbers are towards the side where you will see more? I'm seat 40 something. Although if he comes round I will see him anyway so not too bothered, more curious.

I was in block A1 (bought them when they were released for 31.21 yesterday afternoon as an upgrade from Upper Tier tickets) - to the back and right of the drums, behind Renato's keys. They brilliant seats, amazingly close - but, yeah, we were watching Prince's back for most of the evening. I assume there are screens, but we were underneath them, so couldn't see what was on them. I hope he does remember to work the stage a bit more - I was really suprised by how forward facing most of the show was - I remember Lovesexy (say) being much more naturally choreographed for the round.

WILSO said:

How was the sound where you were? All I could hear were the drums coming straight from the drums not via speakers and the bass monitor. It drowned everything out including guitar solos, and some vocals too. I guess you had drums and keyboard monitor?

Sound wasn't great - mostly bassy and muffled, with no real midrange - so couldn't always catch what Prince was saying (eg, I only realised he'd made the Madonna joke when I read about it today). Not sure we could hear the drums directly, but now you mention it, yes, I think we might have heard the keyboard monitor - as the keys were the clearest instrument. Loved the seats for the proximity, but I think the sound will be a lot better in the tiers. It felt a bit like watching a stadium act from the wings (I imagine).

headboy said:

I bought club tix in F3 and got Row C seats 49-52. I have a feeling these are at the end in the corner, so I'm hoping we will have a view of prince and won't be obscured by the band, but wanted to check what seat numbers you had and whether you know if seats 49-52 will be where I think they are (i.e. at the far right of F3 as you look towards the stage)??

Here's my guess, but I bet I am miles out (i.e. there are 100 seats in the row LOL)



Hope you can help
Thanks
[Edited 8/2/07 3:32am]
[Edited 8/4/07 12:56pm]

I thought the playing-in-the-round thing really worked, but that's easy for me to say (cos I was sitting opposite the straight part of the Symbol's crossbar, just above Prince's head height).

I certainly think more people got a decent view than would be the case at the traditional arena gig, in Levels 1 and 2 at least. Up in the top tiers you might as well be watching on television, I guess.

I understand the complaint about the stage being too high for people down on the floor, but they get other benefits, eg possibly being allowed up onstage to dance, and being close enough to count Prince's nostril hairs.

I was in E1 too, and the sound was terrible. But it was great to be that close and should set things up nicely for the other dates I'm going. I think more people get close in the round. All the lower tier and floor seats were good seats. If the stage had been at one end, then there would have been a lot more people a long way from the stage.

But you're right that he could make more of an effort to use the whole stage. He did go round to see everyone, but the performance was basically front facing.

headboy said:

I will be in F3 on the 11th of August
I hope Midas' seating schedule is correct, I'll be 3 rows behind him

I remember being a *million* rows back in Earls Court in the Diamonds and Pearls tour..and the sound was horrible too.
I hope its better this Tuesday.

Is sound quality inevitably BAD in large stadia...or particularly 'in the round'? I thought the O2 had been designed with acoustics in mind? Perhaps Prince should get a person to stand/sit in all areas of the place for a proper soundcheck!

I do remeber Sheila E once saying that Prince wasn't a stickler for 'micing' equipment and 'getting the sound 'just so', but instead whether it comes from the heart.

I'm kind of glad I'm up 'in the gods' in the upper tiers this week.
[Edited 8/4/07 8:51am]

I was in F1 fan-club seats on Wednesday and it was further forward than the picture suggests, more a continutation of the E block and with the exit/entrance for the band behind us.

I'm about the same height as Prince and without heels, it was OK. In a party of 4, with 3 seeing Prince for the first time - we were all really happy with the seats.

Petsie said:

So do I!!

Knowing my luck I've been given duff info, but I think we should be cool in those seats. Seeya there Petsie.

cant really understand the map (im a girl) was in level 1 row P, at the back of the drums, and had an amazing view better than the floor I would think, sound was great and Prince really worked the stage, we could see the screens but didnt feel the need as we could see what was happening even when he was at the other end.

artistalsoknownasmum said:

Ok looked at map again and E3 block

As an American, I obviously haven't seen this show yet to have a thoughtful comment. However, ify ou look back at tapes of both Lovesexy and Musicology, you'll notice he also tended toward facing one side. On Lovesexy, he favored the side away from the the drums (with the basketball goal and swing on the right if you are facing the stage--those items were to Prince's left). On the Musicology tour, he faced mainly toward Renato with the drums to his right, the bass to his left, and Chance and the horn players behind him.

THE WHOLE SHOW WAS A BAG OF SHITE ON THE 1ST AUG