O2 - 21 Nights: Stories & Memories

To all those who were lucky enough to get to the O2 last summer:-

I’ve been thinking about collecting together all the amusing tales and stories from the last summer Prince extravaganza. I’ve got quite a few already that I can remember from the tour, so if anyone has any feel free to post them on!

Pre-Tour: The rumour that Prince is actually staying at the O2 complex, living inside his own personal tent. The usual song related shenanigans appear on the forum, “Anotherloveholeinmytent” and “Irresistible Pitch” being particular favourites.

Aug 4th: These upper tier O2 seats sure are steep. Watching the fans walk into the arena makes for great watching, particularly the ladies who chose to wear the shortest skirts in their wardrobes. With only a copy Planet Earth to cover their muffular region, we gaze on chuckling as they make the long climb to their seats.

Aug 4th: After many years of following Prince this is my first Prince gig. I’m totally stunned by the whole show, and by the time the opening chords of Purple Rain ring out I’m totally choked up. The moment was somewhat marred however by my better half’s bemusement at our sudden out burst of wailing. See, as a non-Prince fan she had never heard the traditional, high pitched “Woo hoo ho ho hoo” that accompanies the intro to Rain. I had to take a break from my shite-Prince-impression to explain the long tradition behind this strange sing-along, and for the first time ever I realised how 17,000 other Prince-ites must sound to those uninitiated in all things Prince.

Aug 18th: Another great show, but no one in the block that surrounds me can work out why a guy has come to the show dressed in a full-body banana suit. If it was a purple one, fair enough. I can’t imagine what the woman sat next to him must have thought, or what her opening line to him must have been.

Sept 21st: What an atmosphere, what a night. Has there ever been a better night of Prince since the man first started out all those years ago? Made so much better by all the wonderful Orgers I met. One Scottish guy in particular had a tale to tell. He flew down from Glasgow just for the last show, but made the key error of putting his ticket in his luggage; you can see where this is going. Said bag did not make it down to London with him. With hours to spare the only option was to head to the O2 to try and get another ticket. As expected, a spare ticket for the show was like gold-dust. It was 7:55pm before fellow Orger and O2 expert Glen managed to get him a replacement ticket. And where was he seated? One row from the front of the stage; lucky, lucky sod!

Sept 21st: Oh, the number of Orgers that jokingly asked if I had any spare aftershow tickets. I wish I had, as I’d have loved to have made their day by producing a bundle of extra tickets. As we all parted company to head in to the Indigo for the after party, I wished them all luck with their quest. Meeting some of them inside mid-show and finding out that they had managed to get hold of a ticket was a joy in itself.

Sept 21st: To the crazy sod who smuggled in a packet of purple balloons, fair play to you. Standing behind him before the curtains went back, we roped in as many willing participants around us to blow up as many of them as we could. Cue purple balloon mayhem as we batted them around our side of the Indigo while the DJ dropped classic Prince cut after classic Prince cut.
[Edited 4/4/08 9:35am]

Many of us wish we could have attended...however, we were online, everynight while Prince was overseas...and being thankful that the friends in London, would come online and tell us how great the show was. It was being there in spirit.

I only went to the Aug 14th show, but when I emerged from the Underground station and we started that walk towards the dome, I just suddenly got really choked up - after all, it'd been 12 years since I'd seen him last.

And as we entered the actual arena, there was Beverley Knight screeching away only a few yards from us and as I scanned the stage and realised that even at the other end of it, Prince would be the closest I'd ever seen him before.

The smile on my face during the ass-kiss intro video as the anticipation became almost unbearable.

And the moment I realised that yes, Prince really was going to perform the whole of 1999... I think I spoilt most of it, jabbering away to my other half about how special his performance of this song was at that moment.

And towards the end, joining Prince as he urged us to 'jump up and down'. I knocked my beer bottle over my tourbook and free CDs. But everytime I look at the tourbook, the memory brings a smile to my face.

Oh, and every time I listen to Planet Earth now, it reminds me of that evening, even though he hardly played anything from it.

My story:

17th Aug -

Left for train station around 12, got to london from eatebourne about 2 hours later.

I had planned to sit next to my mum so we could both listen to my ipod which was packed with loads of prince, but no.

THERE WERE NO DOUBLE SEATS!!! so i had to sit next to an old woman who smelt of urine and lavender, and she sat next to a sleeping man (he looked dead in my opinion...)

We arrived at london victoria station, headed to north greenich station, then to the travelodge (which was packed with prince fans (my mum was forced to give some woman (who was drunk) a high five)).

arrived at the o2 at about 5ish, then we made the long walk inside to the actual arena. so my mum (who is 47) decides she wants wine (???? what !! why!???) and she doesent stop at 1 bottle put it that way. so whilst she was getting drunk i went for some chips (or "fries" as there called in america) got stuck behind someone whith a very loud, annoying voice on the phone to someone called "Pen" (20 minuites of "NO... PEN???... No, if you just nip upstairs... PEN!!! are you still there!! pen?? Pen, darling...)

anyway, we entered the arena, at for ages, watched Mya (boring), then lights go out.

We hear the words "DONT WORRY..."!!!!! 1999!!!!! And up he comes, followed by the twins, shelby and marva!!!!! the band were all there, maceo, renato, cora and josh,. greg, lee and mike! and my fav, mr hayes!!!!!

looking back, i didnt pick the best show to go on. the 17th didnt have any memorbale moments, no special songs or anything.

but it was my 1st time!

Sept 21; by this time I had been to the o2 and indigo 10 times seeing prince, mainly by myself, but for my birthday bananacolnge brought me tickets for main show and after party. It was the first time I've seen him in ages and was getting nervous, while I'm waiting for him my prince freak of a sister texts me "I'm coming up from the under ground to meet u" I thought 'where'd she get a ticket from'
anyways out she appears with our matching 3121 t-shirt screaming "find me a ticket tonite andy, I gotta have one" then I see paddy, so I walk over to him and talk while the first thing my sister says was (bare in mind she had never meet him before) "give us a fag and a lighter" man I was so embarrassed LOL
after that we were snopping around asking people if they had a spare ticket for my sister, no luck, and at that point we had to go to the secret purple glow stick meeting place (hehe so glad prince cottoned on)
we're all at the pub drinking a beer and meeting everyone, my sister is getting pissed outta her tree, im just looking st her thinking "I'm not missing prince to look after u" anyways in a drunk state she asks me to speak to peeps if they have a spare ticket, and no one had 1.....untill we were just about to leave this random guy came up to me and offered me his for £70 which I took faster than the rains fall in Africa! She started to cry bless her, but I guess it was her drunk mind takin over!
anyways the party in the main show was awesome, just dancing non stop!! But the aftershow I will never forget!!! This memory of paddy fighting off this really drunk Chick who was bumping into me like something crazy! So funny to watch tho!!
the after show was the most amazing collection of live music i've ever seen, and every thing from that point gets compared!
anyways it got to around 6:30 when the show finish and I ran out side other wise I'd miss my boat! So I ran out side without sayyin buy
got outside and missed the last boat , so I was walking around, getting stressed when I see these girls crowding around this small fence, I walk over to the coner and my eyes just lock onto princes as he passes me! I was so close I froze, I had to pinch myself!!
After that since I relised I had no money to get home, and outta no where this guy who I used to talk to a wee bit on the org offers me money to get him, such a kind heart!!
anyway best nite of my life, thanks to those people x

sorry writing on my iPod touch, so thais why its one big block sorry LOL

The press over there tried SO hard to make Prince seem like another wacko jacko before and during his stay there, but it turned out to be one of the best things to happen to London, didn't it?!

Hey,

I posted this at the time and I think its relevent (to me) now. So here goes:

Dear all,

Some thoughts:

I’m the Asian guy with the big loop earring in my left ear. Some people told me I look like Jesus, others said I look like Prince from the ‘I wanna be your lover; video…Remember me?

Anyway,

I did 13 main shows and 14 after shows in total so I’m sure I must have bumped into a fair few of you…

Thank you Prince for a wonderful Summer. I will never forget: (in no particular order)

Leaving work and driving to the 02 before each show listening to Planet Earth on the way.

Waiting for friends at Greenwhich Tube station and seeing all the fans poor out, looking at the Prince posters on the walls

Waiting for Khabir and nearly killing him when he almost made me miss the start of the show on the opening night. Introducing Amara to Bobby Friction.

Being approached by Amber, the photographer who wanted to take my picture for an exhibition she is working on.

Going to each show with 1, 2 or 3 friends that I’ve been talking to Prince about for years. More so, seeing them blown away.

Singing the ‘Aaaaaright’ from ‘Forever in my Life’ till my head nearly exploded with joy as Prince walked around the stage. (on the 14th I think)

Prince saying ‘give my brother some room’ and the spot lights, as some big old(er) guy busted dance moves centre stage on the 9th.

Listening to Joy in Repetition (on the 3rd I think) and feeling Princes guitar playing in my bones.

Looking at Princes face from the floor as he started to sing ‘Something in the Water’ at his piano

The best aftershow ever (I think) when Prince sang ‘Around the world in a day,’ and I jumped around with Joy. Paisley Park, Party Up, Whole Lotta Love…

Listening to Prince sing the first verse/chorus of ‘Love is a Loosing Game’

Seeing the curtains go back to find Amy and Prince standing together (the 21st)

Shhhh (every damn time it killed me)

The after show when Prince did Planet Earth, Guitar, Somewhere here on Earth and the 1 u Wanna C and also the debut of Chelsea Rodgers.

All the Critics love you in London

Money don’t matter tonight at his piano, and singing along to this as a tear rolled down my cheek.

Holding Amara as Prince sang ‘All good things they say-never last’

Holding Tim as Prince played guitar on ‘Love is a Loosing game’ and Shelby sang (the first time I saw this.)

A love Bizaar with the lights on, the Elton John thing (even though I don’t like him) jumping with Sulaima, Zavit and Moppy (all on the 13th) Meeting Skin

Dr John (just because I was so pissed off)

The night of the 4th/08 dancing with Imran, Mutty and Khabir to ‘Poison’ and other 90s swing classics spun by the DJ and then seeing Nika Costa tear it up. After the main show Imran said’ I like that song Purple Rain. That’s the first time I’ve heard it’

Tim and Riad always getting drunk on JD and Coke at the Afttershows. Riad pointing at Shelby and saying ‘that’s not Prince!’ Tim going for cig breaks and winding me up because he missed Empty Room!

Waqar and Nisa being scared of drunk Tim and especially drunk Riad.

Seeing Fatima and Sandy whilst waiting for Mutty on the wall.

Parking in the cheap car park and running across.

Eating Margherita and tuna fish salad in Frankie and Bennys after each show. Staff: ‘You again!’

The 17th aftershow (going to Riads place after and watching Prince Videos till the dawn whilst eating tuna fish on the roof)

The Morning Papers at his piano-sitting with Kandy (6th/ 09 I think)

Vula singing ‘Loving you is easy cos your beautiful’ (on the 12th/09)

Getting last minute after show tickets for the 18th and arriving just as a couple left ‘This is shit-he’s not even there’. Tim and I took our seats to see Prince with the feathered red hat play beautiful soulful music…he debut of ’toilet seat’

Reading about Prince in the Metro etc on the tube

Driving back to Kingston with Tim and putting another PE CD on the table. My loop earing placed on top.

The glow sticks

Love

Every damn night someone saying are you trying to look like Prince/Jesus?

Getting back to Chingford, eating toaste before dawn to start a new days fasting.

I will never forget, InshaAllah.

Most of this won’t mean a thing to most of you, but I just had to get this out.

Prince, I thank you.

[Moving to concerts forum - June7]

i posted this at the time

first night vip cruise fab but the best bit was when half the stadium had emptied out and prince just suddenly ran thru the crowd and into the door under the stage and cam out with his acoustic guitar and played a set

we all ran like kids over the seats thru the beer on the flower clambering all over those nice brand new pale blue seats and stood on the chairs with the security guys goin nuts tryin to pull us off and tellin us off

It was the best gig id been to for ever until the last nigt gig of course!!!lol

thats was sensational had vips again so close to the stage we all danced in ailses with security tellin us off again but that time id gotten my tix thru that email they sent out to old npgmc members and they only cost me 31.21

then went to the thai place for a meal and wait for the queue to indigo2 to cool down and then had the best night ever with prince.

i cant wait for croke park to share that experience with my kids


actually i agree with ur sentiment about the great orgers


it was fun being here in the org and the wind up by planetearth etc and to meet people at the 02 was fab so cool to make instant friends if only for that one night.

also the glo stick project i thought that was such a cool idea and it was soooo funny to be given them as we went in!!!!
[Edited 4/5/08 8:38am]

thanx guys, love to read this. Looking foreward to june

I was at the 14th of august show and aftershow. It was quite a journey to arrive there, I acted like a fool but I had a great experience. I just wish to see Prince perform in Paris again !

virginie74 said:

Well, I screamed a lot. Mostly. I even bursted in tears during the aftershow

That's not crazy. Ok, I won't scream, I'll just jump up and down most of the time...

Oh, that one too.

after being there 18 nights out of the 21 my only regret is not doing all 21 nights there...work commitment just got n the way.
still i have fond memories n i will always remeber the funky summer of 2007.
i dont think it will b repeated but who knows....we can only hope n prey that prince will do another series of concerts.
when the point n dublin is back up n running its highly likely prince will come there 4 a few gigs as he loves the place.

here is 2 the croke park concert n i hope 2 meet all my wolfymaniacs there...will b n the hogan stand block 534 eatin hotdogs n drinkin guinness under a funky irish summer night sky....

3121 ireland...U can come if U want 2 but U can never leave!!!
slainte,
WOLFY
[Edited 4/5/08 10:34am]

if there will be a european tour, i'll try to go to each and every one of em. Funky, Prince summer AND see some interesting cities. Are u with me eireboy?

Ah, sweet memories!

PopeLeo said:

Ah, sweet memories!

dr john was ok but i think they could have let us know the truth that prince was not playing b4 we bought r tix that nite....at least i could have got the tube N2 central london after the main show instead of wasting my time n havin 2 get the boat back at 3am.
it was one of the negatives of the 02 but i can look back on it now n laugh cause i had a free nite there compliments of AEG when i got a refund n a comp ticket for a different nite.
we all managed 2 get r VIP refunds as well which was a long time comming but justified n the end....whoo hoo...what a great xmas i had with the Xtra cash.
lol
WOLFY

PopeLeo said:

Ah, sweet memories!

irishwolfhound said:

PopeLeo said:

Ah, sweet memories!

dr john was ok but i think they could have let us know the truth that prince was not playing b4 we bought r tix that nite....at least i could have got the tube N2 central london after the main show instead of wasting my time n havin 2 get the boat back at 3am.
it was one of the negatives of the 02 but i can look back on it now n laugh cause i had a free nite there compliments of AEG when i got a refund n a comp ticket for a different nite.
we all managed 2 get r VIP refunds as well which was a long time comming but justified n the end....whoo hoo...what a great xmas i had with the Xtra cash.
lol
WOLFY

onecrush said:

irishwolfhound said:

dr john was ok but i think they could have let us know the truth that prince was not playing b4 we bought r tix that nite....at least i could have got the tube N2 central london after the main show instead of wasting my time n havin 2 get the boat back at 3am.
it was one of the negatives of the 02 but i can look back on it now n laugh cause i had a free nite there compliments of AEG when i got a refund n a comp ticket for a different nite.
we all managed 2 get r VIP refunds as well which was a long time comming but justified n the end....whoo hoo...what a great xmas i had with the Xtra cash.
lol
WOLFY

are you ever gonna shut up about the refunds?

NO
will continue as long as i know im cheesin ya off...lol
WOLFY

i love this thread already,those shows seem so long ago okay so i went to 10 mainshows and 14 aftershows it left me kinda broke but it was well worth it

01/08 - walking in to the arena and seeing the symbol stage

03/08 - randomly checking ticketmaster and getting a ticket right next to the stage for 31.21 (that the main reason i ended up at so many shows evil ticketmaster )
- Dr John (doesnt need any more explaining )

07/08 - Prince on the drums at the aftershow

28/08 - New Power Trio Night - had to be one of the best aftershows

06/09 - Amazing Aftershow i swear at one point it seemed like Prince was gonna sing the whole of the new album in order and then Shelby J coming out and starting Chelsea Rodgers it was the icing on top of the cake i swear the place went crazy

21/09 - My crazy journey back from Switzerland (which involved traveling in a taxi, bus, train, car and aeroplane) to go to the aftershow and turning the radio on in the car as i went to the Indigo and hearing the begining of the Mainshow on the Radio where the presenters had the microphone up against the TV getting there to find my lil sister had been queing for me so i got a good spot
- the curtains opening and Amy Winehouse singing

i will add some more when i get a chance

b3xy said:

06/09 - Amazing Aftershow i swear at one point it seemed like Prince was gonna sing the whole of the new album in order and then Shelby J coming out and starting Chelsea Rodgers it was the icing on top of the cake i swear the place went crazy

honer said:

b3xy said:

06/09 - Amazing Aftershow i swear at one point it seemed like Prince was gonna sing the whole of the new album in order and then Shelby J coming out and starting Chelsea Rodgers it was the icing on top of the cake i swear the place went crazy

I was there for that, right at the front row in the middle, i got his plectrum he nailed the solo with at the end of anotherloverholeinyohead. Its framed in my bedroom with my tickets

I listened to a recording of the Aug 25th O2 gig the other day, i have no idea how my friend got it, in fact id rather not know , but it brought back some good memories!

b3xy said:

honer said:

I was there for that, right at the front row in the middle, i got his plectrum he nailed the solo with at the end of anotherloverholeinyohead. Its framed in my bedroom with my tickets

I listened to a recording of the Aug 25th O2 gig the other day, i have no idea how my friend got it, in fact id rather not know , but it brought back some good memories!

i wish he would release a night on CD or even as an online download

i managed to get a few plectrums from the various shows but my favourite one (though you cant tell the difference between them lol) is the one he used for the Aftershow on the 28/08 he played the whole show with it except the encore

.
[Edited 4/5/08 14:13pm]

Just remembered 20th sept

his version of Whole Lotta Love.....world class!
[Edited 4/5/08 14:33pm]

Would love to see some. Doubt that he'll put it on his 'new' website. Doubt there'll be a new website anytime soon...

onecrush said:

irishwolfhound said:

dr john was ok but i think they could have let us know the truth that prince was not playing b4 we bought r tix that nite....at least i could have got the tube N2 central london after the main show instead of wasting my time n havin 2 get the boat back at 3am.
it was one of the negatives of the 02 but i can look back on it now n laugh cause i had a free nite there compliments of AEG when i got a refund n a comp ticket for a different nite.
we all managed 2 get r VIP refunds as well which was a long time comming but justified n the end....whoo hoo...what a great xmas i had with the Xtra cash.
lol
WOLFY

BOOOOORIIIIINNNNNGGGGG
are you ever gonna shut up about the refunds?