Source: http://www.heraldsun.com....59d9b45a6c

PRINCE fans queued for hours to watch the musician not perform last night.

Prince’s end of tour party at the HiFi Bar was just that - a party.

Now reports are flying that abusive fans may have ruined any chance of Prince performing with his band.

The reclusive superstar DJ’d for around 10 minutes before retreating to an upstairs VIP section.

Fans had queued up since 8pm last night when word of an after-party spread on Twitter.

An email from the HiFi Bar sent at 9pm listed “performances by funk jazz band, DJs and who knows, maybe even Prince” for a $25 entry fee.

Prince arrived at the Swanston Walk venue around 3am, and was quickly rushed inside.

His band, the New Power Generation, had arrived around an hour earlier.

His tour DJ, Rashida, announced the party on Twitter but told fans who asked if it was a performance or a party “just a party, NPG style”.

A local funk band entertained fans until Prince finally arrived, when Rashida hit the decks.

Melbourne Prince fan Stephen Fredericks was one of hundreds who came straight from last night’s Rod Laver Arena show to the HiFi.

"There were instruments set up on stage so everyone was hoping he’d play,” Fredericks said.

"It was disappointing but at least we were in the club with Prince. That’s pretty cool.”

At 4am Prince started to walk downstairs from the VIP section towards the stage with members of his band, causing a rush of fans.

Reports today suggest either a fan got past security and ruffled the superstar’s hair, another says someone shouted, “The stage is that way you little c---" prompting Prince to abruptly turn around and retreat back upstairs.

Soon after, security told fans Prince had left the building.

“Wow, total hostility, no basic respect,” one fan wrote who said they witnessed the abuse from a fan. “In that instant the Australian tour was over.”

The party signalled the end of Prince’s incredibly successful Welcome 2 Australia tour, his first visit here since 2003.

That year Prince also DJ’d at the Prince of Wales.

Prince thrilled around 100 fans with a surprise after-show gig at Bennett’s Lane Jazz Club on Monday.

Last night’s Rod Laver Arena set was hailed by some fans as the best night of the tour.

Prince was on stage for around three hours, starting with some fan favourites before pounding through a string of hits.

He included his rarely-performed version of Crimson and Clover, as well as the relatively obscure 1982 album track Something In the Water (Does Not Compute).

What's more disgusting is that most of these 'fans' weren't even real fans. It's a shame that a few bad people had to ruin it for everyone. It's really sad knowing that there were a lot of hardcore fans who couldn't even get into the venue and then you have all these randoms in there who don't know anything about Prince.

I wasn't there but I still feel annoyed as there was a chance that Prince might have played were it not for some of these unfortunate circumstances. I'm repeating myself here, but it's so infuriating knowing that there were all these true fans lining up in the queue for hours and then there are people inside who haven't been following Prince regularly and don't know shit.

Just insane quite honestly. This is why I don't like hanging around in these kind of clubs late at night, always some weirdo or drunkard there to spoil things. Not my scene. In Holland it's certain genres of music that attracts these kind of people. I agree, people with a ticket to the concert should only be allowed in. Who knows if the person in question was a fan or not. Dan Karaty had a similar small accident in NL a few weeks ago by some raving mad hatter. And unfortunately, it was in the VIP too.

The place was filled with 50% Prince fans, and the other just people who didnt have to work the following day (if you catch my drift). So it doesnt suprise me if that happened.

And with social media now deciding who will attend these events, it will always be the case.

As posted on another thread, in 2003 we paid a large amount of dollars for the privlidge to see Prince up close, not only at the concert, but also at the soundcheck and the Aftershow. Now THATS the way it should done. But...............

Not sure if this is all true,

I was near the front and no sign of of him comming towards the stage, he was in the booth with Rashida before heading upstairs, and couldnt see his guitar or any other band members equipment unless he was going to use what was up there, he looked like he was having a great time interacting with everyone. There were some roudy people there but I think everyone was excited that he going to perform - No organisation!!!!and Hi Fi should have taken control as things were rough outside waiting in line.

Ticket holders should have had preference anyway, but it was all worth the wait and great to see him.

$100 entry may have kept the bogans away, but that's a tad too much if Prince wasn't going to play.

This evening's Channel 7 news showed a snippet of Prince exiting the building the getting in the car. He did not look happy

Hi guys just back in sydney from last nights event. Firstly gud to see the fellow orgs especially insania who hung out with me during the night and helped me find HiFi, thanks heaps. Also nelson,lost u during the night,anyway its gud to hear & know someone who too likes old skool . Its a shame i missed most of u, lets meet in 2022:-D

Now about the incident @ HiFi, I was in the area when the following happened..

In between Prince finishing the DJ area and as he started walking back upstairs, Something happened. It looked like prince "tripped" and he quickly turned around and literally jumped and pushed his bodyguard , it was an aggressive push to the chest, yes to his 10ft 500kg bodyguard .The bodyguard didnt know what hit him, his facial reaction was WTF. But u should see Princes' facial expression he was so furious, and he quickly headed back upstairs.

I and the ppl around that witnessed this was just shocked and we didnt know what happened. From this point on we ALL knew he wouldnt play, even for one song..

After prince went upstairs, the secuirty guards came back down and started to retrace his path.

They were looking for something and also removing any items on the floor. We thought that Prince may have stepped on something to cause him to trip and that they were now clearing the path for his return... well that didnt happen

Half and hour later he leaves the building..After he leaves the building a crew mentions that "someone stole princes' cape". I dont know if thats true or not. He was wearing the cape on the way to the DJ area. He must of taken it off in the DJ area. Since I didnt see him wearing the cape when he was going back upstairs.

Even though i flew down to see his last performance, I am not disappointed at all that Prince didnt play an aftershow. I did manage to say Thank you to him as he passed me on his way to the DJ area . I am more disappointed with the crowd..it was just wrong..and like someone said i wouldn't play to that kind of crowd too. Its sad that his final night in OZ had to end like this.

[Edited 5/31/12 5:08am]

It makes my blood boil to read this and hear that these douchebags got in and most likely ruined the night of the hardcore Prince fans by being disrespectful.

I agree with the whole, if you didn't go to the concert you have no business being at the aftershow/afterparty/party whatever you want to call it. The fans who went to the show ended up at the back of the line while the casuals/happened to be in the area/have no job to attend to tomorrow were lining up at the front of the line.

To be honest for $20 I would've been happy to have DJ Rashida spin and Prince doing the odd call & response. I just hope he tours again soon with more controls in place with how the afterparty events get handled. I guess Prince finally got a taste of Australian bogan culture first hand.

these days, i never, ever go to bars where alcohol is being served, even when the nusic is rocking. i hate being around drunk, stupid morons who have no clue. they often become violent anyway.

back in the day though, i used to LOVE the dance parties at paisley park, they never served alcohol and the people who showed up drunk sobered quickly enough waiting in line for the doors to open, they didn't cause trouble. it was a good, safe place to dance.... poor prince. must be really hard to be larger than life

i've met some ugly "hardcore" prince fans along the way.

step on anyone and everyone to get their way.

doesnt surprise me, Prince probably met the same people.

what an eye opener this tour has been for me...

god this makes my blood boil!!!! lucky i wasn't there. probably would've got arrested for stomping one someones face. these people have no clue and no respect.

totally agree that ticket-holders should get preference. plus the timing of the announcement doesn't help. all in all what a damn shame to end such a great tour on that note.

From the article:

"Reports today suggest either a fan got past security and ruffled the superstar’s hair, another says someone shouted, “The stage is that way you little c---" prompting Prince to abruptly turn around and retreat back upstairs."

Wow. It always seems to take just one, nutty or disrespectful fan to ruin it for others.

[Edited 5/31/12 5:57am]

intheplace2b said:

It makes my blood boil to read this and hear that these douchebags got in and most likely ruined the night of the hardcore Prince fans by being disrespectful.

I agree with the whole, if you didn't go to the concert you have no business being at the aftershow/afterparty/party whatever you want to call it. The fans who went to the show ended up at the back of the line while the casuals/happened to be in the area/have no job to attend to tomorrow were lining up at the front of the line.

To be honest for $20 I would've been happy to have DJ Rashida spin and Prince doing the odd call & response. I just hope he tours again soon with more controls in place with how the afterparty events get handled. I guess Prince finally got a taste of Australian bogan culture first hand.

They should have only allowed people who went to the concerts to have access to the afterparty/afterjam, by showing their concert tix from the same night, at the door, before those who didn't attend the concerts. If that would have helped any or maybe the club should have just made it a private party with limited guests. Not to mention the low $25 charge is probably what sent the masses of fans running to the club. Had the price been much higher, (like $200), maybe there probably would have been a better chance of crowd control, smaller crowd, probably less hectic as well.

[Edited 5/31/12 6:42am]

I am shocked, appalled and embarassed. I am so sorry Prince but yes you have met a drunken bogan asshole...

I have to say, this was the beauty of the NPGMC.... I remember going to an aftershow in 2002 and NPGMC members were given wristbands and we went to the front of the line for the aftershow... If there is room in the back for drop ins then fine... but really, something needs to happen to avoid this...

It is also the power of viral social media... It went like wildfire and not just from Rashita... Chugg, you name it, my FB wall and Twitter feed was blowing up on this thing shortly after Rashita's tweet..

Anyway, Prince I promise the fans are not like that!! (or most decent Australians). We would never touch you or disrespect you or call you names. You gave so so much this tour. The real fans APPRECIATE DEEPLY what you have given us. Thank you.

[Edited 5/31/12 6:32am]

Can't believe the behaviour of some people towards others, famous or not. Plain disrespectful. I don't understand it to be honest, makes me glad I didn't go having to put up with that shit.

[Edited 5/31/12 7:54am]

see my other post

this sounds like an honest true account of what went on, something must have happened to make him suddenly get furious. besides that place was jam packed, how or why he did it baffles me. its hard for me to imagine that in those circumstances "someone ruffled his hair" and prince didn't play or got mad because of that. i am pretty sure he wasn't gonna start playing at 4am in the morning, that is when his aftershows usually wrap up. maybe i am in complete utter denial, but hey. the venue should not have let drunks in or served alcohol. social media is not the way to do it either. next time rashida should just post on the org, are they too proud or why not? there is no official fan site.

[Edited 6/1/12 3:11am]

This is why he has bodyguards. I am always surprised at how he brings so many people onstage and how nothing usually happens.

"what disgusts me is that these fans werent even REAL fans"

so what??

this attitude bugs the shit out of me. i wouldnt be annoyed cos i know Prince's attitude to aftershows he may/he may not play but if i was a joe public and read the flyer and had waited in line yes id be pissed off.

get off your soapbox's

(or gett off your boxes..hahah a pun.oh it must be a witty day"

and you know what?

after hearing him chat and attending a few soundchecks i firmly believe Prince prefers playing to the Casual...

these "fams" are sometimes downright scary.

Prince got his hair ruffled......so what?? jeez Prince man..i love ya but harden up

What is a bogan?

jonylawson said:

babynoz said:

jonylawson said:

and you know what?

after hearing him chat and attending a few soundchecks i firmly believe Prince prefers playing to the Casual...

these "fams" are sometimes downright scary.

Prince got his hair ruffled......so what?? jeez Prince man..i love ya but harden up

I don't blame him. One incident would most likely lead to another and this behaviour is really upsetting to see when he could have possibly played had this not occured. His bodyguards should have done a better job at protecting him. Especially since the reports were that it was very crowded and unfamiliar.

GoldenParachute said:

jonylawson said:

and you know what?

after hearing him chat and attending a few soundchecks i firmly believe Prince prefers playing to the Casual...

these "fams" are sometimes downright scary.

Prince got his hair ruffled......so what?? jeez Prince man..i love ya but harden up

I don't blame him. One incident would most likely lead to another and this behaviour is really upsetting to see when he could have possibly played had this not occured. His bodyguards should have done a better job at protecting him. Especially since the reports were that it was very crowded and unfamiliar.

I hear you, and it could have prompted other overzealous fans to do the same, and with their excitement, could have caused a real problem.

That reminds me of the fan who just walked up on stage, uninvited, while Prince was singing at the 3121 club in Vegas on opening weekend, and wrapped her arms around him tightly. It got a little scary for a minute, because he was trying to be nice to her, when he tried to remove her grasp, but the nutcase wouldn't let go, and just held on. People in the audience was kind of in awe, because it took so long for his security guard to come up on stage, and peel her off of him. The security guy finally lifted her crazy ass off of him, and carried her off the stage. Not sure if they kicked her out of the club after that.

I mean...remember this other incident? Totally overzealous.

:

[Edited 5/31/12 17:11pm]

intheplace2b said:

It makes my blood boil to read this and hear that these douchebags got in and most likely ruined the night of the hardcore Prince fans by being disrespectful.

I agree with the whole, if you didn't go to the concert you have no business being at the aftershow/afterparty/party whatever you want to call it. The fans who went to the show ended up at the back of the line while the casuals/happened to be in the area/have no job to attend to tomorrow were lining up at the front of the line.

To be honest for $20 I would've been happy to have DJ Rashida spin and Prince doing the odd call & response. I just hope he tours again soon with more controls in place with how the afterparty events get handled. I guess Prince finally got a taste of Australian bogan culture first hand.

This gets repeated ad nauseum. Most of us here would be considered more than just casual fans. Yes? Well, not all of us here can afford to go to every one of the concerts. We would all love to.

Dont forget that 95% of the crowd at the main concerts are bogan casuals anyway.

jonylawson said:

and you know what?

after hearing him chat and attending a few soundchecks i firmly believe Prince prefers playing to the Casual...

these "fams" are sometimes downright scary.

Prince got his hair ruffled......so what?? jeez Prince man..i love ya but harden up

After 30 years of this i would have thought he would be used to this sort of thing.

Maybe he might have enjoyed the Ivy aftershow more than he did at first.

Apart from the 50 or so of us freaks up at the front of the stage...the rest would have been like:

"Oh is that you, Prince. You're here? OK, be with you in a sec....." and would prob go back to their lines and vodkas in their lounge area. No ruffled do. No lost cape.

**EDIT***

Was he wearing a cape? Really?

In all of Prince's wardrobe and outfits over the last 30 years...i think a cape is the only time i have bursted out laughing. Even a LOL doesnt describe how loud i laughed.

[Edited 5/31/12 18:09pm]

jonylawson said:

and you know what?

after hearing him chat and attending a few soundchecks i firmly believe Prince prefers playing to the Casual...

these "fams" are sometimes downright scary.

Prince got his hair ruffled......so what?? jeez Prince man..i love ya but harden up

oh hell no. that's assault. who knows what crazy motherfucker gonna do once she/he makes contact? point is, anyone crazed enough to approach him like that is exactly the type of person who should never be allowed to. that's just plain worthy of some straight up medication

XxAxX said:

jonylawson said:

and you know what?

after hearing him chat and attending a few soundchecks i firmly believe Prince prefers playing to the Casual...

these "fams" are sometimes downright scary.

Prince got his hair ruffled......so what?? jeez Prince man..i love ya but harden up

oh hell no. that's assault. who knows what crazy motherfucker gonna do once she/he makes contact? point is, anyone crazed enough to approach him like that is exactly the type of person who should never be allowed to. that's just plain worthy of some straight up medication

assault??

ASSAULT

im going to take a wild wild wild stab in the dark and guess your.....american?

So mr nelson you claim you were assaulted..could you explain to the jury the details of this horrendous assault?

i had my hair ruffled

WHATTT?? 20 years hard labour