Hey guys, I just wanted to share my experiences on the 2nd night of the show. I wasnt able to go to the first night but I was glad I did choose night 2. The organization was much better than the night before, so I am told. We did get to keep our seats. But in the lobby, while waiting to get in for the soundcheck, I was able to meet and greet with the Atlanta chapter of the NPGMC. I met AtlantaHatGuy, very cool person by the way, as well as a few others that I cant remember, but if U know who U are, drop me an orgnote sometime and say HIGH. I feel like I was given the royal treatment during the entire evening I was there. It's like the saying goes, "membership has it's privelidges".
Anyway, I was able to ask Prince a few questions, (microphoneless, by the way, after several failed attempts to speak, yeah that was me standing in row 2 next to the girl that wrote the poem). But that soundcheck alone would have been enough to send me home a happy man. After all of the religeous conversation kinda slowed down, I told him, "First off, Thank U so much for coming to Atlanta as much as U do." I also said that this has been a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forgetand I thanked him for it because I have waited for such an opportunity to thank him in person for all of the great musical experiences he has produced over the years. Finally I asked my real question, "What was your turning point that made U decide to get this close to your fans and to actually talk to us and give us the opportunity to talk to U like this?" I think I thanked him some more, maybe I overthanked him, but at this point, can U ever overthank Prince? To sum it up, his answer was the fact that he started reading the bible and studying about God's word and wanted to get out there and see what his fans were thinking about the situation in the world today. I wont quote him on that but it was definitely in the ballpark.
He answered a few more questions and then politely left at about 7 to get ready for the show. And I have to tell U, I was in complete shock over the fact that I was actually speaking to Prince after 17 years of wanting to thank the man for doing what he does. Its funny though, as soon as he left and we were able to take our seats, I commented to the woman next to me that they could cook a chicken in from all the microwave energy in this room due to all the cell phones popping up everywhere. Everybody was calling somebody to tell them about what just happened, including me. I was a nervous wreck and dammit, Nobody was home!!!
Oh well, we stayed there until the show started. Which was phenomenal by itself. He did turn the lights up several times during the show and point all of the NPGMC rows and said that if they wanted these seats, join the club. And I'll say it again, Membership has its priveledges. I walked over to the afterparty and was amazed that I was able to just walk in. The line was horrible from where it ended, around the block. I walked right in, and was even more shocked at the section that they had saved open for us, right up front. I was feeling like a king with all this treatment. There was an hour wait while the band's equipment was set up, and people were genuinely nice for the most part about staying in their spaces. I did however notice one girl, that I met just that night, after the show, who got into the member section thru being a guest of a member, and no it was not me that let her in. She was definitely causing trouble and was about to get her ass kicked by just about everybody around her. She wouldnt stay still, and I know somebody witnessed this, she literally got threatened several times by lots of people. I was surprised she made it thru the show without being killed, literally. To state a point, she kept flailing her hair and arms and entire body back and forth so wildly in that little cramped area that one girl who was in front of her asked her to please not spit on me while you do that and please stop doint that, even. At the time, the instruments were not even set up yet and people were trying to secure their spots at the time. The offending girl asked that person if she would rather she get in front of her so that she wouldnt bother her while she continued to do it. I about lost it. I thought she was gonna get knocked down right there. But who would risk getting thrown out right before this great concert was about to start, I think thats what saved her life in the end. Anyway, Prince took the stage at 12:30 and played a blinding set until 2. I wont even think about trying to remember the songs. So many others do it much better than I could ever try to. Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience from the way I was able to see it. I had the time of my life and I know that there wont be many other experiences like this that will top that night for me. If U havent seen this show, and are not yet a member, I suggest U hurry, become a member and enjoy.

do u think the concert this year is going 2 be better then the celebration 2002

really great "report"!!!

That's so cool you thanked him, Not alot of people can say they did that, ever. It seems like they did it right in Atlanta.

I would thank him, too. I mean, sure, you can say that you will ask him about all the fuck-ups and why he did this and that.... but you know, the good times outweigh the bad times by far and you should rather thank him than criticize him...especially when you're in his soundcheck.

That girl was spitting all over my back all night. Gross, guess that's what I get for wearing a backless shirt! I almost had her hauled off by security. Lesson to be learned: Don't stand next to drunk people, whenever possible. Especially ones with wet throats!

taffee's back and my neck (sucks to be short)! i was hoping the barbie trios were gonna beat her down or get the manager or security to jack her. no sense + alcohol + standing front stage = problems waiting to happen.

Thank you for asking that question and letting us know his reply. It's something that I've been wondering about myself.
Hope his faith sees him through any encounters with some of the nuts he's bound to come across.
I'm so pleased you had such a great experience.

Nice job. U didn't seem the least bit nervous when u spoke and u came off very gracious and sincere. I was glad u steered the talk away from all the religous discussion, which I persoanlly have little patience for. I never got 2, but iwas gonna' ask if he read his fan websites at all and what he thought about them. I chose 2 ask the burning question about wether he knew why we all got herded outthe night b4, thinking it was his idea. U r right, that is a trip once it sinks in, that I actually talked to him...

Also, wanted 2 mention that the girl who stood up and actually challenged him about the nature of the discussion and his "preaching" not only had a lot of guts, but I think echoed the sentiments of many in the room. Everyone's got an opinion about God u know? Frankly, if I hadn't seen the soundcheck the night b4 I would've felt a little dissappointed. Prince really put Wed. night's incident in perspective, mentioning "I heard there was some fightin' going on last night....All over some general admission seats...aint that somethin...?"

True.

The reason people fight over getting in a closer row is because those are the people who get to sing into the mics, get the guitar picks, the drumsticks, and in some cities, Prince was handing out musical instruments like tambourines -- TO THE FIRST ROW ONLY.

NikkiDarling said:

Don't sweat. Everybody gave that stuff back anyhow, except the guitar picks I think. Only a real pessimest could watch those shows and feel jacked cause' they didn't get a f**king tambourine. I didn't get 1 either but I feel fulfilled. In fact, the 1st night, somebody in row 5 or 6 got a jammin' red hat he tossed out...and got 2 keep that sucker.

taffee said:

Im so sorry that happened to U guys. I met the guy she was with that night, he happened to be sitting by me so we kinda bonded, like people sitting together at Prince concerts usually do. After that, we decided to go to the after party and thats when he invited her. She didnt even have money to get into the club so the guy paid for her. Thats when she started acting up after all of the equipment started getting set up. I saw that stuff happening and I kinds distanced myself from them, without giving up my spot. Glad I didnt. He was ready to take her out of there himself for her own safety, even had the nerve to ask me to go with him. I said, shes your friend, I paid for my time here, Im staying. Wouldnt U. I still believe that the only reason she didnt get a beatdown right then and there is because they didnt wanna risk the chance of getting thrown out themselves. Who didnt wanna beat her down by the end of the night. And for that, she still walks the streets, somewhere, waiting to aggrivate someone else's party. But to say the least, she didnt ruin my fun. I did what I came to do, party with Prince. I Hope U guys did the same despite that girl.

herbthe4 said:

Yeah, I was one of the lucky ones to be able to grab a tambourine and play it during the show. I was a little bit taken aback when I read the label that said, "Please return after the show" but I also thought it was very cool of people, and I think that everybody did this, was respect that request and threw all of the instruments back on the stage. I think it was partly because we had been fortunate enough to be invited in and recognized as his club during the souncheck, I think that was enough of a memory for me to take home. I didnt need no stinkin tambourine! LOL

thank you for sharing your experience!! it's very appreciated!

herbthe4 said:

You apparently misunderstood my comment. I said NOTHING about anybody feeling jacked over a tambourine. It certainly doesn't apply to me because I already have a and 3 symbol tamborracas.

The point I am making is that most of the interaction and "perks" go to the first row ONLY.

I have seen Prince in concert at least 6 times and it is the first row that he looks to when he does the name change thing. The first row when he picks someone to hold his guitar. The first row when he is handing out guitar picks. The first row where someone is chosen to get on stage.

As far as Prince avoiding loud or obnoxious fans. I think the opposite is true. I believe that the pushy, loud and obnoxious fans are the ones who get the attention. It's the squeeky wheel that gets the oil.

That's why someone like Divinity and others like her can monopolize the time club members have in the soundchecks. The more obnoxious, showy, and aggressive you are, the more attention you get.

MrHappy404 said:

Shouldn't each NPGMC member be responsible for their own guest?

A member who brings in a drunken friend and then lets the friend fling her hair, body, and spit all over everyone within a few feet of her should be made by security to move to a place where her wild gyrations wouldn't disrupt everyone else.

Or, the member who brought in the drunken friend should be removed from the club along with their friend.

The bad thing about it is that a sloppy drunk who isn't even a NPGMC club member got her groove on and had a blast at the expense of the other people around her.

I totally agree on that last comment. She should have been removed and I know that some of the others did not have as good a time as they should have because of her. I hate that it happened in the first place. The guy that brought her was so close to just dragging her drunken ass out of there several times. But of course, he wanted to see the contert too, what to do. At that point, I was just blocking her out and paying attention to the real reason I was there. But yes, in hindsight, they both should have been held responsible and removed from our area.

About tamborines, cowbells and stuff.....
Does Prince handle the instruments directly or does he throw them into the audience?
Everytime he has thrown something into the crowd I've gotten scared and literally AVOID what was coming : people can be very rude when it comes to grab things.

rightbluecheek said:

In Indianapolis, Takumi handed them directly to people in the front row.

matt said:

Yeah;, that happened in Atlanta too, Takumi did it all.