For the Indianapolis concert, I had front-row seats. For the first Seattle show (last night), we were off the floor in the 9th row of our section (114). And you know what? On the whole, I think last night's seats were better. Although Key Arena supposedly has a reputation for lousy acoustics, the sound was noticeably better than it was for me at Indy. I also had a much better view of the stage. And I could see the video monitors (unlike at Indy), which are helpful during an in-the-round show when Prince is facing away from you.

Sure, the "VIP" front-row experience (complete with security to keep the "everyday people" out ) was fun, and I appreciated John Blackwell's gift of a drumstick before the show. But, at least for this tour, I've been there and done that.

I'll be at tonight's Seattle show as well, and supposedly we've got floor seats this time. I'll let you know my opinion of those seats.

And if anyone wants to say hi, I'm wearing a lime green t-shirt and black pinstriped pants.

I understand what you're saying. In retrospect, I would have liked seats a little off the floor. One of the Denver reviewers mentioned that the sound was noticeably better futher from the stage. I couldn't see the videos monitors either, and sometimes that would have been nice.

Have fun tonight!!!
[Edited 8/31/04 17:23pm]

Okay, so tonight we had front row seats, and yes, both the sound and view were inferior to what we had last night.

But....

• Before the show, the drum technician (I think--he's the guy with thick black eyeglass frames) gave me a bag containing a pair of John Blackwell's drumsticks, some drum heads used by John, and a set of snares.
  
• Melissa (tackam) got picked by Prince to dance on stage during "D.M.S.R." (which she did wonderfully).
  
• The same tech gave Melissa last night's setlist during the acoustic part of the show. I'll get it scanned and uploaded to the .org Gallery.
  
• Prince grabbed our hands as he came off the stage at the end of the show. I'm not into celebrity worship, but those were the hands that have made (and continue to make) so much great music.
  
• On the whole, it feels more "energetic" to be down by the stage.
  

So which is better? I dunno. Maybe it's good that we got to experience the show both ways.

man, i wish i woudl've known you were in town... how long are you here for? i'm glad the two of you had such a great time

suomynona said:

You're in luck. We live here, darling.

tackam said:

shows how much i've been around lately... i knew you lived here, but i didn't know matt moved... that and i'm so tired i was thinking matt was ben.

/me is dumb lol...

suomynona said:

Matt is Ben. All orgers have multiple profiles, whether they admit it or not.

suomynona said:

Yup... I moved to Seattle in late May. I caught the Indianapolis show in March, when I still lived there, and since I had the move planned out in advance, I bought the Seattle tickets when they went on sale in April.

tackam said:

i always get confused by that damn avatar

matt said:

are you going to portland?

suomynona said:

Nope. My employer only gives me 16 hours of Prince Groupie Leave annually, and I've used it all up.

And watch. Just WATCH. I skipped Portland last time and he did an amazing aftershow there. If he does it again, I'm gonna track him down and bludgeon him to death with one of those sparkly little heels.

suomynona said:

I'm afraid not. I sold off my cars before I moved here, so transportation to other cities is an issue.

However, if he were to swing back up and play Vancouver, I might just make the trip, one way or another.

I'll have a similar situation in the Bay - off the floor for Oakland, on for San Jose. Having seen it twice from the floor already it'll be cool to see the show unobstructed

matt said:

especially if you can get tickets for $10 lol... i'd like to hear the story behind that...

tackam said:

Nah, Ben is like Santa Claus, and I'm like one of the little elves in his workshop. I assure you, Ben and I have been seen in the same room together.

My seating thoughts: I drove 7 hours to go see Prince on one night and ended up 3rd row behind John Blackwell. I couldn't see halft the stage and couldn't see Prince half of the time. I wasn't very happy with me seats at all, this was in Boston.

Voog said:

last night i was tempted to trade someone that was in the 100 level, my 3rd row seats... i feel bad you drove so far, etc. that's why i couldn't do a trade, knowing someone would be straining to see what was happening half the time.... :\

Voog said:

Yeah, sitting behind John Blackwell doesn't give you a very good view. I had front row seats in Houston behind John, and I could see fine, but I know the people behind me couldn't see at all. I guess the only perk was that security would let you stand in the aisle in that section, and when Prince came down on that side a couple of times, he gave the people in that area "dap." And, you get to chat with/shake hands with the band members over there. So, most were satisfied. But, I can see why that would be disappointing.


S

I had 2nd row seats, saw Prince just fine..

It was the music, the dancing, the laughter, and the crowd in Denver that made the concert so memorable.

In San Jose in June, I was way the hell up, LAST row, upper section. Prince was a speck below. However, depending on the monitors was actually interesting because you could see very intimate close up expressions of Prince's face while also seeing the choreography on stage almost simultaneously (without having to move the head at all). The stage was also beautiful from a birds-eye perspective, especially during Purple Rain. And you could see the entire audience at one glance. I had a great time and the show blew me away.

Luckily, I have closer seats for Oakland, lower level just off center.

Redayh said:

Actually at the concert I was at, my section didn't get to shake hands with the band or stand in the aisle... but I'm over it, I still enjoyed it. Although I am still hoping that he adds some Canadian dates later.