Here is the report of my experience for the Saturday night 3121 concert in Las Vegas. I had a great time and really enjoyed the concert!

I called the Empire Ballroom around 10 a.m. to see how soon Will Call would open. I was told that the doors would open at 4:00 for the first 300 people to get their tickets (huh?) and fan club members. I was a little concerned about the first 300 people to get their ticket statement, but that played out nicely later. When I got there a little before 3:00, a line had already formed. Earlier someone had posted that the club was in a bad location with respect to crime. I was pleasantly surprised that the club was directly behind a Walgreens strip mall on the Las Vegas strip and did not appear unsafe. No doubt there had been problems in the past, but at no time did I feel like I was in a danger by standing outside the club. To the left of the club was the MGM, to the right was the Aladdin, and across the street was New York, New York and the Monte Carlo. I was also worried that we would be melting in the Las Vegas sun, but the temperature was pleasant, but a bit windy.

It was fun meeting other NPGMC members and fellow hardcore Prince fans. Everyone was very nice and there was a great sense of camaraderie. It was interesting to compare where everyone had traveled from for this weekend. I got to hang out with two very nice people from Texas (one originally from Spain). At some point, a table was set up at the front of the line for NPGMC members to pick up their tickets, even though the doors weren’t open yet. People took turns holding spots for each other in the line while we picked up our tickets. Someone from the club said that the NPGMC members would indeed get in for the soundcheck. Then the wait that seemed to go on forever continued because, although we now had our tickets, security was not admitting anyone into the club. We stood and stood and stood. While we waited, we saw the musicians and the twins get off the bus and go in through a back entrance. I believe Tamar and the DJ and Prince all arrived separately. I saw everyone, but Prince (although other people saw him). As I recall, though, Prince did not arrive especially late. Every time someone came out of the club, we hoped that we would be let in, but that was not to be. I think around 6:00 we could start to hear the musicians warm up and could hear Prince singing Satisfied. Now this was torture because I thought they were starting the soundcheck without us. Fairly soon though, the music stopped. We overheard someone from the production say something about problems with the sound or the sound guy hadn’t arrived. At some point, a car raced up to our entrance and let out someone that people connected with the production seemed very relieved to see (the owner, the soundguy, who knows?). Once he arrived, however, everything started to move. They announced that only people from the NPGMC could get in. I think we were let in around 6:30. I don’t know what time everyone else was let in. They checked our ID and our ticket and let us in through the door. Yay!!!!!

Once inside we raced to the room that had the stage. The ballroom was much smaller than I had imagined. This was a big plus as it meant a more intimate setting than I had pictured. I was able to get a fairly good spot a little right of the center. There was not a space between the floor and the stage so this was nice and close. Even though I had fourth row tickets for the Musicology Tour in Las Vegas two years ago, this was better. For the Musicology Tour there was a section between the seats and the stage that was barricaded off and held security. Also the stage was much higher for the Musicology Tour so I spent the whole evening looking up. As people were still coming in, someone said, “There’s Prince - right behind us!” Everyone turned around and saw that he was sitting behind us in a booth. I can’t believe I walked right by him on my way to the stage! However, he did not look or sound happy as he was giving instructions to the techs on the stage. For those of you that want to know what he was wearing, he had on white pants, a white shirt with sequins on the collar, white boots, and a black bandana on his head (think SNL performance and D & P era).At some point, Tamar came out on stage and everyone was happy to see her. Prince had her test out different mikes and still sounded testy. Many in the audience (including me) kept turning around to look at Prince as he gave instructions to Tamar, the musicians, and the techs. Eventually someone in the audience said, “Hi Prince” and that seemed to break the tension. He told the crowd, “You look sharp tonight” and started interacting with the crowd and joking with the people on stage. Eventually he joined the musicians, the twins, and Tamar on stage and picked up his guitar and began playing and singing. They performed a couple of Tamar songs and they were great. I wasn’t familiar with her songs other than Beautiful, Loved, and Blessed, but liked everything I heard. She has a nice soulful voice, very pleasing on the ears. The twins also did some dance steps as well. Then Prince moved to the keyboards and serenaded us some more. He also acknowledged Larry and Sheila in the wings.

Once the concert started, the energy level on stage went up several notches and was HIGH ENERGY PLUS! Prince came out in a very fine peach colored long coat with black lapels, peach pants, peach boots, and a black bandana. He later changed to a white shirt and white pants. Tamar and the twins went through several costume changes. Prince tore up the guitar (he came through with blistering guitar solos as promised) and gave us some great dance moves (YES!!). Tamar and the twins also put on a great show. The choreography was energizing and my husband especially enjoyed the twins and Tamar (he now calls her Foxy Cleopatra!).

Because it was such a long night, I mixed up which songs I heard during the soundcheck and which ones were played during the concert. Here are the ones I can remember. (Incidentally all the songs from 3121 sound awesome live. And yes, Black Sweat is very good live. I don’t care for it on the CD, but it rocked live).

17 Days
3121-very fun audience participation, awesome version
Anotherloverholenyohead
Lolita- another fun audience participation
Black Sweat
Satisfied
Fury
What Have You Done For Me Lately/Partyman
Cream
Diamonds and Pearls
Elephants and Flowers
How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore
Kiss (awesome, awesome version! I usually don’t like it live)
Let’s Go Crazy (again great audience participation)
Purple Rain
If I Was Your Girlfriend (okay I can die happy now!)
Under the Cherry Moon
Joy in Repetition (YES!!!!!)
Peach (never liked this before, but loved it live)

Many Tamar songs, which I don’t know the names of, but liked very much, were also performed. It made me want to check out her CD.

And many more songs that I just can’t remember!

The down side was sore feet from all that standing and the price. I would like to see Prince more than once a year, but don’t know if I can at these prices. The other down side was four drunk women, who clearly had not been waiting in line since 3:00, pushed their way through the crowd to the front. They were oblivious to any protests. We tried to get security to move them to no avail. I was actually relieved when two of them crawled up on stage. I think that was their motive anyway because they did not return to my area after they exited the stage.

Was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY! Musicology was good for a hits review, but I enjoyed hearing songs I had not heard live before. I think Musicology was better for the casual Prince fan who only knows the Prince songs they hear on the radio. The sound in a smaller setting is much better (no distortion or echoes you get in a stadium). This was more like a really fun party and had a better vibe. I liked the ability to get much closer to the stage and didn’t have to look up all evening.

Whew! Okay, I am done for now. I hoped you enjoyed.

Yay! Cool review. Thanks for posting your experience. I am glad you had a wonderful time.

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your review

thanx for posting good review...
it reminds me of that nite, i also attended!!

wow,i say sharp 2
lol,thanx~that was great!