Well what can i say?

Just arrived back from the madness that is Las Vegas to London where i have been sleeping all afternoon.

I have been trying 2 gather all my thoughts about my amazing weekend in Vegas but it has been difficult as because i have been on such a high it is all a bit blurry.

So after a nightmare journey down to Vegas via San Fran (25 hours!) on Thursday we checked into the Bellagio where i was pleased to see that the view from my room was directly overlooking the Rio, of course this got the excitment flowing and i knew i was in for something special. The view from my room can be seen below.



After a shitty nights sleep i woke up and realised that i would be seeing Prince that night (Friday) and my mind was all over the place! So during the day we took a walk around Vegas, had some lunch etc and checked out the Rio. Some pictures below (these pics aren't anything new, but thought i would post them anyway).











On the friday night we went for the VIP package (without dinner as the Rio screwed up) so we headed down to 3121 and quickly got seated at our table. Now i will say that i was envious of not being in the GA section at this point, as our table was on the higher tear, but still quite close to the stage. However, i was dissapointed that alot of the people who seem to choose the VIP package are not fans and tend to sit down all night and arent really interested in Prince or the show. But i wasnt worried, as i knew i had GA on Saturday night, so would experience the best of both.

Also, i didnt realise that we would be sharing a table, with unfortunatly, two of the most boring couples i have ever met (bless them, but they were boring). The VIP package is a good deal though. We got one bottle of choice per person, so the champage was flowing and never being one to pace myself, i found myself a little hammered during the long wait for prince to come on!

It is true that the wait for the show can be long, but once you have got into the club you can come and go as you leave with your wristband so its not all bad. It is great when it gets nearer to showtime and they begin to hype up the crowd by playing prince tracks and videos on the HUGE screens that surround the club.

Before long the lights went down and the screens were filled with the DMSR video form the Musicology tour (a great version as well) and the crow were now pumped.

The the curtain went back and it was ON! Prince began with Satisfied, which i was unsure about but it worked really well and then the set list / my comments is as follows

Satisfied - really smooth version, lots of teasing by Prince and his voice sounded amazing

Down by the river side - a quick chance to show off the band

3121 (long jam version) - FUNKY, a great long version, lots of chanting

Girls and boys - worked really well, very high energy and everydone doing the hand movements was cool

Lolita - works really well life, lots of chanting "fellas!" etc

Black sweat with long bass intro - love me some Prince on the bass!

Kiss - nothing new here

Shh! - AMAZING version with blistering guitar, bought a tear 2 my eye, really very moving

Musicology - A great longer version, this worked really well live

Love bizare with Wendy and Susanah - NEED I SAY MORE?! The crowd went wild, what a suprise!

What a wonderful world

Long winding road

If I was your girlfriend - cool version, but nothing really new

Pink cashmere - FANTASTIC, always one of my fav's

New song - cant remember2 much about this one, champage really kicking in now

Cream - Not one of my fav's but i enjoyed this live version

U got the look - Same old

Purple rain with Wendy on the acoustic Taylor guitar - YES!

Crazy with Shelby - Funky!
One nation under a groove

Nothing compares to you - A great version, Prince really went for it on this one.

After the show it was on 2 the aftershow, thanks to the lovely Lena who works at the 3121 jazz cuisine we had already reserved our space.

Let me tell you tight away, this aftershow was the most amazing prince experience i have EVER had, and it probably will never be beaten. We were esxorted into the TINY room where we were seated at the table right infront of Prince's mic stand.

It was wonderful to chat to lots of (also) very exited people and whilst we chatted Prince would casually pop his head around the door and check out the vibe, u could feel his eyes on u and it always amazed me how shy he actually is, i think he was checking us out 2 see if it was safe for him 2 come and jam..and jam he did!

The aftershow started with the band doing some fantastic (yet heavy) jazz work which showed off just how talented these guys really are. It was wonderfull also 2 say hi 2 Mr. Hayes (such a nice guy) and Renato (also rwally nice).

After about an hour Prince obviously decided it was cool to come in2 the room and he picked up his guitar and it was on! I cant remember the exact set list (can any1 help?!) because i was on cloud 9 but i remember he played some heavy dirty guitar and some really funky bass. Wendy and Susanna were there as well chilling and helped out on anotherloverholeinyohead. Also, larry joined P for the usualy does of funk (everyday people / higher) and i think he played Peach as well, also shelby did a great performance and i danced with her for a bit as well, she is really nice in person and has a fantastic voice!

P played much more as well at the aftershow but i really cant remember everything about it at the moment all i know is it was unbelievable and there were only about 60 people in the room. the aftershow was better than Sat night and there seem 2 be less people, also people werent crowding Prince too much (although i must admit at one point i was up dancing and must have been no more than 2 foot away).

So there u have it..the ULTIMATE Prince experience.

I will post saturdays thoughts when i get a bit more time and am not so tired so tune in next hit!

Also, it was lovely to meet some many fellow Prince lovers, i would love 2 hear from all you guys so please get in touch!.

With love,

a very amazed and blown away Nath

[Biggrin]

xx

your part about non-fans sitting down in the VIP section is not actually true.....my friend went that night and had a blast.....she just didn't want to stand all night.....she can't stop talking about the show now and even caught a towel that Prince threw into the crowd

organgrinder said:

cool report..... I saw this pic before, only with a nice ass.....

WOW Awsome review! Thanks!!!

Didn't I tell you that words could just not describe it!

Glad you had a good time.

Thanx 4 sharing ur memorable xperience!! And I love the pics 2!!