http://www.nme.com/news/prince/28282

Prince played a surprise gig in London tonight (May 10).

The singer, who was in town this week to launch a series of gigs at the O2 Arena later this summer, made the most of his trip, staging the show at KOKO.

Taking the stage at around 11.30pm, Prince performed a set that mixed classics, instrumentals, new tracks, covers and songs that showcased his band.

Kicking off initially with just his brass section performing a instrumental version of 'Gett Off', the singer made his entrance wearing all black except for his white hat and white high heel shoes.

Though frustrating at times in his song selection - the set was driven by an rhythm and blues flavour that saw him experiment and just jam at times - Prince ensured the fans had something to shout about with hits including 'U Got The Look', 'Kiss', 'Cream', 'Let's Go Crazy' and an impassioned version of 'Nothing Compares To U' in his set.

"So many hits, so little time," Prince told the crowd. "You want to hear 'Diamonds And Pearls'? 'Pop Life'? 'Raspberry Beret'? Nahhh! You don't understand, I've got so many hits I'd blow this place apart!"

Explaining why he staged a British show, which watched by a packed audience including Damian Hurst, David Furnish, The League Of Gentlemen, Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles David Walliams, Pete Burns, Maxi Jazz and Abi Titmuss among others, Prince told the crowd: "People asked me why we're here doing this in London. There's nothing happening in America!"

He also surprised the crowd by including several covers.

This started with an instrumental version of 'Play That Funky Music', which Prince led on guitar, before one of his backing vocalists took the lead on Gnarls Barkley's 'Crazy' and Amy Winehouse's 'Love Is A Losing Game'.

Praising the British singer, who he as expressed a desire to work with, Prince declared: "Respect to Amy Winehouse, respect! What a voice!"

More instrumentals followed as Prince intermittantly left the stage, including a brass-led version of 'Sometimes It Snows In April'.

Prince then concluded the gig by giving a short speech from the stage which echoed his earlier comments about the UK.

"You're doing it, it's not me! You produce the energy," he told the crowd. "I told my band it was happening in London, now they know."

originally submitted by ZHARE

so many mistakes in that piece

bluebird said:

correct them for us por favor

Cool. So who was there? Orgers...

Anx is that really you? Are you a mod again?

Did he actually say "There's nothing happening in America??" If he did, I hope he only meant regarding the music industry and not the American fans..geez .

If it's true, I would be surprised as he did state in Vegas how much he loved Las Vegas when he had the 3121 shows, and his American fans did show major support for the 3121 shows from the beginning....
[Edited 5/11/07 16:09pm]

I was there!!!!! Aggghhhhh.....still in shock at the mo! Yesterday was a totally mental day! All excited over the O2 pre-sale tickets, then I heard about the Koko club & got lucky!!!! Right at the front, touching the stage, I could almost touch him!!!! I even got picked by Prince himself to dance on stage I plan to write you all a review when I have calmed down, but I'm too crazy at the mo to concentrate properly!!!

lalalailoveu said:

Ha, you guys worked HARD on that stage!

Thanks Obviously you were there then!!! What a night! Think we were up there for a good 10-15 mins or so, felt like ages! It was boiling hot but worth it & no, I wasn't the one that tried to straddle him & got carried off by the bouncers!!

lalalailoveu said:

That was hysterical. I was up there with you too... did any of your mates manage to get any pics of us up there?

lalalailoveu said:

That was you?! Nice Arse!

NewFunk said:

Really??? Which one were you??? I was the one on the far right (looking towards the audience) boots, shorts, grey top, dodgy frizzed rained on hair!!! (crap dancer!!) Yeah, that was funny! Wonder where they took her? Nobody managed to get any photos from my crowd as the bouncer near us was really on the ball, as soon as he saw a phone, he told them to put it away! Shame What about your crowd, get lucky??

SquirrelMeat said:

But you don't know which one I was!

lalalailoveu said:

The one with the hair!

lalalailoveu said:

..
[Edited 5/12/07 9:14am]

SquirrelMeat said:

There were no baldies, we all had hair!!!!

ellieadore said:

http://www.prince.org/msg/3/227095

lalalailoveu said:

Unless you're on about the chap with the pony tail... the one who took the mic for Play that Funky Music!!!

FuzzyD said:

Ha ha, he was cool!!!

FuzzyD said:

Excellent! I was standing just behind you!

SquirrelMeat said:

Were you the male singer in my ear?!

i need to get over there!

SquirrelMeat said:

Blonde spikey haired bloke???

No, short dark hair, about 6'2. I spent most of the show proping up the small bar to the right side of the stage!

lalalailoveu said:

I was the tall guy in the white tee shirt with the dodgy dance moves. The one P was taking the mickey out of. Think I kind of got lost in the moment... what can I say?

lalalailoveu said:

Do you mean the guy who looked like Keith from the Prodigy? No, that wasn't me!

NewFunk said:

Oh hi!! I remember you!!! You were great!!! Least you got his attention!!!

lalalailoveu said:

Am feeling kind of embarrassed now that it's over. Would have been OK if it was 5 mins but he left us up there forever and I started feeling like a bit of an idiot (even though I was having the time of my life)!

I don't have any pics yet but I'm sure some will appear in time!

NewFunk said:

Good on you! You made me chuckle! Its better to be up there badly than not be up there at all!

Anxiety said:

Bien sur.

The band came on and played Pass The Peas (not GETT OFF), and he left the stage to Mike Philips and Neto doing ...Wonderful World (not SISIA).

But his comments about America were as reported.

Great night, but he's right about 'so many hits, so little time' so why he spent quite a bit of it doing covers and hosting a school disco, I don't know. I'd much rather have heard 'Rasberry Beret, Diamonds & Pearls, Pop Life' or even When Doves Cry..... But that's just me, I guess.

Fantastic to hear the Prince tunes he did play though and some may groan, but after all this time (and for promotional purposes) he could have ended with the big lighter song.