Well,

Prince played great. It was basically the same set he has been doing the last month in vegas. He opened with "Satisfied" into the bluesy "Greedy Women". He played "girls and boys", "If I was..." all the same stuff. Sheila E and the E family opened, and Sheila later returned a few times to do "A Love Bizarre" and a couple other tunes. Larry did that thing he does (see: other posts in regards to my views on Larry and his place in a Prince show). Maceo was in the house, which kept Prince energized...he seemed to get kind of bored to me. And even at one point cut "Shh!" early and started playing "Peach" but started singing that blues "Rock Me Baby (All Night Long)" and when he finished apologetically said "I had to do that for me..."

Prince was fine, I got bored due to the lack of spontaneous moments, and safe setlist. But I really think the biggest downer was the fans. Now I am all for people experiencing Prince...and I hate to be elitist but: I would say over 50% of the people there were seeing there first show, and didn't know some of the new stuff ("Black Sweat" "Lolita" even "Musicology"). Also the audience was super tame, and all and all sleepy (they would never lasted a evening at 3121 and it's late showtimes). I think the whole Citi bank thing not only screwed over the older more experienced fans (playin the same ole shit, and the weird way to get tix) but it seemed to me-more of a status thing. All these old dudes with there young plastic girlfriends.

I live in SF and there is a specific kind of person they were. I am not sure if this truly applys to them...but they all seemed like "Marina People" (the marina is kind of snooty, upper class, white yuppy kind of folk). IT seemed like they got a Citibank break on getting tix to the show and took them. I play music, and I played in a band and sometimes I would tell my friends and fans-"hey, this show might not be your vibe..." Now granted, Prince is a big star...and is not in the position to really do that...but he's alienated people before (via-religious beliefs, etc). I wish there was a secret handshake, or wink or something.

I of course had a great time, but I really was bummed on the whole corporate (including double the price of 3121 tix) for the sake of Citibank wanting a cut. Also, the biggest joke was-they didn't even accept credit cards in the venue.

I am sure by the time he comes back around these parts again-he'll be fresh...I will be here. But hopefully among the Prince family, and not the johnny come lately's and Purple Rain heads/

truly,
Nero

Thanks for the review. I guess some people really aren't as into the music as some of us others. I guess more for something to do. And Prince is a very big star. Nothing wrong with that though..at least they can see that Prince is a great show and worth going to.

But I think he still has many, many fans that really appreciate his music and artistry.

Essentially Citibank were paying Prince to do this gig and advertise their card, I expect. I should think he got a guaranteed upfront fee rather than depending on the box office, and it meant he could leave all the hassles of advertising and setting up a show to others. But yes, this also meant the show was open to 'non-fans' just there because there is still an air of prestige over seeing Prince in concert. I'm sure many buy tickets to such events (including the O2 gigs in London which is a similar 'sponsored' gig) without knowing what Prince has been upto for the last 20 years and expecting nothing but the hits they remember from the 80s, and if you go into a Prince concert with any expectations they are usually dashed as Prince plays the kind of setlist that interests him, not his fans. Hence you get an audience not really into the music.

On the other hand, Prince could just play to the same set of fans over and over in a self-satisfied way, but instead he tries new approaches. He has to find new ways of getting new fans to his concerts and perhaps this is one way of doing it.

What I find funny is that when Prince plays the hits, the hard-core fans moan, if he doesn't the non-fans moan. For ages hard-core fans were appealing to Prince to play the usual hit-laden setlist mix it up a bit - now he's done that with the current set-list, which by any definition is 'odd', the hard-core fans are still moaning! The guy can never win! I tend to think, if you are bored with the current set-list, it is not the fault of the set-list being boring, it is simply that you have been to too many gigs recently!

Interesting review and criticism...though I wasn´t there, I can relate to your experience just from reading your review. Funny how the audience has such a huge influence on how a show turns out in the end, though the setlist might be the same. I guess the show and vibe would have been drastically different if he had played in front of people who really appreciate his back catalog and new stuff.

Tbanks for the review.
[Edited 5/20/07 6:57am]

neronava said:

Unfortunately, I think most of us predicted this was going to happen. Prince's performances are definitely driven and motivated by fan participation, energy, and feedback. If he doesn't get that he has a tendency to go on autopilot. Even though his most "phoned-in" performance is 10 times better than any other artist out there right now on their BEST night. But still, if you're used to the hype of 3121, I can see how this corporate sponsored event could be something of a letdown. But again, this event was not geered for "Prince fans" rather credit card holders. Was there an aftershow anywhere??? Thanks for the review by the way.
[Edited 5/20/07 7:01am]

SCNDLS said:

NO aftershow. I thought it might go down since he isn't playing for a couple months. Some people caught wind that he was having a afterparty (Very different then a aftershow). I went to sniff it out, it was only for Prince's band, family, staff. So no go.

That would've been a great way to bring it back home, and do something for the fans. Especially ones that paid $225 for tickets, and the ones who paid higher from scalpers.



Nero

Great review Nero! I was there and the vibe really wasn't that great. I have to add a lot of sound issues during the show made the show really seemed thrown together and not really planned well. Song selection was confusing and why did he stop in the middle of Shhh? Out of the many shows that I've been to I ususlly go with an open mind but the corp vibe really brought this show down hill. It's a bummer to see that he can get an arena of 80k and a tv audience of million so into a half time show. But last night had to be the most unsure crowd ever. I hope I can make it to the UK, but if not. If this was my last prince show in 20+ years it was not the way to go out! Other than that I do have to say many thanks to Prince for all the great shows from Hawaii to the Bay and Vegas! I'll keep listening.

I had a feeling this was going to happen. He didn't really promote this on his website and it just seemed like a low-key corporate gig just for him to get paid. Reviews over at HQ are positive though. Guess everyone's experience will be different.
[Edited 5/20/07 9:21am]

wonder505 said:

You're all carazy.I was front and center all night and he was amazing as usual and I'm a hardcore Prince fan from way back
I never really looked back at the audience, don't really know what they were doing all night but Prince was working it and I loved the fact that the Escovido family were all there along with Larry, Maceo and Shelby all doing their thing.
The only complaint that I have is it wasn't long enough, I could of partyed on there at least 2 more hours.....
All in all I feel very satisfied and when he rolls around the Bay again
I'll be there with open arms
Much love to my brother Prince
Don't ever stop.....

.....chriss.....

chriss said:

I agree! Everyone in my area was psyched. You can't compare the 3121 venue to a concert where everyone has an assigned seat. 3121 had a dance floor where everyone could mingle. Drinks were cut off at 8PM at this concert, (although I kept smelling pot)
He was pretty funny with the women who came on stage to dance. After the fiasco the past week he turned and said: "I'm working here" when they got too close.
I'd see him again at this venue.

chriss said:

I was so f*cking excited when Sheila E came out, even more so than Prince because I was not expecting her!

The show was great! My ears are still ringing and I really did not like the sound quality at all Maybe it was because of the theater size, I don't know. But that is my only real complaint--SOUND

Prince looked fine as always and kicked ass on stage as always, having Sheila and the rest of the gang out there was the icing on the f*cking cake!

And after the show some other orgers and I were hanging out , and we got to meet Shelby and the Twinz, they are so SWEET!!! I told Maya(sp) that my husband wanted to meet her and he was being SHY and she told him, "come over here", he was very pleased ! She was very nice and very beautiful, I know there was some talk earlier here on the org bad mouthing the Twinz and I could never understand why?!?!?! they are so pretty and so nice.
[Edited 5/20/07 10:32am]

babooshleeky said:

Wow!!! You met Shelby and The Twinz. That's very . I'm so jealous of everyone 'cause I'm not going to get to see Prince when he comes to NY this summer .
[Edited 5/20/07 10:44am]

jess555ja said:

Ya did not meet Prince But the twinz and shelby were great to

I loved the show overall even though the sound mix was pretty shotty. I heard that the soundman for the Orpeum show was just brought in for the one night. I guess Prince fired his most recent soundman after the London club gig. Last night's soundman was playing catch up. I was in the front Orch seats and didn't see many lame-o's sitting down. Then again I didn't really care 'cause I scored my ticket at 5:30 at the box office!!! I NEVER thought I would score a non-scalped ticket. I was damn happpy all night!

metalorange said:

good point.

Oh and the merchandise selection sucked...but i did get a 3121 coffee mug so I can put my lips on princey every morning

Was this show sold out. Were there any empty seats?

neronava said:

haha, mention the Marina to describe the type of people showing up, and I;m glad I didn't jump through hoops to go to this show. I figured it would be a tad old if you've seen him many times before. So was it the type of peopel you see at the Redwood Room, the bar in the Clift Hotel? If you know what I'm referring to and agree, then I'm doubly glad I didnt jump through hoops!

Ok I am driving home now but no one has mentioned that robin Williams was there groovin in the 10th row!!! Also we talked to morris, the twins, renato, and Shelby after the concert. Shelby told us that they were all heading to club otis. So we hauled it over to Otis. Just as the twins were getting out of the white van. We tried to go in but it was private and only taking guest list people but the whole experience was still fun. At one point maya came back out and said she would love to let us in but Trevor had to approve everyone before entry. She was not kidding cause she even had to get a few of her own guests approved by Trevor before they were let in. Interesting. More on the concert when I get home!!!!!

jaynoonan said:

Otis is a tiny place...I'm sure they wanted to keep it at a minimum given the lack of room...

I completely agree with Chirss. The show rocked. Eveyone aroune me was dancing their ass off. I was 11th row dead center. Robin Williams was in the seat in front of me. Even Robin was groovin. It was a fantastic concert. If you think the sets are too similar to what's been going on in Vegas, then perhaps you need to take some time off and not see any shows for a while. I know how you feel. I'm an avid fan of another band that i've seen 36 times and in the recent years have become a little jaded about what the band is capapble of so you start to get critical. That prince show was awesome. 2hrs 20 mins, The escobedo family, great energy etc.... was great.

just my two cents

chriss said:

BlackandRising said:

bingo...thats them

I thought it was an absolutely amazing concert, I will never forget it. What an amazing experience, Prince was incredible, and I was extremely happy with the set list. To hell with all you naysayers.

Me and everyone around me was dancing and singing and yelling their heads off throughout the night. I don't know what concert you all saw, but what I experienced was incredible, nothing can compare.

Cyra said:

Let me guess... first time seeing Prince, by any chance?

metalorange said:

Er..yeah, actually. Even so, I had my expectations set pretty high, and quite a few doubts, and he blew them all out the window. I thought it was an aweosme experience.
[Edited 5/20/07 16:41pm]

like i said in my post. if you've seen an act so many times that you start to rip on one performance or another. then you really need a break. I've seen prince plenty of time dating back to the purple rain tour. The orpheum show was awesome. I think the old addage that if you don't have anything good to say then don't say it applies here. Why try to sour some peoples experiences. if you didn't like it, you should have just left.

Cyra said:

[Edited 5/20/07 17:25pm]

Man, this show was kinda weird - I figured he'd play longer given the price of the tickets. But it was roughly 2 hours... sounds like I should have caught a Vegas show after all Still glad I went, there were cool moments. Pink Cashmere was cool, If I Was Your Girlfriend sounded SO GOOD when they went into that, he was feeling really good @ the top of the show but he sure ended that shit as if he was BORED... I can't blame him, my ass yawned at one point! & y'all KNOW how I love this mf, his shows are in my top 5 of the most fun I can have in life, so you know something was off...

The sound, OMG - terrible. Very tinny (sp?) & LOUD, the horns felt like a saw buzzing right through my head Makes me wonder if they did a damn sound check

The interruption of Shhh was downright odd... The "cockeyed" woman song was hella funny... then when he got to the "3 handed" woman part I couldn't help but feel like it was too telling. He said shit like, "I know what you want. You want a man who thinks you're so fine he wants to flaunt you." I was like WTF?? I dunno, for some stupid ass reason I felt a little sad for him in that moment, like he's 2 marriages down & thinks all women are evil. But fuck, that would just make him male wouldn't it?

When he launched into Cream everyone seemed unprepared - the twins came running out w/ their chairs, the twin to stage left nearly fell during the "get on top" part They were in a mad rush, & I could swear I saw Prince topple that chair over a minute before he launched into that - maybe he was fuckin' w/ her on purpose?

But it's not the only time he seemed to surprise people w/ the order - @ one point Sheila joined him (w/ drums) on one song & the dudes were still setting up her mics about 2 minutes in (that may have been Cream too, I don't retain shit like that so I can't remember)...

And unusual amount of empty seats down front...

Not a well dressed crowd on stage, some looked cute but there were some definite trolls happening

And to top it all off, I could swear his ass actually said "Thank you Las Vegas" @ one point I forget what his comeback was for that shit, but he was sure to call out SF a few times after that Hell, he's been in Vegas for so long, I think it's forgiven. But that shit was funny

Of course I was praying for an aftershow as usual, especially since the show wasn't the asskicking I truly need right now, but no such luck. Of course I'll see him next time he's here, I'll never give up on my Princey. It was a good show, but due to his own brilliance we all hold him to a higher standard. For the new folks, it was probably amazing. For me, ehh, gimme another 30 minutes for that $225


.
[Edited 5/20/07 17:41pm]

Oh, & "What a Wonderful World" as fucking wonderful, not too long at all imo. I just wish the sound was better, I would have enjoyed it more

CalhounSq said:

I'm so glad you got to go! Going to a Prince show is also in my top 5 of the most fun things to do EVER!!

I know what you mean by the show seeming weird. The LV shows felt that way to me to. Folks are saying it's because they are more like aftershows than show, shows I dunno about that.

I'm just happy when he's onstage. When the music is flowing just makes it even better.