Just got back from Minneapolis around 2pm, NY time…. the Macy's show was awesome, and so was the Target show. I couldn’t make the aftershow because tickets were sold out, but later, was informed they were letting more people in, but I had already gone back to the hotel, and my energy level was already drained from 2 amazing Prince shows and I had no energy left. Both shows (Macy’s and Target) were awesome! I have to say that Prince has the "Hardest working band that performs real music by real musicians”....they performed 3 shows in one day/night...now how amazing is that?

The Macy’s performance was fantastic, so much energy from Prince and the band members. He sang “Guitar” and it sounds great live. Also, “3121”; “Take Me With U” and “Let’s Go Crazy”, among others. In Macy’s, they showed clips of “Chelsea Rodgers” modeling, We also saw her walk by the line while we waited in the blue lit hallway, in Macy’s, she’s very tall (about 5'9" in her heels), slim and pretty. Some fans said hello to her and she responded back. When Larry Graham walked into the Macy’s in the blue lit hallway, before going into the auditorium, he was kind enough with that usual big smile you see him with when he’s performing, to take a minute and shake hands with fans, while we were waiting in line, which was unexpected, .but it was great to shake the hands of a music icon and legend. I was able to have a front, center view at the Macy's show, near the last 4 songs, when this nice couple offered me and 2 other people their spaces, while they stayed in back of us, which was very gracious of them, of course they were thanked.

At the Target Center, Prince got an amazing warm welcome from his hometown,they stood on their feet and welcomed him and he gave the love back. Wendy later joined him on stage. I thought it was sentimental when Prince and Wendy were on stage together and I loved when they played "Little Red Corvette" but when they played "Come Together".... they tore it up!

When you see Prince and Wendy walking across the stage together, playing their guitars, I have to tell you it is an awesome and sentimental moment, it brought back memories of when they first started out together. Prince said in his joking but affectionate way, "I have one of my bestest friends here" and Wendy leaned over his shoulder for a minute when he said that..it was one of those “Awwww, look at that, isn’t that sweet” kind of moment. Later on, Prince sang some classics and one of his new songs “I’m the one U Wanna C”;also "I wanna be your lover"; "Raspberry Beret", "Sometimes it Snows in April"; "Nothing Compares 2 U"; “7” and many other songs, that some already listed on the their reports here.(forgive me if I don't remember everything, I slept less than 10 hours the whole weekend)..anyway, the Target Center was packed and his hometown really welcomed him home, you can tell they really missed him. He basically had the arena on their feet most of the night. For the rest of the band members they did a great job; I have to say that "The Twinz" have stepped up their dancing quadruple-fold, absolutely amazing dancing and energy. ...Shelby was shaking it up a bit too, not only does she sings well, but dances too….go Shelby!... and while we were at the Macy's show, we spoke to her sister to let her know how “awesome” Shelby’s singing is….."real soul, from the soul" is what I call it…just like Aretha.

Of course, Sheila E is off the hook……what can I say…the “E” must be for “Excellent” because she always blows you away with her performance. Mike Phillips has to be one of the greatest sax players I have ever experienced live...he is off the chain and then some. When he played "It's a wonderful world" he blew Prince's hometown crowd off their feet. Kudos to the rest of the band members too for putting on an amazing show. I do, however, have to say the sound system at times during the performances sort of drowned out Prince and Sheila’s voice when they were speaking, but other than that, like I said the performance was amazing. When people were leaving the arena, the look on their faces were like in "Awe" as it seems, they really enjoyed the show. It's my guess that the majority of them were locals and haven't seen him perform in Minneapolis for a while, as I heard some folks saying as they were leaving and stating how much of a great time they had. I know I enjoyed both the Macy and Target Center shows, and even though I didn't make it to the aftershow on Saturday night, I did attend the "fan meetup" at the First Avenue Club on Friday night, which was great to be able to stand in the nightclub Prince and the Revolution played in during his earlier years with those band members, and I also purchased a First Avenue shirt. For the Saturday First Avenue Aftershow,judging from what other fans have stated here about it, apparently that show was fantastic as well.

I'm really glad I took the trip to Minneapolis to see these shows, which was basically a birthday present to myself. I also thought it was cool that the Target Staff were assisting in giving out free bottles (7.5 mil) of the 3121 eau de parfum to fans as they left the Target Center. I also heard some were given nice fans with some type of Prince-related design on it, not sure what type of design, as I only saw fans holding it from a distance and couldn't make out the design. Well, I'm sure you will read others reports on how their experience was, just thought I'd share a snippet of my experience with those who couldn't attend. Let's face it...Minneapolis was "on fiyah!" on 07/07/07 and Prince and his band started it with their awesome performances!


-----

On other issues, when some fans were just outside of Macy’s on Friday morning, they had quite a few people from wccotv.com(?)… that stopped by every now and then interviewing some fans, I declined an interview, but the camera guy requested to take a picture of my LAG airline baggage ticket to see where people were traveling from to see Prince perform, and he also took a pic of my Target Center ticket and Macy's wristband, so I let him take it. They also took a snapshot of one of the 3121 body creams that a fan bought from Macy’s, which is in a beautifully designed, lavendar-colored jar. I do have to say the Prince display in Macy’s is absolutely beautiful.

That’s just a snippet of how things went over the weekend, I’m still a little tired, lacking sleep. No one told me Minneapolis heat was so sweltering, unfortunately I suffered a little heat exhaustion the first couple of hours I arrived there, but thanks to some fans waiting on line outside of Macy’s , Monica, Julie, and an orger named “Key Lime Pie” that helped me out when I felt ill..you guys are awesome and I appreciated your help. I should have looked up the forecast for Minny before I left NY.

Also, I finally met a member of the org “Wonder505” who is such a sweet person. I also chatted with a couple of fans from some of the Vegas shows, like Michelle, Babynoz, Rita and Lorie from Italy, Cdaryl, Captain Crunch from London, the trio from Atlanta, and other familiar faces..and so many other Prince fans that were really very nice. Prince fans invaded Minneapolis this past weekend and we were on the "Purple High!". Kudos to my friends who I hung out in Minny with. Also, the Macy’s staff were very cool.We also met and chatted with the President of Revelations, who introduced himself to us, I do believe his name is Larry, and he is a very nice guy.

About downtown Minneapolis…I have to say is beautiful. Inside the Nicollette Mall they have a waterfall, where the water falls from the ceiling, which I believe may have been part of the lobby of the Marquette Hotel, if I'm not mistaken. On the streets of downtown Minny, I love that you see a few street musicians on some of the corners, playing music every now and then, and it reminded me of a “Mini (no pun intended) Manhattan” in New York City, with the outdoor restaurants as well;it also reminded me a bit of New Orleans somehow when I saw the individual musicians playing on the streets. Not to mention, an early morning walk downtown is so peaceful. Anyhow, I had a wonderful time in Minneapolis, despite the heat, and maybe one day, Prince will decide to go back to “Minnie” and do a celebration or homecoming at Paisley Park, for his fans from all over the world before he ever decides to retire.


Peace!
[Edited 7/10/07 14:44pm]

wow- awesome review. sounds like a cherished memory. glad u had fun!

2elijah said:

Wow Totally, different review than the guy who walked out of the concert before it was over review.
[Edited 7/8/07 22:48pm]

Astasheiks said:

His review was a totally different one because it was his experience, not mine, We can only capture our individual experiences and what we observe, and I shared mine. Maybe the guy who walked out will have a better experience next time, every show has a different vibe... but thanks for your comment.
[Edited 7/9/07 10:30am]

tznekbsbfrvr said:

Thanks!