I have just got home after witnessing my 15th and 16th Prince gigs - and I am bloody exhausted!! But what a night!


I won't make this a proper review - and forgive me if this is a little all-over-the-place; I am absolutely knackered - but I just thought I'd share my experience of last night's O2 gigs with you lovely Orgers.


So yesterday I had a bit of a drama getting to London. First of all, I went to the wrong bus stop (a completely different bus company); luckily, I checked my booking details last minute and had to make a mad dash across town to catch the correct one. The bus then made an unscheduled/unexplained stop on the hard shoulder halfway down the motorway - for a moment, I thought it had broken down. At this point I was getting ready to walk. Then, I got to London, went to the completely wrong 'Greenwich' , went past the stop I should have got off, but eventually made it to the correct tube stop. And this was before the concert had even started - I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. TIP FOR THOSE GOING TO THE CONCERTS - make sure you get off at 'Greenwich North' not 'Greenwich'. (Even though it *does* say 'O2' centre next to Greenwich North on the tube map Oh well. ). By this point - and especially when I could see the arena itself - I was very relieved and starting to get very excited. I met up with my mates, we went for some food/drinks and the night was on its' way.


One other thing happened before the concert started which nearly sent my blood pressure rocketing - my mates had already gone into the venue and I followed them a little later but my ticket wasn't accepted, for some reason. What?! My mate had purchased them and had 'voided' the one I had and was supposed to pick a new one up at the box office. Except he'd already gone into the venue and I was stuck outside with a worthless ticket. I was ready to cry at this point but, luckily, all was sorted at the box office and finally I managed to get inside. What a palaver!


Anyway, I'm sure you've seen it already but here's the set list for last night's main gig:


Purple Rain
Girls & Boys (inc DMSR)
Satisfied
Cream
U Got The Look
Shhh
Musicology
Controversy
I Feel For You
What A Wonderful World
Somewhere Here On Earth
Lolita
Black Sweat
Kiss
If I Was Your Girlfriend
Pink Cashmere (inc snippet of 'The One U Wanna C' lyrics)
7
Come Together (Beatles)
Take Me With U
Guitar
Planet Earth
Crazy (inc 'One Nation Under a Groove')
Nothing Compares 2 U
Let's Go Crazy
Little Red Corvette
Raspberry Beret
Sometimes It Snows in April
Get On The Boat
Le Freak (Chic)

My seat was on the lower tier but, from what I could see, the good news is that no matter where you are in the arena - upper tier included - you'll have a great view!


As always, Prince had the crowd in the palm of his hand and the band were tight. Apart from the Koko gig, this was my first proper experience of the current NPG line-up and I thought I was really going to miss John Blackwell and Rhonda. Credit where credit's due, though, the current rhythm section are superb and P worked that crowd, believe me.


Main impressions: I really enjoyed the show - it was stuffed with great tracks - but was a little disappointed that it seems to be the 'Musicology tour/Las Vegas' set list Pt 2. However, I say this as a Prince fan and not a casual listener - to those who are mainly familiar with the hits, it was probably amazing. Also, it included enough obscurities to keep the real fans happy but one could sense the casual listeners scratching their heads at some point. Personally, I'd love a set full of rarely played tracks but it isn't that type of gig, of course; but as one casual fan pointed out to me, 'he keeps mentioning all the other hits he's had but doesn't play them!'. So it was a bit of a weird mix between album/obscure tracks and popular favourites.


Also, I felt the opening lacked a little tension somewhat. At previous gigs, Prince songs or videos have been played before the show starts, creating an air of anticipation. Normally, the lights go down, everyone SCREAMS and, by that point, you can't take it any more. This time, though, the lights went out, the regular clip of assorted celebrities/musicians praising Prince was shown and he was straight on stage. Quick as a flash. It just lacked a little 'drama', I felt.


I also thought - and, again, a few people said this to me - that starting the show with Purple Rain was a bit of an odd choice. I know it supposedly worked at the recent Target Center gig but, in my mind, it seemed to put things in reverse, somewhat.


And one minor complaint - considering I'd read so much about the 'state of the art' systems they have at the O2 Arena, I thought the sound was terrible last night. And I wasn't the only person who mentioned that. As I knew all the songs, I could understand what Prince was singing; however, for most of the night, it was quite muffled and I have no idea how a non-fan would have been able to work out the lyrics. So, hopefully, that'll be improved in time for the next concert.


Overall, though, the crowd seemed to love it and it was a good start to the tour. Great songs, great playing, great showmanship - I cracked up at his 'I have more hits than Madonna has children' line. I realise the above may seem a little negative but those are my honest thoughts - I really did enjoy it but there could be improvements, IMO. But, hey - it's Prince. I'll take his shows over any of these dime-a-dozen acts anytime. It *was* a great show, despite how the above may seem.


Merchandise-wise, the 3121 perfume was on sale, a few T-shirts, the 'N.E.W.S.' cd and 'One Nite Alone... Live!' box set (he must have a few spare copies floating about ). There were also tamboraccas on sale (which you have to hand in before you go into the arena - I presume Prince doesn't want all hell being shook out of them when he's singing 'Somewhere Here On earth' ) and programmes for £15 each. Some gorgeous pictures of P in them.


The absolute highlight of the night, however, was the Aftershow in the Indigo venue. Oh. My. God. It was AWESOME!!!!! So good, I think it was better than the main gig itself!


For those who have yet to go to the Aftershows, unless you really have to be right at the front - and you know who you are - do not worry about rushing to get there. It literally is on the doorstep of the Arena itself and *wherever* you are - upstairs, downstairs, at the front, by the bar - you will get an amazing view. It is very intimate! Unfortunately, I missed the last 5 songs of the main show as I thought he was ending with Let's Go Crazy and rushed to Indigo. Little did I know that he was doing several encores and walking into the crowd!?! But I won't do that again - I will be staying right until the very end. Whether you are first, or last, in line you will get an amazing view - it really is that small.


Oh, and for those who are interested, the drinks are nicely priced, the staff are friendly and there's a cloakroom too. £1 an item.


As for the aftershow gig itself... holy moley!!! I was brimming with energy and excitement as I left! I have read a few other Orgers' comments and it's a shame some were disappointed by it. Okay, he didn't sing very often and a LOT of stage time was given to the band members but this show was all about musicianship in its' PUREST form. They were absolutely INCREDIBLE last night! It is such an honour and a pleasure to witness such accomplished musicians enjoying themselves and displaying their skills in such close proximity. And fascinating to watch the interplay between them. At various points, I honestly couldn't get the smile off my face. I was like this ---> And as for Prince's guitar playing.... WOW. Simply stunning. At one point, I just stood there in complete astonishment and - right at that very moment - my (non-fan) mate tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a look as if to say '!!!'. He was absolutely superb. Another favourite moment was me dancing away to the funk, in my own little world, and some guy in front of me turning aroud, looking me straight in the eye and us both grinning like Cheshire cats, knowing exactly what the other was thinking. As far as I am concerned, Prince and the band were on fire last night and it is an honour to be in the company of such talented musicians. I am still smiling thinking about last night. It really was a fantastic gig.


Oh, and I met Emma B - a UK tv presenter/broadcaster - who seemed very nice indeed. Plus, she's a hardcore Prince fan - kudos to her.


I must've got to my mate's house around 5/5:30am and had to be up at 7am. My 8am bus was then stuck in a traffic jam on the motorway for THREE HOURS on the way back to Cardiff so I am totally exhausted now, forgive me. I really haven't had much luck getting to/from London for this gig. But it was ALL worth it - traffic jams, wrong tube stops, void tickets and all. I cannot *wait* for tomorrow night's gig.

So if you get a chance to go and see our hero in action - get your ass to the 02 Centre! A great night awaits you!

this is like Vegas part 2

which is great if you have not seen it

but what about the 150 songs he was rehearsing???

was that just another way for him to get people to buy tickets??

i'm surprised he didn't announce "per4ming hits for one last time" again

Thanks for posting. I cant wait til the 18th...seems like a long way off at the mo

Thanks onenitealone
Haven't been to Vegas so looking forward to the 11th of August shows

it was heart breaking not being there but cant wait till the tenth..thanx for sharing ur experience.

Excellent eview, glad you had a great time.

I'm so exceited, will be going myself on the 17th and 31st, aftershow on the 17th also. Definately money well spent.

Yey Alun!!!!!

OH MY GOD! What a great night!!!!


M

sounds fab cant wait

Thanks guys!! It's much appreciated.

If any Orgers recognised me and I went past, I do apologise - I am usually in a world of my own. If you see me tomorrow or Saturday, be sure to give ne a shout. I won't bite - unless asked.

3121Addict said:

Uh, not to be rude mate but what do you expect? Prince to play all 150 songs he hand the band have rehearsed all on the 1st night?!! Give him (and yourself) a chance.