I've just landed back home with a serious case of depression.... I really hoped we could "miss" the plane and go to the shows tonight too .Let me share my impressions for the opening shows:

Collecting the tickets for show + aftershow
This was a breeze, contrary to what is said on the TM site nobody asked for an ID -they just need the credit card. Be aware of the fact that the indigo's box office only opens at 18:00 so no need to rush in to collect your tickets for the regular show.There were still tickets being sold for the "sold out" aftershow and people who got to the arena at 16:00 bought really greatt floor tix for the show....

The merchandise
T.shirts were 20-35 pounds each ,I think the prices are obscenely expensive.

The show
Prince was PHENOMENAL !!! I loved the opening song PR and cried like a little girl Prince looked incredible and he was having so much fun !He pulled his sexy dance moves and the setlist with the out-of-this-world encores was a dream.I, however,think that "Planet Earth" live didn't do any justice to the album track and that "Black Sweat" sounded off live.
We sat in Block 110 row T, the block itself was good but the row a bit too high as I couldn't really "see" his face.

The aftershow
First of all, the queue to the Indigo was a huge mess as many people had been standing in the wrong line (VIP and press only) for over half an hour before we were told to go stand in line somewhere else where the line was another hour long Well, finally we got in and the music was great (not realizing DJ Rashida was in the house, I was too busy getting my spot in the first 3 rows...)
but boy was it disgusting to be among those very drunk people who could barely stay on their feet , who were very rude and having a beer or two or three...no wait four beers spilt on my clothes and shoes was just a bonus. A vast majority of the crowd was totally wasted and it ruined the whole experience big time for me
The atmosphere as a result was VERY dull and I can't believe there wasn't a riot in the crowd when Prince who only sung 1 song just left with a cold "thank you". I don't think he enjoyed himself and I must say that after reading about legendary aftershows in the forums I was just too disappointed! The first hour was only the band jamming and it was way toooo long, when Prince finally showed up the anticipation was at its peak and he didn't deliver....So ok he played a great guitar of anothaloverholeinyohead but why not sing it?? The only song he sang was 3121 I don't know, this aftershow wasn't the cherry on the top of the ice -cream for me and it's a shame that it ended that way.
It infuriates me to know that there will be much better aftershows and I won't be able to be there .I'm certain that had the crowd been much more energetic and less drunken Prince would have not disappointed his fans.

For all of you going to the next shows: Have the time of your life !
and don't drink....you'll just ruin it for yourself and others

Hi there,

Sounds amazing looking forward to it.

Do i understand it right that the VIP-tix for the original show also gives you access to the afterparty ?

BR,

Peter,

petersauer said:

I had VIP tix for the show... No mention of after party in letter... I think they're seperate for Indigo...
IF they weren't i'd be well peeved off!
[Edited 8/3/07 8:01am]

I couldnt have put it better myself. It felt a bit odd at the aftershow after such an amazing concert, a bit of a let down, I was towards the back and didn't notice any drunken fools! They must have all been at the front. I am going to another aftershow on 12th sept and I just dont know what to expect. I would have killed for even a glimpse of Prince a few months ago so its a strange feeling wandering if I should even bother going to the aftershow again. If I had gone home after the main show I would have kept my almighty high, the aftershow snuffed that a bit.

lunny1974 said:

Hi Lunny,

Is the venue as intimate as it looks? You said you were at the back ... do you mean the back of the standing area? Did it still feel pretty close up?

L

yael72 said:

Hi at least you got a song at the aftershow i was at the friday aftershow and prince didnt even bother to come on stage in ruines my whole trip as waites an hour in que outside waited 6 hours inside then nearly 2 hours for a taxi outside had a 7am flight back to glasgow my trip was just ruined

Levi said:

The venue is small enough to feel close wherever you are

Hey all, just back from the 4th of August gig and aftershow. Just wanted to say that the gig itself was amazing, although the wait from 6pm (stated on the tickets) til when he came onstage at 9 was a bit of a killer! Anyway...just wanted to say that I totally understand the comments regarding the aftershow drunks ruining the atmosphere. A vast majority of the crowd (from my spot at least) were very drunk and one or two individuals in particular were pushing their luck, hassling my partner and I and whatnot, being VERY rude (obviously amusing each other, but annoying everyone else). It was a very tense and uncomfortable atmosphere, made even worse by the long wait for the band to come onstage.

Putting the two shows together, there was a period of over 5 hours spent waiting around and I watched people buy drink after drink. 5 hours is a long time when you have nothing else to do, and I can see how it wasn't really their fault that they got so wasted. But at the same time, i don't think being drunk excuses aggressive and rude behaviour.

On the positive side: when P came out for 5 mins and played with Nikka's band it was great to see him in such intimate surroundings. Also, the DJ was wonderful, great music.