Disappointing night again. Nikka Costa came on about 1am and played with her band, she is amazing, but everyone wanted Prince. He came on pretty soon, jammed for about 5 minutes and left. Maceo and co came out and then Mike Philly. They were on for about 10 minutes max. Nikka continued her set until just after 2am and by that time we'd realised that Prince wasn't going to make another appearance.
We left about 2.15am
I guess no one can complain this time as, technically, he did play at the aftershow even though you could have blinked and missed it.
But no complaints, we had a great night and were happy just to be there, seeing Prince play for longer at the aftershow would have been the icing on the cake though but maybe next week when we'll be back for round 2!

ZARIA7ETAN said:

"Disappointing" - not from where I was standing. Whats the matter with you?

GoldiesParade said:

Well, yes, disappointing from the perspective of not getting a Prince aftershow as deep down that' what everyone is really hoping for even though expectations are lower these days. Yes, he was on, but 5 mins only and did not really let rip on guitar even. However Nikka was great, and I'm pleaed she got some love because when she opened for the main show the arena was 2/3 empty and no one seemed to give her any love at all.

Prince looked pissed people were taking photos/video. Reckon if they hadn't he might have stuck around longer

GoldiesParade said:

Difference of opinion GP... I've read the reports from you and Militant. Glad you had a great time, but to be honest I would not be happy to have paid £25 + TM fees for Nikka Costa. 5 mins of Prince doodling on guitar just doesn't cut it.
[Edited 8/5/07 4:23am]

I had tickets for the aftershow but was so shattered after having been to all the gigs so far, that I decided not to go. I had read the reports of the last couple of aftershows and got the feeling that Prince wouldn't show up for too long, also had a hunch Nikka would be there. Whilst I love her music, it's not her I would be there to see. So really pleased I didn't go.

But I'm glad for those that went and had such a good time.

iain99 said:

I've actually been thinking about this as well, people are so blatantly flounting his clear and obvious wishes of not being photographed or filmed I think it may just be enough to sway his decisions on whether to play or not.

machinegun said:

Not sure. If it were true then he'd be pissed in the gigs too because I've never seen so many people recording and taking pictures at one of his gigs. Someone in the crowd last night was taking video with a professional camera, big lens and everything!

I think this is going to be one of his most bootlegged tours ever!

machinegun said:

It DEFINITELY affects his decision to play or not to play in an aftershow. I've seen him get ticked off and end an aftershow or concert abruptly in Vegas after spotting folks recording him or being overtly drunk. Also, the alcohol thing impacts his mood too. I worked at a nightclub that he did an aftershow at once and he told management he wouldn't get on stage until we stopped serving alcohol which was 2 am. So he played pool in the VIP room for a couple hours instead. That was 10 years ago.

SCNDLS said:

I guess he likes an attentive audience. The photographs issue though... if he really gets annoyed by that he might as well quit the business right now!

5 minutes with Prince or 0 minutes with Prince, you decide whats better. A turn up is a turn up, and I was very very happy with last nights show. There were two overcrazed morons taking 100's photos of his pedals and touching them of which 1 I think had his mobile phone removed by security, there were 3 security next to Prince looking at these two guys and I think thats the reason why Prince went off early.

GoldiesParade said:

For me, honestly there's no difference. 5 minutes on guitar is just the same as not turning up at all IMO. I don't get excited about seeing Prince or being close to him - I'm too old for that sort of hero worship thing. I just want to hear the guy play, y'know?

a few from his blink-and-you'll-think-you-were-ripped-off appearance at the "aftershow"

nikka costa was great at the aftershow, but was really disappointed at the amount of time we had to wait (1 and a half) for anyone to appear, was pissed off as prince did show up for 5 mins, but shelby and co certainly got the party rocking, i left about 3am.prince should of definately worked the stage more!

I was there and very pleased to be there - although I thought Nikka had a nice voice i found some of her tunes a bit self indulgent. I have no problems with Prince only making a short appearance cause that is his perogative but the thing that gets me is the waiting around, they should just say when Prince had left the building then everyone can make their way home. Some blokes near me kept on shouting "we want Prince" throughout Nikka's set and if he was going to get upset about anything I think it would be more likely to be disrespectful people like that rather than people taking a few snaps.

GoldiesParade said:

Hey, no need to be rude, am I not entitled to an opinion? I was disappointed with Prince just playing for 5 minutes. I think 99% of the audience would agree with me. It's his prerogative whether to appear or not of course, but after waiting for so long for something to happen and then only getting a snippet of Prince was a let down. I feel sorry for those in the King's Row who paid £75.

..
[Edited 8/5/07 11:52am]

What a fantastic night this was. I never expected him to come out at the aftershow and to be so close for 5 minutes was really good. Im not a big Prince fan it was more for my partner and she had the best night ever. The two fire exits where the place to be about 3am where he made a few appearance from one of them. Stood back and a few screaming fans (including my partner) ran over and he shook her hand and made a rolling eyes gesture at me because she was screaming so much. He went back behind the fire exits again and once the in the know group moved back abit he reappeared to speak to the DJ and walked to and from the fire exits. At this time and waiting for a further 10-15 minutes it was clear that was it, as most people had left and security asked us to leave.
I feel sorry for the people partying on the dance floor and at the main bar as they missed all this. If he came out 5 seconds later we would of missed it too.


But i can say i wont forget it as the memory will last forever and my partner certainly wont forget knowing Prince shook her hand, Simply Amazing!!!

ZARIA7ETAN said:

I am with you on this Zaria7etan....You are entitled to your opinion and I share this. Having waited on Friday night and him not showing up, I was hoping for a show last night. The short time he was on was great, but I'll admit I was hoping for something longer and I left feeling disappointed.

And before everyone starts telling me how it never said he would definitely play...yes I know - I knew that when I bought the tickets, but I can be HOPEFUL he's going to show sometimes, or I wouldn't have spent £25 several times over. I feel sorry for those who can only make one aftershow. I am fortunate to be able to attend more than one aftershow, so I'm hoping the odds are in my favour at least once.

Fingers crossed he's in playful mood next weekend and that the drunken lot who are there because....well, who knows why they'd go???...Let's just hope that Prince not having played this weekend puts them all off and they don't bother.

I would much rather hear and see Prince play when he's "feeling" it most - that's when he's at his best. And if he's not been feeling it the past two nights, I can't say I blame him given the state of some of the crowd.

Just wanted to add that I was hugely impressed by Nikka Costa. Didn't really know her music (apart from Push and Pull of course), but I thought she and the band were excellent.

Got the impression she wasn't too sure what was going to happen in the later part of her performance too...it was cool to see Maceo and the boys on horns - they seemed to be having fun and it didn't seem rehearsed, which I liked.