Just got back and I wanted to say I really enjoyed it. I think Prince came on about 12:30amish and it all wasn't fully finished until 3am. I stood at the back and could see really well. Plenty of room to dance and jump.
Next one is the 12th. I'm sure Prince said they were now going to do every night there's an aftershow so I might possibly stick in one more aftershow before the final one on thr 21st.

Just got back from another amazing aftershow.

A very long one tonight - started at 12.30, and finished around 3am... a joyous 2.5 hours!

I can't remember everything he played, but in no particular order I remember these:
Joy in Repetition (I had a tear in my eye for this one)
Controvesy
1999
Boys and Girls
All the Critics Love you in NY - with the lyric changed to London!
Alphabet St
music to Peach but different lyrics I didn't recognise
Chelsea Rogers
Question of U/The One
Kylie's Can't get you out of my Mind
I think it finished up with 3121

There were a few I don't know too, some covers maybe... someone's bound to come on and fill in all the gaps.

Prince told the audience that backstage he'd been talking to someone who'd asked which track he was gonna release as a single, and he asked us Chelsea Rogers or The one u wanna See? Then said that he didn't have a favourite becuase they were both his kids!! He spoke about this for about 5 mins (with a wicked guitar riff in between) even saying that he didn't think singles existed any more!! He also said something along the lines of him 'not selling many records/singles any more' to which his reply was 'I never sold records, I just make 'em, it's someone else's job to sell 'em!'

All-in-all I had (yet another!!!) fabulous night at 3121, every time I get home I think the latest aftershow was the best - maybe tonight I'm right!!??

that was really rather special...

a lot of instrumental jazzy bits, but incorporated into the set to make it feel you were on some kind of intimate musical journey.. missing from the setlist above---

i feel for you/controversy/housquake snippet
le freak
I wanna take you higher.
snippets from "wanna be starting something"
Crazy
[Edited 9/9/07 21:10pm]

Yup - was certainly the best one so far! Absolutely incredible and 150 minutes!!! The Kid was in rare form tonight!

Didn't go to the main show tonight, just went for 3121 - was my 4th aftershow and still 100% record of him playing (how lucky am I?) - also caught one of his picks Nice Mother of Pearl with purple symbol on Can't wait to hit my guitar strings with that!

He was clearly loving it tonight, he did not wanna stop - tore the house up and I've never heard him praise the fans and our wonderful city so much. He said London was his favourite city in the world and "We love you so much London, and what you give, we give back to you."

The skit about releasing a single was brilliant - spoken over the funkiest licks that just get kept getting harder, phatter and funkier (he'd do a rant, then say, "Wait a minute" and just work the groove in to another gear and then carry on with his musings). Part of it was, "People say to me, "Prince, you don't sell as many records any more" - I just say, well, I never sold records anyway, I made em!". And then went on to say "You gotta chase that money down, eh? I don't even make records - I make music!" At the beginning, when talking about the "cat who'd asked me to release a single", he was saying "Single? What's that? Do they still do those? I though it was all digital downloads - I think I'm too old for that! I have a computer - its broke though. Ain't nothing on it - I tried looking, but it didn't have THIS on it" and just tears the funk up further - it was stunning.

The night was kicked off with some lovely latin-style jamming and then in to a great and full rendition of 1999. Joy in Repetition was just sublime - a brilliant re-working, slightly jazz-infused, with incredible guitar solo - his playing tonight was nothing short of magnificent. And that band is just the best in the world right now and they just keep getting better and better. Prince went off stage after they'd done maybe 6 numbers, leaving the NPG to shine and each member doing amazing solos - but none as good as Mrs Dunham - she beat those skins like her life depended on it and did not miss a beat. Other than the man himself, she was the highlight of the show.

All The Critics - NEVER (in 58 shows!) have I heard this performed live - did the whole song too and then extended it way beyond with funky guitar, wicked clavinet from Mr Hayes and superb embellishments by Renato. It was fucking great - "You can cut off all your hair, I don't think they'd care....in London!"

Gnarl's Barklay's Crazy was also played, Shelby bringing the house down again, there was a Rolling Stones number too, tho I'm too freaked to remember which one Also played the One, I think Stratus was in there somewhere too, Le Freak over Sexy Dancer music, Alicia's Fallin and, at the end of 3121, Prince just did not want to leave it there, so he has a whisper in Marva King's ear, she goes over to Shelby and they start singing a refrain from a Jackson song (I think its Wanna be Starting Something, yes?) "Mammasaymammasamamacusa etc". The crowd went wild and almost drowned out the band with their singing of it. Also played was I feel 4 U - "London, do you feel for me like I feel for you?" - so playful with the crowd tonight.

Err, anyways, think that's all I can type right now - that may be my last show (5 arenas, 4 afters), although am seriously considering just turning up on the last night and seeing what I can sway! Met some lovely people tonight too, including a few orgers. Best crowd I've seen at an aftershow so far - well done peeps, terrific vibe at an incredible night!

London is definitely where its at
[Edited 9/9/07 21:31pm]

Add to that list...

I Feel For You
Crazy

Probably some others too, but after such a huge show, my memory is starting to fail me.

The opening tune was "The World Is A Ghetto" by War.... although I'm most familiar with the George Benson version (don't laugh, from the relatively early "In Flight" album... well worth checking out). There was also a great instrumental tune I didn't recognise, in 7/8. Cora was outstanding throughout the whole show... she comes across as a completely different player to the one that does the main arena show.

I've been to a fair number of aftershows in my time (although this was my first of the O2 ones), but I'd say this was the best I've ever seen. The friends I brought to the show have also just become huge Prince fans ...and now finally understand what I've been going on about all these years.

Thank you thank you thank you.

I loved it! I took my mother who wanted 2 know what all the fuss was about. N she came out saying;
"of all the gigs I have been 2, this has gotta be the best!"
& that's coming from a woman with 55years experience of some of the greatest gigs one could wish 2 have attended.
She was a personal friend of the late Joe Strummer from the Clash from before they even formed so has seen some amazing music. But I do not doubt that it was among the best shows ever. There really is something amazing and special that happens at a Prince show. Something unexplainable, & it was out in 4ce this evening!

On a personal note, I managed 2 get hold of one of his plectrums that his assistant threw 2me. & I also shared a moment of eye contact with Prince when Shelby & Marva were singing the Michael Jackson snippet. I didn't know the words 2 it & Prince noticed & gave me a smile & an awkward look referencing how Shelby was so militantly trying 2 get me 2 join in with the chant. My mum & several others picked up on that exchange & found it funny.

Incredible night!

My next mission is 2 somehow get hold of tickets 2 the remaining shows & aftershows. I have now made it my mission 2 attend all the remaining London shows!

popelife said:

I totally agree! This is something I have felt strongly ever since I saw her play the Superbowl & Superbowl Press Conference. I was really not looking 4ward 2her joining this tour & was only slightly reassured with her Main Show per4mances. But her aftershows have been SOMETHING ELSE! Nothing short of incredible.
I think perhaps her more dynamic style doesnt come across in an arena situation where she comes off sounding quite soft. Perhaps the better P.A. & more intimate setting allows all her amazing intricacies 2b shown.
That Josh Dunham is a lucky guy!
All hail C.C!!

She's just as good in the main shows, I think it is more to do with the fact that Prince is the absolute focus of attention at the main shows - at the aftershow, its much more a band thing and, yes, you're right that the more intimate setting and better sound help highlight the rest of the band more.

She rocks (and funks!) - big time!

OH MY GOD. I'm kicking myself now. I had a feeling he'd do an amazing aftershow when he left the main show so early. I'm so jealous.

Ugh, I really really want to go to more now but I can't justify lying to my boss for time off work.

Right, that's it. Just purchased tickets for next Sunday's aftershow on 16th. I hope there's no "pattern" of the weeks shows alternating like August, cos I'm risking my job here.

Ellie said:

Oh, but you CAN! Blagging time off work to go see Prince is well worth the karma

BTW, I note we share the same birthday, Ellie - trivial, I know

Well, Westv wasn't quite right in saying Prince said he was going to play every night - what he did say was (after the we give because you do type stuff) "That's why we keep coming back every night, y'all", but he does seem to be just getting more and more in to these shows as the tour goes on so, I'd say its a pretty safe bet that he may play them all.

Its a less hectic schedule for him in September - he seems to have paced the 21 nights perfectly

Is that a lame sign that I'm supposed to be there?

Agh, my throat is shot to bits this morning. I know I wouldn't have even noticed it if I'd have been at the Indigo though.

Its a sign that lameness will mean you're at work instead of being where you are supposed to be.....

I have to turn back time now and ask for today off work last week. Won't be a sec.... or I'll just get dressed and head on in instead

I knew there was a reason I didn't have a holiday this year, and everyone at work has had 2 and have used up all their days off until Christmas
[Edited 9/9/07 22:57pm]

'I wanna take you higher' - damn, i've never seen tthat live, always been my favourite sly track!

the aftershows seem to be getting longer by the night

my last one on the 16th

cloudguitar said:

The 16th, 16th, 16th... hear that Paisley Park Police - tell Prince to go aaalll night on Sunday 16th!!

Mindflux said:

thanks so much for sharing all that, it really means a lot to me! I couldn't be there last night so reading about it is the next best thing

WOW! Sounds even better than the 28th show.

good show

I made the decision not to try for the aftershow, having been to the concert. Something stupid like having work in the morning...

From the minute I got into bed, I couldn't sleep. I dinally nodded off some time after 2.45 and before 3.

How spooky!! I must be channelling the Purple One's timeclock!

Now, having had a pretty good strike rate of the aftershows and witnessing nearly all of his performances so far, I am well and truly gutted to have missed last nights.

Here's hoping somebody got a digital memory of it...

Mindflux said:

Ooops sorry! I was obviously enjoying myself too much last night.

I know dude - same here

aliuk1 said:

Now that sounds amazing, and I missed it! Thanks for the review.

Where were we all last night then? I was standing about two from the metal handrail thing that goes around the higher bit of the floor. I was to the right of the stage and slightly to the left of the steps down. I might try the lower bit for the next aftershows
Boy am I glad I chose stannding. You just can't beat the atmosphere.

glyn said:

Sounds great Alphabet Street Lucky you, I'm considering going again but which night... 12th... 16th... hmmm....

what can I say....just speechless at how good the aftershow was last night.

Amy Winehouse was in attendance with her husband, they were walking around downstairs before the show started, I thought we may get a duet, but it was not to be and who cares when you get a 2.5 hour show

Also, just as the show was beginning, Prince casually walked out of the backstage area (accompanied by 4 minders) and stood for a few moments near the DJ booth, checking out the crowd and the vibe. I think about 10 people noticed, and all of us pretty much lost it

He then smirked, and wandered back through the doors and onto the stage. I should have known at that point it was gonna be a beautiful night!!

It's sounds too good to be true, joy in repeatition and all the critics love you in New York... I have to go to all aftershows from this point on
[Edited 9/10/07 2:52am]

He played some of Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'??? NOOOO. I've been praying for any MJ and all I got was Janet on 1st Sept.

westv said:

I was near the rail thing but just left of center, got a bit peeved with people constantly pushing past but that might b an age thing Other than that I had a wicked time. My 1st a/show 2, awesome