Seen Prince 27 times now. 24 regular gigs and 3 aftershows.
Best gig was Lovesexy at Wembley (the first time is always special )
Best aftershow was The Emporium, 22nd March 1995

Overall I though it was a great night, even a "bad" Prince gig is better than most other artists on a good night. I don't rate his gigs alongside other performers, I rate them against previous Prince gigs.

Therefore I reckon Arena show was 8/10 and Indigo was 9.5/10 based on the previously mentioned gigs getting 10/10

SquirrelMeat said:

No on the contrary..I don't dislike u at all, takes 2 much energy 2 do that mate.

We'd probably bump in2 each other at the 02 and have a drink in anticipation 4 the concert only thing is from the sound of it I'd be the only one expressing genuine excitement and not pent up cynicism about the night ahead.

IF u are as disgruntled about these gigs as u have seemed 2 be over many threads e.g.

The choice of song, seating arrangements, planning, lack of appearances at after shows, not liking his choice of wardrobe, that he wore a head scarf, he played piano sitting down,he played too much/too little of...blah blah blah, he should never start with purple rain etc etc then heres a suggestion...dont go.

Channel your energies elsewhere...because seriously I saw a negative response on saturday...and it had nothing 2 do with Prince.

2 be honest there are many many more things 2 be highlighting here about the 02 concerts then about what Prince did or didnt do...try looking at many of the so-called audiences cold, boring, drunken, corny,violent, vicious and unappreciative behaviour during these extravaganzas...there are many fans around the world and in Britain itself that would make the most of the opportunity 2 see Prince.

2 put it 2 better use than many of the "Im only here 4 the hits! (which basically means Kiss, When Doves Cry and either Gett Off or Diamonds and pearls" crowd that I've seen at all of the gigs!

So like I said mate...

...nothing personal.

YODAHENDRIX said:

Glad to hear it

I've loved every show so far. Such is the excitement that we all talk about all sorts of crap on here.

But there is nothing wrong with people wanting to see change in something. Its natural. If people don't like reading it, its easy to steer clear of!

The only continual confrontation on here seems to come from two sources. Firstly, the supposed "positive" people telling "whiners" what they can or cannot say.

Secondly, if you look over the majority of threads in here, its littered with self proclaimed "enthusiast" level newbies, telling everyone that they are not true fans if they do X or they don't do Y.

Personally, I'm not disgruntled about the shows. Far from it! Are you confusing me with someone else? I've even start a thread or two saying what great performances I've seen.

If you mean disgruntled because I said something like "The teasers didn't work, they simply frustrated the audience" or that I sympathise with those people I think got shafted at aftershows, then there is nothing I can say that would make you realise I am only stating an opinion.

The difference is, I'm not telling anyone to shut up or to leave because my opinion doesn't match theirs.

Hopefully I'll see you at an aftershow for a beer!

SquirrelMeat said:

Cool...why not!

pacey68 said:

Arabic girl??.....not that i know of.....
[Edited 8/13/07 7:33am]

Well it was one of the best...if you asked Prince he wouldn't name any because he doesn't like comparisons, everything just seems like an experience in that sense.

I have fond memories of the Cafe De Paris, shielding a pregnant lady called Petra (heavily pregnant at the time) from being crushed against the barrier. And also a good female friend of mine subsequently appearing in the video for Come On off the back of that gig!!

The one that sticks in my mind was at the Hippodrome of all places, a dreadful nightclub and one place where I thought he'd never play. This was in '98 after Wembley...a fairly forgettable show apart from appearing onstage carrying Chaka's cape! He came out at about 2.45am from memory and played a fantastic set incorporating The War (a very rare track as I'm sure you all know), Thank You for Talking to Me Africa by Sly Stone and many many more...

It finished at some point after 5am and Prince walked to the top of a staircase turned round and just stared at the people left...to this day it's hard to know what he was thinking...while walking home through the backstreets a limousine drives by slowly, and small hand holding a walking cane waves out of the window...

Just thought I'd share, to prove that even on tours which were far from vintage there have been some amazing moments.

T

Friday main show was not bad, but preferred a lot of the ONA shows because of the soundcheck beforehand and the intimacy of the venue.

The shows can be so different it is hard to compare. Lovesexy was my first (in wembley arena) and as a previous poster said...1st is special.

Nude was great in Germany as you could get to the front by queuing (Kiel, Hamburg, Hamburg, Dortmund)

Diamonds and Pearls was great show, but awful venue (Earls Court)

Symbol (Meadowbank stadium was weird) Open air, bused driving past behind the stage...and in daylight...(met so many fans in that queue that I still see every year)

Gold in Glasgow was beautifully lit and he seemed so energetic.

Wembley, Brixton in 98 were pretty good but Cafe de Paris was very very special (see me catching the man in the green and blue top in the video)

Aftershows: not seen that many: Garage in Glasgow in 95 (in shades all night...vicious on guitar, Hippodrome 98 - loose and relaxed, New Marquee 2002 - just plain funky....getting langebleu to the front in a mad dodge across london....

and 10.8.2007? My favourite too actually, because of the loose vibe...both bands being there, and having him fall on me (again...must look like a safe pair or hands....)


But even aftershows where he does not play have memories....not getting in in Hamburg in 90 because my wife and i were in jeans
and Zurich in 02, where I was sitting on the stage and he crept up from behind and grabbed my shoulders....what could ever replace that...

Thus, I am also against all the moaners here....nothing is guaranteed, but there can always be surprises and they can be priceless....

Grant

Secondly, if you look over the majority of threads in here, its littered with self proclaimed "enthusiast" level newbies, telling everyone that they are not true fans if they do X or they don't do Y.

Well it was one of the best...if you asked Prince he wouldn't name any because he doesn't like comparisons, everything just seems like an experience in that sense.

I have fond memories of the Cafe De Paris, shielding a pregnant lady called Petra (heavily pregnant at the time) from being crushed against the barrier. And also a good female friend of mine subsequently appearing in the video for Come On off the back of that gig!!

The one that sticks in my mind was at the Hippodrome of all places, a dreadful nightclub and one place where I thought he'd never play. This was in '98 after Wembley...a fairly forgettable show apart from appearing onstage carrying Chaka's cape! He came out at about 2.45am from memory and played a fantastic set incorporating The War (a very rare track as I'm sure you all know), Thank You for Talking to Me Africa by Sly Stone and many many more...

It finished at some point after 5am and Prince walked to the top of a staircase turned round and just stared at the people left...to this day it's hard to know what he was thinking...while walking home through the backstreets a limousine drives by slowly, and small hand holding a walking cane waves out of the window...

Just thought I'd share, to prove that even on tours which were far from vintage there have been some amazing moments.

T