My head is still buzzing from last night's aftershow and my voice sounds very croaky from all the cheering and singing. I’ve been to three aftershows now (including the 18th August – the historic "Tangerine suit & Feathery hat" night) and I got to see Prince at each one of them. Can life get any better than that?

The aftershow last night was simply fantastic , brought me on such a high level (way, way up there) and left me so inspired. These guys are unbelievably good (I can’t find any adjectives that can encapsulate the quality and vibrant atmosphere of these shows). Prince himself got incredibly creative with his guitar, experimenting with various styles over a wide range of songs (I’m not going to list them all), including a far-out version of Stratus and a couple of Sly & The Family Stone classics (Thank You for Talking to Me Africa & Sing a Simple Song) with amazing vocals by Prince, Shelby & Marva.

And we got two encores! The first one was a brilliant performance of Get on the Boat (with guest will.i.am from the black eye peas!). The last one happened suddenly whilst everyone had already started to leave the Indigo. I had been standing near the steps on the side of the stage all evening and was still there, saying goodbye to everyone, when the band swiftly started playing again. I was abruptly pushed by a forceful crowd movement. I had no choice but to start climbing those stairs in order to escape the pressure, ending up nose to nose with the security man (who was really cute btw). One poor girl below in the crowd started to hyperventilate as she was being squashed so much she couldn't breathe. No one had noticed her and I tried my best to free her by asking people to stand back, but this proved really difficult, as the crowd had turned into one compact mass of bodies. The girl eventually managed to free herself as the crowd’s pressure eased a little. Unfortunately this distracted me a little bit and I can't remember what song they were playing, but it really rocked!

I also met a lot of great people last night, a nice couple from France, two people from Holland, and let’s not forget the star of the audience: Carla from Chicago, standing out with her bright red shirt, glittery trilby hat, and glorious smile, who despite not having slept since leaving Chicago the day before, seemed like the liveliest person in the audience. Amongst us there was also a tall gentleman (white top) and his wife (orange t-shirt) who said they were orgers but in the rush of the second encore, I forgot to ask their names. White top man and orange T-shirt lady, if you recognize yourselves, feel free to send me a note! (we were all by the stairs near the stage and I was the girl wearing a black beret) it would be nice to meet up again if you are going to another aftershow.

By the way, everyone here seems to think that the band started playing at 1am but I'm pretty sure they started well before 12:30. Does anyone else have the same recollection, or is it just me?


Everybody is a star
I can feel it when you shine on me
I love you for who you are
Not the one you feel you need to be
Ever catch a falling star
Ain't no stopping 'til it's in the ground
Everybody is a star
One big circle going round and round

Hey JazzMeUp!

I think it was around 1am. We arrived just after 12, and it must have been 45 mins later that Prince appeared on the balcony above us. So I think around 1am sounds about right

midasG said:

Hi Mart!, thanks for refreshing my memory! I must've got confused with the earlier appearance of Prince at the Balcony! Wasn't he just funny up there? Making all these faces and pretending to throw his hat off to the crowd! He's such a clown sometimes...

JazzMeUp said:

It was definitely 1am - I know because I only left my house at 12.30am as a last minute decision to try to get into the aftershow. I can see the Dome from my house and the thought of Prince playing an aftershow while I sat at home was driving me crazy!

I was at the aftershow the night before and was treated to the NPG in superfine form - honestly I think from a purely musical standpoint it was the best show in history. Completely incredible! My impression is that the band members hold back ever so slightly in the presence of the man himself - maybe so as not to steal his limelight? Well, all of them except Maceo of course - he's always on fire! But all the members of the NPG played an incredible set on the 31st - Cora is UNBELIEVABLE but so was everyone that night. I think Prince probably realised it was their night and left them to it.

Anyway, back to last night's aftershow - so I decided at the last minute to head down seeing as he hadn't shown the night before hoping that meant a good chance of him showing this time. I managed to get a ticket from someone leaving the show (£15!) just before 1am and moments after I walked in Prince made his VIP balcony appearance.

Just think - I could have stayed at home but instead I managed to catch the best show I am ever likely to see in my life!


[Edited 9/2/07 7:30am]

Whatitis said:

Great move indeed! Wish I lived closer to the O2 sometimes

JazzMeUp said:

HELLO

That was my wife (Little Bee) and me! Great to meet you and everyone else in our little spot

Carla was a star and now she has her long flight back to the windy city to look forward to.

After the 18th aftershow, which was phenomenal, I thought it couldn't get much better... but every time Prince plays he seems to be exploring more areas of the venue and his repertoire

From the appearance on the balcony before the show started, hat in hand, to the encore with Will.I.Am and then the second encore after the house lights had been turned on, it was fantastic.

Everyone was great last night too, not much pushing and shoving and (for a Saturday) a really loyal crowd.

Superb...

I'll note you JazzMeUp and we can meet up for some more

SuperGT said:

Just sent you a note. (Hi little Bee! )

I went to the main concert and the aftershow the only date i could attend he blew me and my sister who isn't a fan away. One of my favourite princes songs is when you were mine so i was chuffed when he played that at the afterparty. Has anyone got a full setlist from the main concert last night?

funksoulpop said:

Hi funksoulpop!

I think this should answer your question:

http://prince.org/msg/12/242570

how was his version of What Have You Done For Me Lately?????

JazzMeUp said:

Yeh he's the "funkiest man you ever seen" - still can't believe he did Partyman - me and Kel were having a competition before going in to pick an unlikely song he could play which he aint performed at any main or aftershow we had been to. I said Partyman but then changed it to The Ride....Darn!
[Edited 9/2/07 16:58pm]

Whoops - just edited this old post by mistake - no idea what it said originally - oh well
[Edited 9/26/07 9:56am]

Anyone else notice Prince borrowing the Kashmir (Led Zeppelin) guitar riff for the awesome version of "Thank You For Talkin'to Me Africa"?

What a night that was!