If it was strictly speaking a 'hits show' he wouldn't have played 'joy in repetition' or 'forever in my life'

both of which have been highlights for me

you could argue that it's just because i'm a fan, but i'd say that kind of catalogue tune adds a lot to a show

i'm fairly sure there will have been some people amongst the 20000 on those nights, that aren't that aquainted with princes back catalogue, that will have thought 'ooo, i liked that, i'm going to hunt the albums those tracks are from down and have a listen'

I feel a bit lost

I was at both Fridays and Saturdays gigs and i thought they were both better than the 18th Aug (not the aftershow that was mindblowing)

On Friday he came on at 9.15 after a 5 minute video not 10! He finally left the stage after his final encore at 10:58 not the 3 and a half hours of the ONA gig at the Appollo he referred to which was a very intimate gig but he certainly played some of his hits. As far as i can tell there is not a shit view in the arena. Overall i think this guy has offered another piece of lazy journalism and i dont think he is a fan on any level if he was he would have appreciated the musicianship on show from both P and the band regardless of any of the songs he played. My 16 year old daughter only knows the big hits but she came out totally in awe of what she had seen!!!!!
Roll on Sunday for my 4th visit

the covers thing is interesting - (i can understand people not wanting to hear prince play covers)

I enjoy his covers and I think it keeps him from getting bored. I think some of the bitching may be coming from young fans who really don't have much of an appreciation for music.

We have a whole generation of people who only know lip synching and concerts with 50 dancers on stage.

I can see P having an off night but simply think some of the negative reviews are from people who are causal fans and not really music lovers.

A little bit of immature attitudes as well. Why would anyone blame the artist for the poor sound in the venue and seating (LOL)
[Edited 9/3/07 14:31pm]

I have seriously never known an artist to be so hotly contested as Prince.

I have to wean myself off Prince org for fear of never coming out alive again.

We have the same discussions everytime.

Is new Prince as good as old Prince. I wish he would do this. I wish he would do that?

Do people discuss other artists so ferverently?

Can you see message boards appearing in cyberspace about whether Lenny Kravitz is as good now as he was 20 years ago, whether his change in direction is good or not?

I can't think of any other artist who people get so hot under the collar about.

He certainly causes a stir...and we're still writing about him 30 years on...

Literally what do you have to say to a Prince fan to start a fight?

It's like the North - South divide? It's like old Starwars or the Phantom Menace. People are going to be discussing this for years??

Anyway I'm not one not to give my opinion....

Still I definately prefer Lovesexy ...

laurarichardson said:

No, I don't think this is true...look at Glastonbury, Reading, etc, etc. These venues are all about live music.

Look at new artists like Amy Whinehouse, and the huge crop of bands that play these festivals.

There seems to be more live music about than ever before.

People are just peeved with Prince because he has such great songs but almost seems to hold back playing them.

If you look at it this way they really are huge Prince fans because they are desperate to hear him play his tunes.

It's not to say the other music isn't great, it is, it's just well if you turn up to a Prince gig you just really, really want to hear Prince.

Dn't get me wrong I think he's got the hardest job in the world to please everybody. I'm not mad at him.

You just can't blame a girl for trying...

FunkyAphrodite said:

Err....yes he did. I went to the fucker! Alright, it was called the One Night Alone with Prince but it was showcasing The Rainbow Children. But this reviewer is obviously a fucking twat. The Manchester show was excellent, therefore invalidating all he says in my book. If I want to see Purple Rain for the millionth time I'll stick the fucking DVD on!

pepper7 said:

Glastonbury started in 1970, reading in 1960...so i'm not sure there's a shift there

I do agree with you to some degree...there does seem to be a move towards more genuinely live music, and move away from you lip synced acts a la britney spears...i actually put it down more to a change in the way people by music (or rather don't) than a decision by the public to watch live music

less and less people are willing to pay for music(cds or mp3s) so the only way musicians can make money is to tour/play live

Universal are going to trial giving free downloads of their catalogue in the states in the autumn(subsidised by advertising) if it works they're going to roll it out worldwide-warners/sony/bmg/emi are expected to follow suit if it works

my feeling is that it'll lead to a lot more live music-simply so musicians can make money!...here's hoping!

sorry, i've digressed a bit!

JazzMeUp said:

Thank God! Someone finally talking sense. I cannot understand people who say they appreciate music and then do fucking nothing to challenge themselves, listening to the same shite over and over again. I expect this guy thinks that Led Zepplin were self indulgent and Kraftwerk were dodgy German geeks who couldn't write songs? I like it that Prince puts me to the test every now and then. With acts like Oasis, Robbie Williams and the Kaiser Chiefs about, it's nice to have at least one act who churns it up and doesn't care. Call it selfish but I wouldn't just be bored if someone had forced me to play Purple Rain every night for 23 years. I would be prowling the streets looking for people to torture!

eightiesmusicculture said:

That was my point!

eightiesmusicculture said:

Sense indeed! I third that.

I wouldn't say i am a massaive fan of a lot of bands, groups, artists - but i can appreciate that when they put on a live show generally the experience will be positive and enjoyable. Just seeing someone perform live is a great experience - but the ones who really shine through are those that do something a little different and change things a little.

Also the point made about hearing new songs, or songs you may not have heard before is very valid. I've been to loads of gigs and often come away determined to find out what a certain song was and track it down to buy - it's all part of the fun. Whether it was Prince at the Café de Paris, or seeing Massive Attack at Brixton, Radiohead at Victoria Park or Metalica at Reading Festival i have enjoyed them all and gone on to track down a song or 2 in the process.

If i really just want to hear Princes hits and those alone i'll stick on The Hits 1 & 2, Best of Prince or Ultimate Prince. I have NEVER gone to any concert in my life wanting to just hear the 'hits' of whoever was performing. I believe any true music fan is always open to being introduced to something new.

I did find the first half hour a bit lukewarm on the 31st, but I really, really enjoyed the show, especially seeing a totally different set to the last one I went to. And he played all of "Sometimes it Snows in April", it wasn't cut short as the reviewer says (or am I going mad?). Anyway, if you leave before the first encore, more fool you! The atmosphere in the venue when he came back on for the last time was amazing, probably the most noise I've ever heard at a gig!

It's sad that this reviewer felt let down by the gig - those who come to see hits will get the wrong end of the setlist sometimes. But really, the man is completely obsessed with the hits, maybe he could have stayed at home and put his CDs on if that's what he wanted?

Personally, I'm there to see the man and salute and appreciate his blinding talent. I'd be as happy with a brilliant piece of guitar as a song everyone can sing. But that's just me!

I agree - I really enjoyed seeing stuff that wasn't the big hits, because you watch more of what's going on with the band and the guitar playing then - we had good seats and it was just such a treat to see him play so close