OK, so it's Sunday night, I've had some sleep, so here's my quick rundown of Saturday's events.

Got to the Apollo at 3pm, the earliest I've arrived for all three nights. There was someone handing out numbered tickets in a vain attempt to stop queue jumpers. They opened the doors around 4:30 (I think), and we started to go in, hoping that they'd arrange it as on Friday night where once we got in we could walk straight through into the seating area. Nope, it turned out a bit like the first night. We all ended up being held in the foyer of the Apollo for about an hour and a half. We could hear a soundcheck going on inside, but we weren't let in. Eventually, the natives got restless and started to chant and shout, and then they let us in. Once inside Prince came onstage in a cool white jumper (more about that in a minute). He started to play and everyone stayed seated, so he joked about how we must have been in the queue for a long time 'cos we weren't getting up, so everyone did as they were told and got up to dance . He did a run through of Muse to the Pharoah so that they could film Blackwell playing the drums (Is there a ONA video coming guys?) and some other tunes. A couple of funny moments; one Italian girl shouted out to Prince "sei belissimo" which means "you are beautiful", to which Prince said "Oh" as if embarassed. It was cool that he understood, but he probably gets that a lot when he's in Italy . At one point, Prince pointed to his jumper and said "OK, culture exchange, what do you call this", one guy shouted "Ugly!" to which Prince looked surprised but everyone laughed so I think he saw the joke, then someone shouted "jumper!" to which, in his best Dick Van Dyke, he said "This is my jumper". The best thing though was at one point, Prince didn't look happy with the sound, so he walked off the stage and down the aisle, right past where I was sitting. He stood about half way back. A couple walked in with their popcorn and drinks and brushed past him, not realising who it was (it was dark). When they got to their row, the security guard told them to turn around and the looks on their faces when they realised who they'd just walked past was so funny.

Now for the main event, Prince came on at about 8:30, later than any other night. Everyone thought that as he was late, the concert was going to be shorter as apparently there's an 11pm curfew at the Apollo. I won't go into the set list here, as it's posted elsewhere, but it was similar to the first night and by far the best night of the three (the best for me were 3rd, 1st, then 2nd nights). Highlights for me were Gotta Broken Heart Again, Joy in Repetition, and the acoustic set he played. I've never seen Prince sitting on a chair playing an acoustic guitar with no backing before, apart from in the "4 the tears in your eyes" video, so it was a real big event for me! During the set he played "7" which was absolutely fantastic. The finale was funny too, as Prince kept on bringing "10 more" people up on stage, until there were about 50 up there! The security guards were going nuts! Also, there was a part where Prince walked off the stage, into the crowd, and sat on someone's seat watching the show . the concert ended up finishing at 11:30!

After the gig, we headed off to the aftershow. It was in a club called the new Marquee (the old one was in the West End of London and was a really famous venue). When we got inside, there were the usual liggers and girls who'd somehow got special wristbands for the VIP area, but didn't really give a stuff (we don't cuss anymore apparently ) about Prince. Best of all though was that there were other people in there, hen party and general clubbers, who had tickets booked for that night already, so they were basically getting a free show. Security was quite tight, as they were only letting people in with blue laminates (the laminates from the other nights were different colours). There were two areas in the club, one was a bar, and the other was the stage area. The fans were all obviously trying to get the best position, so ther was a lot of pushing and "I'm going to see my mate over there" type routines. I just happened to position myself (all 5 foot 6 of me) behind probably the4 tallest guy in the place (at least 6 foot 6), but managed to squeeze next to him to get a better view. Luckily the stage was very high up so most people could see. He came on about 2am and played a short 50 minute-ish set. Highlighs? The whole thing for me! He played Sign O' The Times, Dolphin, James Brown's Soul Power, and a couple of other jams. He went off and everyone expected him to come back for more, but he didn't.

I eventually got back home at 4:30am, and now I'm preparing myself for the long drive to Manchester in the morning to see the Monday night show.

I'm so tired I couldn't even begin to tell you, but I have to say that these last few nights have been some of the most exhilirating nights I've ever experienced going to see Prince (been a fan since 1985). This is a different Prince who communicates to the fans on his level not just at the soundchecks, but also during the main gig itself. He has fun and his personality and sense of humour has really come through at the gigs.

I can't wait for tomorrow!

great report! thanks

cool review, took me back there to the main show as it was the only bit I attended. Have been to every tour since 1988 but only manage to make one date each tour due to work/family commitments, I know he tends to play different set lists each night so it was good to hear that for u the best night was Saturday. Thanks

Is this the Rico eye read about in an Uptown issue where u talked with Prince on Stage about ure owned made Prince jackets? eye think it was in Detriot or something.

Peace,

DOM.

Rico said:

Rico said:

Erm - were you in the middle right at the front ?

f2002 said:[quote]Is this the Rico eye read about in an Uptown issue where u talked with Prince on Stage about ure owned made Prince jackets? eye think it was in Detriot or something.


No that Ricco (with 2 c's) was in MPLS.
check out his new web site at riccomn.tripod.com

He used to live here in Detroit, but now he live in Chanhassen Mn

Good review. My experience also.

I agree his personality and sense of fun really emerged at these shows.

I certainly got the impression that Prince was really trying to make the club work.