I don't know if I am already able to do a review, but here it goes:

We were at the Apollo around 09.15 in the morning. The dutch fanbase had arranged a system with security concerning handing out numbers which represented your place in line. We had numbers 44 and 45.
We were back at Apollo in the afternoon at around 15.00 to claim our position in line. At around 16.00 (I think) we were let into the theatre, and we could collect our laminate at the boxoffice. After that, we still had to wait about an hour an fifteen minutes before we were let into the soundcheck. In the last half an hour we were already able to hear Prince play Peach and Days Of Wild among others.
After we were let into the stage-area it took about fifteen more minutes before Prince walked on stage. I was able to get good seats in the fourth row, three seats away from the centre isle.
So, fifteen minutes later Prince walked out on the stage, wearing brown trousers and a cream white sweater with high collar and large buttons. First, he apologised for the long wait. He asked us who had been to the other London shows and concluded he had to play a completely different show. He asked us about the 'look-a-like' that had been in the Londen newspapers and what we thought about it. When people started commenting on the media, he asked how we heard about new music, and that that also was through the media, so that they had an important role to play. He also asked us what the sweater he was wearing was called in our language. Someone shouted 'ugly', which he didn't seem to like. Someone else shouted 'jumper'. He liked that, stating that: "So, this is my jumper then. M² jumper!"
After that, the actual soundcheck commenced:
The started out with tambourine, with Prince on drums, because John wasn't on stage yet. When John got on stage, they got into Muse 2 The Pharaoh. With John on drums being filmed for a video. After that, D.M.S.R, can't remember much about that. After that, Alphabet Street and Strollin' mixed into another song which I didn't recognize. It was a cover for sure.

Main show:
-The Rainbow Children
Pretty long and extended jam on this song, including much guitar playing. Prince wore a light-brown suit with matching shoes and white high-collar shirt with matching tie. Which he threw in the audience later.

- Muse 2 The Pharaoh
Standard work out on this one, with a lot of Prince on keyboard

- The Work, plus dance contest
Toto and another guy were asked on stage to dance. First was Toto, who danced as if he was on fire. Then the other guy was asked on stage, he danced a whole lot better, impressing Prince. Then Prince asked both to do what he does. He then went into a Prince-like dance with the second guy copying him and Toto again doing his own being-on-fire dance.
Then, a second copy-me dance. Prince let the both of them into a crazy dance, which he called the Ozzy-Osbourne dance. Dancing real stiff and awfull.
- Extraordinary
A beautiful version of Extraordinary was performed. With the music real soft and Prince's voice more beautiful then ever.

- Gotta Broken heart again
My personal favourite of the main-show. This was just to beautiful to be true. So tender and full of emotion. Brought tears to the eyes.

-1+1+1=3 / Roller coaster
After calming the house down with the two previous songs, it was time to get all excited again with this song.

- The Ride
Prince torturing his guitar on this one.

-Strolling
Half way true the song, Prince got off stage. Walking down the left isle. Then, walking back to the stage, he stopped at the fifth row and sat on the arm-rest of some guys chair. Off course everyone was standing and looking his way, but he gestured them all to sit down, because he couldn't see Candy Dulfer's solo.

-Strange Relationship
Started out with the 'WNPG, Real Music By Real Musicians Speech'. About who are real musicians and why.

-Pass The Peas
Maceo started out with his own song. Letting the crowd sing it.

-When you were mine
- Whole Lotta Love
- Family Name
Without the part asking the audience what their name is.

-Take Me With You
There was a party during this one! It still are the classics bringing down the house!

-Raspberry Beret
Party part two, with the audience not singing, but shouting the song! There was some energy in that theatre!

-Everlasting Now.
Everyone was waiting for this one. Bringing the house to an all time high!
Prince left the stage after this one. Technicians changing the stage, setting up a spot light and lighting new incense, which was smelling heavenly.
He noticed that there was a party going on on the right, so he invited them all on stage to party there to this song!

And then, the most beautiful ACOUSTIC SET:

- DonÆt Play Me
Prince came back on stage, with a white kimono-like shirt, white pants and white moon-boots (?).
With the lyrics changed a little bit, Prince played Don't Play Me. No band, just Prince and his acoustic guitar.

-7
Getting the audience go crazy.

- Pink Cashmere
beautiful rendition. Didn't even recognize it at first

- Bill Collector Blues
Now this was funny! It's a new really happy-sounding song. Prince sang about having caller ID' on his phone. The he stopped, asking us if we actually knew what this was. Then he explained that is allowed you to see who was calling you, so when it was a bill collector and you didn't have money, you didn't have to pick up the phone. Then he went into a phone-conversation with an imaginary bill-collector. That was to funny!
Continuing the song. The last verse was " ... I love U 2, but not the band.". He could tell by our response, that we didn't quit get that last line. So he explained that to! Repeating in a slow motion "I Love U 2. OK?. But not the band: U2!".

-One Kiss At A Time
A guy shouted: "I Love U Prince". On which Prince responded with:"That voice was too deep. The man can shout when I play rock 'n roll"

-Days Of Wild
We already heard him rehearsing this one. Pretty wild version with the lyrics not as clean as normal.

-Peach
He invited four girls to get on stage and dance. He left out the 'Titties bouncing' part!

-It Aint Over Jam
The concert being almost over he let us know, that is 'It Aint Over' yet. Suggesting there will be an aftershow (or just another song).

-Joy In Repetition
The most beautiful version of Joy In Repetition. With the crown shouting their lungs out on 'Love U, Love U'.

-Alphabet Street
Last song, but my best part. He asked the ten best dancers in the house to get on stage. I'm a no good dancer, so I didn't go. I won't humiliate myself in front of 2500 people! Then, he asked for ten more. I dared to go now, but was just to late, having to climb some people to get to the stage. He asked for ten more! Know, it was my turn. Already having one food on the steps to the stage.
I WAS ON STAGE, dancing to Alphabet St, but not knowing it. I was on the other side of the keyboards, while Prince was playing them! So close to the man!
Then he went to the microphone, handing out percussion. I didn't receive one, but he did shake my hand!


After that, to the:
AFTERSHOW
We already knew before the show there would be something at The Marquee. So we already had tickets for the tube. Arriving early at The Marquee, we had a good position four rows away from the microphone.
- Improvised Jam
Prince wore an all black outfit with long-coat and sunglasses. Which he held on all night. He played the guitar from Controversy all night!
The song to get the party going. The band didn't have much room, with Rhonda standing behind the keyboards.
-A.U.T.O.matic
- Shake!
- Tambourine
Now that's not the first song you'd expect! Prince told us it was to check our 'Funkness'. Bumping his head against something while palying with the audience.
- Sexy Dancer
-Dolphin
Starting it with real loud guitar playing.
-Sign Of The Times
The audience went crazy on this one. So Prince turned the microphone to us, letting the audience sing the entire song, which went perfect. Pleasing Prince.
- Bustin'Loose / Johnny
-The Work
For which he invited a girl on stage to sing it. He already knew her, but I have no idea who she was. She might be one of the people who participated in the karaoke contest during a previous soundcheck.
Prince just jammed on wood-block and other percussion. Closing the aftershow with this song at 4 am.

Great report!

ChocolateInvasion said:

So from 9.15am to 3pm you were not queuing at all ?

Don't you think this is a little unfair ???

freakyfeet said:

No one had to queue until' 3 am. So, no! It's not unfair.
I walked past Apollo at about 13.00, and there were nearly any people. Only those guys from TheDawn.nl who arranged it all.