Well, Prince didn't play tonight. Gutted, really hoped he'd be able to do two aftershows given that it's the end of the tour, and only got one encore in the main show...


Had a dodgy feeling 'cos there was no lyric woman scuttling about, the guitar tech. was nowhere to be seen

Anyway, the crowd were generally good in Indigo, really responsive and up for it which was nice to see. Two or three very wasted 'geezers' who were clearly desperate for a fight spoiled things a little bit for people at the back of the floor area...

Mike Philly started speaking form behind the curtain, the band struck up and led the whole evening. When the curtain parted, you could see Cora's drums, Renato's keyboards, etc. all covered up...My heart sank

Anyway, the NPG horn section did a great job of keeping us entertained, led by Mike...and boy, he can sing too!! Did lots of voicebox stuff which was cool. It was the NPG horn section with some other band that did a fine job, can't remember their name - Raw or something like that... Must say, the drummer was brilliant, a real talent, you could tell Mike dug him very much, he held is own.

So, they did a couple of numbers, I think a Stevie Wonder track or two which was very cool. They got the crowd going really well. Then Mike brought on an English (female) singer who was ok, but really couldn't hit the notes all of the time (a little embarrassing since she said that she was doing it for the UK scene ) She did a Stevie track and two or three others, and got the crowd going.

Then Mike introduced the Sax player John Altman which would have been good, if he played anything. The band all went into So What?, Altman played a couple of phrases and then seemed to hide for the rest of the night in the left wing, not adding anything at all. Bizarre really.

Ah, then out came some crazy beat-box dudes and guy on acoustic guitar. Now, I love a bit of beatboxing, but doesn't really go anywhere without a good lyricist rapping over, etc. And the way they did it, seemed to be more to show off their novelty, than anything else. Still, it was cool, the crowd dug it, and the kids got some exposure.

So, Mike saved the best till last, when (thank god) Marva and Shelby came on - so nice to see them

They got the lights down real low and impro'd a while, before going into a Jill Scott tune (can't think of the name, I think it's on Jill's first album), which was really nice. I think there was more general grooviness, before Marva led a 'remix' of not sure what - the odd Housequake-type chant, with a bit of Sex Machine perhaps. Anyway, she really rocks, even got the crowd on stage! Felt sorry for her when some girl that couldn't dance wouldn't leave and then insisted on trying to dance with Marva (yes, wanted to twirl her round too)...

And that was that. Big thank you and much love for the NPG who really can hold their own without Prince leading events. But innevitably, it's always gonna feel more than a little disappointing when Prince can't make it.

That's the tour over for me. Saw Prince at two out of three aftershows, so have nothing to complain about. Off to dream about them now... (Oh, if anyone takes pity on me and has a spare ticket for Friday...?!)

I pity you, but I don't have any spare tickets, infact I don't have any tickets.

Know the feeling I went on 12th Sept and Mike Philly was on not P, although saw him on 18th Aug and 6th Sep so can't complain Felt a bit of a fool coming from home when he wasn't there.

Anyone got any for tonight???

Its a shame Prince didn't play and even though Mike Phillips and co were very good, can't help feeling a little disappointed.

Some great people in the queue though - got chatting to a great bunch of girls.

Message to Jenny from St Johns Wood - your mobile number didn't save.

My email address is kevina.allsop@tiscali.co.uk.

Sorry he didn't show - third time unlucky - but please get in touch.

Could have done with a bit more funk last night.

ah can't believe he didn't turn up for you after leaving the main show early guess he wanted an early night, glad you managed to have a good night anyway it must be a bit tough for the rest of em when P doesn't show - good luck everyone for tonight, please get me an aftershow ticket God if you're out there

try a hit rate of 0/3 for the aftershow

Artefact said:

You seem to have Shelby and Marva confused..... It was Shelby's remix and Shelby who had the girl wanting to twirl her around... i think she handled it well though! AND Shelby definitely said "London see you tomorrow when it is really going down"!!!!!YIPPEE

Shit, you're right. Sorry... that's what posting at 5am does...!

Mike led a great version of People Make the World Go Round, (but chang it to "London makes the world go round".

He also held a single note for probably 90 sconds...phew.

The NPG are the bomb really.