Hi everyone.

I have delayed posting this while I got my thoughts together. I'm putting it up now for your comments. I went to the London Apollo soundcheck and concert on Friday 4th October and ended up feeling the lousiest I have ever felt after any concert. Apologies for the length of this message but I needed to get everything out. If you can be bothered, please read all of it before commenting.

I have e-mailed NPGMC about my night and they responded. I am satisfied with their answer. Here are the e-mails...

High NPGMC,

I am afraid that I did not have a great concert experience on Friday 4th October at the London Apollo. I hasten to add that this is through no real fault of yours. I offer you the following account as perhaps a catalyst for some minor changes that could be made to improve the NPGMC members experience.

I have no complaints about the Pre-Sale and soundcheck queuing system. I was so glad to be given the opportunity to see Prince and the band up close and I was not at all concerned with my seat position in the theatre. Anywhere in the first 15 rows would have suited me fine. it was the closest I had ever been. My fiancée (her first prince concert) and I arrived in London at around 3:30pm to 3:45pm and joined the already large queue. We were probably about 300th out of 500 or so. We had a good time in the queue, laughing and chatting with a guy in front of us, and watching with amusement as those at the front took it upon themselves to organise everybody into single file and an orderly fashion. We were amazed at how many people had "reserved" a place in the front but we thought "what the hey! if they can be bothered to queue or add their names to the list from 8:00am in the morning good luck to them!" I was happy to be going into the soundcheck and probably being the closest I have ever been to a Prince performance.

Eventually we walked in, got our laminate, wristbands and tix, bought a tourbook, went to the bar got a couple of drinks and joined the gaggle trying to get into the seating area. To their credit no-one seemed to be in a mad panic and we strolled up to about the 11th row (first row of the second block of seating and decided to sit at the end of an aisle (this later proved to be our biggest mistake)

The soundcheck got under way, and I must say I found it a strange experience. I didn't know what to expect and it was a surprise to see everything so laid back. Prince was in a good mood laughing and joking about the guys who always seem to be at the front but are not brave enough to come up on stage. He sat behind his piano, jammed and sung a few lines from The Ballad of Dorothy Parker. Cool Then he got 4 people up to sing for him. The last girl was especially good and she belted out a fine version of How Come U Don't call Me Anymore. Very impressive. This was obviously a dream come true for the four members and fairplay to them they had the nerve to get up there when Prince invited them to.

This was my fiancée's first Prince concert and I was eager for her to see why I love his music so much. I was relieved when he then walked to the front of the stage and asked for his bass. Sly's "Thank-You (Falletinmebemicelfagain)" was the jam! Prince's bass playing left me in awe. I could not stop my head bobbing and after it was done I was hyped up for the main concert.

This is where the problem started. As soon as the main concert started with the song "The Rainbow Children" I turned to my left to smile at my fiancée and immediately noticed some audience members right next to her in the aisle, attempting to get into the front block of 10 rows. It seemed that these people had come from the standing area at the back of the Apollo and just walked into the NPGMC members area which was clearly marked (albeit with some A4 printouts sellotaped to the back of the 10th and 15th row chairs). They were not NPGMC members and did not have the pink paper wristbands on. The Apollo staff did not stop them at the 15th row but only at the 10th row (just in front of us). 2 girls in particular seemed to be trying to get into the front block. They watched the (not very alert!) Apollo staff member (I won't call him security) out of the corner of their eyes. They were oblivious to my fiancée and stood in front of her pushing her out of the way and then made a successful attempt to get into the front block.

This was extremely distracting and galling seeing as I felt I had paid extra for my seats (I admit perhaps only as little as £5 GBP extra but possibly as much as £35 GBP extra). I could also see my partner getting more and more angry as other people made their way up the aisle and stood in a crowd right next to her. To add to our annoyance the Apollo/Security staff spent the next half hour or so trying to track down these 2 girls who had made their way into the front 10 blocks. The staff stood in front of us looking over those in front to try to see where they had gone. This was ruining our concert experience. I was trying so hard to ignore all this and watch Prince but I have to say I let all this get to me and I was fuming. I felt like a complete mug. I was so annoyed with the fact that the first 15 rows were not kept separate from the rest of the audience. Why had I bothered getting pre-sale tickets ( I know I had accessed the Soundcheck but this was supposed to be the best Prince concert I had ever seen). I could see and hear he was on top of his game but I was gutted. I have honestly had a better experience at Wembley Arena in block 28 or 29 halfway down the side, or at Wembley Stadium on the pitch area - at least in that case I knew I had paid the same as everyone else and no-one encroached into an area they hadn't paid to be in.

As the situation got progressively worse, I swapped places with my girlfriend and tried to keep people from stepping in front of us. The 2 girls were found by the staff members and brought out of the first 10 rows but still allowed to stand right by us. Once, a more senior Apollo staff member did clear the aisle. This lasted for about 2 minutes before the same people piled back down again. I hate writing like this because these people were obviously Prince fans. They were clearly "into" the music and experience (I am not advocating that they should not be allowed to enjoy themselves) but at the same time I found them selfish and rude by blatantly standing in front of our seats and often literally on our toes etc. I so wish we had just gone forward a couple of rows at the beginning and/or not sat at the end of an aisle. Has anyone else reported an experience like this? I did complain at the time, to the Apollo staff that came past, asking them to get these people to go back to the area they should have been in but all to no avail.

The final onslaught came after Prince looked at the central aisle and people being held back and asked the staff to let a couple of people through because they were "first timers" and we were all old hands. Well that opened the flood gates in all three aisles as the crowd assumed they could rush forward right to the front and we were squashed against a column of people to our left. Well my fiancée was a first timer, and at the time I doubted this experience would make her want to see Prince again. Prince said at one point words to the effect of "if you want to be at the front join my club". We both looked at other and said "or don't bother, pay for the cheapest seats or standing area you can, and just push members out of the way". We felt such fools.

Again I would stress that I don't particularly feel aggrieved with the NPGMC, but I am angry that the Apollo staff were not better organised at keeping those front 15 rows separate. A simple rope would have sufficed, people would just have had to walk around the edges of the theatre to get to amenities etc. I hope this does not come across as club member snobbery but I feel that was the whole point.

This year I decided to join the NPGMC. The promise of 4 new CD's was very tempting and I felt sure he would tour Europe. I know the concert experience is not strictly a part of the years membership but access to the presale and supposedly preferred seating is. I thought "Let's spend the money this time". Due to the bad organisation in the Apollo however, I would have preferred to buy general public standing tickets and watched the whole concert from the back of the auditorium where I am sure the view was just as good. (I am sure most fans did stay in the area they had paid for by the way).

I did try intermittently to listen to Prince's performance and experience the joy that I know he wanted to share with us. it was so hard though. We contemplated leaving after the "last" song Anna Stesia but I felt this would be cutting
off my nose to spite my face. I so wanted to enjoy the piano medley section. I was able to enjoy some brief moments of the concert, and I know it was an awesome performance from other reports. It was great to hear The Ladder at the soundcheck AND during the main performance, along with Starfish and Coffee, Nothing Compares 2U, The Beautiful Ones and many other favourites. Unfortunately this has to go down as my worst Prince concert experience when it should have been the best. It was so frustrating I wanted to cry. My fiancée and I both had a "post concert rant" in the car on the way home and now, a few weeks later I have calmed down enough to reflect on this experience.

In closing I want to say that I will continue to support the NPGMC and Prince. I will also gladly buy tickets to see Prince perform live again if I get the chance. Whether or not I pay to sit in the members area is another matter. Can any improvements be made without appearing too "exclusive" and "elitist" to non-members. Sorry to repeat myself again but I so wish I could have shut all the bad experience out and just focussed on the music (I know we both should have done just that) but I honestly could not. I hope you can see that I do not mean any harm with this e-mail.

Please respond and restore my "faith" a little. I look forward to hearing from you and enjoying the NPGMC membership for the rest of the year.

Peace

NPGMC response follows...

Hello

Thank u 4 the info. We're sorry 2 hear u had a bad xperience. We make it clear 2 all the venues Prince plays at xactly what needs 2 happen. Un4tunately we must rely on the venue security 2 carry that out. Each venue is different and we will have 2 find a better one next time.

To close, my fiancee was keen to add to my views as she often feels I do not get angry enough! Here's how she sees things (the "lynchmob" comment refers to a moment during the main concert Prince began to play the first few notes of "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore" then teasingly stopped, the audience booed wanting more and he jokingly compared them to a lynchmob)...

I would like to add that I accompanied my fiancee to the concert knowing how much it meant to him to see Prince live, the one person he idolises. It was my first time to see Prince and would say the last now. I have been
to many concerts and never once experienced the chaos and rudeness that I did at the Apollo. Everyone went for the same thing to see 'Prince' perform but next time wherever and whoever you are bear a little consideration for the people round you it really is not that difficult !!!
I feel angry at the NPG Club who charged an astonishing amount and then pretended that you would get perks, listening to other people(!), witnessing seat stealing (!) and then having queued and waited for a long time for the concert only to have people push in front of you in an area SUPPOSEDLY restricted to NPG members only, what a joke ! As for the Apollo staff they need more training in security, why they didn't stop people back where the
members rows started, why they failed to keep aisles clear, why they didn't seem able to spot who had wristbands !!! I'm sure he's a great artist but I couldn't begin to appreciate that when his 'lynchmob' (prince's description not mine) fans ruined my experience.

Phew! Well there you go. Shoot me down in flames if you so desire. I'd be interested to know if anyone saw things like this or whether it was just us.

Almost exactly my experience on the Thursday.

Prince was fantastic, but I have never witnessed such a rude and arrogant mob in my entire life.

I actually lost my own seat TWICE, because people were (attempting) to push in front and behind me. When the piano section began and I tried to sit down someone-else was actually sitting on my seat. Those in the aisles were then unable to sit down (i.e they had no seats) and entirely blocked my view. Worse than this they were chatting.

One particularly rude man who took it upon himself to stand/shove himself halfway over my seat, actually swore at me when I asked for some space.

Luckily, I was able to attend all 3 nights, so I avoided aisle seats on Friday and Saturday. However, the problem had been solved by Saturday night.

Again, I'd like to stress that Prince and 'The Band' were superb, but some people present really needed some home training.

I've seen dogs with more manners.

I hope you guys had another chance to see the ONA show at a later date!

But good you sent this out to the NPGMC. They apparently learned from this- for instance Rotterdam (apart from the fact they didn't expect this many members- 1200! I missed a part of the soundcheck because of this) and Antwerp were organized much better.

I know what u mean. When I went 2 Thursday's performance at Hammersmith where lots of people from the back pushed their way through 2 the front many times. I wouldn't have been that bothered if they stood in an orderly fashion and listened 2 the music but it was the constant running around and TALKING (R they in a coffee house?) and the security who stood by and did zilch that got me. Finally a member of staff with some sense told them 2 go back 2 their seats. I can't understand y staff don't do anything. Surely it is a health and saftey issue?!

Also, I'd like 2 point out it's not only non members that behave like this. The girl in front of me thought it wasn't enough 2 b standing up during the concert, but decided 2 stand on her chair! When I asked her 2 sit down she gave me a real snotty look. (Like I had paid £65 to watch her butt move 2 P's music!) Thankfully me piping up made other people tell her 2 sit down 2. (U know how reserved we Brit's r!)

But still, all this spoilt my enjoyment 4 approx 10mins. Good on u for emailing the club. After all they don't see these things and if we don't tell them, they won't know. I hope this hasn't put ur fiancee of Prince!

KeithyT, I'm feeling sorry that you had such a bad experience, but please keep in mind (and tell your fiancee) that this really is not the club's fault. I was in Hamburg and Berlin, and especially in Hamburg things were organized very well. Maybe (no pun intended) it's also a London problem and you should see the next concert somewhere else.


...but I can really feel you, such a great concert ruined by some fuckheads.

that's really a shame that such a great experience was ruined for you. even with the soundcheck it was the worst Prince show you've ever been to? i hope you sent the apollo a similar letter. it doesn't seem like the club can really do much at all since they really are paying the venue for it's use of security. perhaps the peeps at Apollo need a nice talking to as well.

Keithy

I'm SO sorry this happened to you, or anyone for that matter. I wish those greedy bastards would read this & try to have an OUNCE of empathy the next time they go to a show. People are so selfish, they act like their experience is the only one that matters. If someone did to them what they so freely do to others, they'd be PISSED!

That would have ruined my night too, I don't blame you for being pissed off. At last years Oakland show, I was 3 seats away from the aisle & there were people trying to squeeze in front of & next to me!! It didn't help that their friends were the ones on the aisle, but I had to get my attitude out & shut 'em down. That wouldn't have worked in your case though, since there was a GANG of people pulling that crap - it's overwhelming & incredibly disappointing.

I hope the next time you see him, you're front row with dancing room & nobody jocking your space!! I really hope NPGMC takes note of the negligent security at that venue & avoids it for the remainder of the club's existence. So sorry, Keithy, you deserved to have a kickass time... not to kick some ass! :X

Good idea to send it to the theater management as well...

i was behind u!!!
im sorry to say u sounded a bit pathetic..its a fucking gig..these people were excited..when have u ever been 2 a gig when everybody stayed in their seats and not rushed 4wards???it was a bit annoying but it was nice 2 see their faces and im sorry but when p did the 1st timers thing i thought it was pretty cool..mebbes it was bit rude of those girls 2 tell your woman to eff off u silly cow but u were being very precious..chill out!
perhaps ud best wait till the concerts on the tv next time.

Yes it's a gig -- but these pushing in mother fo's have got stay in there allocated seat -- otherwise whats the point of paying for front block seats.

You should have been in Oslo...never have I seen such a civil and friendly crowd. Everything went smooth and people were so nice! We had no stress the whole day! It was a very small show though - only 1400 seats and 150 members. A show to remember!!

Thank-you everyone for your comments.

jonylawson, you seem to be the sole voice (so far) that thinks what happened was acceptable. I hope you had a good view from behind us and me being precious and pathetic did not put you off your concert experience too much.

I know these people were excited, I expect they were Prince fans don't you? Does a state of excitement necessitate a blatant disregard for other audience members?

Nice to see their faces? I think you may have seen a different expression on their faces if I had heard them tell my fiancee to "eff off you silly cow". They must have been real nice girls.

Please don't patronise me with your comments about going to gigs/concerts. I have been to plenty, I stand, dance, scream, shout, laugh, sing, and applaud. This was the first time I have not. I fully expect to do so again. Who knows, maybe next time I'll just stand back, gesture for someone to take my seat and go and watch the concert from the back of the auditorium. That's what you did, right?

I've had my nights ruined by lesser experiences, so I TOTALLY understand where you're coming from Keithy.

I was completely pissed once b/c some guy was so drunk he couldn't stand, so he leaned on me for half the show. Luckily security booted him out (it was an aftershow, standing room). Another time, this dude elbowed everyone in my vacinity & pushed us all to get to the front - I was pissed! I can't imagine what you went through, I would have been completely bummed. I don't think you're overreacting at all, you're being quite level-headed about it actually...

anal...uptight...???
whatever lads...yawn

jonylawson said:

No not really, but I admit I still have a bitter taste in my mouth.