I thought only real quality came from Minneapolis, but after "hearing" Mint Condition this doesn't seem to be true. Their show in Arras was really boring. It as nothing exciting at all. Who had the idea of hiring this mediocre band?

In Werchter things were even worse. After the brilliant show of Jamie Lydell, Mint Condition entered the stage. I guess they have their own sound guy (who is probably deaf), because after that the sound level exploded. Are they being paid per DeciBel? I was in the gold circle and couldn't bear it, so I left, together with a third of the gold circle. May people were complaining to the security. I have contacted someone from the staff who would call the PA to request healthy sound levels.

Luckily, when the no talented bag of garbage (Mint Condition) went off the stage, great music and good audio levels returned back to the stage with Larry and after that Prince.

Arras was a good show, but Werchter was really awesome. There was a real cool atmosphere, we were all soaked wet and the audience was ONE (>40.000) ! The multiple encores proof that Prince really was in the mood. GREAT to be there!

gerson said:

I thought only real quality came from Minneapolis, but after "hearing" Mint Condition this doesn't seem to be true. Their show in Arras was really boring. It as nothing exciting at all. Who had the idea of hiring this mediocre band?

In Werchter things were even worse. After the brilliant show of Jamie Lydell, Mint Condition entered the stage. I guess they have their own sound guy (who is probably deaf), because after that the sound level exploded. Are they being paid per DeciBel? I was in the gold circle and couldn't bear it, so I left, together with a third of the gold circle. May people were complaining to the security. I have contacted someone from the staff who would call the PA to request healthy sound levels.

Luckily, when the no talented bag of garbage (Mint Condition) went off the stage, great music and good audio levels returned back to the stage with Larry and after that Prince.

Arras was a good show, but Werchter was really awesome. There was a real cool atmosphere, we were all soaked wet and the audience was ONE (>40.000) ! The multiple encores proof that Prince really was in the mood. GREAT to be there!

It´s absolutly ok to dislike a certain kind of band or style of music, but when you say that they are a talented bag of garbage, i have to say i doubt you know anything at all about music. For example: it´s ok to like Jamie Lydell, but the dude can`t hit a clean note. He fakes the blues, and he should have rehearsed with the band, because they weren`t tight.

Glad you enjoyed the Prince gigs - i certainly did. And that´s what it´s all about, isn`t it?

gerson said:

In Werchter things were even worse. After the brilliant show of Jamie Lydell, Mint Condition entered the stage. I guess they have their own sound guy (who is probably deaf), because after that the sound level exploded. Are they being paid per DeciBel? I was in the gold circle and couldn't bear it, so I left, together with a third of the gold circle. May people were complaining to the security. I have contacted someone from the staff who would call the PA to request healthy sound levels.

So I was not the only one asking 'security' and later the EHBO (first aid) people about legal Belgian sound levels. Nobody had a clue.

Jamie and MC made my ears distort back at the treeline while wearing protection that is normally adequate.

During Larry sound was indeed softer but increased during the show.

Prince's sound was at the right level more or less.

What about the weird enocre things like in Arras and Werchter. It goes on and on after too longish waits with no apparent connection or build-up/off of the show.

Back in 1990 in Werchter they just played a record when the show was over...

Yes, i also didn't like Mint Condition.

But the show was AMAZING, it was sooo good!

Horrible sound it was indeed with Mint Condition. But Prince rocked!

I always thought they suck.

I agree that Mint Condition was boring! We went earlier to get a good spot and then realised we should have gone later...

Jamie Lidell was awesome tho!!

[Edited 7/11/10 23:55pm]

My take on Mint Condition, taken from my Facebook-review:

Jamie’s follow-ups were a band called “Mint Condition”. I consider myself a music-lover, but I’d never heard of them (and a quick look in Wikipedia tells me that they started up somewhere around 1989). Nonetheless, I had the feeling that these black youngsters were quite inexperienced. Their music was like “thirteen in a dozen” and they failed miserably in capturing the crowd’s attention. It came painfully aware to them when they tried to get us to chant “We got you and you got me” which after 0.0 response ended with the
remark:”It seems we got ourselves…”. Awful performance, bland music,
which left me and the crowd wondering what they came there to do…

I have all their CD's and listened to these pretty often.

Actually, I was looking forward to see them live for the first time.

I turned out to be a deception.

I recognised only 2 songs but only because I remembered parts of the text. The rest of the songs didn't ring a bell.

Music wise it was a farce. No audience participation.

they set the right tone for the rest of the evening; collorless and uninspired.

Topped by a mumbling old bass player who should be locked away for ever.

Tweety you have no idea

i never liked mint condition.

I suggest u get some qtips...................

I'm surprised at people's reaction to them.

Before I saw them in Arras and Werchter I checked them out on YouTube and wasn't all that impressed (to other people's astonishment and derision).

But I had an open mind when I saw them in Arras and really thought they were great! But the crowd seemed to be more behind them there and when they were trying to get the crowd to do the chants with them you could actually hear what they were trying to make you sing. The sound in Werchter during Jamie L. and Mint Condition was horrendous!!! I had ear protectors in and I was still blocking my ears and the bass was actually going right through you. So it was very hard for them to get the crowd going as much.

I wasn't impressed with Jamie L. that much, possibly because the guy with the long hair kept pounding that instrument he had and I nearly had to walk out because I couldn't take it. Thought they went on for too long for the first support act of three. But it was sweet to see how chuffed they were with the audience's reaction!

There was a couple standing next to us who come to see Mint Condition ("and Prince of course") but they only arrived when Larry Graham was already on. And during Every Day People when Mint Condition's singer was on stage again he was buying beer and she was going to the toilet. Afterwards they said "they liked Prince" but they were really disappointed thave missed MC.

Mirabelle said:

There was a couple standing next to us who come to see Mint Condition ("and Prince of course") but they only arrived when Larry Graham was already on. And during Every Day People when Mint Condition's singer was on stage again he was buying beer and she was going to the toilet. Afterwards they said "they liked Prince" but they were really disappointed thave missed MC.

Funny! So, there were actually people going to this concert to hear Mint Condition? I am quite astounded. If they always play their music so loud, I think their few fans won't have ears in mint condition after a few live shows. On the other hand, I guess their music gets better, the deafer you get.

gerson said:

Mirabelle said:

There was a couple standing next to us who come to see Mint Condition ("and Prince of course") but they only arrived when Larry Graham was already on. And during Every Day People when Mint Condition's singer was on stage again he was buying beer and she was going to the toilet. Afterwards they said "they liked Prince" but they were really disappointed thave missed MC.

Funny! So, there were actually people going to this concert to hear Mint Condition? I am quite astounded. If they always play their music so loud, I think their few fans won't have ears in mint condition after a few live shows. On the other hand, I guess their music gets better, the deafer you get.

Ouch!

I was made to believe that I didn't deserve to belong to the human race because I'd never heard of them!

In fairness to MC they sounded a lot better in Arras, the sound was really unbearable in Werchter for them and Jamie.

Love your avatar btw!

I had the opportunity to see Mint Condition and Larry Graham (GHS) at the Minnesota Zoo a few weeks prior to the Prince shows, and I have to say I was blown away by the energy, tightness, and grooves that both bands displayed. Granted the Zoo shows seat maybe 1000 people which is a different animal than 60,000 seat venues, regardless there was no denying that these 2 acts have been doing what they do for years and do it very, very well.

I am sorry to hear that a few of you did not share the experience I did, perhaps next time they are in town you will feel differently.

Graycap23 said:

I suggest u get some qtips...................

Then, I'll need some too...

malbena said:

Graycap23 said:

I suggest u get some qtips...................

Then, I'll need some too...

Yall ain't right....Mint deserves some Luv!

Graycap23 said:

malbena said:

Then, I'll need some too...

Yall ain't right....Mint deserves some Luv!

They're playing tonight at the Black Awards in Minnesota. If I had someone to go with, I would go...and try to listen to them more carefully

gerson said:

Luckily, when the no talented bag of garbage (Mint Condition) went off the stage, great music and good audio levels returned back to the stage with Larry and after that Prince.

I DARE you to name one band in the mainstream that can do what Mint Condition do...

Too far... maybe it was a dud night for sound, warm up bands normally get a raw deal though...

'dre

[Edited 7/17/10 9:11am]

Mint Condition > fill in the blank with the name of your favorite current band

They always seem to have sound problems in larger arenas whereas when they are in club-like settings, they are stellar. They need to check into that.

I actually really love MC they are one of my favorite bands. I've been a fan for years since, Meant To Be Mint came out in the early 90s. I fell in love with Stokley's voice.

I've seen them quite a few times when they perform in NYC and they always give a great show. It does help though if you are familiar with their music. Also where they perform here is a smaller venue, which lends to the feel of the performance. I'd imagine that if folks were at this particular venue, a large venue at that, to see Prince, not many people cared about MC as the "opening act."

I'd encourage those who weren't happy with their performance to check out some of their music on youtube or check them at another performance. They really are a great band. Maybe it was just an off night. :/

Can't comment on the show but but can say that Mint really aren't my cup of tea. There really is quite a big gap between the US and Britain though and it extends far greater than the stretch of water between the two. (In fact you could say recent events have widened that gap further - whisper it though!)

BlaqueKnight said:

Mint Condition > fill in the blank with the name of your favorite current band

They always seem to have sound problems in larger arenas whereas when they are in club-like settings, they are stellar. They need to check into that.

Okay.

Mint Condition > The Who

Mint Condition > Muse