Nothinbutjoy said:

inspireof said:

AeroE said:

InternationalLover82 said:

It was my first seeing Prince!!! Best night ever!!!! They let us get closer when some seats became empty, so I was pretty close to him I freaked out! I can' believe he played Scandalous!!

That's awesome that you got to move closer!! How close did you get and how did it happen? LOL I want to prepare myself for when I go next week. I SO wish I had been there last night!!!!

I was one of the lucky ones who got to move closer when people started filing out. Started up in Loge 36 (which stares down directly at the arrow part of the symbol), and made our way down to the floor as close as security would let us (which was maybe 7-10 feet from touching the stage?)- I was four steps away from George Lopez.

Security was very cool about letting us down there- possibly because they thought the show was over and that people were exiting from the floor- but they didn't hassle anyone for moving up at all.

I did wonder why some of those who were up in the colonade seating opted to stay there rather than move down, though...

yeah I think the whole place used to be purple

philnsexi said:

use to be home to the Lakers..that's why.

inspireof said:

Too funny, someone took a picture of the bathrooms at the Forum tonight, coincidence??

wow! based on the tweets that i kept getting from dr. funkenberry last night and well into the morning of today it was FUNKY last night!

i'm so amazed that Prince did 6 encores and he did some songs that were 1st timers to this tour (Dreamer, ExtraLoveable, 777-9811)

must have been a GREAT concert!

now to read the comments on here.

(can't wait to see pics of what Prince was wearing and all that.)

NDRU said:

yeah I think the whole place used to be purple

philnsexi said:

use to be home to the Lakers..that's why.

FATE!

"Purple and Gold" LOL

Concert review: http://www.theboombox.com...hour-show/

His decision to perform at the struggling venue in a city, approximately 10 miles south of Los Angeles, was intentional, as the area, once visited by the likes of Madonna, Janet Jackson and the Bee Gees, has since been abandoned by the music industry. He discussed the importance of supporting the historical location and hinted at possibly extending his stay, telling the audience that he and his band, the New Power Generation, would continue to show up "as long as you will have us."

that's nice that he's visiting a venue that has been abandoned by the music industry. (maybe that's why he was playing from the heart as someone here posted?)

so he's gonna extending his stay after his 21 nites r up?

*here's to hopeful wishing* that he will extend it til july since i'm gonna go over there to l.a. with the family.

i would totally go to one of the concerts if it's in the week of july 11th thru the 18th. i wouldn't care if i went alone or with my dad (he used to a Fan of Prince back in the 80s but not so much now since he told me this morning that Purple Rain was released in 1980 )

It's the next day and I'm still...affected by last night. Let me be clear...I'm not just being dramatic or hyperbolic, I'm not drinking the "purple Kool-Aid." I've seen Prince several times beginning with the Purple Rain tour at the same LA Forum and I'm at the point with him where I know when he's bullshitting and when he's "on." Prince on an average night for him is still better than 90% of what you'll get from the average performer out there but if we're being honest, he's had ups and downs over the years. He has mailed in performances; he has been disingenuous with his audience ("We'll be here all night," then leaving the stage after less than 90 mins)...he has seemed bored with the hits and performed as if it was a distraction. So when you have experienced this with him, you know when he's inspired and feeling it. The three-show stand at the Nokia a few years ago reflected this. First show at the Nokia Theater was very restrained, as if he was holding back knowing he had two more performances to give back-to-back that night. Distracted by an effed-up PA that night (Prince blamed the venue, the venue blamed him and his personal sound crew) it was a disjointed effort with a few solid moments interspersed within. That is why last night's show was so special, because it was the equivalent of, say, Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan being in the "zone." As you were watching it unfold, you realized at some point that this night was different and he was in another place, his level raised to a higher bar than you usually see.

Realtor stated that this was his/her 73rd show and it may have been the best ever, certainly top three...I believe it. It felt kind of like the show itself was the first two hours...then the next ninety was one of those fabled aftershow gigs you hear about where only a few people saw him play until three in the morning in a hole in the wall somewhere. But even during the show...he took his time on "Purple Rain" and played it as if the movie had just dropped and it was brand-new all over again...and this was mid-gig. He transformed "Little Red Corvette," slowed it down and put a new shine on it...it was creative, inventive, refreshing. Whether you dug it or not you had to respect the effort and risk. I almost cried during "Sometimes It Snows In April." I am not a punk...LOL. But that man opened up and bared his soul onstage in front of however many few thousand people remaining were there on a darkened stage...no schmaltz, no pretension, just a man and his guitar. THAT alone would have been a fitting end to an historic night, but he came back out and destroyed the venue with "Laydown" and "Endorphinemachine" before absolutely slaying me with "She Always In My Hair." To see him communicate with Blackwell, telling him to go into the song on the spot...was magical. The interplay within him and his band all night was special...he was loving what Renato was doing all night in particular.

I could go on and on but be sure of one thing. I'm not, and I don't believe the other posters who were there are doing this either, trying to boast or make anyone feel bad if they missed it. Quite the contrary. As I was there, I thought of this site and all of you who are also supporters of our favorite guy and I wished that everyone could have been there to experience this, and if you couldn't I wanted to share it with you through my recollection. I hope no one is put off and thinks that I'm boasting. I'm just stunned, still a day later...I feel like I witnessed a historical performance. It was a privilege to be there and even though he has his ups and downs, there is no one else like him and all night as I applauded I kept saying "Thank you Prince, thank you." I hope many of you are able to come out and see him while he's here because he's on something special right now.

[Edited 4/15/11 16:46pm]

^^^^ that was really nice to read GDB!

veronikka said:

^^^^ that was really nice to read GDB!

Yes it was. Thanks for sharing your experience.

veronikka said:

^^^^ that was really nice to read GDB!

Agreed! The fans who weren't there to witness it need a first-hand account!

Perfect setlist I couldn't believe how many songs and encores !!

NDRU said:

yeah I think the whole place used to be purple

philnsexi said:

use to be home to the Lakers..that's why.

GDB said:

It's the next day and I'm still...affected by last night. Let me be clear...I'm not just being dramatic or hyperbolic, I'm not drinking the "purple Kool-Aid." I've seen Prince several times beginning with the Purple Rain tour at the same LA Forum and I'm at the point with him where I know when he's bullshitting and when he's "on." Prince on an average night for him is still better than 90% of what you'll get from the average performer out there but if we're being honest, he's had ups and downs over the years. He has mailed in performances; he has been disingenuous with his audience ("We'll be here all night," then leaving the stage after less than 90 mins)...he has seemed bored with the hits and performed as if it was a distraction. So when you have experienced this with him, you know when he's inspired and feeling it. The three-show stand at the Nokia a few years ago reflected this. First show at the Nokia Theater was very restrained, as if he was holding back knowing he had two more performances to give back-to-back that night. Distracted by an effed-up PA that night (Prince blamed the venue, the venue blamed him and his personal sound crew) it was a disjointed effort with a few solid moments interspersed within. That is why last night's show was so special, because it was the equivalent of, say, Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan being in the "zone." As you were watching it unfold, you realized at some point that this night was different and he was in another place, his level raised to a higher bar than you usually see.

Realtor stated that this was his/her 73rd show and it may have been the best ever, certainly top three...I believe it. It felt kind of like the show itself was the first two hours...then the next ninety was one of those fabled aftershow gigs you hear about where only a few people saw him play until three in the morning in a hole in the wall somewhere. But even during the show...he took his time on "Purple Rain" and played it as if the movie had just dropped and it was brand-new all over again...and this was mid-gig. He transformed "Little Red Corvette," slowed it down and put a new shine on it...it was creative, inventive, refreshing. Whether you dug it or not you had to respect the effort and risk. I almost cried during "Sometimes It Snows In April." I am not a punk...LOL. But that man opened up and bared his soul onstage in front of however many few thousand people remaining were there on a darkened stage...no schmaltz, no pretension, just a man and his guitar. THAT alone would have been a fitting end to an historic night, but he came back out and destroyed the venue with "Laydown" and "Endorphinemachine" before absolutely slaying me with "She Always In My Hair." To see him communicate with Blackwell, telling him to go into the song on the spot...was magical. The interplay within him and his band all night was special...he was loving what Renato was doing all night in particular.

I could go on and on but be sure of one thing. I'm not, and I don't believe the other posters who were there are doing this either, trying to boast or make anyone feel bad if they missed it. Quite the contrary. As I was there, I thought of this site and all of you who are also supporters of our favorite guy and I wished that everyone could have been there to experience this, and if you couldn't I wanted to share it with you through my recollection. I hope no one is put off and thinks that I'm boasting. I'm just stunned, still a day later...I feel like I witnessed a historical performance. It was a privilege to be there and even though he has his ups and downs, there is no one else like him and all night as I applauded I kept saying "Thank you Prince, thank you." I hope many of you are able to come out and see him while he's here because he's on something special right now.

[Edited 4/15/11 16:46pm]

I got teary eyed reading what you wrote cuz that is exactly how I felt. I saw him at Nokia in 2009 and he just wasn't into his performance. Something was a bit off. But last night's performance was simply amazing. It all seemed like a dream last night. Luckily, I stayed until the very end and saw all the encores.

I saw two of my all-time most wanted tunes in Oakland with the Santana Medley and Bambi, and it was probably the best Prince show I have ever seen (acknowledging that I have never seen a really extraordinary one). But this setlist and reviews has me downright jealous.

And...he played Endorphinmachine?

Damn.

Wow, great reviews! I'm really, really happy for all that attended last night's concert. But, 6 encores? When are the next shows?

WE CAN ONLY HOPE A DVD FROM EYE RECORDS SURFACES FROM THIS EPIC SHOW SOONER THAN LATER... ITS GOTTA HAPPEN

GDB said:

It's the next day and I'm still...affected by last night. Let me be clear...I'm not just being dramatic or hyperbolic, I'm not drinking the "purple Kool-Aid." I've seen Prince several times beginning with the Purple Rain tour at the same LA Forum and I'm at the point with him where I know when he's bullshitting and when he's "on." Prince on an average night for him is still better than 90% of what you'll get from the average performer out there but if we're being honest, he's had ups and downs over the years. He has mailed in performances; he has been disingenuous with his audience ("We'll be here all night," then leaving the stage after less than 90 mins)...he has seemed bored with the hits and performed as if it was a distraction. So when you have experienced this with him, you know when he's inspired and feeling it. The three-show stand at the Nokia a few years ago reflected this. First show at the Nokia Theater was very restrained, as if he was holding back knowing he had two more performances to give back-to-back that night. Distracted by an effed-up PA that night (Prince blamed the venue, the venue blamed him and his personal sound crew) it was a disjointed effort with a few solid moments interspersed within. That is why last night's show was so special, because it was the equivalent of, say, Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan being in the "zone." As you were watching it unfold, you realized at some point that this night was different and he was in another place, his level raised to a higher bar than you usually see.

Realtor stated that this was his/her 73rd show and it may have been the best ever, certainly top three...I believe it. It felt kind of like the show itself was the first two hours...then the next ninety was one of those fabled aftershow gigs you hear about where only a few people saw him play until three in the morning in a hole in the wall somewhere. But even during the show...he took his time on "Purple Rain" and played it as if the movie had just dropped and it was brand-new all over again...and this was mid-gig. He transformed "Little Red Corvette," slowed it down and put a new shine on it...it was creative, inventive, refreshing. Whether you dug it or not you had to respect the effort and risk. I almost cried during "Sometimes It Snows In April." I am not a punk...LOL. But that man opened up and bared his soul onstage in front of however many few thousand people remaining were there on a darkened stage...no schmaltz, no pretension, just a man and his guitar. THAT alone would have been a fitting end to an historic night, but he came back out and destroyed the venue with "Laydown" and "Endorphinemachine" before absolutely slaying me with "She Always In My Hair." To see him communicate with Blackwell, telling him to go into the song on the spot...was magical. The interplay within him and his band all night was special...he was loving what Renato was doing all night in particular.

I could go on and on but be sure of one thing. I'm not, and I don't believe the other posters who were there are doing this either, trying to boast or make anyone feel bad if they missed it. Quite the contrary. As I was there, I thought of this site and all of you who are also supporters of our favorite guy and I wished that everyone could have been there to experience this, and if you couldn't I wanted to share it with you through my recollection. I hope no one is put off and thinks that I'm boasting. I'm just stunned, still a day later...I feel like I witnessed a historical performance. It was a privilege to be there and even though he has his ups and downs, there is no one else like him and all night as I applauded I kept saying "Thank you Prince, thank you." I hope many of you are able to come out and see him while he's here because he's on something special right now.

[Edited 4/15/11 16:46pm]

Beautifully written review. I have felt this way as well after a Prince show, so I understand where you're coming from. I'm glad you had such an amazing experience. Thank you for your post.

I agree with the above review... it was amazing. that was a great show to see prince for the 1st time.

i especially loved that he kept it simple with the guitar... meaning he only used that trademark leopard print hohner tele. but as a guitar player outside of les pauls, i love a telecaster over anything else.

[Edited 4/15/11 20:46pm]

inspireof said:

serpan99 said:

Amazing how this concert is going on and on and on and on....great stuff!! This concert/thread will help selling tix 4 the other concerts

U2 360 world tour $278.00

Janet Jackson Up close and personal $275.00

Prince 21 one nightstand $25.00, Priceless

Uh, MOST OF U2's lower level seats were $250....but....

The Floor Seats were all $55, and since they Are GA, you could easily be in the first 10 rows. I was late for one and still ended up in row 15.

As much as I love Prince, and would take him over U2 in a hearbeat...here are the FACTS:

I also have 6 shows up ahead for U2 at $55 for 6 shows which is $330

One VIP ticket at Charlotte was $324 for one show.

In fact, all the Carolina shows were outrageously priced.

6 U2 concerts $330 or maybe $380 with some fees.

6 Prince concerts $1500 (what I paid total for my 6 shows)

6 Prince concerts for somebody rich in LA ......priceless...uh I mean PISSED OFF

Not so sure what the fuss is about encores. He could do 25 encores and just leave after every song. I think 2 encores is enough, unless the artist is in such poor physical shape that they need to go backstage and get an IV or something. Prince is almost that frail and skinny these days, but I think he is in better shape than I would assume without really knowing the truth.

From all accounts, it looks like the LA show was better than the Carolina shows, but Charlotte was still special to me. If he had come back one more time and ended Charlotte like Columbia..with the foursome of If I Was Your Girlfriend, Insatialbe, Scandalous, and Adore...then it would have been a legendary show. I wish I was there.

stillwaiting said:

Not so sure what the fuss is about encores. He could do 25 encores and just leave after every song. I think 2 encores is enough, unless the artist is in such poor physical shape that they need to go backstage and get an IV or something. Prince is almost that frail and skinny these days, but I think he is in better shape than I would assume without really knowing the truth.

From all accounts, it looks like the LA show was better than the Carolina shows, but Charlotte was still special to me. If he had come back one more time and ended Charlotte like Columbia..with the foursome of If I Was Your Girlfriend, Insatialbe, Scandalous, and Adore...then it would have been a legendary show. I wish I was there.

yeah it sounds silly to read 6 encores. But what you read is not the same as what you experience. What sounds like the same bunch of old songs is amazing when you're there. Same with 6 encores. They are hardly even encores; they are transitions. You know the show is not over. The last ones seem more like genuine encores.

I left before the last one at Oakland, I really thought the show was over, as did half the crowd! The lights were on.

sexyone said:

I stayed for all the encores. All the people that left after what they thought was the end of the concert are probably kicking themselves right now.

I have seen some pics of the concert and I'm amazed how empty the venue was during the last encores. It's not like it's the first time he's doing encores so why not wait a little longer and see wassup. Unless u have 2 catch the last train etc...

So yeah...the people who left early perhaps missed the best part of the concert.

I'm glad he did Purple Rain in the middle. I've seen it enough as a closer.

I went with my cousin, a first-timer, and he won't be the same.

Met several Coachella converts and I know the encores, as they would say, Melted their Face.

Several ladies around me wanted Diamonds and Pearls...they practically say the whole thing at one point.

Party on the 22nd with my wife and kids...at $25, it's cheaper than Disneyland.

stillwaiting said:

Not so sure what the fuss is about encores. He could do 25 encores and just leave after every song. I think 2 encores is enough, unless the artist is in such poor physical shape that they need to go backstage and get an IV or something.

It wasn't about the number of encores or the length of the show in and of itself. It was about the energy in the building and the connection between the band and the audience. He was in another space Thursday night and was going to make a statement whether there were 15,000 in attendance or 5,000 or 500. It wasn't self-indulgent, it wasn't an act to generate hype...it was a happening. Artists just don't do concerts like that anymore.

Think of it like this. Imagine the biggest buffet you've ever seen...mountains of food...but it's generic, bland, tasteless. Even though it's a lot, it's just kind of blah...plastic-tasting. Now imagine the best meal you could ever enjoy...but it's a single serving. Best tasting, best presentation, highest quality ingredients...but it's just enough for one meal and leaves you wanting more.

Now, imagine that greatest meal you could ever want but presented as a buffet. Literally sensory overload. Highest quality, best thing you've ever tasted but it just keeps on coming, almost endlessly. You're literally drunk from the richness of it afterwards and feel dizzy. That's how last night felt.

You would have to have been there to understand.

Realtor said:

This was show #73 for me...and I'm going back and forth in my mind as to whether it was the best ever, second or third. Without a doubt, it's in my top three of all-time. My instincts tell me....that not only this was Prince's greatest performance EVER, but will go down as Prince's greatest show of all-time (meaning it will never be topped). And here are a few reasons why: All of us who have been to dozens of Prince concerts are aware of a certain protocol for his shows, usually with ups....and some lulls in the action, not this time. If you left for a bathroom run, you missed something GREAT. If you went for a drink, you missed something GREAT. Secondly, there were no egotistical displays or patting himself on the back. Prince SANG and PLAYED as if he was trying to win us over. What I felt in the Forum last night was Prince showing us what music meant to him. There was a vulnerability in him that I hadn't seen in over two decades. It was as if he was saying to the audience: "I still love music, if I play with all my heart, will you help me protect this wonderful artform?" Sometimes It Snows In April was truly amazing. I'm surprised Musicology wasn't on the setlist provided in this forum, because it was fantastic, along with all the other great material mentioned. I went to what was considered the best Oakland show of this tour...and it was not even comparable. There's a difference between sharing your hits and sharing your heart, and Prince shared his heart on April 14, 2011 inside of the L.A. Forum.

[Edited 4/15/11 7:54am]

I'm reading this as the video of Purple Rain from last night's show is playing - and I'm almost in tears! I LOVE the LOVE!!!

So sad I'm not in L.A. But so glad for all those who are!!!

This whole Prince trip is just too exciting!!!

Marthan2pr1nce said:

• 1. DMSR
  2. Pop Life
  3. Prince & The Band
  4. Extraordinary
  5. Uptown
  6. Raspberry Beret
  7. Cream
  8. Cool
     (The Time cover) (with Don't Stop 'Till You Get Enough interpolation)
  9. Let's Work
  10. U Got the Look
  11. Purple Rain
  12. Let's Go Crazy
  13. Delirious
  14. 1999
  15. The Beautiful Ones
  16. Little Red Corvette
  17. Encore:
  18. Kiss
  19. When Doves Cry / Nasty Girls / Sign Of The Times / Darling Nikki / 777-9311 / Single Ladies
  20. If Eye Was Ur Girlfriend
  21. Insatiable
  22. Scandalous
  23. Adore
  24. Encore 2:
  25. A Love Bizarre
      (Sheila E. cover) (with Sheila E.)
  26. Play That Funky Music
      (Wild Cherry cover)
  27. Controversy
      (with Housequake chants)
  28. Encore 3:
  29. The Glamorous Life
      (Sheila E. cover) (with Sheila E.)
  30. Peach
      (with Sheila E.)
  31. Encore 4:
  32. Dance (Disco Heat)
      (Sylvester cover)
  33. Baby I'm a Star
  34. Encore 5:
  35. Stratus
      (Billy Cobham cover)
  36. Sometimes It Snows in April
  37. Encore 6:
  38. Laydown
  39. Endorphinmachine
  40. She's Always in My Hair
  41. Dreamer
      (Instrumental)
  42. Welcome 2 America

Hilarious. 40+ songs, and he played more covers than he played songs released since 2000.

Aloisio said:

<link to YT video>

Hilarious. Not only does he play this lame-ass sample set while wasting time on crappy covers, this sample set even includes a Beyonce track. Pathetic.