I do understand your point. As this week and next week proves, there are no guarantees of stickinig with the original Thurs through Sat schedule so it would be best to have your tix in hand before making your arrangements. I can't speak for everyone but believe me, I've communicated with several LA people who have enjoyed multiple shows who do appreciate how fortunate a situation we have.

Now....on to the show itself: GREAT show. I consider the May 13 performance the most professional to date for the 21 Night Stand. The first thing I noticed was the way the backup singers were dressed and I figured we were in for a different type of night. The Stevie Wonder appearance was touching more than it was musical euphoria. I was most impressed with the fact that Prince performed Insatiable, Scandalous, and Adore wonderfully. There was no rushing through these last three songs, all ballads, and the audience was rewarded for Prince taking his time to sing them.

I wish the setlists provided were more indicative of his performance and not just a list of songs. In my opinion, there's no need to put Nasty Girl, Party All the Time, Most Beautiful Girl in the World, and Sign O' The Times, especially the first three mentioned. No reason to put Darling Nikki. HOWEVER, he did perform a good portion of When Doves Cry and that was much appreciated.

The excitement Prince displayed because Stevie Wonder was there was evident throughout and it seemed to me he tried to conduct himself in a more sophisticated way last night than...when compared to other 11 shows, or at least the other 10 that I had attended before yesterday. As mentioned, Mike Phillips added the horn section balance that made the music significantly better.

This is the show that anyone would be hard pressed to find someone that didn't have a good time at. I think it will receive the most consensus positive reviews, because there's not really anything to complain about. Since Prince arrived back in L.A., I place it #3 behind #1 Troubador, midnight show May 11, 2011 and #2 The Forum, opening night, April 14, 2011. Prince delivered a fabulous effort that will be VERY hard to top tonight.

purplethunder3121 said:

GDB said:

Completely agree. I live minutes from the Forum and the opportunity to drive less than an half-hour, wait until the day of show, score awesome seats that years ago would have been completely unavailable other than through scalpers and enjoy not just a good concert but an incredible 2.5 to 3 hour experience...it's seductive. It almost doesn't feel right. The Troubadour thing is much more of what I have become accustomed to with Prince.

Ya'll who live in or near LA can take last minute chances...those of us who have to fly in can't. Hope ya'll appreciate the fact that he is doing so many in your locale and you can afford the cheaper tix. When you gotta pay for plane and hotel, you just can't chance it! LOL

Stop being paranoid....like Prince lol. It has nothing to do with the fact that we live in Los Angeles. If the shows aren't sold out, they're not sold out. It's called PAYING ATTENTION. Heidiv flew out here, from Minneapolis last Thursday without a single ticket in hand, arrived a few hours before the show and purchased a ticket. Then, promptly did the same thing the following night. She paid for an airplane ticket. She paid for a hotel. Shall I go on?

[Edited 5/14/11 15:30pm]

Realtor said:

I wish the setlists provided were more indicative of his performance and not just a list of songs. In my opinion, there's no need to put Nasty Girl, Party All the Time, Most Beautiful Girl in the World, and Sign O' The Times, especially the first three mentioned. No reason to put Darling Nikki. HOWEVER, he did perform a good portion of When Doves Cry and that was much appreciated.

I agree with you about the samples...I'm in the camp that's beyond ready to retire that segment once and for all. When I post a setlist I include each sample, even when it's just a bar or chorus, for the compulsive completists like me who want to know every note, segue, interpolation, etc that's performed that night. I want to know details such as which guitar he played on a given song and what guage picks he used...LOL. So it's just a thing of being thorough. Having said that, I've been tempted to just post "Samples" and move on to the remaining actual songs...

Realtor said:

Now....on to the show itself: GREAT show. I consider the May 13 performance the most professional to date for the 21 Night Stand. The first thing I noticed was the way the backup singers were dressed and I figured we were in for a different type of night. The Stevie Wonder appearance was touching more than it was musical euphoria. I was most impressed with the fact that Prince performed Insatiable, Scandalous, and Adore wonderfully. There was no rushing through these last three songs, all ballads, and the audience was rewarded for Prince taking his time to sing them.

I wish the setlists provided were more indicative of his performance and not just a list of songs. In my opinion, there's no need to put Nasty Girl, Party All the Time, Most Beautiful Girl in the World, and Sign O' The Times, especially the first three mentioned. No reason to put Darling Nikki. HOWEVER, he did perform a good portion of When Doves Cry and that was much appreciated.

The excitement Prince displayed because Stevie Wonder was there was evident throughout and it seemed to me he tried to conduct himself in a more sophisticated way last night than...when compared to other 11 shows, or at least the other 10 that I had attended before yesterday. As mentioned, Mike Phillips added the horn section balance that made the music significantly better.

This is the show that anyone would be hard pressed to find someone that didn't have a good time at. I think it will receive the most consensus positive reviews, because there's not really anything to complain about. Since Prince arrived back in L.A., I place it #3 behind #1 Troubador, midnight show May 11, 2011 and #2 The Forum, opening night, April 14, 2011. Prince delivered a fabulous effort that will be VERY hard to top tonight.

GDB said:

Realtor said:

I wish the setlists provided were more indicative of his performance and not just a list of songs. In my opinion, there's no need to put Nasty Girl, Party All the Time, Most Beautiful Girl in the World, and Sign O' The Times, especially the first three mentioned. No reason to put Darling Nikki. HOWEVER, he did perform a good portion of When Doves Cry and that was much appreciated.

I agree with you about the samples...I'm in the camp that's beyond ready to retire that segment once and for all. When I post a setlist I include each sample, even when it's just a bar or chorus, for the compulsive completists like me who want to know every note, segue, interpolation, etc that's performed that night. I want to know details such as which guitar he played on a given song and what guage picks he used...LOL. So it's just a thing of being thorough. Having said that, I've been tempted to just post "Samples" and move on to the remaining actual songs...

Unlike myself, most on the org don't get the pleasure to speak with you to realize how thorough you actually are. I'm just saying for the people that take a glance and say to themselves "He did this song, he did that song, oh wow, what a great setlist," I don't think it's fair for them, because he really didn't do those songs and it leads them to believe something that's not more accurately reflective of the show. Last night, he was VERY thorough with his material, but for the people that read all these setlists, how are they going to know the difference? That's why I would just leave them out or put next to those songs (one line sample) because he literally doesn't spend ONE second singing or playing them.

Realtor said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Ya'll who live in or near LA can take last minute chances...those of us who have to fly in can't. Hope ya'll appreciate the fact that he is doing so many in your locale and you can afford the cheaper tix. When you gotta pay for plane and hotel, you just can't chance it! LOL

Stop being paranoid....like Prince lol. It has nothing to do with the fact that we live in Los Angeles. If the shows aren't sold out, they're not sold out. It's called PAYING ATTENTION. Heidiv flew out here, from Minneapolis last Thursday without a single ticket in hand, arrived a few hours before the show and purchased a ticket. Then, promptly did the same thing the following night. She paid for an airplane ticket. She paid for a hotel. Shall I go on?

[Edited 5/14/11 15:30pm]

That's funny... Guess I am paranoid. But I don't want crappy seats to see Prince. I still haven't bought one for the 27th and I'll be in LA then... I'll see if I can get $25 seats for that night. In the meantime, I have great loge seats for the 28th and 29th. Still way cheaper than the Oakland concerts. Gonna have a great time that weekend!

GDB said:

Realtor said:

I wish the setlists provided were more indicative of his performance and not just a list of songs. In my opinion, there's no need to put Nasty Girl, Party All the Time, Most Beautiful Girl in the World, and Sign O' The Times, especially the first three mentioned. No reason to put Darling Nikki. HOWEVER, he did perform a good portion of When Doves Cry and that was much appreciated.

I agree with you about the samples...I'm in the camp that's beyond ready to retire that segment once and for all. When I post a setlist I include each sample, even when it's just a bar or chorus, for the compulsive completists like me who want to know every note, segue, interpolation, etc that's performed that night. I want to know details such as which guitar he played on a given song and what guage picks he used...LOL. So it's just a thing of being thorough. Having said that, I've been tempted to just post "Samples" and move on to the remaining actual songs...

I was right there with you...and a bunch of my other friends....whom all have suggested do away with that segment! Then....all of sudden....he actually decides to perform When Doves Cry? WTF? I didn't know what to think when I'm watching him do a song that I was convinced he doesn't really like touching...and of course, it is his most popular song of all-time.

purplethunder3121 said:

Realtor said:

Stop being paranoid....like Prince lol. It has nothing to do with the fact that we live in Los Angeles. If the shows aren't sold out, they're not sold out. It's called PAYING ATTENTION. Heidiv flew out here, from Minneapolis last Thursday without a single ticket in hand, arrived a few hours before the show and purchased a ticket. Then, promptly did the same thing the following night. She paid for an airplane ticket. She paid for a hotel. Shall I go on?

[Edited 5/14/11 15:30pm]

That's funny... Guess I am paranoid. But I don't want crappy seats to see Prince. I still haven't bought one for the 27th and I'll be in LA then... I'll see if I can get $25 seats for that night. In the meantime, I have great loge seats for the 28th and 29th. Still way cheaper than the Oakland concerts. Gonna have a great time that weekend!

Not being funny, being serious. It's not difficult to send someone an org note that has had the experience already. Don't worry, Heidiv won't bite you. LOL And by the way, she got better seats than all of my friends..LOL She sent me a note; I'm sure if you send her one, she'll respond and give you pointers. Welcome to Los Angeles purplethunder3121!

[Edited 5/14/11 15:44pm]

GDB said:

theAudience said:

Thanks for the math.

My problem is that my office is only a 20 minute drive to The Forum.

So for a Thursday or Friday show, I can wait till the last minute, score good $25 seats and go for it.

It's just way too easy.

Completely agree. I live minutes from the Forum and the opportunity to drive less than an half-hour, wait until the day of show, score awesome seats that years ago would have been completely unavailable other than through scalpers and enjoy not just a good concert but an incredible 2.5 to 3 hour experience...it's seductive. It almost doesn't feel right. The Troubadour thing is much more of what I have become accustomed to with Prince.

Also being a musician, I can appreciate seeing him in a less "showtime" (which I also appreciate) and a more "creative/intimate" setting.

Which is why I might disagree a bit with your take on him "going through the motions" during the 5/5 show. I got the impression he was just more into the band that night. Especially with the tone being set by Renato's lush extended intro. A musician friend I went with that night had a similar feeling. Of course he had to snap back into "showtime" at some point. I'm pretty sure a certain segment (probably the larger segment) of his fan base would start to get uncomfortable with him in an extended laidback vibing with the band mode in that Forum setting.

Unless you only meant during "showtime".

That I can totally understand if his head/heart was going in the other direction musically that night.

In any case, hopefully there'll be more Troubadour type shows before the run is over.

theAudience said:

GDB said:

Completely agree. I live minutes from the Forum and the opportunity to drive less than an half-hour, wait until the day of show, score awesome seats that years ago would have been completely unavailable other than through scalpers and enjoy not just a good concert but an incredible 2.5 to 3 hour experience...it's seductive. It almost doesn't feel right. The Troubadour thing is much more of what I have become accustomed to with Prince.

Also being a musician, I can appreciate seeing him in a less "showtime" (which I also appreciate) and a more "creative/intimate" setting.

Which is why I might disagree a bit with your take on him "going through the motions" during the 5/5 show. I got the impression he was just more into the band that night. Especially with the tone being set by Renato's lush extended intro. A musician friend I went with that night had a similar feeling. Of course he had to snap back into "showtime" at some point. I'm pretty sure a certain segment (probably the larger segment) of his fan base would start to get uncomfortable with him in an extended laidback vibing with the band mode in that Forum setting.

Unless you only meant during "showtime".

That I can totally understand if his head/heart was going in the other direction musically that night.

In any case, hopefully there'll be more Troubadour type shows before the run is over.

my wallet can't take another troubadour type of show!!!

ihatephish said:

my wallet can't take another troubadour type of show!!!

Here's what you do. It's easy.
Wait till the last minute and get a $25 spot from TicketShafters.

What?

Aah, sorry, wrong approach...

Realtor said:

purplethunder3121 said:

That's funny... Guess I am paranoid. But I don't want crappy seats to see Prince. I still haven't bought one for the 27th and I'll be in LA then... I'll see if I can get $25 seats for that night. In the meantime, I have great loge seats for the 28th and 29th. Still way cheaper than the Oakland concerts. Gonna have a great time that weekend!

Not being funny, being serious. It's not difficult to send someone an org note that has had the experience already. Don't worry, Heidiv won't bite you. LOL And by the way, she got better seats than all of my friends..LOL She sent me a note; I'm sure if you send her one, she'll respond and give you pointers. Welcome to Los Angeles purplethunder3121!

----------------------------------------------------------

I totally get what you're saying, Purplethunder. It's called INSURANCE. If you're dropping a ton of money on airfare and hotel, and you'll only be in town for one weekend, you want to ensure that you get top notch seats ahead of time. But I'd also like to echo the fact that great, left-over Loge and floor seats have been going for $25 within 4 - 5 hours of each show. The key word here is "left-over," though. You can't always guarantee that you'll get the seats you want. I'm lucky that I live 20 minutes from the Forum and can do last-minute shows if I'm in the mood. But don't give up on your insurance!

[Edited 5/14/11 16:52pm]

antoinet said:

What an experience last night. Amazing show. My 5th in this 21 night series & going again2nite, and its crazy that I'm excited about it (amped like the earlier post I agree, think I'm over it & come back for more). I agree with so much said in the review posts above. Special moments, Stevie, Scandalous, Adore, Little Red Corvette. The intro to Let's Go Crazy had such a Jimi Hendrix feel with the bright light showing his silhouette/shadow in the stage smoke (seen from my piano side of the stage). He set up so many moments. Great pix on this post. Very special night for me. I'd been feeling "The One" this week it was my background track for the week & he tore it up last night. HIS FALSETTO & SCREAM: falsetto was in top shape & sounded very pretty Prince. Vocals/scream/falsetto ALL in very nice shape last night. For the deeper issues - Why doesn't he release footage, video, etc.? It's frustrating, I agree. My husbands take - "He'll release them when he's older & not generating income so he will still have income." My take - he's setting himself up, in his mind, for "immortality" in a way. When they are released their impact will be everlasting.

Thank you and I totally 100% agree with you....

theAudience said:

GDB said:

Completely agree. I live minutes from the Forum and the opportunity to drive less than an half-hour, wait until the day of show, score awesome seats that years ago would have been completely unavailable other than through scalpers and enjoy not just a good concert but an incredible 2.5 to 3 hour experience...it's seductive. It almost doesn't feel right. The Troubadour thing is much more of what I have become accustomed to with Prince.

Also being a musician, I can appreciate seeing him in a less "showtime" (which I also appreciate) and a more "creative/intimate" setting.

Which is why I might disagree a bit with your take on him "going through the motions" during the 5/5 show. I got the impression he was just more into the band that night. Especially with the tone being set by Renato's lush extended intro. A musician friend I went with that night had a similar feeling. Of course he had to snap back into "showtime" at some point. I'm pretty sure a certain segment (probably the larger segment) of his fan base would start to get uncomfortable with him in an extended laidback vibing with the band mode in that Forum setting.

Unless you only meant during "showtime".

That I can totally understand if his head/heart was going in the other direction musically that night.

In any case, hopefully there'll be more Troubadour type shows before the run is over.

My comment about the Troubadour engagement may not have come across as I meant it. I meant that it's relatively easy for someone to figure out the way things are organized for the Forum engagement and get great seats at a great price without having to go through a lot of drama. In the past, when Prince was more popular to the general public that was nearly impossible. Getting into the Troubadour was an either you were near a computer at that moment situation, or you weren't. Either you heard about it when it came down through email, social networking or being connected or you weren't. And it was NOT a $25 ticket. And you had to get to West Hollywood in rush-hour traffic on a weeknight. Those aren't complaints, just observations.

What I meant was that the Troubadour shows were more indicative of my experience trying to get into a Prince show as in days past. The Forum shows are an anomoly re seeing an artist of Prince's caliber without having to pay either a ransom or go through crazy channels.

theAudience said:

GDB said:

...The Troubadour thing is much more of what I have become accustomed to with Prince.

Also being a musician, I can appreciate seeing him in a less "showtime" (which I also appreciate) and a more "creative/intimate" setting.

Which is why I might disagree a bit with your take on him "going through the motions" during the 5/5 show. I got the impression he was just more into the band that night. Especially with the tone being set by Renato's lush extended intro. A musician friend I went with that night had a similar feeling. Of course he had to snap back into "showtime" at some point. I'm pretty sure a certain segment (probably the larger segment) of his fan base would start to get uncomfortable with him in an extended laidback vibing with the band mode in that Forum setting.

Unless you only meant during "showtime".

That I can totally understand if his head/heart was going in the other direction musically that night.

Yeah, that's what I meant...the vibe I got just experiencing the show on its own merits was that it felt flatter to me than his norm...not trying to be a music critic but I just didn't get that "thing" that we're accustomed to from Prince. It happens...everyone has an off-night every now and then. There certainly haven't been many of them during this run.

The777Man said:

Another great show; this is my third at the Forum and my 10th overall (first in 1986 in Stockholm).

Very special because of the guests/

DMSR

Pop Life

Musicology

Shh/U Will Be There/Shhh

The Glamorous Life (Sheila E)

Take Me With U (duet with Janelle Mone')

Raspberry Beret

Cream

Cool

Let's Work

U Got The Look

Question OF You (instrumental)

Controversy

Play Thet Funky Music

Stand Up (Shelby )

You're The One For Me (SHelby )

Let's Go Crazy

Delirious

1999

Little Red Corvette

Purple Rain

Encore 1

Superstition (with Stevie Wonder)

Inglewood Swinging

Encore 2

When Doves Cry

snippets of Nasty Girl

Sign O The Times

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

snippets of Black Sweat

Darling Nikki

I Would Die 4 U

I I Was Your Girlfriend

Insatiable

Scandalous

Adore

Mike Philips on sax on many songs and Sheila E on percussion on probably half the songs. Prince blayed bass on part of Superstition. He also played percussion on a song next to Sheila E on a song I forgot.....

The777Man

Looks like the setlist is pretty much staying the same now pretty consistantly. This show is very bland to me. It figures he keeps playing the songs that are just torture for me to stomach now.

Realtor said:

purplethunder3121 said:

That's funny... Guess I am paranoid. But I don't want crappy seats to see Prince. I still haven't bought one for the 27th and I'll be in LA then... I'll see if I can get $25 seats for that night. In the meantime, I have great loge seats for the 28th and 29th. Still way cheaper than the Oakland concerts. Gonna have a great time that weekend!

Not being funny, being serious. It's not difficult to send someone an org note that has had the experience already. Don't worry, Heidiv won't bite you. LOL And by the way, she got better seats than all of my friends..LOL She sent me a note; I'm sure if you send her one, she'll respond and give you pointers. Welcome to Los Angeles purplethunder3121!

[Edited 5/14/11 15:44pm]

Thanks! Appreciate the WELCOME. Been there a few times, but a Prince concert is always more chaotic than any other!

UltraLash said:

Realtor said:

Not being funny, being serious. It's not difficult to send someone an org note that has had the experience already. Don't worry, Heidiv won't bite you. LOL And by the way, she got better seats than all of my friends..LOL She sent me a note; I'm sure if you send her one, she'll respond and give you pointers. Welcome to Los Angeles purplethunder3121!

----------------------------------------------------------

I totally get what you're saying, Purplethunder. It's called INSURANCE. If you're dropping a ton of money on airfare and hotel, and you'll only be in town for one weekend, you want to ensure that you get top notch seats ahead of time. But I'd also like to echo the fact that great, left-over Loge and floor seats have been going for $25 within 4 - 5 hours of each show. The key word here is "left-over," though. You can't always guarantee that you'll get the seats you want. I'm lucky that I live 20 minutes from the Forum and can do last-minute shows if I'm in the mood. But don't give up on your insurance!

[Edited 5/14/11 16:52pm]

No way I'm giving up my section 7 tix--those ARE insurance. But I would like to get good cheap seats for Friday the 27th...don't have any yet! Have a great time and you are lucky he is doing a residency in LA and not Oakland...I would be at all the concerts!

Ok, this is getting me delirious. My 6th W2A/21night stand concert. Unbelievable. These shows may be the biggest, most gigantic, party I've ever been to. I enjoyed Janelle (that girl can bring it - I loved the James Brown robe thing ); and Sheila deserved the ovation she got twice over (she's awe inspiring). The background singers and the twinz (first class acts). Mike Phillips' sax playing was purple satin. And then, and then, Stevie (had I been closer to the stage...I just don't know..... . Prince was superb in each note sung and played. With each show I am amazed at the bountiful talent on stage, thank you Prince for another fabulous Friday in L.A.

purplethunder3121 said:

UltraLash said:

[Edited 5/14/11 16:52pm]

No way I'm giving up my section 7 tix--those ARE insurance. But I would like to get good cheap seats for Friday the 27th...don't have any yet! Have a great time and you are lucky he is doing a residency in LA and not Oakland...I would be at all the concerts!

Cool stuff, maybe we'll have a prince.org party...I'm in Loge 8.

Chiquetet said:

Travelled halfway around the world to see this.

So, so worth it.

*contented sigh*

No other words tonight, just need to wind down a bit so I can sleep.

Thank you Prince, Janelle & band, Stevie, Mike, Sheila and the NPG

Hey Chiq---you were the Aussie who had posted earlier that you were worried when the whole
"Prince fires Live Nation fiasco" broke, right? Glad you could see a great show

dandeeland said:

The777Man said:

Another great show; this is my third at the Forum and my 10th overall (first in 1986 in Stockholm).

Very special because of the guests/

DMSR

Pop Life

Musicology

Shh/U Will Be There/Shhh

The Glamorous Life (Sheila E)

Take Me With U (duet with Janelle Mone')

Raspberry Beret

Cream

Cool

Let's Work

U Got The Look

Question OF You (instrumental)

Controversy

Play Thet Funky Music

Stand Up (Shelby )

You're The One For Me (SHelby )

Let's Go Crazy

Delirious

1999

Little Red Corvette

Purple Rain

Encore 1

Superstition (with Stevie Wonder)

Inglewood Swinging

Encore 2

When Doves Cry

snippets of Nasty Girl

Sign O The Times

The Most Beautiful Girl In The World

snippets of Black Sweat

Darling Nikki

I Would Die 4 U

I I Was Your Girlfriend

Insatiable

Scandalous

Adore

Mike Philips on sax on many songs and Sheila E on percussion on probably half the songs. Prince blayed bass on part of Superstition. He also played percussion on a song next to Sheila E on a song I forgot.....

The777Man

Looks like the setlist is pretty much staying the same now pretty consistantly. This show is very bland to me. It figures he keeps playing the songs that are just torture for me to stomach now.

Have you not read all of the comments/reviews from the people that were there? The 5/13 Prince concert at the Forum was inspired, uplifting, and soul satisfying. To complain about it just because you think the list of songs performed is "bland"... well, you are entitled to your opinion, but you couldn't be more wrong. I happened to see 2 of the best performances ever by Prince, in the span of 2 days, and I couldn't be happier.

jobiwan24 said:

The777Man said:

Shh/U Will Be with me

Question OF You/The One/U Will Be with me

Inglewood Swinging/Fantastic Voyage/Love Rollercoaster

Sorry if this is off topic... but is there any version of "The One," besides Indigo Nights?

Another set of great pictures, let me say again that I am not taking them myself

http://www.flickr.com/pho.../lightbox/

It was MY birthday present.

But I can't help but SMILE that my 60+ year old father seemed to enjoy it MORE THAN ME.

This big former military, triple grown man got into the car.

"wow," he said.

That made my night more than the show.

You're welcome dad.

HA! He just asked me when he'll be though the forum again. He said he'd seen James Brown...Ray Charles...A lot of CLASSIC shows and nothing has been like that before. He said P wouldn't quit.

I FEEL BAD THAT MY DAD OUTFANNED ME! I'm the P fanantic in this family!

[Edited 5/14/11 22:22pm]

[Edited 5/14/11 22:28pm]

Prince stole someone's necklace last night ... anyone caught that? Who was the girl??

burgers said:

Prince stole someone's necklace last night ... anyone caught that? Who was the girl??

Not sure who it was, but he gave it back during one of Mike's sax solos.

IamFunkay7 said:

oh dude in red, yeah he was owning that stage and mic lol even Prince had to give him his props lol

I know at least 1 person is going 2 dig this picture...