From Take40 website

The most common thing I was told when gearing up to see musical icon Prince perform was that his shows are one in the rare category of gigs that you 'must see before you die'.

So it is safe to say that it was with high expectations that I ventured out to Allphones arena with a sea of sequins, velvet and ruffled shirts on Friday night (11 May) to see his sold out Welcome2Australia show.

PHOTO GALLERY: Check out the incredible pics from the Sydney show!

And I have to tell you, he did not disappoint! With no supporting act, at the ripe age of 53 Prince delivered an energetic and highly entertaining set that lasted for an astonishing two and a half hours! And as Prince said at the start of his set 'If you ain't here to dance, leave now!' And dance we all did!

Despite vowing to not play his hits last time he was here, Prince delivered on all the classics that have made him so infamous - including 1999, Little Red Corvette, Raspberry Beret, When Doves Cry and Purple Rain. The latter was given a 20 minute treatment much to the delight of the very vocal crowd, but my only criticism of the show would be that Prince didn't play out full versions of his better known tracks- instead opting to include them into small medleys.

But in saying that the eclectic crowd at the arena- which ranged from 20 somethings with bright pink hair to baby boomers busting out their best mum and dad dancing- really didn't seem to mind!

WATCH classic Prince videos right here!

A legend in his own right for his incredible vocal range and ability to master multiple instruments, Prince also didn't disappoint in the area of costumes and set design. His stage was shaped in his iconic symbol, with the artist himself wearing a number of incredibly loud and flamboyant outfits- my favourite of which was an all silver sequined suit, finished of course with Prince's favourite high heels.

A prolific songwriter in the early stage of his career, Prince wrote a number of huge hits for other artists- in this show he took back possession of some of those songs, bringing the stadium to their feet for his version of Nothing Compares To U (sung originally by Sinead O'Conner) and also paying tribute to another great Michael Jackson with a cover of Don't Stop To You Get Enough.

With tambourines being sold at the merchandise stand and making themselves known throughout the stadium in the hands of people that couldn't stop moving, it was clear that what had been promised by Prince had been delivered. I give this gig five tambourines out of five!

The setlist for Prince at Allphones Arena, Friday May 11: Gold (from The Gold Experience, 1995)
Jam Of The Year (from Emancipation, 1996)
Song Of The Heart (from Happy Feet)
Money Don't Matter 2 Night (from Diamonds and Pearls, 1991)
Let's Go Crazy (from Purple Rain, 1984)
Delirious (from 1999, 1982)
1999 (from 1999, 1982)
Little Red Corvette (from 1999, 1982)
Nothing Compares 2U (recorded by Sinead O'Connor)
Take Me With U (from Purple Rain, 1984)
Raspberry Beret (from Around The World In A Day, 1985)
Cream (from Diamonds and Pearls, 1991)
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough (Michael Jackson cover) Sometimes It Snows In April (from Parade, 1986)
Love Thy Will Be Done (recorded by Martika)
Mountains (from Parade, 1986)
When Doves Cry (from Purple Rain, 1984)
Nasty Girl (recorded by Vanity 6)
Sign O The Times (from Sign O The Times, 1987)
The Most Beautiful Girl In The World (from The Gold Experience, 1995)
Forever In My Life (from Sign O The Times, 1987)
I Would Die 4U (from Purple Rain, 1984) Purple Rain (from Purple Rain, 1984)
Controversy (from Controversy, 1981) Peach (from The Hits2, 1993)

Remaining tour dates are: May 12, 22, Sydney, Allphones Arena
May 12, Sydney, Ivy Club (after show)
May 14, 15, 30 Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
May 18, 26, Brisbane, Entertainment Centre

http://www.take40.com/new...-may-2012-

This one is a lot better thanthe first one.

[Edited 5/11/12 23:55pm]

It seems he is performing more songs from the 90´s this time.

NO Kiss???

No Purple Rain?

Yes it was played, always fantastic, acoustic version started show - only part of song not whole -

then Prince did the whole later

Prince was fantastic as usual...

novabrkr said:

No Purple Rain?

Oh yer ....... awesome

Paisley4u said:

It seems he is performing more songs from the 90´s this time.

NO Kiss???

My family and I were there. It was fantastic - Probably better than the other times I have seen Prince in Sydney. Now my children understand why I can say about other people's concerts that they were good, not Prince Good.

The set list below also excludes Andy McKee doing an acoustic Purple Rain intro just before the start and Peach as one last song before the lights came on. Also Housequake, Dance electic and Hot Thing were there.

The only downers of the night were the sound in the venue was a bit off when at volume, a guitar problem early in the set and the length of time between Controversy and Peach.

In some ways it was like the concerts of old. Many songs were lengthened into dance sessions with audience members on the stage dancing with Prince "Syracuse style". The extension of songs was on the fly - a couple of times Prince signalled to his guitar caddy to not give him a guitar as the songs extended and from pictures taken of the monitors on the stage two songs were dropped - Paisley Park and If I was your Girlfriend.

The musical highlights for me were:

Gold - No one of my favourite songs but I now have a new appreciation for it.

Purple Rain - One of the best live performances of this I have heard. The way that Andy and Prince played together, the way he made you feel that you were singing for him, sometimes as an individual, sometimes as a massed choir.

When Doves Cry - For a song that as a recording de-emphasises the bass, this version was just the bass.

Mountains - Always good especially when done funky

Controversy - Sometimes this is hit and miss when done live - this time a HIT.

[Edited 5/12/12 4:56am]

I'm happy to see and be able to say that he's looking good. That's always a plus. Changed his mind about that blown out 'fro, huh?

HatrinaHaterwitz said:

I'm happy to see and be able to say that he's looking good. That's always a plus. Changed his mind about that blown out 'fro, huh?

but yeah the pics look nice, but did he do something to his face? He still looks nice though.

He did "Nasty Girl"?

I mean that intrigues me, but how did that go?

'The Most Beautiful Girl in the World'... Nice!

Seems like both of those songs were played during the sampler set. Nothing new there in that regard.

Shit, I would have loved to have seen Prince on a night when he didn't play Purple Rain

Thanks for posting those pictures. That middle shot of him on his knee (with the Tele) looks like it could have been taken in 1984.

Wow...a cool setlist.

Great to see Money Don't Matter 2 Night, Love Thy Will B Done and Nasty Girl on there especially...!!

^ I don't think 'Money Don't Matter' was played (I believe it was '$' i.e. 'money')

He played Gold??

As if I wasn't jealous enough of everyone there!!

A great setlist. I am sooo jealous.

People are still giving Sinead too much credit. Sheesh.

There was another critic of the same show saying that it was originally by her.

Like, it's been decades and you still can't get your facts straight?

Assuies continue to enjoy Prince. I just want him to come back home so he can play in Michigan soon.

80spfantwp said:

^ I don't think 'Money Don't Matter' was played (I believe it was '$' i.e. 'money')

That's what's listed on the setlist at the top of the post...

TheFreakerFantastic said:

80spfantwp said:

^ I don't think 'Money Don't Matter' was played (I believe it was '$' i.e. 'money')

That's what's listed on the setlist at the top of the post...

MDM2N was not played.