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Prince closes SXSW: La Rosa club Austin TX 3.16.2013 Here is the article..anyone go??
http://music.yahoo.com/ne...16828.html
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — How else would Prince shut down the South by Southwest Music Festival that is basically a weeklong showcase of rock n' roll? By throwing a totally different kind party: a grooving, brass band-backed funkfest that stretched to 3 a.m. and outlasted many fans lucky to get inside in the first place. As Justin Timberlake and the Smashing Pumpkins headlined other SXSW wrap-ups nearby, Prince prevailed as the toughest ticket Saturday night by performing for only 300 people in his first appearance at the annual music smorgasboard that featured 2,200 bands and artists this year. Prince towered over them all — but his concert at the tiny La Zona Rosa club that sits on the fringe of the SXSW mayhem was no grandiose spectacle. He performed on a spartan stage behind a giant video board, and contentedly played bandleader instead of superstar for this funk-filled SXSW finale. "They called our people and said they wanted some funk in Austin," said Prince, before belting out the last bars of a gentle rendition of "Purple Rain." A 12-piece brass band joined the latest incarnation of Prince's New Power Generation for a run of hits like "1999" and "Cool" that jammed a groove twist. The show began with the band making a Mardi Gras-style march onto the stage, which was quickly drowned out by shrieks upon the sight of Prince emerging in a magneta, high-collared shirt and snug black blazer. Few fans, however, came away with photographed keepsakes. Prince is notoriously rigid about controlling his music and image, and organizers warned the crowd three times before the show that taking pictures was forbidden. Fans who flaunted the rule were scolded by security or told to scram. Even simply using a cell phone was banned— a biting irony, given that the concert was thrown by Samsung Galaxy and promoters worked the crowd beforehand offering customers fresh phone batteries or device test-drives. Prince never played guitar during the set. Nor did he perform his new single "Screwdriver" that debuted earlier this year, opting instead for funk covers: Curtis Mayfield's "We're a Winner" and Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Until You Get Enough" among them as the night dragged on and weary fans made their way to the exits early. "Don't make me hurt you. You know how many hits I got?" Prince said during the first of several pseudo-set closers, before launching into yet another encore. Everybody's lookin 4 the ladder, it's in the garage | |
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Yes Prince, we know how many hits u got! U play them all the time...I hope ull play something here in Stockholm...Dont wanna hear cool, 1999, and fucking covers.. | |
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I managed to stand outside the venue for the first 30 minutes and he went on at about 12:20. Security made sure that we stayed far from the bulding but the walls of La Zona Rosa are terribly thin (still a great venue) so we pretty much heard everything. Sounded good for the most part. | |
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I won't give the links, but the video is on complex "Do you really know what love is?" | |
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http://www.huffingtonpost...95472.html
Prince At SXSW: Legend Keeps Concert Going Until 3 A.M., Outlasts Some Fans | |
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So judging by the few song titles mentioned in various reviews, doesn't look like anybody missed anything mind-blowing. But I'll wait for a full setlist before I make up my mind. | |
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After a brief intermission Prince Rogers Nelson and his 22-piece band took the stage for a nonstop onslaught of funk and soul that flowed seamlessly from one jam to the next like a deluxe pleasure cruise. Ports of call along the way included "1999," "Purple Rain," and "Something in the Water" as well as a funked-up cover of Tevin Campbell's "Shhh." For the first of his six (!!!!!!) encores, the 54-year-old living legend selected Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough." But even five encores later, nobody in the place actually did get enough—sure was fun trying though.
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Sticky-worthy thread... ©  | |
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Prince delivers funk-filled finale at SXSW The Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas How else would Prince shut down the South by Southwest Music Festival that is basically a weeklong showcase of rock n' roll?
By throwing a totally different kind party: a grooving, brass band-backed funkfest that stretched to 3 a.m. and outlasted many fans lucky to get inside in the first place.
As Justin Timberlake and the Smashing Pumpkins headlined other SXSW wrap-ups nearby, Prince prevailed as the toughest ticket Saturday night by performing for only 300 people in his first appearance at the annual music smorgasboard that featured 2,200 bands and artists this year. Prince towered over them all - but his concert at the tiny La Zona Rosa club that sits on the fringe of the SXSW mayhem was no grandiose spectacle. He performed on a spartan stage behind a giant video board, and contentedly played bandleader instead of superstar for this funk-filled SXSW finale. "They called our people and said they wanted some funk in Austin," said Prince, before belting out the last bars of a gentle rendition of "Purple Rain."
A 12-piece brass band joined the latest incarnation of Prince's New Power Generation for a run of hits like "1999" and "Cool" that jammed a groove twist. The show began with the band making a Mardi Gras-style march onto the stage, which was quickly drowned out by shrieks upon the sight of Prince emerging in a magneta, high-collared shirt and snug black blazer.
Few fans, however, came away with photographed keepsakes. Prince is notoriously rigid about controlling his music and image, and organizers warned the crowd three times before the show that taking pictures was forbidden. Fans who flaunted the rule were scolded by security or told to scram. Even simply using a cell phone was banned- a biting irony, given that the concert was thrown by Samsung Galaxy and promoters worked the crowd beforehand offering customers fresh phone batteries or device test-drives.
Prince never played guitar during the set. Nor did he perform his new single "Screwdriver" that debuted earlier this year, opting instead for funk covers: Curtis Mayfield's "We're a Winner" and Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Until You Get Enough" among them as the night dragged on and weary fans made their way to the exits early.
"Don't make me hurt you. You know how many hits I got?" Prince said during the first of several pseudo-set closers, before launching into yet another encore.
http://www.charlotteobser...inale.html
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobser...rylink=cpy | |
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http://music-mix.ew.com/2...sw-prince/
SXSW: The amazing, never-ending Prince show -- a moment-by-moment report
12:30 a.m.: A very tall, gorgeous woman, dressed in a pants-free costume that makes her look like a pink circus ringleader, walks out on stage wearing a gold Mardi Gras mask. “It’s Naomi Campbell!” shouts the woman behind me. Sadly, this is not true. “Please welcome Company Play!” announces the Lady Who’s Not Naomi Campbell. And that’s when the animals arrive.
12:31 a.m.: From the very back of the room, a string of musicians marches toward the stage like a New Orleans second line, dancing while they play. The guys in the brass section are all wearing fuzzy plush hats that look like animal heads. I spot a fox, a raccoon, a frog, and a bear before I realize that there are too many to write down. The fierce-looking lady back-up singers, at least two of whom have shaved heads, are shaking tambourines. There are 22 people in Prince’s band. 22!
12:32 a.m.: When they’ve made it to the stage, the horns blast, and there before us is Prince. He looks amazing. He is wearing a black, ’70s-style suit with a bright pink shirt and a matching handkerchief, and a massively chunky silver necklace that may or may not have been designed for ladies. He’s also holding a cane that appears to be made out of ten billion diamonds. It is blinding! The band is playing a song about bright lights and big cities, and Prince is singing “Something tells me this is gonna be fun!”
12:40 a.m.: One of Prince’s back-up singers, whose bouffant hairdo and black vintage dress make her look a little like Adele, launches into a fabulous, gospel-inspired take on “1999″ while Prince mock-dramatically dabs his face with his handkerchief. He makes the best faces. This one says: Please! Do not interrupt the face-dabbing, or I will cut you!
12:43 a.m.: Prince sits down at the keyboard and plays some amazingly complicated jazz-inspired runs like it’s no big thing. Then he launches into a series of excellent Prince yowls. There’s the uh-uh. There’s the owwww-ah! And there’s the amazingly high-pitched heee-HEEEE! A few brave souls try to sing along to the howling and fail miserably. Most of us just let Prince do his thing, because he is Prince, and he is awesome.
12:44 a.m.: Streamers explode down from the ceiling! The crowd cheers!
12:45 a.m.: Confetti explodes down from the ceiling! The crowd cheers louder!
12:46 a.m.: Prince yells, “Turn the lights off!” and the room gets pitch black. Prince’s drummer plays a crazy drum solo in the dark. The only thing we can see are the glow-in-the-dark lights he has strung down the front of his shirt and around the cuffs of his sleeves. Those cuff lights are moving very quickly.
12:47 a.m.: When he’s done, the band starts to play the ballad “Shhh!” while the screen behind them lights up with images of falling rose petals. One member of Prince’s band starts singing and playing a clarinet-like instrument that digitally alters his voice. Then another member of the band does the same thing. Then both of them do it together. Battle of the Autotune-inets! Or whatever they’re called!
12:59 a.m.: Prince’s guitarist Donna Grantis, who has long hair that’s shaved on one side and looks like one tough chick, plays a mind-bending metalhead solo. “Open up your third eye and listen!” suggests Prince. Done! It sounds so good, I’d also like to open my third ear.
1:03 a.m.: The band transitions into playing “Musicology” and Prince name-checks a few classic favorites in the song: “‘Let’s Groove’ / ‘September’ / Earth, Wind and Fire / ‘Hot Pants’ by James / Sly’s gonna take u higher!” Then he smiles. “I know some old people in this room know what I’m talking about!” he says, laughing. “Don’t you ever touch my stereo!”
1:10 a.m.: Up next is “Extralovable,” also known as the song where Prince offers to take a shower with you. “Where’s my rollerskates?” Prince asks before starting the song. But as soon as the music kicks in, he’s spinning around on stage, faster and faster. Who needs skates when you’ve got feet like that?
1:18 a.m.: Instrumental interlude, played while Prince disappears backstage and a night sky is projected on the screen behind the band. Watching it feels like when you’re in a casino and you don’t know what time of day it is because you’ve been there so long. Maybe this is Prince’s reminder: it’s still nighttime, people!
1:20 a.m.: Prince emerges from backstage wearing a black and white patterned shirt. (Note: costume change no. 1.) “Austin, Texas!” he shouts. “Just like I pictured it. Y’all got a whole lotta guitar players up here, dontcha?” The first strains of “Purple Rain” begin, and people really lose their minds. One very tiny woman in the crowd starts jumping up and down very fast, hoisting herself up from the stage, as if she’s on an invisible pogo stick. “You can sing if you want to,” Prince offers generously. And, boy, does she.
1:22 a.m.: When Prince comes to the line about only wanting to be some kind of friend, he turns and purrs, “Can I find a friend in Texas?” The crowd screams. He continues to coo his way through the lyrics, kneeling down on stage, getting quiet, then building and building up to an avalanche of Ohh hoo hoo hoos. The whole room has joined in, and many people are singing with their eyes closed. When the song is over, they erupt into applause. “What a night, huh?” says Prince, just before disappearing off stage. “I love being a musician! It feels like a servant. A servant for you.” Okay, so that’s a weird thing to say. But weird is good in Austin! Keep on serving us, Prince!
1:25 a.m.: Stage goes dark. Chanting starts: Prince! Prince! Prince!
1:26 a.m. (FIRST ENCORE): “The afterparty starts right now!” declares Prince, who has just returned to the stage wearing a hat that’s tipped to one side. (Note: costume change no. 2.) The band starts playing Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.” “Y’all alright?” asks Prince, perhaps noticing the first signs of fatigue. “You got somewhere to go? You got a curfew?” Nooooo! yells the crowd.
1:28 a.m.: “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” segues into “Cool,” and Prince teaches us how to spell out the letters C-O-O-L using one hand raised above our heads. “Austin!” he calls out. “Is it hot in here? Do you know why? Because you’re cool!” Everyone is dancing. “Austin!” he calls again. “Is it hot in here? Do you know why? Because… it’s really hot in here.” He laughs. By the time the song is done, and Prince leaves the stage once more, the steam is rising off the crowd.
1:32 a.m.: Stage goes dark. A few people leave. Chanting starts: Prince! Prince! Prince!
1:36 a.m. (SECOND ENCORE): “Can we jam for a minute like we do in Minneapolis?” asks Prince, who has just returned to the stage, wearing a black vest. (Note: costume change no. 3.) “How many people have heard of Curtis Mayfield?” [Cheers!] “Oh!” jokes Prince. “Some old people in the house!”
1:37 a.m.: The band starts into Mayfield’s “We’re a Winner,” which segues into Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved a Man The Way that I Love You” (sung by one of the fierce bald ladies), which segues into Prince’s own “Satisfied.” At one point, Prince pretends to faint. The woman who’s not Naomi Campbell drags him away from the mic and revives him.
1:43 a.m.: While performing “Housequake,” Prince delivers the night’s best non-sequitur: “Everybody clap your hands! / Don’t wait for your neighbor / Green eggs and ham!”
1:47 a.m.: After a rousing take on “The Bird,” which works the crowd into a frenzy of whoa-whoa-whoas, Prince salutes the audience. “Goodnight, Austin!” he says, walking off stage, again. [Cheers!] He double-takes. “Don’t make me hurt you!” he threatens. “You know how many hits I got? My middle name is Eleven Hours Energy!”
1:52 a.m.: Stage goes dark. More people leave. People are getting too tired to chant. So they clap. Clap clap clap!
2:00 a.m. (THIRD ENCORE): Prince returns to the stage to take on “Jungle Love” by the Time, prompting the crowd to do the oh-wee-oh-wee-ohs, and then starts into “The Glamorous Life.” A woman in the front wrestles the microphone from him and hollers her way through the chorus. “I’m scared of you!” says Prince. They finish out the song together. The band does the grand-finale-horns thing that late-night shows’ house bands do to signal that the theme song’s done. (See also: the sound at 0:50 in this clip.)
2:10 a.m.: Prince leaves the stage. Again. People clap wildly. Again. “This is great, but it’s also exhausting,” sighs the woman standing behind me. “I think Prince has left the building,” says the man next to her. “No,” says his girlfriend. “You just want to believe that so you can go home!”
2:11 a.m. (FOURTH ENCORE): Prince returns. Brocade vest. (Costume change No. 4.) Runs through “Let’s Work.” And “U Got the Look.” Donna Grantis gets another solo. “Is that enough?” Prince challenges. Very sleepy cheers follow.
2:24 a.m.: Stage goes dark. Very slow clapping ensues. People still love Prince. But they are falling asleep.
2:25 a.m. (FIFTH ENCORE): Prince returns. Gold shoes. (Costume change No. 5.) He is twirling a drum stick like a baton. He plays “Something in the Water (Does Not Compute),” and maybe another song or two, and maybe there is a unicorn on stage playing the upright bass and… wait, sorry! We’re awake now! We’re awake! And Prince is declaring, yet again, “Thank you, goodnight!” 2:40 a.m.: Stage goes dark. The “Prince has left the building” guy? Well, he’s leaving the building. Along with a few dozen others who just couldn’t make it. The rest of us rally. We are cheering! One more time! 2:41 a.m. (SIXTH ENCORE): “They say we got 20 more minutes,” Prince shares. “You think we can make it the best 20 minutes of our lives?” Screams! Also: Prince is wearing a plush lion hat. (Costume change No. 6.) And he looks adorable. So there’s that to keep us energized! He roars through “Act of God,” Janet Jackson’s “What Have You Done For Me Lately,” and the Jackson 5′s “Dancing Machine.” He is dancing up a storm, doing the rollerskate spin, the comb-my-hair move, the criss-cross-your-gold-shoes move. He even pulls people out of the crowd up on stage — mostly women, but there’s one big guy up there, too, and he has a huge smile on his face. “It ain’t over!” gasps Prince as he retreats off stage. “IT AIN’T OVER!”
2:56 a.m.: It’s over.
2:57 a.m.: Prince’s band returns to give one final bow. And Prince himself gets a standing ovation. Granted, we were already standing — for the past six hours. But after a show that was this high energy — from a 54-year-old singer! — the guy deserves a six-hour standing ovation.
3:02 a.m.: A few true believers remain, changing, Prince! Prince Prince! “Thanks for coming out!” says a voice over the speakers. “We’ll see you soon!” The lights turn on. But the true believers keep chanting, One more song! One more song!
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http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/sxsw/1552423/prince-lights-up-sxsw-with-epic-improvised-set
Prince Lights Up SXSW With Epic, Improvised SetBy Gary Graff, Austin March 17, 2013 8:46 AM EDT
This was no recitation of greatest hits -- or even of Prince's own material – but rather an exercise in organic, improvisational music-making. "Austin, don't let me hurt you"
The ground shaking around South By Southwest on Saturday night (well, technically Sunday morning) was nothing to be alarmed about.
But it was a genuine Housequake, a stomping two hours and 35 minutes of rock, funk and occasionally jazz jamming by Prince and his super-sized, 22-member New Power Generation band at La Zona Rosa, a Samsung Galaxy-sponsored event that was arguably the hottest ticket of the conference -- with some hopeful fans even lining up outside the club as early as Friday morning.
Prince and company delivered on the hype, performing on a specially built stage (including a massive LED wall behind the band) and absolutely slamming through a tightly played epic of a show that delivered surprises with nearly every note. This was no recitation of greatest hits -- or even of Prince's own material – but rather an exercise in organic, improvisational music-making and ensemble dynamics that Prince guided like a conductor steering an orchestra through an intricate symphony, even eschewing the guitar to focus on the task of bandleader, occasionally adding keyboard accents to a handful of songs. Structures were altered and even abandoned, making room for solos by each of the NPG members and showy vamps and instrumental breakdowns.
As the man told the ebullient crowd at the club, in a made-for-SXSW testimonial, "I love being a musician. It feels like being a servant -- a servant to you."
Those in attendance -- including My Morning Jacket's Jim James, Mayer Hawthorne, Talib Kwele and actor Bo Keene -- certainly felt well-served, even if Prince delivered just a smattering of his own songs. "1999" blasted forth early in the show, amidst some selections from 2004's "Musicology," including the title track. "Purple Rain" was also played during the main set, with Prince substituting a stirring set of vocal vamping in lieu of the song's guitar solo. He may have warned, "Austin, don't let me hurt you. You know how many hits I got?," but Prince left the vast majority of those on the bench and, when touching on his originals, dug deep for material such as "Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)."
Instead the indefatigable performer, who sported several different outfits during the show, populated the "after-party" encores with covers, some focused on his contributions to other artists while also ripping through some surprising covers. Prince nodded to his forebears and heroes with versions of Curtis Mayfield's "We're a Winner," Aretha Franklin's "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You," James Brown's "I Don't Want Nobody to Give Me Nothing (Open Up the Door, I'll Get It Myself) ( Part 1)" and Rose Royce's "Which Way Is Up," and he paid homage to some peers with a set of Jackson family favorites -- Michael's "Don't Stop Til You Get Enough," Janet's "What Have You Done For Me Lately" and the Jackson 5's "Dancing Machine," during which he brought several fans onstage to join the "purple party." Prince the composer, meanwhile, visited The Time's "Cool," "The Bird" and "Jungle Love," Sheila E's "The Glamorous Life" and Sheena Easton's "U Got the Look."
It was exhausting, if not exhaustive, but it was clear that even at 3 a.m. the La Zona Rosa crowd would have been happy to stick around for a few more….dozen…encores. "What a night, huh?" Prince asked at one point. No kidding…
[Edited 3/17/13 9:15am] | |
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Reading about this, all I can say is WOW!
Must have been incredible in that room. An audience of 300? Lucky! | |
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great reading, many thanks!! | |
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So, I guess new Prince (3rdeyegirl) has reverted back to old Prince (Shelby J) Keenmeister |
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Seen this set a dozen x over. Meh for me anyway. But for those who haven't seen him i'm sure it was awesome. Might skip this tour , can't believe i'm saying it but there it is. I got alot of priority's right now anyhoo. If he brings 3rd Eye on the road though I'll be there. |
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Boring setlist and why didn't he play Screwdriver? Is the promotion 4 the single over? Welcome 2 The Dawn | |
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Prince did an interview with a woman at Record World. They talked about whatever, then he asked her: "Does your pubic hair go up to your navel?" At that moment, we thought maybe we shouldn't encourage him to do interviews. | |
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Snooze.
I could watch Prince every week for a month (and I have). But once he launches into his never-ending stream of dance and funk covers, I get sleepy. I'm pretty sick of hearing "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," "Cool," "The Bird," um... "Jungle Love," "Dancing Machine," uh... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... | |
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Simply the usual "Welcome to America" - setlist without him playing any guitar. Not very exciting from the setlist, no musical surprises. Still fun though for those who attended, but I guess it's not worth to download a bootleg of this show, if there will be a recording. I'll stick to the Dakota - shows. |
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UltraLash said: Snooze.
I could watch Prince every week for a month (and I have). But once he launches into his never-ending stream of dance and funk covers, I get sleepy. I'm pretty sick of hearing "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," "Cool," "The Bird," um... "Jungle Love," "Dancing Machine," uh... zzzzz... ----- Once again if you go to other blogs, news websites and message boards no negativity only on this board would people think they can decide what to hear at concert which sounds like a mix of hits and covers as well as being a really good party. | |
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laurarichardson said: UltraLash said: Snooze.
I could watch Prince every week for a month (and I have). But once he launches into his never-ending stream of dance and funk covers, I get sleepy. I'm pretty sick of hearing "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," "Cool," "The Bird," um... "Jungle Love," "Dancing Machine," uh... zzzzz... ----- Once again if you go to other blogs, news websites and message boards no negativity only on this board would people think they can decide what to hear at concert which sounds like a mix of hits and covers as well as being a really good party. That's because the people writing the review prolly haven't seen him before so their frame of reference is different from most of ours. Different set of standards altogether . |
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lol Probably not, prob just a 1 time thing
seems he had a mix off new and old, I don't know if Andy Allo was there
I think he used both drummers too
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sounds like a hot party, but this is probably a 1 time type thing which is why the same set list and nothing 'new' he did play Act of God from 20Ten
sounds like a LOT of covers | |
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I couldn't bring myself to reading the reviews. I just want... a crazy 'head accessory' like that!!!
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I see on Blackwells FB page thst he did the drumming | |
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It was also a corp sponsorship party. They arent paying him millions to hear the esoteric shit the org tends to like. | |
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I think the band included: Shelby, liv, Elisha, 12 horns, Donna, Hannah, Ida, John Blackwell and Damaris as a dancer. Andy had her own show prior to P's. One of the other artists stated that Prince was at her show but didn't go on stage. lwr001 said:
I see on Blackwells FB page thst he did the drumming | |
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Hello Purples,
I was one the lucky ones last night. Let me tell you, I've seen the dude 20+ times and I've never been more proud of him than last night. He KILLED it last night. A weird way to describe it, but such a mature performance last night. Pure showmanship and musicianship for THREE HOURS! It was like a drug we kept feeding on. We were exhausted, but kept screaming for more encores. After number 6, the band called it a night.
While he didn't pick up the guitar, we didn't miss it one bit. This was an intimate FUNK FEST! James Brown and Miles Davis would've been sweating their suits out. Cold sweat. Why? Because, yeah, he's that C.O.O.L.
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can you give a setlist? or any highlights that don't show up in setlists frequently? | |
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By PAUL J. WEBER 03/17/13 07:32 AM ET EDT
AUSTIN, Texas — How else would Prince shut down the South by Southwest Music Festival that is basically a weeklong showcase of rock n' roll?
By throwing a totally different kind party: a grooving, brass band-backed funkfest that stretched to 3 a.m. and outlasted many fans lucky to get inside in the first place.
As Justin Timberlake and the Smashing Pumpkins headlined other SXSW wrap-ups nearby, Prince prevailed as the toughest ticket Saturday night by performing for only 300 people in his first appearance at the annual music smorgasboard that featured 2,200 bands and artists this year.
Prince towered over them all – but his concert at the tiny La Zona Rosa club that sits on the fringe of the SXSW mayhem was no grandiose spectacle. He performed on a spartan stage behind a giant video board, and contentedly played bandleader instead of superstar for this funk-filled SXSW finale.
"They called our people and said they wanted some funk in Austin," said Prince, before belting out the last bars of a gentle rendition of "Purple Rain."
A 12-piece brass band joined the latest incarnation of Prince's New Power Generation for a run of hits like "1999" and "Cool" that jammed a groove twist. The show began with the band making a Mardi Gras-style march onto the stage, which was quickly drowned out by shrieks upon the sight of Prince emerging in a magneta, high-collared shirt and snug black blazer.
Few fans, however, came away with photographed keepsakes. Prince is notoriously rigid about controlling his music and image, and organizers warned the crowd three times before the show that taking pictures was forbidden. Fans who flaunted the rule were scolded by security or told to scram.
Even simply using a cell phone was banned_ a biting irony, given that the concert was thrown by Samsung Galaxy and promoters worked the crowd beforehand offering customers fresh phone batteries or device test-drives.
Prince never played guitar during the set. Nor did he perform his new single "Screwdriver" that debuted earlier this year, opting instead for funk covers: Curtis Mayfield's "We're a Winner" and Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Until You Get Enough" among them as the night dragged on and weary fans made their way to the exits early.
"Don't make me hurt you. You know how many hits I got?" Prince said during the first of several pseudo-set closers, before launching into yet another encore.