serpan99 said:

RosesRred said:

Went to the late show last night and had SO MUCH FUN!!! some things I've noticed are

Let's Go Crazy, ScrewDriver, Dreamer, Crimson & Clover were biggest highlights for me. Especially Screwdriver - sounds so much better live. Not a huge fan of the other song Fix your life up? though.

The set of little bits of songs he plays (Hot Thing, Nasty Girl, Housequake, etc) was exactly like the Chicago Shows. Actually 'How Come U Don't Call Me' & 'Mr. Goodnight' part as well (dang it when can I see him actually rap lol? I personally really love this song but he always just plays maybe 1~2 minutes of this track and doesn't sing it.)

There was no encore for the 2nd show, I don't know what y'all are talking about lol. After Mr.Goodnight he did say "good night y'all" and then the light went out but it came right back on after few seconds. That's not encore imo. (I think he did that after Crimson&Clover too) The show ended around 1:05/1:10 a.m. and we waited for him to comeback on stage till 1:45 ish. (and we weren't even the last people to leave the place! Fans definitely expected more) What can I say I missed the first night of Chicago show's 2nd encore and since then I've always tried to wait at least for another 20/25 minutes after the show. Oh well we were wrong. Considering the cheap ticket price I may sound spoiled when I say this but the show was a bit shorter than I expected.

Someone in another thread said he/she was too R&B for this experience and I must say that's what actually made me a bit hesitant about seeing him this time. The live sound I enjoy most from Prince has always been more blues oriented sound with the horns or the ballads on Piano. (to each their own, I know some people hate the horns to death) Actually I can't even limit it to one specific genre, it was always the variety of genres and sounds he played throughout the show I valued most from Prince's concerts. Compared to the previous shows this was definitely 100% rock concert with a hint of funk. (except How Come U Don't Call Me part I suppose) But to my surprise, I truly enjoyed the show overall and I'm glad my friend had a lot of fun too (but he's a rock music lover I knew he was gonna love it lol). It's his energy, the new songs with new interpretation of old songs and the chemistry of this new band that makes me never get tired of Prince.

So overall a great show! GO SEE 3RD EYE GIRL EVERYBODY AND BRING FRIENDS WITH YA THEY WILL ALSO LOVE IT =D!!! I'm actually seriously considering seeing him one more time at Anaheim myself lol....hmmm we'll see!

Oh and he looked GREAT as usual. Someone has been lifting weights LOL and love his hair also so anybody who has a problem with this new look

wishuhvn said:

I think its a wrong to assume that this set wouldn't work in a stadium environment. I met several people who never saw Prince before and was blown away. The set list actually was a good mix of "hits" and new stuff. But the "hits" he did were mostly rarities that he hasn't played in concert in years.

I went to both shows on Saturday. For the record those were my shows #28 and #29 with Prince all over the world. Until now my absolute favorite shows were the ONA shows (European leg) because he were so intimate and different there. Plus the soundchecks and aftershows.

I came to these Vegas shows with some built up anticipation because I had looked at the set lists from the previous shows on this tour which Prince himself named the "Prince - West Coast Club Tour". I know this how? Because I talked to the guy running the soundboard and all his material was named like that. So it's not "L.O.L tour".

Anyway the anticipation was to hear rarely played songs live - "Endorphinmachine" - and noticing the set lists seemed to be built around heavy guitar. Obviously we as Prince fans all know that Prince is the world's greatest guitarist (and never mentioned as such by the critics) but it would be great to actually hear a full show based on that fact.

I was not disappointed. The early show kicked of with Prince on the piano playing "The Breakdown". An almost ignored song before so - although a surprising opening song - much appreciated. It was clear that not many of the audience knew the song.

After the opening the curtains closed again (like it was just a warm-up to the actual show). When the curtains opened again Prince was in the center but withdrawn to right in front of Hannah's drums. Kicking in with "Let's Go Crazy".

I won't go through the set list but merely note that the highlights were "Emancipation", "She's Always In My Hair", "Sometimes It Snows In April", "I Like It There", "Bambi" and "Cause And Effect".

The new instrumental "Plectrum Electrum" almost drowned as an aftermath to Purple Rain. "2Y2D" and "FixUrLifeUp" didn't catch me and "Screwdriver" came across as a bit lame.

Don't get me wrong: Prince was at his best and most playful. The three ladies of the court did a wonderful job. Certainly an almost perfect show for them. I was in front just beneath the man himself. (Wonder why he's suddenly wearing so much make-up? After he started to sweat it came off in big clunks....)

The late show was better IMHO but as the first night the sound was not as good. I think that is reasonable to blame on the soundboard guy who seemed more interested in doing text messages on his cellphone than to pay attention to Prince. I was standing right next to him at the second show and he was texting all the time, he missed the clue from Prince several times - like "turn the houselights on" ... he would eventually react most of the times. I mean how hard can it be to do the ONLY thing you're being paid for: "Pay attention to your boss" ? I don't think Prince has a reputation of being lenient on people who fails. Might see a new guy there soon.

Back to the show. No intro song this time but straight to "Let's Go Crazy" which was better this time. Then came fast and convincing with solos and lots of guitar: "Endorphinmachine", "Screwdriver" and "She’s Always In My Hair".

"Screwdriver" surprised me this time by being a lot more vibrant and really hitting it home. "She's Always In My Hair" also improved a bit from first show. Hard to believe but it did!
Followed by "Purple Rain" with Prince on keyboard without "Plectrum Electrum" added as an afterthought. Gave more room to "Purple Rain" which was nice. People seemed more enthusiastic than the first show.

"FixUrLifeUp", "I Like It There" followed and lacked nothing.

Back on keyboard Prince gave a great rendition of "Sign 'O' The Times". Fade to black and Ida takes over the keyboard while Prince borrows the bass to show us how it's supposed to be played on a GREAT version of "Alphabet St."

"Sometimes It Snows In April" with Prince on keyboard got a very bad treatment from the soundboard with a lot of distortion like from a bad tape!

Surprising me next with "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" - "You know why I want you to call? I miss your S.E.X." ... yes he spelled the word. Leading us all into "Hot Thing" which was played in full (and not as most setlists I've seen says as part of the sampler set). Very nasty ... "Nasty Girl" followed and marking the start of the sampler set.

Usually I'm not a fan of his sampler sets but it works amazingly good on these shows because of the heavy guitar and dark deep drums and bass. Easily carrying us from tune to tune.
"Let's Go Crazy" which is always to be expected these days took us straight to a beautiful version of "Crimson and Clover". I think that was the highlight of the show.

The show ended with "Plectrum Electrum" which is so much stronger standing alone like this.
Beautiful evening.

Now these two shows are among my Top 5 shows ever.

@Prince: What's up with the audience dancers on stage? That's plain weird and seeing the same people up there at both shows kinda spoils the feeling of random fans joining you. At least I could close my eyes ;o)

Edited to correct my mistake noting "Emanicpation" when it obviously should be "Endorphinmachine"

[Edited 4/29/13 10:42am]

[Edited 4/29/13 19:55pm]

Merche said:

Thanks for sharing the review and the set list.

I´m european and I can´t afford to go to the shows so all of you are my ears and eyes there.

Can anybody let me know the lyrics of new song "Down"?What´s about it?

My english is not very fluent so it´s difficult for me to know the lyrics.

Thanks again and have a great time, muuuuaaakkk!

New Prince song: "Ain't Gon' Miss U"... HOT Reply 149 http://prince.org/msg/7/3...?&pg=5

leerix said:

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Loving the confessional lyrics in Down.

Listen 2 me closely as the story unfolds

This could be the saddest story ever been told

I used 2 want the house with the biggest pool

Reminiscing now, I just feel like a fool

U keep breakin me down, down, down

Keep breakin me down down down

Keep breakin me down down down

I used 2 throw the party every new year's eve

First one intoxicated, last one 2 leave

Waking up in places that u would never believe

Turning back the time u can keep the memories -------I hear "Give me back the time"

U keep breakin me down, down, down

Keep breakin me down down down

Keep breakin me down down down

Every book I read...

Thank you for the lyrics!

Yea that makes more sense. Thanks

Went to all 4 shows. Don't remember everything but highlights, besides the weather, were:

Let's Go Crazy (love this version!)

Endorphin Machine (unreal)

She's Always in My Hair (super version!)

Also, the staff at The Joint was so clueless that at one point I got ushered into the front row area. I think there was some confusion about wristbands or something. I was pretty drunk but I remember feeling a little guilty walking right past people who had been in line all day.

Also ran into Dr. Funkenberry. Was nice to meet him in person. And he was super nice too. Met all kinds of other fans too. Some of them got yanked on stage to dance. One lady seemed to be holding a tambourine or something. Saw a few fans wearing some really cool Prince t-shirts too that appeared to be hand-made.

Love the new band!!

What an amazing weekend.

Chastity said:

I won't go through the set list but merely note that the highlights were "Emancipation", "She's Always In My Hair", "Sometimes It Snows In April", "I Like It There", "Bambi" and "Cause And Effect"...

Wait, what? Emancipation? I'm assuming you meant to type something else, but since you mentioned Emancipation twice as being played, I have to clarify. You are the first person to mention it and he hasn't played that live in 17 years or so - did he really play this? I can hardly think of a song that would lend itself less to a guitar-heavy approach than Emancipation. Also, it's IMO one of his most disappointing songs, seeing as how it was the title track for "The album he was born to make."

Just looking for some clarification.

Also: I am so jealous of everyone who gets to see this tour! But I'm glad that you are all enjoying it and posting on here.

theblueangel said:

Chastity said:

I won't go through the set list but merely note that the highlights were "Emancipation", "She's Always In My Hair", "Sometimes It Snows In April", "I Like It There", "Bambi" and "Cause And Effect"...

Wait, what? Emancipation? I'm assuming you meant to type something else, but since you mentioned Emancipation twice as being played, I have to clarify. You are the first person to mention it and he hasn't played that live in 17 years or so - did he really play this? I can hardly think of a song that would lend itself less to a guitar-heavy approach than Emancipation. Also, it's IMO one of his most disappointing songs, seeing as how it was the title track for "The album he was born to make."

Just looking for some clarification.

Also: I am so jealous of everyone who gets to see this tour! But I'm glad that you are all enjoying it and posting on here.

He/she probably meant Endorphinmachine

i just got back home from vegas, i went to all 4 shows! this was my first time ever seeing Prince and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I was VIP for 2 shows, and even got to dance on stage at one of them. i met so many awesome people, i miss my purple family already. I'm having "post Prince concert depression" i can't even begin to describe how amazing this experience was. I love that man and his music so much, and love all the new friends i made this weekend!

FreeChild said:

I only went to one show (late show). The lighting was bad all I was was silhouettes all night. And maybe I'm a spoiled brat but 85 min?! I felt like Billy in PR

I felt like Billy in PR???????????? LMAO!!!!!!!!!! What's this one song shit?

Marco81 said:

He/she probably meant Endorphinmachine

Obviously a mistake..... thanks Marco81

OP updated. Thanks

I was there and it was awesome! Immediately I was amazed because Prince now sounds like Prince years ago (I don't want to date myself). The crowd was dope and I couldn't have asked for more on a birthday weekend in Vegas (aside - well not getting everything you want isn't so bad ;..) My only complaint? did not want to hear Sometimes It Snows In April (definitely not an upbeat party song (=). As for those who may have had problems with the lighting (the lighting wuzzz intense) I was the one wearing the sunglasses. I lucked out on that one! - Everyone Loves Prince!

[Edited 4/29/13 20:22pm]

[Edited 4/29/13 20:25pm]

FreeChild said:

I only went to one show (late show). The lighting was bad all I was was silhouettes all night. And maybe I'm a spoiled brat but 85 min?! I felt like Billy in PR

I felt like Billy in PR????? LMAO!!!!! What's this one song shit?

Chastity said:

I won't go through the set list but merely note that the highlights were "Emancipation", "She's Always In My Hair", "Sometimes It Snows In April", "I Like It There", "Bambi" and "Cause And Effect".

Listening to the DNA boot that's out and this one is just epic. I'm loving the new instrumental section he's added and also that it's nice and stretched out.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Chastity said:

I won't go through the set list but merely note that the highlights were "Emancipation", "She's Always In My Hair", "Sometimes It Snows In April", "I Like It There", "Bambi" and "Cause And Effect".

Listening to the DNA boot that's out and this one is just epic. I'm loving the new instrumental section he's added and also that it's nice and stretched out.

for real!

still can't get it out of my head

(Pardon the dots, it's the only way I can insert paragraph breaks)

.

Hopefully it's not too late to add my worth of random observations!

.

I went to the early show on the 27th. I'm glad he started a bit late because I didn't make it to my seat until about 8:10!

.

I was in the very back row in the center of the balcony, so a very different perspective from those who paid their dues to be down front. There were very few empty seats up there. Rather than squeeze by a bunch of people to get to my seat, I elected to hang where there were two empty seats. Which worked great as nobody showed up for them and I had extra room.

.

I have to say, I liked hearing the rock version of LGC better live than recorded!

.

Somebody commented about the loudness of Hannah's guitar. It was defintely louder than Prince. And it, along with the sound in general, seemed to get increasingly loud until I finally caved (during Guitar I think) and put in my earplugs!

.

Security were being nazis about photos. One of 'em came up and sat in an empty seat in the back row to watch. Later I saw a woman get nabbed and escorted out.

.

Up where I was, I'd describe the general reaction as "polite enthusiasm". Few people got on their feet at all...until WDC during the sampler when EVERYONE jumped up to dance! For heaven's sake, the four people in front of me spent the entirety of "Sometimes it snows" talking loudly amongst themselves!

.

While I enjoyed the overall visuals (lights and the screen behind the band), I agree that the big white strobes pointed at the audience were a bit much! I think it was Chastity who noted the light engineer texting...I do know at least one time P called for a change in the lights and nothing happened! I thought it was a technical glitch, maybe it was actually just distraction? Methinks that guy will be unemployed soon.

.

I haven't seen anybody else comment about the lack of wireless equpment, which P normally uses on stage. The guitars and microphones are all corded, not wireless. Obviously they don't need to move around as much on stage as they would at a big show in-the-round, but the guitar cords still seemed to be in the way at times. I wonder why he isn't using wireless?

.

BTW, I could see a lot of details despite sitting in the back as I'd brought a monocular with me (like a tiny telescope)! I was able to watch his expressions, and I noted he was having fun with the folks in the very front.

.

No stage diving at my show...I guess that got dropped from the set list!? Though he did climb up on the speaker cabinets at one point.

.

Hooray, I finally got to hear him play Bambi live!! I also have never personally seen him play PR on the keyboards, so that was fun too.

.

BTW, by the time the second show started, I was already settled down in my free campsite up in the Spring Mountains!

.

Overall, it wasn't a life-changing experience but I enjoyed the show. Last time I saw him was a few miles away at the Rio in 2007! Don't know if one show alone would have been worth travelling to Vegas for, but along with the other things I did in the area it was a great trip!!

it was good but short

http://livemusicblog.com/2013/04/30/concert-recap-prince-the-joint-las-vegas-nv-42713/

As a result of a general awareness of his live pedigree as the consummate musician/showman, I knew going in that checking expectations at the door was a key pre-requisite to full enjoyment of my first PRINCE show during my first trip to Las Vegas. Expectations leading up were very high. These expectations were obliterated.

Signs informing fans to keep their phones off and in their pocket were EVERYWHERE both outside and inside the 4,000 capacity Joint, making for a more engaged and focused show-watching experience (anonymous person on the floor shared the grainy shots you can see dotting this post). From our excellent vantage point from the middle balcony across the square and acoustically sound room, we had an eagle-eyed view of what would be one of the better audiovisual live music experiences in some time.

With a strobe-filled and sometimes jarring visual aesthetic (with loads of shadows / silhouetted back lighting being fused in to make PRINCE & 3rdEyeGirl appear larger-than-life), PRINCE and his stellar all-girl band began tearing through a razor-sharp rock set, heavy on high-octane guitar fireworks by both PRINCE and Donna Grant and a barrage of smoltering, prog-heavy runs.

With the quip “Do you like rock and roll,” a quick affirmative roar and the artist’s response “I do too, but I like mine funky…” the soulful show man was able to hint at the simple and straightforward themes of the set. It was rockin’, it was funky and it was LOUD.

The show popped right off with a stomping blues-rock version of “Let’s Go Crazy” – a re-tooled remake of the 1984 hit with a stellar “Frankenstein” interlude mixed in. His Royal Purpleness knows how to set a tone and this style of full Guitar God mode playing would prevail throughout the first / pre-encore set. His 3rdEyeGirl bandmates, as expected of anyone working alongside such a perfectionist, were entirely on-point no matter what kind of shots PRINCE called out from the stage, ready to go anywhere along the ride. Songs like the grungy and gnashing brand-new track “FIXURLIFEUP” (a track expected to appear on PRINCE’s upcoming 26th LP Plectrum Electrum) brought a raw, 90s flavored heaviness that could indicate his next recorded direction.

The more casual fans were thrown a few bones, and there aren’t too many out there who can’t get down on some of the bigger hits like the aforementioned “Let’s Go Crazy,” the heavily-reprised and notably extended version of “Purple Rain,” and the hit I had to see: “When Doves Cry”. After a half-hour or so of doing his thing, PRINCE remarked at his own unrepentant badass-ness, saying “I’m scared of my own self” before queueing up a bawdy rendition of “Screwdriver,” the tune the band played a few weeks prior on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Prince’s way with the audience certainly tapped into the everyone’s-a-VIP general aesthetic of Vegas, and the Purple One wasn’t hesitant to feed the crowd’s general ego with comments about playing all night, loving the energy and shouting out rallying cries like “ain’t nothing like a purple party because a purple party don’t stop.”

After about a roughly 90-minute set, the curtain closed with a bang before the otherworldly and extended “Sampler Set” encore. Prince and Co. weren’t done scorching retinas and easily saved the biggest treats musically for the final minutes – sending everyone out on an extremely high note (and wishing tickets to the late show were in possession).

The encore set was an entirely different dimension sonically, visually and the relatively mild-tempered audience on the floor finally livened up en masse and the proverbial roof got blown off. As he’d begun the night PRINCE re-appeared in silhouette behind the keyboards, and opened the encore set with 1987′s “Sign O’ The Times.” A mixed-down “When Doves Cry” came next with a “Nasty Girl” sample, producing one of the biggest party atmospheres of the night.

“A Love Bizarre” came soon thereafter and at this point, there are a ton of dancers up on stage of varying talent levels and The Joint was basically quaking at this time – befitting that a monster version of “Housequake” (also from Sign “☮” the Times) beamed in next with Hannah Welton completely wailing away back on drumkit riser, loving every minute of the Vegas spotlight. Alas, a cover of the unexpected and perfectly ridiculous “Play That Funky Music” helped close out a remarkable show that will remain perma-sketched into my mind for the rest of my days.

PRINCE and his uber-talented backing power trio of females laid down a thick slab of the best and easily most unique live electro-funk I’ve ever heard during the encore. Additionally, all the Vegas shout outs and fan love for the early showgoers was a nice, personalized kicker. After PRINCE, everything involved in the trip was pure gravy and added incentive to make a planned return back in July for another run at The Joint.

A lot of people get the ephemeral “I’m a baller / VIP / blah blah” sensation while carousing around Vegas and that’s certainly part of the fun and allure. While we’re genuinely thankful of the royal treatment we received from the good folks at the Hard Rock all weekend along (and especially on Saturday night), it was clear from the minute he hit the stage that PRINCE was the only true royalty in the building.

[Edited 5/1/13 16:58pm]

Picture's of me on stage. This was the greatest experience of my life. I'm still on my purple high! lol.

dm3857 said:

Picture's of me on stage. This was the greatest experience of my life. I'm still on my purple high! lol.

I saw you boogieing on the stage at the Saturday early show! lol

dm3857 said:

Picture's of me on stage. This was the greatest experience of my life. I'm still on my purple high! lol.

You looked pretty hip to da funk indeed. I especially liked that you didn't try to over do it or pretend to be Prince. Too bad you didn't get center stage

For some reason the girl you danced with didn't get bak in to the pit with us. What happened?

dm3857 said:

Picture's of me on stage. This was the greatest experience of my life. I'm still on my purple high! lol.

& I like your jacket

I was in the balcony at the show on the 27th and from the jeering before the show I assumed I was around a bunch of haters... Little did I know. It takes much more than I anticipated to be a reealll Prince fan. I talked to a few while at the concert... I love me some Prince but I know I don't have the mileage and I think I might have to drop out. As for you clowns that make it on stage I'm jealous.

dm3857 said:

Picture's of me on stage. This was the greatest experience of my life. I'm still on my purple high! lol.

haha omg I too saw you at the late show your jacket definitely stood out lol You came with that blonde lady didn't ya ? So nice to hear everyone had so much fun.