Let me preface this with the info that this is my 2nd Prince concert and that I am a pretty new fan...only about 2 years into my fandom. I wrote this review for my girlfriends who are not diehards, but wanted a review nonetheless. I thought I would share with you all since I always enjoy reading your concert reviews.

My (sort of, not really) quick review:

Got there about 1:45 pm to sit in line for the 8 pm show. Not bitter about it either. I have a 5 year old and a husband. I am more than happy to sit in the sunshine and read my Kindle for 6 hours. About 30 people ahead of me, so thought I would be good to get close to the stage, but apparently the people ahead of me were holding spots for others. When the time came, 60 wristbands handed out to be on the floor and I was #61. Go figure. Who cares. I was not leaning against the stage, but about 10 ft. away and first row on the elevated 1^st tier against the railing. Great view and I could still (and believe I did) make eye contact with my Purple lover. Couldn't reach out and touch him this time (a minor disappointment), but the eye contact is enough to keep me going until we meet again.

The Grove held about 1,700 and it was sold out. But lines and wristbands aside…I was sort of disappointed in the venue. They were friendly and it was clean, but it just did not feel like a cool spot. There wasn’t much of a vibe going on. It felt like you were in a parking lot warehouse in Anaheim and that’s because you were in a parking lot warehouse in Anaheim. I hope he doesn't drag me to the OC again, cause you know I’ll go. An LA venue is so much hotter IMO.

But I’m moving on...

Curtains open and he is just sitting on the drum set with his sweet bod and cool afro just chillin'...flashing that smirk at all of us. At this point I am wishing my pants were not so tight that I could secretly rock a pair of Depends b/c I am THAT excited. And I purposely dehydrated myself all day so I wouldn't have to pee, but then you see this man and he looks at you and smiles and then, well…But alas, my pants are too tight, my silver & coral belt is very cinched and my platforms are too high. I have to just DEAL with my choices at this point.

I am not the only who was looking smokin’. Prince might have 20 years on me, but the man is still FINE. Bangin’ fro, tight black pants, heels (not wedges), a sleeveless black turtleneck top that had a really long piece hanging down in front but it was short in the back. And also this awesome gold necklace which looked like it was attached to the neck of the shirt. Arms were looking cut, eyeliner was looking smooth. He looks as good as it gets if you dig a man in heels and makeup. Which, lucky for me, I do.

Picks up his guitar and just shreds it for the next 90-100 min. 3rdEyeGirl was pumped up and the strobe lights were totally blinding and I loved every second of it! It was loud and exciting and fresh. Ear plugs not needed. It’s a concert!

He played a bunch of new songs. FixurLifeUp, Plectrum Electrum, Liathach (P on keys), and Guitar which to begin he claims he loves us, but not as much as he loves his guitar. They were all fantastic. But he also sprinkled in some classics, among them (and in no order):

Let’s Go Crazy—Opened the show with this. Totally different and unexpected. Extremely cool. High energy. Really got the crowd going.
Endorphinemachine—The second song he played. Super charged as well. Prince is such a badass. I mean, come on. And 3rdEyeGirl just jams.
Screwdriver—With the lyrics on the big screen behind them, he teases that he is going to lip synch because that's what everyone else is doing. He doesn't of course.
Bambi—The vocals, the guitar...insanity. For real. This one was just crazy hot.
She's Always in My Hair--KILLER extended version with him on guitar. At one point he sings, "She's always in lil' Prince's curly hair and plays with his afro. I am wishing I was wearing Depends again.
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man--Slowed down, SUPER sexy. When he is singing "You wouldn't be satisfied with a one night stand" I think I can answer for all the women in that room and, yes, we really would be satisfied.
How Come You Don't Call me Anymore--Hands down, my favorite of the night. He was on keys for this and off to the side and there was a blue light shining on him. I could just see his profile the whole time. So much emotion in the vocal. There are just not words to describe the love I am feeling at this point for Prince for 3rdEyeGirl, even for my tight pants.
Nothing Compares 2 U—Stunning. On piano again. He KILLED it vocally. Did it as a solo.
The Love We Make—On keys again. A definite highlight for me because I am thinking about the love WE would make but I won't go into details.
Sometimes it Snows in April--On guitar for this and it was sooooo smooth. Snowflakes falling on the screen behind him. I felt like I was soaking in a warm bath…which was odd with the snowflakes…but that was my feeling.
Alphabet Street—Great fun to hear, but he only played a small amount of it and then went straight into covering Play That Funky Music. I would say this was my only complaint with the set list. It felt cheesy, but the crowd loved it and it was the OC after all and you gotta’ play to your crowd. I'm not hating on him for it.

There was more...Cause & Effect, The Ride. I can't remember all of it because in the aftermath it has all blurred into an hour and a half of hot, smoky bliss. There was a point where he had all the ladies in the crowd sing for a bit and claimed, "Ooooo, I like that...do it again". I felt like his puppet. I would have done anything he asked! He talked to us during the songs quite a bit. Asked do we want it slow and he played the guitar super slow and then do we want it fast and sped up his playing. Don't remember which song that was though. Have you ever eaten super spicy (but good) food and your lips sting for like an hour after you've finished? That is how my entire body felt after this concert. Stinging, blood pumping. Fully alive.

The venue/Prince was very strict about no cell phones policy. I liked it. I don’t want to see Prince through a bunch iPhone screens. I just left my phone in the car. Gotta’ live in the moment.

Left The Grove just after 10 pm in my too-tight pants and too-tall platforms, ears ringing, head pounding, soul full, and smiling. Played Prince in the car the whole 40 min. drive back up to LA. Still on a purple high. GREAT night!

Let me preface this with the info that this is my 2nd Prince concert and that I am a pretty new fan...only about 2 years into my fandom. I wrote this review for my girlfriends who are not diehards, but wanted a review nonetheless. I thought I would share with you all since I always enjoy reading your concert reviews.

My (sort of, not really) quick review:

Got there about 1:45 pm to sit in line for the 8 pm show. Not bitter about it either. I have a 5 year old and a husband. I am more than happy to sit in the sunshine and read my Kindle for 6 hours. About 30 people ahead of me, so thought I would be good to get close to the stage, but apparently the people ahead of me were holding spots for others. When the time came, 60 wristbands handed out to be on the floor and I was #61. Go figure. Who cares. I was not leaning against the stage, but about 10 ft. away and first row on the elevated 1^st tier against the railing. Great view and I could still (and believe I did) make eye contact with my Purple lover. Couldn't reach out and touch him this time (a minor disappointment), but the eye contact is enough to keep me going until we meet again.

The Grove held about 1,700 and it was sold out. But lines and wristbands aside…I was sort of disappointed in the venue. They were friendly and it was clean, but it just did not feel like a cool spot. There wasn’t much of a vibe going on. It felt like you were in a parking lot warehouse in Anaheim and that’s because you were in a parking lot warehouse in Anaheim. I hope he doesn't drag me to the OC again, cause you know I’ll go. An LA venue is so much hotter IMO.

But I’m moving on...

Curtains open and he is just sitting on the drum set with his sweet bod and cool afro just chillin'...flashing that smirk at all of us. At this point I am wishing my pants were not so tight that I could secretly rock a pair of Depends b/c I am THAT excited. And I purposely dehydrated myself all day so I wouldn't have to pee, but then you see this man and he looks at you and smiles and then, well…But alas, my pants are too tight, my silver & coral belt is very cinched and my platforms are too high. I have to just DEAL with my choices at this point.

I am not the only who was looking smokin’. Prince might have 20 years on me, but the man is still FINE. Bangin’ fro, tight black pants, heels (not wedges), a sleeveless black turtleneck top that had a really long piece hanging down in front but it was short in the back. And also this awesome gold necklace which looked like it was attached to the neck of the shirt. Arms were looking cut, eyeliner was looking smooth. He looks as good as it gets if you dig a man in heels and makeup. Which, lucky for me, I do.

Picks up his guitar and just shreds it for the next 90-100 min. 3rdEyeGirl was pumped up and the strobe lights were totally blinding and I loved every second of it! It was loud and exciting and fresh. Ear plugs not needed. It’s a concert!

He played a bunch of new songs. FixurLifeUp, Plectrum Electrum, Liathach (P on keys), and Guitar which to begin he claims he loves us, but not as much as he loves his guitar. They were all fantastic. But he also sprinkled in some classics, among them (and in no order):

Let’s Go Crazy—Opened the show with this. Totally different and unexpected. Extremely cool. High energy. Really got the crowd going.
Endorphinemachine—The second song he played. Super charged as well. Prince is such a badass. I mean, come on. And 3rdEyeGirl just jams.
Screwdriver—With the lyrics on the big screen behind them, he teases that he is going to lip synch because that's what everyone else is doing. He doesn't of course.
Bambi—The vocals, the guitar...insanity. For real. This one was just crazy hot.
She's Always in My Hair--KILLER extended version with him on guitar. At one point he sings, "She's always in lil' Prince's curly hair and plays with his afro. I am wishing I was wearing Depends again.
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man--Slowed down, SUPER sexy. When he is singing "You wouldn't be satisfied with a one night stand" I think I can answer for all the women in that room and, yes, we really would be satisfied.
How Come You Don't Call me Anymore--Hands down, my favorite of the night. He was on keys for this and off to the side and there was a blue light shining on him. I could just see his profile the whole time. So much emotion in the vocal. There are just not words to describe the love I am feeling at this point for Prince for 3rdEyeGirl, even for my tight pants.
Nothing Compares 2 U—Stunning. On piano again. He KILLED it vocally. Did it as a solo.
The Love We Make—On keys again. A definite highlight for me because I am thinking about the love WE would make but I won't go into details.
Sometimes it Snows in April--On guitar for this and it was sooooo smooth. Snowflakes falling on the screen behind him. I felt like I was soaking in a warm bath…which was odd with the snowflakes…but that was my feeling.
Alphabet Street—Great fun to hear, but he only played a small amount of it and then went straight into covering Play That Funky Music. I would say this was my only complaint with the set list. It felt cheesy, but the crowd loved it and it was the OC after all and you gotta’ play to your crowd. I'm not hating on him for it.

There was more...Cause & Effect, The Ride. I can't remember all of it because in the aftermath it has all blurred into an hour and a half of hot, smoky bliss. There was a point where he had all the ladies in the crowd sing for a bit and claimed, "Ooooo, I like that...do it again". I felt like his puppet. I would have done anything he asked! He talked to us during the songs quite a bit. Asked do we want it slow and he played the guitar super slow and then do we want it fast and sped up his playing. Don't remember which song that was though. Have you ever eaten super spicy (but good) food and your lips sting for like an hour after you've finished? That is how my entire body felt after this concert. Stinging, blood pumping. Fully alive.

The venue/Prince was very strict about no cell phones policy. I liked it. I don’t want to see Prince through a bunch iPhone screens. I just left my phone in the car. Gotta’ live in the moment.

Left The Grove just after 10 pm in my too-tight pants and too-tall platforms, ears ringing, head pounding, soul full, and smiling. Played Prince in the car the whole 40 min. drive back up to LA. Still on a purple high. GREAT night!

I attended the 8PM show.

I'm surprised to read all the positive reviews about this concert. While I appreciated the intimate nature of the show and Prince's musicality, I was disappointed because Prince never played his funk/soul music. This was a rock show. Many folks around me felt similarily. While we didn't expect a Great Western Forum show, we did expect at least some funk. The short encores were also a bust and Prince never danced, or really moved for that matter. I was hoping to hear House Quake, but had to hear a stale version of Play that Funky Music White Boy.

I still love Prince and his music, but this show was a huge disappointment.

[Edited 5/14/13 10:04am]