catpark said:

Jesus, I've gotta go and pick someone up from there in a bit, hope it ain't all chaotic...great

BillieBalloon said:

MissMarySharon said:

Just seen a picture on Twitter of some folks still waiting in line, hoping to be admitted for the second show, fingers crossed for them. Stephen Fry walked in, apparently.

What a surprise Fry just walks in...while the rest of us are treated like cattle being herded in. Ive seen prince in many gigs over the years...fantastic memories but I cant see myself going to these gigs being pushed and shoved whilst the smug celebs take selfies inside. Sorry prince. [Edited 2/17/14 17:14pm]

Precisely why I refused to queue tonight, lol

'dre

Ronnie Scotts have members.. they HAVE to let them in ahead of other people, that's what the membership is for. The venue can't just turn away their loyal members in favour of random people in the queue who would never come back.

That's the whole point of being a member, you get priority. The only way around that is advance ticketing. If it is a pay-on-the-door show, paying members get in first.

Of course Ronnie Scotts' are going to pander to their own members more than Prince fans.

DreZone said:

BillieBalloon said:

MissMarySharon said: What a surprise Fry just walks in...while the rest of us are treated like cattle being herded in. Ive seen prince in many gigs over the years...fantastic memories but I cant see myself going to these gigs being pushed and shoved whilst the smug celebs take selfies inside. Sorry prince. [Edited 2/17/14 17:14pm]

Precisely why I refused to queue tonight, lol

'dre

I'm sure this happens at most events...

Fact: Prince is a celebrity; Celebrities rub shoulders with each other; Celebrities get/give preferential treatment;...we (fans) treat them un-like commoners, therefore, it makes it okay....

of course, you don't have to like it...but that's pretty much the way it is.

[Edited 2/17/14 18:59pm]

EuanH91 said:

Ronnie Scotts have members.. they HAVE to let them in ahead of other people, that's what the membership is for. The venue can't just turn away their loyal members in favour of random people in the queue who would never come back.

That's the whole point of being a member, you get priority. The only way around that is advance ticketing. If it is a pay-on-the-door show, paying members get in first.

Of course Ronnie Scotts' are going to pander to their own members more than Prince fans.

Except, Prince made a private hire (confirmed by the venue earlier today), negating membership. Its like hiring a golf club for a wedding. Every golf club member doesn't get the right to crash the wedding. It seems there was an agreement to allow limited amounts of members to attend, but it was a small lottery.

SquirrelMeat said:

EuanH91 said:

Ronnie Scotts have members.. they HAVE to let them in ahead of other people, that's what the membership is for. The venue can't just turn away their loyal members in favour of random people in the queue who would never come back.

That's the whole point of being a member, you get priority. The only way around that is advance ticketing. If it is a pay-on-the-door show, paying members get in first.

Of course Ronnie Scotts' are going to pander to their own members more than Prince fans.

Except, Prince made a private hire (confirmed by the venue earlier today), negating membership. Its like hiring a golf club for a wedding. Every golf club member doesn't get the right to crash the wedding. It seems there was an agreement to allow limited amounts of members to attend, but it was a small lottery.

Bingo.

I even saw some Ronnie Scott's members I know get questioned at the door and some were even turned away.

[Edited 2/17/14 19:04pm]

it''s too quiet here for my liking!.. so was this show/s the gig of the century or a bit of a wash out?

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

unique said:

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

INSANE !! Funking awesome Uni!!! I'm happy 4 u, now get some sleep and reload 4 Manc. Peace

unique said:

bashraka said:

unique said:

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

Hmm this is getting interesting Unique - once again you go to BOTH shows of the night and are not therefore cleared out with the crowd from the first show. What you doing, hiding in the toilets?!?!?!?!

did he sing the waterboys tune? Was in complete? Great

jaypotton said:

unique said:

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

Hmm this is getting interesting Unique - once again you go to BOTH shows of the night and are not therefore cleared out with the crowd from the first show. What you doing, hiding in the toilets?!?!?!?!

He said he was at the first, Where did he say he was at the second show? His description reads like he probably spoke to someone who went to that one.

Or maybe he is hiding in the toilets!

unique said:

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

Thanks for the great review Unique - much appreciated. Gives me a real feel for the show and the atmos, sounds like it was very special...thanks also to orger bashraka for great pics!

Veej said:

unique said:

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

Thanks for the great review Unique - much appreciated. Gives me a real feel for the show and the atmos, sounds like it was very special...thanks also to orger bashraka for great pics!

p.s. how long did you wait for...?

unique said:

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

Mate, you deserve at least a platinum medal for determination and resiliency!

Good to see you be it briefly and glad you had a good one!!!!

'dre

agoose said:

unique said:

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

You was 94 in the Q and yet you managed to get to the front row in such a small venue?

KeithyT said:

There are definitely big Prince fans and then there are hardcore Prince fans. I don't think you get into these kind of shows if you are not hardcore or prepared to do what the hardcore regulars do. Then there are the über-hardcore who always seem to get front and centre.

I always read reports from the likes of unique with momentary lapses into mild bitterness and jealousy , partly thrilled that some lucky fans saw such an amazing setlist or got so close, even at gigs that I might have been at but somewhere a little (or a lot) further back.

Then I think about what they did to get in that position, reorganised annual leave, spent extra money travelling, or on hotels, spent hours queuing, reserving spots, dehydrated, hungry, tired...

I'm not prepared to do that on a regular basis, I don't even want to justify doing it. Sometimes things work out for us big Prince fans, SBE was mine this time, took a chance, drove up, queued for a couple of hours and got in, happy to be sort of towards the back away from the scrum front row.

This Ronnie Scotts's first show sounds amazing. Genuinely happy for those that got to see such an amazing show. You did the work, the reward is great for those who want to go...
[Edited 2/17/14 23:56pm]

powersoul99 said:

unique said:

i was front row at the first show. it was like the upstairs function suite of a typical british pub, no stage as such as in raised stage, unless it was 3 inches raised at that part, and just a row of small pub tables in front of the stage as a barrier. it was like prince playing in your living room, and i was front row. at ronnie scots, the dream show, an amazing setlist, stratus, laibach, shades of umber, sex machine (sly stone), the whole of the moon (waterboys), who is he to you, cool (not mashup), how come u don't call me anymore, and loads more. prince didn't touch the guitar, it was all keyboards bar sex machine on bass. i think this may have been the best show i ever went to, it was a dream show

the second show was about 75 mins and was mostly the sampler set and funk n roll, the love we make, lets go reloaded, supersition and i think purple rain again, and fix your life up earlier. i know who got the best deal

i was speaking to noel gallagher from oasis and he told me he was a prince fan and it was the best gig ever

no, i'm not making this up. and at the end there was a mental paparazzi scrum and the police were called

i'm fucking exhausted, i was exhausted this morning due to koko but so glad i made it and can't believe i got front row at one of the smallest and most desirable prince shows of all time

You was 94 in the Q and yet you managed to get to the front row in such a small venue?

I once had someone at a Prince gig crawl between my legs and pop up right in front of me! I had to count to ten to stop punching him in the back of the head. True story.

Maybe it was Unique?!

[Edited 2/18/14 1:25am]

unique said:

i was front row at the first show.

So you went from 94 in queue to front row, that's some first class pushing!

egansmind said:

KeithyT said:

It will probably be a very few idiots spoiling the experience for others. Sigh.

So much for these Hit & Run shows being for hardcore fans only

Looks like every tom dick and harry is trying to get in on the act

Only answer - Ticketed Events

Literally my favourite ever quote.

The answer to get hardcore fans into gigs ahead of every Tom, Dick & Harry is tickets. Haha. Yep, that's hit the nail right on the head... Yes, tickets always end up in the hands of the most devoted and not those with friends at ticketmaster, 3rd party sellers or those with 20 computers on the go. Nope, not here. Just the most deserving...

The fairest way (however you look at it, these gigs were going to be over-subscribed) was you queue up first and you get in, precisely what has happened, the last four gigs (2 at koko, 2 at RS') have even been announced in advance, just like you wanted. If you didn't make it, well that's not Prince's fault.

There should have been improvements yes, shows structured perhaps more equally (I understand why the seconds have been longer, adreneline, less timing concerns etc) and security has been non-existant / poor throughout. There has been a lot of pushing in (some by chancers and some judging by the reports of people attending both shows on nights when they physically shouldn't have been able to by 'hardcore' fans posting here and not who probably think they have a right to be ahead of the queues. (Unique posted here he was number 94 in a queue (for a 200 capacity gig) yet made front row centre......) The easy solution was barriers and increased security along the line, but short-notice and security doesn't come cheap. Imagine if you were asked to pay £120 for your 90 minute show. They'd be melt down by some of you self-righteous, self-centred individuals.