PR Press Release sent out this morning:

BIRMINGHAM!

“HIT AND RUN TOUR - PART II”

STARTS WITH A BANG!

Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL opened their “Hit and Run Tour - Part II” last night, May 15^th, at the LG Arena in Birmingham, England. Prince and the band (guitarist Donna Grantis, bassist Ida Nielsen, drummer Hannah Ford-Welton with additional musicians keyboardists Joshua Welton and Cassandra O'Neal) took to the stage to play an astonishing set that mixed brand new songs, rarely performed tracks and old school classics from Prince's massive catalogue to a rapturous reception from the West Midlands Arena.

The enigmatic icon arrived from America just yesterday and was escorted from the airport straight to the arena for a brief soundcheck and last-minute rehearsal. Forty minutes later than the scheduled concert start time, Prince holding a huge bunch of purple and cream balloons released them to the roof as the band launched into 2014’s “FUNKNROLL.” A turbo charged medley ensued with “Take Me With U,” “Raspberry Beret,” “Kiss,” and “Lets Go Crazy” before Prince declared “soundcheck over!” and the band moved into brand new material, including a riotous version of the title track of the highly anticipated forthcoming 3RDEYEGIRL album PLECTRUMELECTRUM, which is set for release this year.

Lead track from the album, “PRETZELBODYLOGIC,” was performed fully live for the first time.

Running for nearly two and a half hours, the set was a master class in the very best of Prince – incredible singing, electrifying guitar playing, breathtaking showmanship and some seriously funky moves! As well as leading the band, Prince also took things down a notch with an evocative solo piano set which included “How Come You Don’t Call Me Anymore?” and “Diamonds and Pearls,” before bringing the band back for a selection of catalogue classics including “Controversy,” “1999,” and “Little Red Corvette.” After mixing it up with more hits the night closed with “Purple Rain” and a curfew-defying version of “Play That Funky Music.”

The “Hit and Run Tour - Part II” follows on from Part I which saw Prince & 3RDEYEGIRL take over special and intimate venues in London and Manchester this February for a series of history-making spontaneous shows announced at the 11^th hour via Twitter.

Legendary venues included Ronnie Scotts, Electric Ballroom and Shepherds Bush Empire, with the band often playing up to three shows in one night. The Guardian said it best, describing the Electric Ballroom shows in this way: “These are performances by one of the greatest funk-rock bands ever.” The group has been showered in 5-star reviews from all major reviewing media.

Now with “Hit and Run Tour – Part II,” these exclusive arena shows in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Leeds are his first since Prince’s sold out residency at The O2 London in 2007. This will be the first time Prince has ever performed in Leeds and is also the first time he has headlined a show in Birmingham and Glasgow in 19 years. His Manchester show follows two nights at the Academy in February.

The tour in full:

mtdelaney said:

Ocean said:

Ok that seatwave seems to have tickets. R these resale tickets or just another ticket site? Do u know the difference between standing 1 and standing 1-4?


Sorry for all the questions, just a little different in Australia and my daughter is there right now and is dying to go

Think the 1 and 1-4 are just how many tickets available

stickassfunk said:

SquirrelMeat said:

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[Edited 5/17/14 2:42am]

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When he came on at the end holding the balloons i was hoping there was some trick going to happen and he flouted across the arena , but no he just let them go.

Was kidding about the trick, but what is that all about with the balloons.

Ocean said:

Has he been doing after party shows?

If he had, do you not think they would have been talked about here?

dayzofwyld said:

Malloy said:

Which side of the stage does he do his piano set? Usually right side as you look at stage isn't it.

Yes it is which means he has his back to the right for some of the concert but I think he makes up for it and is conscience of it as he spend a lot more time on the right dancing and going to the right. At least that's what it felt like last night.

@rorywan yep last night was SO hot! I had rip off my light jumper and I was sticky and sweating and even when the better half touched me was like man you you are so sweaty (I am not a sweaty person) but who cares. I also loved his banter and his little light up shoes

I love all his self indulgent 'sketches' he gets lost in sometimes He also said on the Friday something like 'that big ass in the ripped jeans' which shocked me a little

I was at thurs, fri and sat and they were all absolutely brilliant!!

Saturday was my fave because i was at the front (had to deal with a drunk during the wait, though). The Love We Make, The Ride, Do Me Baby, Plectrum Electrum, FunkNRoll, Live It Up, Screwdriver (as much as i hate the studio version), the amazing Bass solos on saturday's gig were my fave.

ICNTTPOYM, Crimson And Clover, Paisley Park for Friday and What's My Name, Electric Intercourse, that huge jam Prince and 3rdeyegirl did halfway through, Pretzelbodylogic were my fave for Thursday.

Obviously, though, his whole performance in general was outstanding! His dancing, guitar work, piano medleys....just brillaint.

However, i do get a tad deflated when 1999, TMWY, Purple Rain are played. I much prefer it when the setlist get's interesting for us hardcores.....What's My Name and Electric Intercourse at Birmingham sent me in a bit of a craze!!!!

[Edited 5/18/14 16:52pm]

strawberrybubblegum said:

aiden said:

strawberrybubblegum said:

I must admit i am shocked there are no still no announcements about London.... I am in two minds re Leeds. The trip to manchester was worth it but bloody long....leeds is further. I just cant believe he would leave London...

Me too! I went slightly last minute standing on Friday night but yes it was a long journey from London to Manchester. With the twitter hints ("THEO LONDON" and the tea cup with all the London venues) I'm totally baffled as to why he hasn't announced anything.. Also when that first poster went out it said "London, UK" after each venue. I thought I would have my fix by now after seeing him 4 times this year but no.... We need him back in the capital!

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London will be later in the summer I'd imagine, dont forget he will have 1 if not 2 albums to be pushing at a later date so it would make more sense to do London shows around that time to plug them.

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Seems to be heavily focused on the UK at the moment so maybe trying to drum up attention for another residency or something?

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[Edited 5/19/14 1:34am]

Seatwave just tweeted that Price is set to announce London dates this week

fnksoul said:

Seatwave just tweeted that Price is set to announce London dates this week

That's good news but must be taken with a side of wait and see. Didn't they tweet about Hyde Park before and then retracted it?

Hope he does do some London shows, advanced notice with tickets is the way of the future I tell ya!

TheEnglishGent said:

fnksoul said:

Seatwave just tweeted that Price is set to announce London dates this week

That's good news but must be taken with a side of wait and see. Didn't they tweet about Hyde Park before and then retracted it?

Hope he does do some London shows, advanced notice with tickets is the way of the future I tell ya!

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Yeah it was them, but from a few whispers i've heard the Hyde park thing may not have been so much of a Rumour, I was told it fell through. Eminem was planning Hyde park too and that also fell through for what ever reasons so he had to move to Wembly stadium instead

my tickets are sold now

I guess block 10 somthing are good but a lot of peeps saying anywhere is good as it isn;t that big. Holds 13k.

strawberrybubblegum said: