Manchester Evening News review

http://www.manchestereven...es-7133547

blowpony said:

Just got back home. I missed the March UK shows as I was out of the country unfortunately and was very disappointed to miss them. Since Lovesexy, I've seen Prince well over 30 times (including some pretty phenomenal after shows (Bagerly's Warehouse, Emporium, BBC Broadcasting House live on Radio One, Indigo Bar etc) and I have to say I thought tonight's show was pretty strong. It helped that I was in the front row standing and surrounded by a lot of great people (many of whom I queued with earlier) and the sound was absolutely fantastic from where I was situated. Perhaps the late running sound check was worth it. He seemed to enjoy a lot of jamming in the tracks tonight and his musicianship totally blew away those around me who had not seen him before. One lady said she thought he was just a pop star from the 80's and had only been persuaded to go along tonight by a friend. She admitted she simply couldn't believe what she was seeing and couldn't have been more impressed. I thought he was pretty inspired at times. Similar set list to previous night but opened with Let's Go Crazy instead of Funk 'n Roll which he played later. I thought Something In The Water was incredible, beginning on the piano, turning into a full band song, involving the crowd and then THAT solo! The Beautiful Ones was very raw and emotional, Kiss was the best version I'd heard for a long while. His vocal sounded amazing throughout. He also played Plectrum Electrum (the song) in full which seriously rocked out. I could hear his voice without amplification on several occasions too while he held the mic to the audience and others near me also commented on this. It was pretty surreal to be so close again. Also I thought he was in a great mood and was clearly enjoying himself a lot. Tons of smiling and joking around with his body language. I also got lucky and sneaked a couple of very full on close ups with my iPhone using the button on the side without looking at the screen. Got tickets for tomorrow too so I'm pretty stoked about it to be honest. Up early so gonna get some sleep now. [Edited 5/16/14 19:12pm]

When u going to share those photos? lol

Llanishenlad said:

Went last night and im ashamed to say I left with about 45 mins or something to go a mixture of alcohol, not eating all day and the heat down on the floor just didnt work well. Gutted!

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Glad im going tonight seated or I'd be really annoyed with myself, the time i saw him on stage for though he was brilliant I'd say on better form than in Feb if thats possible? Dancing, having fun, I hope he brings that energy again tonight.

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Just a note, we spoke to one of bouncers last night, and they have been warned that the shows can go over the Curfew, It's not something the arena encourage, I think its more to do with the council and people being able to get home on public transport etc... I know last night he didnt play over 11pm but I'm hoping tonight he might with no show tomorrow?, Apparently when the stone roses played they didnt come on stage till between 11-12pm he was saying so the curfew is flexible to an extent.

Actually, looking at the set list I dont think I missed too much, left just after She's always in my hair/Paisley

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Any ideas who the young brunette singer was?

Levi said:

One more question: what time did they take to the stage? -L

Just after 8.35pm and finsihed at 10.40pm.

Nasalhair said:

Just got home. Loved the gig - I was also at the Friday show at the Academy in February and in some ways I preferred this show, although the crowd around me were utterly dead (block 108). Highlights were "Kiss", "Controversy "," Something In The Water", "Paisley Park" (who was the woman who sang it?), "Empty Room", "The Beautiful Ones", "When Doves Cry" and "Hot Thing". He was on good form and seemed to be enjoying himself, doing lots of dancing & lots of play with the crowd. No medleys, no covers (apart from "Crimson and Clover" - not sure why he plays that really) and a set of about 2 and a quarter hours. I'm back again tomorrow - can't wait

Tokyo said:

Squirrelmeat, I know you've been a regular on here for years...so all I'd say is (about last night), don't believe everything you read or hear. I saw P earlier this year at some of those intimate shows and I think the reason there are no setlists stems from the fact that everyone was totally into it. It was definitely a hits based show but the atmosphere was electric. I also thought finishing with Purple Rain (having opened with Let's Go Crazy) was superb. An encore after that would have spoiled a moment that was pure magic for me. Have sen him approx 50 times and that was as good as any I've seen. His decisions to play the odd rare track or some frustrations with a guitar tech don't really have a big bearing on his performance. Manchester great, were great and P phenomenal as always. Such a privilege to be there...and hard to believe that the guy can perform at such a high level. Legendary and worth every penny.

Tokyo, agree 100% we were 5 metre from the front and it was mindblowing incredible performace itwas so good i m sad i am not going tonight, amazing crowd and atmosphere.

PaulsBass said:

Wasn't close enough to see if he was pissed with his guitar man, but apart from that I can't believe anyone thought he was in a bad mood - to me, he looked really relaxed and like he was having so much fun Crowd were loud and up dancing from minute 1, I guess the crowd participation suffered a little on the more 'non-hit' tracks but it didn't spoil a thing for me. I have no words to describe the sheer musicianship and charisma of the man and feel sorry for anyone who hasn't seen him in full flow live. Jealous of anyone going tonight - if money was no object, I'd be there singing myself hoarse and Knackering my old knees dancing again! If you're going tonight, enjoy

There was apoint where Prince went crazy at the guitar tech cant remember which song it was but we were 5 meters from the front just to the left which was the side the tech was and Prince gave hima rollocking over something he did it twice both times pointing down at where is foot pendles where I am guessing, Hannah on drums also missed a beat at one point and the speed at which Prince turned and gave here that look was incredible. The mans a perfectionist and doesn t miss a milli second of anything. Totally amazing night.

cammille said:

Nasalhair said:

Just got home. Loved the gig - I was also at the Friday show at the Academy in February and in some ways I preferred this show, although the crowd around me were utterly dead (block 108). Highlights were "Kiss", "Controversy "," Something In The Water", "Paisley Park" (who was the woman who sang it?), "Empty Room", "The Beautiful Ones", "When Doves Cry" and "Hot Thing". He was on good form and seemed to be enjoying himself, doing lots of dancing & lots of play with the crowd. No medleys, no covers (apart from "Crimson and Clover" - not sure why he plays that really) and a set of about 2 and a quarter hours. I'm back again tomorrow - can't wait

I was block 108, I stood up and danced the whole time, couple of girls in front doing the same but everyone else were stiff as boards.

mikeyaddict said:

Levi said:

Many thanks for this, mojo.

Yeah. Queued from 12.30 and got number 24 land felt shafted - poss because p was still sound checking but there are signs saying Standing Entrance , near the blocks for seating entrances - so look on a venue map and see which blocks are near the stage and go to a standing entrance near such. A bit miffed - Jay did the numbering but As soon as your on the concourse anyone can get anywhere. When you go in its lik 7 doors facing u letting people in all of them. Maybe it would have been better if he had sound checked earlier and we could just go in. Got about 6 rows back in the end but could easily have been further back. Was stood behind a tall pirate who I had to peep around - and a dude with a fuck off massive manhead! . Anyway - was an amazing gig not as good as feb 22nd but what could be. P poss not in the best mood - more of a hits setlist, kiss and controversy good with 3rd eye - but missed songs like endorphin / skrewdriver - full rendition of PR great and P guitar soloing. Also during crimson and clover he was over our side without a mic getting the crowd to sing 'over and over' and u could hear his actual voice - not through speakers, not on record, not in an interview and then broadcast - but his actual voice - sound waves like someone talking to u, which for me as special. Also sure he made eye contact with me once. But maybe not. In seats tomorrow, so good look to u going standing! . Anyone in seating meeting up before?

I thought you'd be at the front when I saw you at the front of the queue, like u said they were letting people in from both sides. I was in Block 115 Row G to the right of the stage where u are tonight, was a great view across the stage, you don't want to be too low down as the speakers are fairly high on the side of the stage.

Gig was good, a few more of the hits for the casuals, was funny as we just stood up in the block the whole gig on our own, but then the rest of the block jumped up for Kiss/WDC/PR etc then sat down straight after.

Who was the woman singing Paisley Park? we could see her right across ths stage on the left hand side, she was sat on a sofa all the way through the gig waving this silly sparkly walking stck up and down all the way through.

Highlight for me was hearing Controversy again, that's a song really suited to 3EG sound, It felt more of a show, whereas the Feb Part 1 felt more like gigs, with him improvising more, playing bass etc, so I missed that, but understandable for arena gigs.

Hoping he plays longer tonight as he's in Manchester all day, so shouldn't be a late sound check and no gig tomorrow, so he'll go full blast I hope.

When u said he made eye contact, are u sure it wasn't with the pirates one eye??? or maybe he thought u was a funny looking parrot??? see ya later.

Wow, what a show.

I loved the setlist- so many hits and rare classics.

Some performances were killer- Kiss, others like Always in my hair seemed like P was slightly going through the motions with shorter guitar solos.

Did not que at all, walked down to standing as Let's go crazy was playing, missed timed things with the bar, but was soon within 10 feet of the stage. The highlights for me were 1999, I could never take the place of your man & P playing the solo to Purple Rain!

Incredible vocals, the band sounded tight as hell, just funky, rocking, balls out.

As my first P show I loved it.

If anyone wants to hook me up with a free ticket for Leeds- I can offer a bed for the night.

[Edited 5/17/14 4:03am]

[Edited 5/17/14 4:07am]

Sounds like another great show, even if Prince didn't something as insane as playing Electric Intercourse (excitement levels for Leeds are vamping up!). Did anyone happen to notice whether the show was pro-shot, as some people at the first show noted? And does anyone think that that possibly means there might be a live DVD release sometime in the future? (hopefully coinciding or packaged with the album release).

thisisreece said:

SquirrelMeat said:

So the crowds on both the nights so far seem a bit....flat? Curse of the casuals I suppose. That said, 21 nights it London had a real vibe.

No, the crowd was great tonight unlike Birmingham, and the sound was great for a change.

Nasalhair said:

thisisreece said:

Sounds like another great show, even if Prince didn't something as insane as playing Electric Intercourse (excitement levels for Leeds are vamping up!). Did anyone happen to notice whether the show was pro-shot, as some people at the first show noted? And does anyone think that that possibly means there might be a live DVD release sometime in the future? (hopefully coinciding or packaged with the album release).

I didn't notice anything, but I was at the back. Been to shows which have been recorded for DVD before & they normally have the crowd semi-lit throughout so they show on wide shots, but that didn't happen last night.

There was one camera dude I saw at the front, but I think he was filming it for the bigs screens that are at the back of that big block in the ceiling for people seated right at the back. Couldn't say about any others but for DVD you'd expect to see a few more around the stage perhaps?

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Over and over, he's a Jehovah - fucking fantastic!

BlackCandle said:

"Over and Overrrrr..."

Was I the only one singing:

"He's a Jehovah.."?


BTW STILL no The Breakdown, what's that about?

mikeyaddict said:

Great gig, particularly chuffed to hear "Paisley Park" and "Empty Room". He seemed to be having fun and there was a pretty joyful, languid vibe to the evening. Only minor gripe was that he could have played longer, but I'm probably basing this off the monster 22nd Feb gig. Hopefully the guys going tonight will get a longer set. Quite fancied going tonight as well but having been to 3 this year I suspect the wife would kill me.

Generally a good vibe as well, apart from the moron standing next to me who seemed to be put off by people dancing at a gig. Sod off back to your Jamie Cullum albums you pointless arse.

PaulsBass said:

Wasn't close enough to see if he was pissed with his guitar man, but apart from that I can't believe anyone thought he was in a bad mood - to me, he looked really relaxed and like he was having so much fun Crowd were loud and up dancing from minute 1, I guess the crowd participation suffered a little on the more 'non-hit' tracks but it didn't spoil a thing for me. I have no words to describe the sheer musicianship and charisma of the man and feel sorry for anyone who hasn't seen him in full flow live. Jealous of anyone going tonight - if money was no object, I'd be there singing myself hoarse and Knackering my old knees dancing again! If you're going tonight, enjoy

I did wonder what he was doing through Funk N Roll, maybe the smoke machine was off, there was sbwriel on the floor or he was pointing out guitar stage cues the mr hand had missed.

As for my experience, not only had the tickets gone on sale on my partner's birthday, it was her first ever arena rock gig! She enthused massively after the show about the sense of scale having already been to see The Pope in Vatican Square (where everybody is on the same level so you can only see about thirty people in every direction).

"Best. Birthday (present). Ever!", she bubbled so she did.

Massive shout out from the Good Seats. I can't believe nobody else was on our row. Was it a ticketing error? I personally was half asleep due to a gruelling week in front of a computer and wine so I regret not taking my shirt off and beaming nipple semaphore directly towards the stage. Me bro was having it (not the nipples, the gig enjoyment) but I feel my lack of energy brought down his thang considering we'd been chanting "I Like Funky Music" from the nosebleed a mere 7 years beforehand. Tibetan Throat Screaming. Can't beat it.

Can't beat going straight for standing tickets on a whim either but i'll learn some day. You know we would have been back the next if we were actually plants and could photosynthesize. I deliberately did not wear my Lotus Flower T-shirt to the gig but I know for damn sure I was the only F*cker in Manchester wearing one The Morning After!** I had the tri-screen Mr Scruff on. Oh yeah! 15 years since Keep It Unreal.

Let us not laugh too much at the proportion of the audience that had their phones facing backwards on command. You're at a gig where you're supposed to wave the light back at the stage but NO you still keep the light pointed towards yourself! I laughed my balls off, but then let us not also be disappointed that 3rd Eye Girl did not launch into a ripping version of "Whatever Happened To Pong?" by Frank Black from the opening of Teenager Of The Year, this being a clever reference to the original 1990 research into light-directed computer behaviour.

In fact before the gig our final member of our Gang Of Four was delighted that I pointed out how the winner of Eurovision had based his look on the Nude Tour of 1990 fame. You really really have to have been there and also made it up.

I myself thought it was a seventies rock legend moving about a bit, like, i dunno, some people on a stage playing music? Like, at infinity frames per second?

** It was nice to see Hannah smiling and mesmerized by Prince actions, Donna really pissed-off looking and focussed, and the shocking lack of camera time for Ida, whose bass essentially rumbles to the extent cameras have no focus.

Funk N Roll was deep.

And i am not going to be a twerp and start an entire thread about how when Mr Nelson laid down his guitar and calmly released a bunch of balloons. You'll all just take it in Prince History context whereas we both thought it was the most heartbreakingly sweet gesture for the end of a show.

Aww!

Cx

[Edited 5/17/14 16:38pm]

[Edited 5/17/14 16:47pm]

[Edited 5/17/14 16:48pm]

So does anybody know who was the woman singing lead vocals on Paisley Park ? btw great concert worth the money just to see Empty Room played 1 of the few songs that i've not seen live before

davidnapo said:

So does anybody know who was the woman singing lead vocals on Paisley Park ? btw great concert worth the money just to see Empty Room played 1 of the few songs that i've not seen live before

http://www.princevault.co..._May,_2014


Guest(s) Joshua Welton (cowbell, keyboard, vox), Cassandra O'Neal (keyboard, vox), Marissa Jack (vox)