I'm bored and thought this would be a bit of fun. Did anyone actually go to every one?

Pretty sure unique did.

I went to both Birmingham shows. The Monday show was overall better than the previous Thursday, although Thursday had the excitement of opening night, and the only appearance of Electric Intercourse!

My ranking :

1. Shepherd's Bush Empire

2. Birmingham Monday 19th

3. Birmingham Thursday 15th

[Edited 5/24/14 5:28am]

Militant said:

Pretty sure unique did.

I went to both Birmingham shows. The Monday show was overall better than the previous Thursday, although Thursday had the excitement of opening night, and the only appearance of Electric Intercourse!

Haha, I only went to the Manchester shows (of which the Saturday was better) but I'd probably put the first Brum show at the top based soley on the appearence of Electric Intercourse

Unless you have been to all shows you cannot contribute.... also people slag off some shows and others think well I was blown away, only time I have seen him...etc.

Of the four I saw:

1. Manchester - Saturday 17th May

2. Manchester - Friday 16th May.

3. Manchester - Friday 21st February.

4. Leeds - Friday 23rd May.

Hard to say... I made it to the two Manchester shows in February and 5 this last week (not Glasgow). For arena shows I think the second nights of Manchester and Birmingham (17th and 19th) take some beating, and Prince seemed to be in a really great, relaxed mood. But then my two least favourite arena shows (Manchester 16th and Leeds) were ones where I was miles away from the stage, so I think a lot of the experience has to do with where you are!

I've seen 6 gigs this year.

Electric Ballroom 1+2

Kings Place 2

Koko 1+2

Birmingham 19May

I'm going to have to call a dead heat on my favourite between Koko 2 and Birmingham 19May.

Koko because it just went on forever. I was up in the gods for that one but i was blown away.

Birmingham on monday i was on the rail and it was just great fun, a real party atmosphere and Prince was in a great mood.If you'd asked me on Tuesday i'd have said Birmingham easily but it's easy to forget just how much he played at KOKO 2. I thought he'd never stop.

The only one i left feeling a little deflated by was Kings Place 2. I realise it was a rare experience but it was short, not a particularly special set list.

Amazing how one mans floor is another mans ceiling when it comes to these gigs.

Just to add, the one i really wish i'd been at is shepherds bush. Five stops from home on the tube and i was bloody working.

I've been to all 4 Manchester shows this year.

1. Feb 22nd, Machester Academy (Blew my mind)

2. May 17th, Phones 4u Arena (Almost on par tbh. Sampler being too long knocks it down a place)

3. Feb 21st, Mancheser Academy (This was my first time seeing Prince, so bonus points!)

4. May 16th, Phones 4u Arena (Took my mum to this one, loved it)

We have all been so lucky this year, but I can't shake the horrible thought that it will be a good good while til we see Prince come back to the UK again.

At least I hope he doesn't come back within the next few months as I literally cannot afford any more shows (that said thanks to a mate and free tickets I've only spent £150 for 5 shows!) but seriously need to get back to reality now and maybe we'll get an npg show next year or 2016?

Llanishenlad said:

We have all been so lucky this year, but I can't shake the horrible thought that it will be a good good while til we see Prince come back to the UK again.

At least I hope he doesn't come back within the next few months as I literally cannot afford any more shows (that said thanks to a mate and free tickets I've only spent £150 for 5 shows!) but seriously need to get back to reality now and maybe we'll get an npg show next year or 2016?

£150 for 5 shows!? That's so lucky Feburary was my first time seeing P, so I really, really want to see him with the NPG. I love Prince the bandleader, especially when he's leading some of the best players on the planet. I can't shake the feeling sometimes that 3rdEyeGirl just aren't on his level, despite being amazing players.

Llanishenlad said:

1. Shepherds Bush Empire - 9th feb

2. Cafe de Paris - 20th May

3. LG Arena Birmingham - 19th May

4. Electric Ballroom Camden (both shows) - 5th Feb

.

SBE was incredible, I guess for me it was one of those moments when all the factors that make a show stand out aligned together at once. The only way this gig could have been better is if I had been in the first row, however being 5th row just right of the center was amazing.

.

The other 3/4 shows are all essentially in second place. I find it almost impossible to seperate them. Each one was in a very different setting and had a very different vibe. However, I will try to rank them.

.

CDP gets the nod to 2nd for the sheer fact that I was privileged and very lucky to be able to witness Prince from a few meters. A once in a lifetime experience.

.

Birmingham is the best large arena show I have ever been at. It ticked almost every box of what for makes a fantastic show. Highlight being when during Guitar, Prince looked at me and my friend directly in the eyes. We had a blue symbol which becomes illuminous when a strob light hits it, he spotted it, went at us and ironically broke one of his guitar strings.

.

EB is what I describe as my 1st Avenue experience, when he opened up with LGC, I had the feeling of being on the set of PR.

rafael said:

out of the bigger shows... (i think i've listed them all, might have forgot some)

manc1 feb

manc2 feb

SBE

EB1

EB2

koko1

koko2

manc4 may

manc3 may

brum1

glasgow

leeds

of the smaller shows it's hard to say as each were special in their own right for different reasons. ronnie scotts was incredible tiny and had a fantastic setlist that was completely different to all other shows and did the whole of the moon by the waterboys - currently the only time he's played it in public, and i was front row. cafe de paris was the hits but incredibly intimate and close, like a private show for just a handful of us - it was a private and exclusive show, but the closeness ramped things up a notch as most guests were chilling out instead of trying to get down the front. it was like going to madamme tussauds to see the prince waxwork and it coming alive. kings row was really special as it was accoustic at least for the start and a small accoustically perfect venue. so the first time 3EG did accoustic in public. it took me back to the accoustic night at the celly which was one of my favourite shows to attend. he also did a cracking version of stratus, playing it on keys initially like the record, and a superb instrumental version of more than this on guitar. the sound that night was perfect and it was the only night i didn't use ear protection

so each night is different in it's own way. and on top of that you have different cool experiences hanging out before and after gigs. and just because one show isn't rated the best, it doesn't mean i didn't have a fantastic time and enjoy the show. bar SBE, EB2 and koko2 i was front row all the way, albeit in the balcony at kings row so i had a great view and great sound and optimal position to enjoy the shows. even at the back at EB2 it was interesting to finally see prince in a small venue and not be front row, and get a drink at the bar and chill out. likewise koko2 i got a drink and saw the show from a different perspective in the balcony

what was also good about going to all the shows was seeing how things changed from night to night. the opening night in brum had some issues but he played electric intercourse for the first and only time since he played it in 83, slightly different line up, changed setlist, and first arena show for 3EG. you could also tell when he was improvising more, such as manc1 over manc2 and during manc4

it was cool doing C O O L wearing a suit at cafe de paris though. even better than ronnie scotts where i felt like everyone was wondering wtf i was doing

OK - just out of the 14 shows I attended this year (so far!) & this is totally personal cos it's based on the nights where it all just clicked for me:

Koko 1 & 2

Cafe de Paris

EB 1

SBE

Ronnies 2

EB VIP

Man 4 (May)

Birmingham 1

Kings Place 2

Man 3 (May)

Man 1 & 2 (Feb)

Birmingham 2

Leeds

WHY?

Koko 1 & 2: I just put this all together into one amazing day where I queued from 5.30am, met some great people who are now good friends, and then got front row with my best mate of 25 years, watched P play for a total of 4hrs 10 mins in one night, with loads of crazy racing around to join back of second queue, and ended up with set of sticks, plectrum, and later my pic in the programme (TWICE!) and on the t-shirt! Just an wonderful day that has now ruined me for the rest of my life and given me an obsessive passion & desire for more!!

Cafe de Paris: talking of being ruined... again, this was a 'whole experience' which I will be telling other people's grandchildren about when I am 90 as I will never have my own! My report is here http://www.ontheone.co.uk/ Just a great night with the creme de la creme of Prince fans!!

EB 1: This is where my obsession this year started to kick in - someone earlier said that they felt like they were on the set to PR in EB... absolutely! to me it was like being dropped back into a Dirty Mind era underground gig... raw, funky, ELECTRIC! And another amazing day of skiving work, meeting new, solid friends and oh yeah, the whole story of me hiding in a bin bag to get into show 2 (failed!) which u've probably heard already!

SBE: venue, venue, venue, sound!!! front row!! awesome footage!! flinging a selfish little bitch across the floor who tried to kick her way in front of me and another tiny girl who I was trying to give a decent view to! YEAH!! (and I'm normally such a placid fellow..!)

Ronnies 2: lessons learned... was cynical about chances of getting in. The lesson is 'if you feel like your chances are slim, as a Prince obsessive, then 99.99% of the rest of the poplulation have completely written it off, so your chances of getting in are dramatically increased!!' I was shattered from Koko's and had absolutely written it off. Friend called at 6pm and said get down here (thx Kev!!) so I thought what the heck & a few hours later was watching Prince in this iconic intimate venue, and then patting all three Girls on the back as they walked out at the end!

EB VIP: where it all began, tweet at 9.13pm, in my boxers ready for bed and in a rut due to my partner & I separating. Had a WTF moment, was in Camden by 9:45pm and then stumbling into EB to see him mid flow was like walking into a dream...

Man 4 (May): After the most stressful queuing experience ever and an expertly timed military operation, got to Front Row, smirks from Prince, smiles from Josh & Hannah, nods from Donna. The first 12 hr queue where I can honestly say I didn't even look at my watch once. I'm now immune, bring it on!

Birmingham 1: Front row, so I had a party but BHM crowd was flat and I could see 3EG were just warming up to the arena experience. Donna, in particular, looked stressed all through. But when you listen back to this one, there are moments of brilliance. Electric Intercourse! Watching a friend have their first front row experience!

Kings Place 2: Just cos of the 400 that got in to show 2, I was no 399 and my friend was 400! Acoustic set. Hated the venue... felt too sterile for 3EG. I was in my suit.

Bottom five cos:

Man 3 (May): Seated. Another lesson learned!

Man 1 (Feb): It was a great gig, don't get me wrong. But I was starting to flag by this point in Hit & Run 1 and for personal reasons probably should not have headed up to Manchester that weekend. Lesson learned: know when to stop. It's just another prince gig at the end of the day. SO.. stop I did, and gave my ticket for Man 2 to the girl in the student union bar and came home. Right thing.

Birmingham 2: No surprises and short. Seated.

Leeds: No surprises and short. And seated. And a long way away. And again, starting to flag with Hit & Run Part II - last of 6 gigs in a week and a bit, so I was actually getting bored of the 3EG setlist. Literally, one gig too far.

[Edited 5/30/14 22:42pm]

jamiestarr1uk said:

OK - just out of the 14 shows I attended this year (so far!) & this is totally personal cos it's based on the nights where it all just clicked for me:

Koko 1 & 2

Cafe de Paris

EB 1

SBE

Ronnies 2

EB VIP

Man 4 (May)

Birmingham 1

Kings Place 2

Man 3 (May)

Man 1 & 2 (Feb)

Birmingham 2

Leeds

WHY?

Koko 1 & 2: I just put this all together into one amazing day where I queued from 5.30am, met some great people who are now good friends, and then got front row with my best mate of 25 years, watched P play for a total of 4hrs 10 mins in one night, with loads of crazy racing around to join back of second queue, and ended up with set of sticks, plectrum, and later my pic in the programme (TWICE!) and on the t-shirt! Just an wonderful day that has now ruined me for the rest of my life and given me an obsessive passion & desire for more!!

Cafe de Paris: talking of being ruined... again, this was a 'whole experience' which I will be telling other people's grandchildren about when I am 90 as I will never have my own! My report is here http://www.ontheone.co.uk/ Just a great night with the creme de la creme of Prince fans!!

EB 1: This is where my obsession this year started to kick in - someone earlier said that they felt like they were on the set to PR in EB... absolutely! to me it was like being dropped back into a Dirty Mind era underground gig... raw, funky, ELECTRIC! And another amazing day of skiving work, meeting new, solid friends and oh yeah, the whole story of me hiding in a bin bag to get into show 2 (failed!) which u've probably heard already!

SBE: venue, venue, venue, sound!!! front row!! awesome footage!! flinging a selfish little bitch across the floor who tried to kick her way in front of me and another tiny girl who I was trying to give a decent view to! YEAH!! (and I'm normally such a placid fellow..!)

Ronnies 2: lessons learned... was cynical about chances of getting in. The lesson is 'if you feel like your chances are slim, as a Prince obsessive, then 99.99% of the rest of the poplulation have completely written it off, so your chances of getting in are dramatically increased!!' I was shattered from Koko's and had absolutely written it off. Friend called at 6pm and said get down here (thx Kev!!) so I thought what the heck & a few hours later was watching Prince in this iconic intimate venue, and then patting all three Girls on the back as they walked out at the end!

EB VIP: where it all began, tweet at 9.13pm, in my boxers ready for bed and in a rut due to my partner & I separating. Had a WTF moment, was in Camden by 9:45pm and then stumbling into EB to see him mid flow was like walking into a dream...

Man 4 (May): After the most stressful queuing experience ever and an expertly timed military operation, got to Front Row, smirks from Prince, smiles from Josh & Hannah, nods from Donna. The first 12 hr queue where I can honestly say I didn't even look at my watch once. I'm now immune, bring it on!

Birmingham 1: Front row, so I had a party but BHM crowd was flat and I could see 3EG were just warming up to the arena experience. Donna, in particular, looked stressed all through. But when you listen back to this one, there are moments of brilliance. Electric Intercourse! Watching a friend have their first front row experience!

Kings Place 2: Just cos of the 400 that got in to show 2, I was no 399 and my friend was 400! Acoustic set. Hated the venue... felt too sterile for 3EG. I was in my suit.

Bottom five cos:

Man 3 (May): Seated. Another lesson learned!

Man 1 (Feb): It was a great gig, don't get me wrong. But I was starting to flag by this point in Hit & Run 1 and for personal reasons probably should not have headed up to Manchester that weekend. Lesson learned: know when to stop. It's just another prince gig at the end of the day. SO.. stop I did, and gave my ticket for Man 2 to the girl in the student union bar and came home. Right thing.

Birmingham 2: No surprises and short. Seated.

Leeds: No surprises and short. And seated. And a long way away. And again, starting to flag with Hit & Run Part II - last of 6 gigs in a week and a bit, so I was actually getting bored of the 3EG setlist. Literally, one gig too far.

[Edited 5/30/14 22:42pm]

WOW

...and my friends and family think I'M nuts

Enjoyed reading that. Took a double take at your avatar. Thought it was Jimmy Saville for a minute

jamiestarr1uk said:

OK - just out of the 14 shows I attended this year (so far!) & this is totally personal cos it's based on the nights where it all just clicked for me:

Koko 1 & 2

Cafe de Paris

EB 1

SBE

Ronnies 2

EB VIP

Man 4 (May)

Birmingham 1

Kings Place 2

Man 3 (May)

Man 1 & 2 (Feb)

Birmingham 2

Leeds

WHY?

Koko 1 & 2: I just put this all together into one amazing day where I queued from 5.30am, met some great people who are now good friends, and then got front row with my best mate of 25 years, watched P play for a total of 4hrs 10 mins in one night, with loads of crazy racing around to join back of second queue, and ended up with set of sticks, plectrum, and later my pic in the programme (TWICE!) and on the t-shirt! Just an wonderful day that has now ruined me for the rest of my life and given me an obsessive passion & desire for more!!

Cafe de Paris: talking of being ruined... again, this was a 'whole experience' which I will be telling other people's grandchildren about when I am 90 as I will never have my own! My report is here http://www.ontheone.co.uk/ Just a great night with the creme de la creme of Prince fans!!

EB 1: This is where my obsession this year started to kick in - someone earlier said that they felt like they were on the set to PR in EB... absolutely! to me it was like being dropped back into a Dirty Mind era underground gig... raw, funky, ELECTRIC! And another amazing day of skiving work, meeting new, solid friends and oh yeah, the whole story of me hiding in a bin bag to get into show 2 (failed!) which u've probably heard already!

SBE: venue, venue, venue, sound!!! front row!! awesome footage!! flinging a selfish little bitch across the floor who tried to kick her way in front of me and another tiny girl who I was trying to give a decent view to! YEAH!! (and I'm normally such a placid fellow..!)

Ronnies 2: lessons learned... was cynical about chances of getting in. The lesson is 'if you feel like your chances are slim, as a Prince obsessive, then 99.99% of the rest of the poplulation have completely written it off, so your chances of getting in are dramatically increased!!' I was shattered from Koko's and had absolutely written it off. Friend called at 6pm and said get down here (thx Kev!!) so I thought what the heck & a few hours later was watching Prince in this iconic intimate venue, and then patting all three Girls on the back as they walked out at the end!

EB VIP: where it all began, tweet at 9.13pm, in my boxers ready for bed and in a rut due to my partner & I separating. Had a WTF moment, was in Camden by 9:45pm and then stumbling into EB to see him mid flow was like walking into a dream...

Man 4 (May): After the most stressful queuing experience ever and an expertly timed military operation, got to Front Row, smirks from Prince, smiles from Josh & Hannah, nods from Donna. The first 12 hr queue where I can honestly say I didn't even look at my watch once. I'm now immune, bring it on!

Birmingham 1: Front row, so I had a party but BHM crowd was flat and I could see 3EG were just warming up to the arena experience. Donna, in particular, looked stressed all through. But when you listen back to this one, there are moments of brilliance. Electric Intercourse! Watching a friend have their first front row experience!

Kings Place 2: Just cos of the 400 that got in to show 2, I was no 399 and my friend was 400! Acoustic set. Hated the venue... felt too sterile for 3EG. I was in my suit.

Bottom five cos:

Man 3 (May): Seated. Another lesson learned!

Man 1 (Feb): It was a great gig, don't get me wrong. But I was starting to flag by this point in Hit & Run 1 and for personal reasons probably should not have headed up to Manchester that weekend. Lesson learned: know when to stop. It's just another prince gig at the end of the day. SO.. stop I did, and gave my ticket for Man 2 to the girl in the student union bar and came home. Right thing.

Birmingham 2: No surprises and short. Seated.

Leeds: No surprises and short. And seated. And a long way away. And again, starting to flag with Hit & Run Part II - last of 6 gigs in a week and a bit, so I was actually getting bored of the 3EG setlist. Literally, one gig too far.

[Edited 5/30/14 22:42pm]

Edited?

What a ride! Don't know how you did it. We'll all look forward to the book, R.

marksinclair said:

Bham arena 2- epic show, though had to miss the extra encore from pretzelbodylogic onwards due to last train to London being my curfew, just made it in time!

Hey cool, same here - thought I was the only one going back to London on that train coming from the gig! xx