Melbourne State Theatre on February 17

Please post your concert reviews here.

I wouldn't claim to be able to give a set list - there's too much of the back catalogue I honestly have yet to catch up with; and besides that, he overwhelms me every time I see him. Who can think when you're having pure pleasure injected into your cerebral cortex?

He had a psychedelic kaleidoscope effect on the full wall behind him throughout as background; there was no A-V screen, but I didn't feel that was any loss. There were about a dozen or twenty candles on stage in groups of three around him.

He mentioned Denise again tonight, but didn't say much. Spoke about the song he was intro-ing as one he'd written for her. He mentioned her stage name, Vanity, and later said that "vanity" can be dangerous. A cryptic remark; that's as I remember it. (Please note: I didn't sense any criticism of Vanity herself in this remark; that wasn't what he meant, and I wouldn't want anyone to get that impression.)

One highlight for me was the last verse and the chorus of "A Case of You". YESSS!!!! Not the full song, but to hear as much of it as he did was wonderful. And what a "Prince" song he made of it!

"Waiting in Vain" by Bob Marley was also covered.

Unchain My Heart! Who expected that at a Prince concert? Not me, but it was there.

Predictably (that's not intended as criticism) it was the big hits that had the crowd excited, but he raised the roof with them! Little Red Corvette. Raspberry Beret. Kiss - that had to be the most energetic number (which is really saying something) between artist and audience of the night.

He ended Raspberry Beret with "shave and a haircut, two bits".

My guest identified another bit of borrowing - I'm hopeless at spotting that - in one number (sorry, forget which) - the "Peanuts" tv specials "Charlie Brown" theme. You know that piece? He worked it into one number and (my guest said) he repeated it again later (I'd say in the same song; I knew I'd heard it before when he played it but couldn't quite say where.)

Nothing compares 2 U. I've heard him sing this before, in 2003, but it left an even deeper impression here.

I'd say the venue suited him better; this is the first tour he's played the State Theatre in; and the earlier two tours I've seen him at were both at Rod Laver. Although Rod Laver was specifically designed with the intention of being able to serve as a concert venue (it's primarily a tennis stadium) I wouldn't mind betting the State Theatre is acoustically superior. It's smaller and I'd say that helps.

And you'll hear more about this, I'm sure, but you heard it here first (maybe): there was an intruder on stage!! Female, who ran from the side on to the stage, and was bear-hugged by one security staffer, and then by a second one, who got her off stage without incident, and certainly without any physical contact by her with Prince.

There was less patter in the entire show than I expected; such remarks as he did make tended to be half-sung asides within the songs. He had several quips about the woman who ran on to stage; he said "wait till after the show" and something else about he'll pay her the money he owed her later. (That's what I heard; maybe others heard differently.)

He touched hands with many of the front row on two separate occasions.

One of the great spontaneous moments was when he asked the audience to clap along with one specific number, and the audience en masse started clapping on every beat. He stopped at once at the piano, and walked to centre stage - all good humoured - and said no, no, that's not it. "It's 2 and 4." This was the most relaxed I've seen him in three concerts over 12 or 13 years; this was Prince the man with warmth, good humour, charm and charisma. (Can U tell I'm a fan?)

What a voice! To think he'd be doing it all again in two hours' time. There was no holding back; and the high notes and screams were off the chart for a man in his fifties.

What a piano player!! He's a genius!!! There's no other word for it. What a man!!!!

Was it a short show? Yes. Was it a great show? Absolutely. Worth the money? I got one of the few $200 seats and it would have been a bargain at twice the price.

There's only one problem: how am I expected to SLEEP after such an experience?

Also "Purple Music" late in the show, which ended with "Purple Rain," of course.

Incidentally, the Arts Centre in Melbourne has a spire over it, and it was lit up last night, I'm told, and tonight, I saw for myself, PURPLE. That's a first.

When he said at one point "I love you", a woman in the audience called out "I love you more" and he shot back without missing a beat "I love you most."

Good night and I'll try to sleep now; hoping the wristband helps.

PRNelson said:

lust said:

PRNelson said:

A woman jumped onstage?? My heart would be in my throat ifni witnessed that. What wouldnshe be expecting to happen? As crazy as the world is, that must be a nervous situation.

Probably the same crass stupid bitch that ran up to him in Melbourne in 2012 after the afterparty as he went to get in his car waving a camera in his face and demanding a photo in the most excruciating and whiny Aussie accent you can imagine. I can't stand fuckers like that.

I agree, the crazy beastie/groupie types need to be restrained. Like the ladies in the Herald last week with the wooden amulets aged about 60, rotten teeth and breath, FESTOONED in tattoos and piercings. If I was Prince, I would have a no beasties rule at my concerts.

.

Same with the 400lb Vernisha types that squeal and just want to do him. Hope there are no beasties at our show. Either way it does not help as Prince will be more paranoid now.

[Edited 2/17/16 20:23pm]

how long was the show?

PRNelson said:

A woman jumped onstage?? My heart would be in my throat ifni witnessed that. What wouldnshe be expecting to happen? As crazy as the world is, that must be a nervous situation.

Must be Humpalina's sister

Thanks for the thanks, everyone.

A few further things have come to mind overnight and during the day.

He definitely also played "Dirty Mind", "Black Muse" and "Wow".

My guest has emailed me today to say that the Peanuts theme he heard was Vince Guaraldi's "Linus and Lucy" theme. Sydney org-ers should listen out for it.

I did research before going to the show last night on tracks I thought he might play, based on reviews and org comments, and it paid off; adds greatly to the enjoyment for those of us who don't have the entire back catalogue memorised.

Oh, and incidentally: get there on time!! Prince came on stage around 6.35.

I can't remember exactly what time the show finished but I think it was a little after 8.00.

luv4u said:

PRNelson said:

A woman jumped onstage?? My heart would be in my throat ifni witnessed that. What wouldnshe be expecting to happen? As crazy as the world is, that must be a nervous situation.

Prince took it in his stride. She was Caucasian, probably early thirties or late twenties; hard to tell. She was what my mother used to (diplomatically) call a "solid" girl.

She was running with her arms out wide; I'd say she thought she was going to hug and kiss him.

She must have had a ticket and a fitting penalty would be to be banned from all Prince concerts for ten years. (I'd have said "for life" but that's too harsh a penalty even to consider.)

vladimir said:

I wouldn't claim to be able to give a set list - there's too much of the back catalogue I honestly have yet to catch up with; and besides that, he overwhelms me every time I see him. Who can think when you're having pure pleasure injected into your cerebral cortex?

He had a psychedelic kaleidoscope effect on the full wall behind him throughout as background; there was no A-V screen, but I didn't feel that was any loss. There were about a dozen or twenty candles on stage in groups of three around him.

He mentioned Denise again tonight, but didn't say much. Spoke about the song he was intro-ing as one he'd written for her. He mentioned her stage name, Vanity, and later said that "vanity" can be dangerous. A cryptic remark; that's as I remember it. (Please note: I didn't sense any criticism of Vanity herself in this remark; that wasn't what he meant, and I wouldn't want anyone to get that impression.)

One highlight for me was the last verse and the chorus of "A Case of You". YESSS!!!! Not the full song, but to hear as much of it as he did was wonderful. And what a "Prince" song he made of it!

"Waiting in Vain" by Bob Marley was also covered.

Unchain My Heart! Who expected that at a Prince concert? Not me, but it was there.

Predictably (that's not intended as criticism) it was the big hits that had the crowd excited, but he raised the roof with them! Little Red Corvette. Raspberry Beret. Kiss - that had to be the most energetic number (which is really saying something) between artist and audience of the night.

He ended Raspberry Beret with "shave and a haircut, two bits".

My guest identified another bit of borrowing - I'm hopeless at spotting that - in one number (sorry, forget which) - the "Peanuts" tv specials "Charlie Brown" theme. You know that piece? He worked it into one number and (my guest said) he repeated it again later (I'd say in the same song; I knew I'd heard it before when he played it but couldn't quite say where.)

Nothing compares 2 U. I've heard him sing this before, in 2003, but it left an even deeper impression here.

I'd say the venue suited him better; this is the first tour he's played the State Theatre in; and the earlier two tours I've seen him at were both at Rod Laver. Although Rod Laver was specifically designed with the intention of being able to serve as a concert venue (it's primarily a tennis stadium) I wouldn't mind betting the State Theatre is acoustically superior. It's smaller and I'd say that helps.

And you'll hear more about this, I'm sure, but you heard it here first (maybe): there was an intruder on stage!! Female, who ran from the side on to the stage, and was bear-hugged by one security staffer, and then by a second one, who got her off stage without incident, and certainly without any physical contact by her with Prince.

There was less patter in the entire show than I expected; such remarks as he did make tended to be half-sung asides within the songs. He had several quips about the woman who ran on to stage; he said "wait till after the show" and something else about he'll pay her the money he owed her later. (That's what I heard; maybe others heard differently.)

He touched hands with many of the front row on two separate occasions.

One of the great spontaneous moments was when he asked the audience to clap along with one specific number, and the audience en masse started clapping on every beat. He stopped at once at the piano, and walked to centre stage - all good humoured - and said no, no, that's not it. "It's 2 and 4." This was the most relaxed I've seen him in three concerts over 12 or 13 years; this was Prince the man with warmth, good humour, charm and charisma. (Can U tell I'm a fan?)

What a voice! To think he'd be doing it all again in two hours' time. There was no holding back; and the high notes and screams were off the chart for a man in his fifties.

What a piano player!! He's a genius!!! There's no other word for it. What a man!!!!

Was it a short show? Yes. Was it a great show? Absolutely. Worth the money? I got one of the few $200 seats and it would have been a bargain at twice the price.

There's only one problem: how am I expected to SLEEP after such an experience?

great story THANKS

how was Purple Music ?

seems to be a great setlist. it's the first time he includes a lot of new songs.

tomds said:

how was Purple Music ?

It was fabulous! Played upbeat as an energetic party song. He played it late in the show, by which time people were standing up (in a formal sit-down theatre venue) and dancing even in the balcony where I was; this was definitely one of the numbers that got that response - from people who'd probably never heard it before. (I hadn't.)

vladimir said: