Here is the Clear Channel Press Release:

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE FROM CLEAR CHANNEL:

PRINCE

WORLD TOUR 2003/2004 TO
TO START OCTOBER 21ST IN AUSTRALIA

Clear Channel Entertainment, in association with Dainty Consolidated Entertainment proudly present the long awaited return of Prince to Australia.

One of the most influential figures in modern rock history and a legendary live performer, these performances will be Prince’s first Australian appearances in a decade and will feature Prince performing his hits live for the last time. The tour follows the release of Prince’s new CD, “N.E.W.S.” available in stores and on his web site: www.npgmc.com.

Prince’s Australia tour starts in Melbourne on October 21 at the Rod Laver Arena, followed by Sydney at the Sydney Entertainment Center on October 24, concluding in Brisbane at the Brisbane Entertainment Center on October 27.

Few artists have created a body of work as rich and varied as Prince. During the ‘80s, he emerged as one of the most singular talents in the history of music. Not only did he release a series of groundbreaking albums, he toured frequently, produced albums and wrote songs for many other artists, and recorded thousands of songs that still lie unreleased in his vaults. With each successive album, Prince has shown remarkable stylistic growth and musical diversity, constantly experimenting with different sounds, topics and genres.

Prince has sold over 100 million records and is still widely regarded as an influence on popular culture. His electrifying live performances have been a staple of his career and this time around will be more spectacular than ever.

October 21 Rod Laver Arena – Melbourne
Oct. 24 – Sydney Entertainment Centre – Sydney
October 27 – Brisbane Entertainment Centre – Brisbane

Tickets will go on sale nationally at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 30 September through Ticketek phone 132 849 or online at www.ticketek.com. Ticket Prices: $150 $88.50. Special VIP packages also available, call ….. for further information.

Prince online: visit www.npgmc.com

...thoughts anyone?

Dan said:

Well, clearly if Clear Channel sponsors Prince's tour, it looks a bit hypocritical of Prince, considering he rants and raves about monopololistic corporate radio all the time.

$150 ??? FFS, just for a greatest hits show? Even if the club offers $150 seats for "only" $88.50 it's still rip-off time ... and I doubt the club will sell anything besides $150 tickets ... any inside information on that?

And by the looks of it (ie little preparation time), I don't think they'll have a spectacular light show or stage warranting $150.

Good thing I haven't joined the club yet, I was about to do it in order to get good seats, but at that price they will have to guarantee soundcheck and aftershow for it to be interesting!

What about the rest of this world tour?

Those might be Australian Dollars.

of course they are AU$ ... still not worth it to see him play on a tennis court (that's what rod laver arena is in Melbourne)

pr1ncebl0ws said:

Then don't go to the concert!!

"Few artists have created a body of work as rich and varied as Prince. During the ‘80s, he emerged as one of the most singular talents in the history of music. Not only did he release a series of groundbreaking albums, he toured frequently, produced albums and wrote songs for many other artists, and recorded thousands of songs that still lie unreleased in his vaults. With each successive album, Prince has shown remarkable stylistic growth and musical diversity, constantly experimenting with different sounds, topics and genres."




From what I recall, these are the first few sentences on Prince in allmusic.com...I guess the fantastic journalist/communication expert who wrote this rpess release did not even know who prince was and just cut and pasted this excerpt.


SHAME

Looks like Prince is playing his position and getting with Clear Channel. This is how I feel, if I can make some serious dough and some folks think I'm not $h#T because I went the corporate crook route...

Redman made a record in '98... He put it this way
"I'll Be That"

Well I remember at the UK shows the name Clear Channel came up on the screen, Prince points and says "this company owns the majority of American radio stations" so how can he now use them as a promoter, this guy just talks more and more bullshit everyday.