Well what can I say? Seriously the whole thing was just such an amazing experience it is hard to put into words.

It was without a doubt the greatest concert experience I have ever witnessed.

The meetup before the concert at the Phoenix went great with every single person being friendlier and cooler than you could have ever imagined. You know, Prince fans are really cool people and the Aussie fans rock!

We headed over to the stadium to pick up tickets around 3:00ish. Of course, being Melbourne, just as we were lining up for tickets the heavens opened and we all got wet (the ticket booth was outside ).

We got inside at about 3:30 pm or so but Prince kept us waiting (as expected ) until just before 5:00pm. When we got in there he was playing and everyone could go wherever they liked. Because that place is so big everyone had a great spot and there was no pushing or mad rush. I got front row to the left, right in front of Rhonda . She kept smiling at me and winking (alright, I made that up).

The soundcheck was fucking awesome!! The best thing I have ever seen, I kid you not.

The setlist was something like this (dont blame me if it's wrong as it is a group recolection. I suggest you blame toccata, Cammo, Melinda, Goosen22, and especially Kirk if it is wrong )..he he

1. Xemlify
2. Jam (a jazzy instrumental)
3. Elephant And Flowers
4. Life Of The Party (new song)
5. Bambi (went for 10 mins)
6. Whole Lotta Love (also went for a good 10 mins)
7. (another song from xpectations)
8. Xemplify and this also went straight into When The Saints Go Marching In.

What can i say about Bambi? All I can tell you is that prince's performance was so good I'm now pregnant with twins!

This band is awesome, his best I think, certainly in terms of skill. Rhonda and Blackwell just keep it so tight a fishe"s arse would be jealous. The soundcheck was worth the $175 alone. Seriously.

Afer the check all the club members were given wrist bands which allowed you into the aftershow/party. Cool!

We then had to wait around for the main show but they had all the refreshment stands open. They also had the merchandise stands open with their ridiculous prices. Overpriced ugly t-shirts etc, Rave DVD for $40 and get this, Live at the Aladdin for $50!! (it's under $30 in all the shops). Tour book is $40, also had News, plus CD's from RAD and Rhonda for $30. Poster $15.

There was a DJ that did the opening from about 7:45pm that went for about 45 mins. He wasn't bad. It's a tough gig.

The concert was supposed to start at 8:45pm according to a knowledgeable security bloke near me but didnt start til just before 9:00pm (cutting into valuable drinking time ).

I might add here that the Melbourne crowd was pumping and primed to go off and go off they did! There was so much sceaming when the lights dipped they could have powered Monsters Inc for 50 years.

Here's the setlist (identical to Hong Kong):

Let's Go Crazy
I Would Die 4 U
When Doves Cry
Baby I'm A Star
Shhh
Dmsr
I Feel 4 U
Controversy
The Beautiful Ones
Nothing Compares 2 U
Insatiable
Sign O' The Times
The ? Of U
The One
Let's Work
U Got The Look
Hot Pants/Life O' The Party
Soul Man
Kiss
Take Me With U
Everlasting Now

Encore:
Purple Rain

The printed setlist was to include 7, Mountains and Elephants and Flowers but just like Hong kong he dumped those. I think it's because he started late. It didn't detract from the experience. Not at all.

The opening was so fucking awesome I'm getting goose bumps as I type this. has there ever been a better opening song written than Lets Go Crazy? It went off like 2the9s britches! He changed the arrangements for this song and it was the best version I have heard. Unbelievable. Guitar hero that man is

I dont propose to go through each song but I can say that most were done with fresh arrangments. When Doves Cry, The Beautiful Ones, Controversy and Sign o the times were really given the treatment. All were amazing. My favourite moment was in Controversy when the song broke down into the chant "People call me rude, I wish we all were nude, i wish there was no black and white, I wish there were no rules". The roof lifted off the damn place I tell you and I pitched a tent in my trousers I'm not afraid to admit.

The encore was Purple Rain in its entire glory, everyone stood in amazement, wepped and cheared. It was glorious.

Prince was in a GREAT mood and clearly was enjoying himself. The place went off like I have never seen. Never seen anything like it. Amazing.

This was a magnificent performance from a band at the top of their game. It was a delight to witness.

Only minor negatives were that the sound was sometimes way too loud. I'm seriously freakin deaf right now. I'm taking ear plugs from now on because it hurts! I wish he'd get rid of that strobe light too (it makes me lose balance and gives me a headache). Also, the show was a little short being just about 2 hours although there were no real breaks at all.

The afterparty was held at Prince of Wales in St Kilda. There was a DJ (same one as at the concert) who spun tunes all night. He was pretty good I thought. Prince showed up at around 1:15 am but there was no performance. He clowned around with the DJs for over 30 mins I reckon. Getting them to pay George Clinton, Sly Stone etc and rubbishing some of there other music (all done in a fun way).

He joked, danced and clowned around to the cheers of the 200 or so in attendance. He looks very happy at the moment and comfortable with himself. Even with all the religion mumbo jumbo he is still one cool, pimp walking mofo.

That it from me, I'm about to get cleaned up and head off to tonights performance (with ear plugs).

Cheers

I'm dying with laughter here!

Wonderful report! I'm so glad you had a great experience bkw!

Now go get cleaned up!

Nothinbutjoy said:

Cheers

Great report! Really captures the vibe of yesterday. I am so used to being the only Prince fan I know, it was great to be surrounded by 10000 other maniacs screaming, singing along and dancing. I wish I could go back tonight, but I'll have to wait for Sydney on Fri & Sat
[This message was edited Tue Oct 21 20:06:59 PDT 2003 by xtian]

It was an incredibly crowd pleasing performance...he played ALOT of guitar, mostly the Hohner (I think thats the make, the guitar on the ONA live booklet). He played the strat for Question of U and pulled out habibi for Purple Rain. The arrangements WERE new and sounded fresh. Purple Rain was beautiful and he begun it by saying "contrary to rumor I don't ever get tired of performing this song"

It was too loud. I was thinking 'Hello, didn't I just go to a soundcheck?' I have no problem with loudness as lomg as its clear and it sounded distorted.

Oh, I almost forgot he sang fantastically, The Beautiful Ones with full on proper screams, lying on the ground with heel in the air, everyone singing Nothing Compares 2 U. Fans got a great soundcheck and the masses got a 'Wow, I forgot how good he is performance'

bkw said:

Did we need to know that last part?

The roof lifted off the damn place I tell you and I pitched a tent in my trousers I'm not afraid to admit.

---

Man that line about pitching a tent in your trousers is an absolute gem and its cracked me up.

Great review as well.
Thanks

yay!!!

thanx so much for your report... I feel it too !

DID HE BRING THAT DJ FROM THE ONA SHOWS???

Because he sucked ass big time

Cripes! What a hoot, wish I was there.

bkw said:

What I wouldn't give to see him perform that song in its entirety. I pitched a tent just reading it.

I pitched a tent in my trousers I'm not afraid to admit.

BKW, absolutely hilarious.

bkw said:

If I did a Quotes Of The Week thread here, that would be in it. Thanks bkw.

LOL
ohhh that made me so much more excited, if that is possible!!

wonder how tonights show is going?

Now that's what I would call a great report!!! Many thanks dude...

Excellent report. I could feel your emotions here in the state and almost . . . I won't say.

Thanks and enjoy the next go round.

bkw - that certainly was NOT a crappy review!

Even though I live 1000's of miles away in the UK, I almost feel like I was there! I'm SO glad you, Joshy, and your fellow Aussie's have got to see him again, live. It's sounds like you had one helluva night!

When I went to Xenophobia, at last year's Celebration, part of me was feeling euphoric and loving every minute of it; part of me felt sad for those who couldn't attend, since I KNEW they'd love it. So, when he brought the ONA tour to Europe, I was glad everyone could enjoy the experience. And if anyone deserves to see The Man, it's you guys. You've waited a long, long time. I'm glad it was worth the wait.

Now, Princey - bring us a slice o' the funk!
[This message was edited Wed Oct 22 6:39:48 PDT 2003 by onenitealone]

Glad you enjoyed the show bkw, considering all the drama and uncertainty that surrounded the ticket buying experience.

awww. just reading this review made ME pitch a tent in my trousers, but i'm female and not even wearing any:

Wow great review! Thank u so much! Hope u made some Prince-friends!

bkw said:

Well - most of us are!







Controversy has always been one of his songs that comes over well live - Im glad u got 2 experience it!!



Ear plugs are a VERY good idea. They wont detract from the overall sound at all - in fact if u purchase a good quality pair from a music store (normally very reasonable) they actually cut out a lot of the top end trash and u find that u hear MORE - ie: u will hear everything in a lot more clarity, instead of ringing in your ears!!

As 4 the strobe - blink! That's the trick 2 avoiding a headache or a fit with strobes buddy...

Glad u are having fun!

Great report - thank you very much

It seems the great concerts will keep coming - cool

Cannot wait to listen to musicology and the new stuff - what happened to that cd ready to be released? huh?


He will never change ... :LOL:

Snailey said:

Nope.

I'd just like to say thanks for all your thanks.

I'm about to do a review of the second night which blew the motherfucking city down. He outdid the first night. Fucking NAILED it!!

bkw said:

Yeah, I'm sure the river of beer you drank had nothing to do with that...



Great report bkw!

I'm going to print that out!

Sweet and not quite crappy after all !!!

Snailey said:

No it wasn't worth him to pay for his airfare to Australia

so he just found the shittiest DJ he could once he got here so you all get to see The Groove Terminator

because that is exactly what he does

he terminates grooves.

As soon as he is onto a good beat (a rarity I will admit) he turns it over to some other total shit that is possibly worse than the last track he switched to ..

The Groove Terminator ?!

u got that right ...