direct from NPGMC

Soundcheck access was a special part of the smaller theater shows on the One Nite Alone 2002 tour. This tour is in larger venues and has a "theater in the round" type of show that requires a lot of set up time. There will be no soundcheck access this tour.

Afterparties will be announced after the show.

Now that is a shame. The soundchecks were a huge bonus of being a member.

This will definitely affect how many shows I will see -

If the setlisty is similar most nightds - why see more than one show ?

last year it was really the soundchecks people wanted to see...

but not now

o(

At least is the membership now $25 it was $100... If it makes you feel better.

That is too bad, though understandable given the logistics this go-round.

I myself didn't get to attend any soundchecks but from what I've heard and read about them, they were indeed a very great perk of being an NPGMC member.

Well, there's always future tours or performances. I'm sure they'll hold them again when they're able.

Soundchecks were cool but it was rough getting to the venue so early, and it made the day too long...for a procrastinatin' fool like me anyway. That ONA soundcheck in Vegas (Dec. 2002) was like slow water torture.

This decision adds to the special quality of the ONA Tour. I was listening to the box set today and that was some reeeeal musicianship. D*mn I'm glad he did that tour...the acoustics in those small theatres were great...he played the sh*t out of the guitar on Family Name & Joy every night...his keyboard skills were in brilliant display from start to finish...and the aftershows were off the hook!!!

Or put another way....
"All good things they say....never last."

I really enjoyed the soundcheck I attended - but I won't mind not having the soundcheck as long as there's an aftershow - he didn't have one in cleveland last time.

What a sad argument.. This tour will be in larger venues. I mean they consider Ahoy in Rotterdam and Sportpaleis in Antwerpen and the Melbourne grounds as small venues????

And it is true go away with your take me with you / raspberry beret stuff. We've heard it.
Don't get me wrong. It's nice to see the man performing but this is NOT prince at his best.

Snailey said:

Did u forget the pushing etc at the large venues? Im glad he doesnt do that anymore. In Ahoy it wasnt a soundcheck. Just a lil pre-show for 2000 peop. And as for the hits. Many...lets say most peop didnt see Prince more maybe 3, 4 times. For those who didnt attend 100 shows in the past the Take me with u etc.. part is still cool. I saw Prince like 20 times but i dont get tired of the hits. Oh well.....where would we be if we couldnt complain.....Sigh

Whistler said:

Would be nice if he doesn't play Purple Rain anymore, it takes to much time and I've heard like 100000 times, personally I would like he plays other songs. But during Purple Rain you've got time enough to buy a drink...

GoldiesParade said:

NO MORE BONUS.....


[This message was edited Sat Feb 21 1:59:28 2004 by toratora2]

the official reason for the lack of soundchecks was not the size of venues

but rather since the shows are in the round - it is a logistics thing

so they say ...

and a little message from NPGMC -


eye understand ur dissappointment, and that u had hoped that soundcheck access would continue 4 all tours. But this is a new year, new tour, new songs, new size audience, and new stage production. It couldn't b the same as One Nite Alone. That tour was very special and was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And so the soundchecks were part of that.

Regardless, the music will be AMAZING. And that is what matters most. And if u buy a ticket in the presale, u will be in the sections closest 2 the action. Injoy the show.
[This message was edited Sat Feb 21 2:11:12 2004 by FunkyStrange]

FunkyStrange said:

That's still quite a bonus for $25 isn't it?

Reinout said:

Ummm...$75 off and sound chex still expected? It won't make anybody feel better but Reinout thanks for bringing me back to the reality of P's biz logistics.

Hey P: maybe raise the prices for those who will pay and keep a low tier for those who can't but love you anyway!!!

Cuz El Rey is not a "big venue" at all.

TheBoostress said:

The extra $75 was NOT for soundchecks

The higher membership fee was becuase there were CD's and downloads included. NOTHING to do with shows - that was just a perk of buying the member tickets (which were more expensive anyway).

Well darn. I was hoping to see an exciting soundcheck sometime. Only one I saw was the first night at the Xcel Energy Center during celebration 2001. That was not a real exciting one. But heck, I saw every concert during celebration 2002. I guess seven nights in a row of different Prince shows is better than a few soundchecks. Man I wish he would play around here again. It's been a long time!

Xpertlover said:

Definitely!

FunkyStrange said:

This is unfortunate news. The soundchecks and Prince getting to chat with his fans one on one was something I really enjoyed. It's a shame to think that soundchecks may be a thing of the past.

I'll Have To Join Npgmc Is The Membership Price Really $25.00?Thanks Peace O+> All Of My Purple Life,I've Been Searching For A Dream