I am completely in awe! The show was incredible! As others have been kind enough to post the setlist and memoribilia, I will only post my thoughts/highlights. Let me first say that this was my tenth Prince concert, and I believe that it was the best overall. It is what I, as a devoted fan, have been waiting for for years! Most of the songs I had never heard live before, so major plus there! My brother and I had seats in the third row, right side of the stage. However, third row seemed a heck of a lot closer at this show than in previous shows- perhaps it was because the stage seemed lower than previous stages, and it resembled a semicircle, curving toward the audience. The mood was very mellow for a large part of the show, and people were grooving to "Rainbow Children" and "Muse". I was really happy to see such a positive reception to the new material. The songs from the "Rainbow Children" really were meant to be heard live- Prince even had the vocal effects of the narration, as he read the script from a large book set on the floor before the microphone. People were dancing and absorbing the groove. The fact that nearly all of the songs were performed in their entirety was also a plus! I also LOVED the fact that I didn't know all of the material! "Xenophobia" was WONDERFUL. I am really excited for that album, having heard it. "Fusion" is an accurate description, but it also seems pretty heavy and guitar-oriented! Prince is capable of such diversity! Another huge highlight was hearing "Strange Relationship" at the piano. That's always been one of my favorites from "Sign o' the Times" but I had never heard it live. And the boy funked it up quite nicely! Rhonda and the horns just raised the funk meter even higher! And it lasted for a good 4-5 minutes, so the extended funk jam was welcome indeed! "1+1+1 is 3" was another highlight. As a sucker for Prince's funk (and who delivers it better than him?) However, THE HIGHLIGHT was unquestionably "Anna Stesia." Having performed that song myself, and identified with it so much, and used it for catharsis/healing, and never having heard it before, I really loved it. Furthermore, I have been going through some troubled waters spiritually lately (anyone who wants details can orgNote me- thanks to Christopher for inventing that verb) and I really needed to hear that song. It was a religious experience for me, and I took full advantage by going COMPLETELY NUTS. I thank GI think I may have scared the people next to me. After the song finished, my heart hurt with every beat and I felt dizzy. I needed to sit for awhile. Later in the evening, I headed over to Decade's for the afterparty and met some cool chicas there. I danced with abandon (for all those who were there, I'm the tall skinny bleached blonde guy who was wearing yellow) and got quite a few looks. Apparently, some ladies were amused and were saying "Go white boy! Go white boy!" but I didn't hear them. I returned home 2 hours later sore and exhausted. I slept for 13 hours and could have slept longer! I still have a sore neck, and am eagerly anticipating the Detroit show! Thank you, God, again, for having Prince play what I needed to hear. I can't begin to describe how much I needed to hear that song. And to answer the question proposed earlier, this concert should generate new fans. Anyone expecting to hear hits should be thankful for what they heard- this was MUCH more intimate and rare. I feel as if he really wanted to treat us to new experiences rather than rehash the tired old hits. Musically, it was incredible- the band was very tight and had the funk flyin' high! Conceptually, it was unified and challenging- this is what music should be- I don't listen to music and go to concerts for an escape from reality- I'd much rather have some input into how the world works and what it is like to be human. I am still recovering, and will be for awhile, I imagine. Thank you, Prince, for blessing me and thank you all for having the patience to read through all of this!

Prince really should read this review. What a gift to have such an amazing effect on another person. As I read this note, I was reminded of all of the times that I've felt similarly moved by this man's genius.

Nice...
Wondering what happened to u, thought u died and went to heaven.
I can relate somewhat, though I have never seen him perform Anna Stesia live, hopefully next week in DETROIT.
I assume Prince didn't show up for the afterparty??
I will see u at the Detroit show, probably at the soundcheck?? Or meet me at the afterparty...we'll make it HOT!!

Great Review. Are you going to send this to NPGMC? I think you should.

CamilleStarr said:

Hey! Afterparty is on! I'll give you all the details of Saginaw once I get back to my place! I can't check my orgNotes at the moment...

thanks for the review Moonbeam...