Wow. What a show. Similar to the reviews I have read of the other two shows, this show was spectacular. I have to say that I am not too crazy about the preachiness of TRC, but the music is the best in years. The set list for the show was very similar to the Saginaw show. I wish I would have brought a pen and paper to write down the setlist. I will do the best I can and please help me piece together this set list. Most notably absent was the Santana medley.

Rainbow Children
Muse
Xenophobia (there was something else in this song...someone help me with this).
A Case of You
Mellow
1+1+1=3/Rollercoaster
Other Side of the Pillow
Strange Relationship
Pass the Peas
Sing a Simple Song
La La La...
Didn't You Know
When U Were Mine
Avalanche
Family Name
Take Me With U
Raspberyy Beret
Everlasting Now (full version)

Encore:
Piano Medley:
Adore
Under the Cherry Moon (instrumental)
Venus de Milo
Starfish and Coffee
Sometimes it Snows in April
I love U but I don't Trust U Anymore
How Come U Don't Call Me

Anna Stesia

Let me know if I left anything out.

Highlight:
Prince asked the ushers to come up on the stage and dance. That was too funny. They were really getting into it.

I felt he could have chosen different hits than When U Were Mine, Take Me With U, Raspberry Beret, but they were definitely crowd pleasers. Every time he played an oldie the energy level rose tremendously.

My gfriend who is a casual Prince fan loved the show. She thought the band was incredible. They were. Dare I say that this is the tightest band Prince has ever assembled?

Prince really showcased his musicianship more than I have ever seen before. I have been to nine shows now and I think this was my favorite (I say that every time).

Afterparty was at the Park West. This is a great venue to see live music so after getting home from the show I decided to go to the afterparty hoping to see some more live music. No live performance from Prince, but he showed up with his "wifey". Most of the night they were hanging out alone in a VIP area. He got on stage with the dj that was spinning Prince music. People stared at him while he talked to the dj and others on the stage. He went back to the VIP area after being on stage for about ten mintues. As I was getting my coat Prince and his "wife?" walked right in front of me, out the door and into the limo.

What a night.

Prince fans: Do not miss this show. These songs from TRC are so much better live. This band is tight and the sound mix was the best of any show I have ever been to.

Oh yeah...Ibroke up a cat fight during I love U but I don't trust U anymore.

Also,

Alot of people are talking about no purple rain. He is the only guitarist. I don't think he can play purple rain without another guitar player. I suppose the keyboards can play the rythym, but it would sound a lot different with just one guitar.

Thank U Brother P .Prince can't please everyone of U asshole's but he sure does try really hard too!No matter what,i try too understand what people in his situation go through.You can't please every Joe Blow, bcuz everybody wants something 4 free.Prince kicks ass 4 us.Remember last year how everybody cried about how he only played hits?Now he,s playing a show only God can fully appreciate.Thank u Prince 4 looking out 4 us!And unless u he does Denver I have 2 wait 4 Vegas like last year(But i ain't 1 to cry).I don't hate,I congratulaion.Peace

I'm very pleased he added Everlasting Now to the setlist. I hope he wil play this one too when he comes to Europe (well, Holland especially...).

ComeOn:

You forgot that he played "Free" from the 1999 album during the piano medley...it was beautiful. And I was really looking forward to the Santana stuff.

I agree with you, the band was incredible and so was Prince. I noticed that his singing was better and more natural than it has been in several years. Then again, it was only the 3rd show of the tour. How about that Blackwell...I know you can appreciate that---right, ComeOn?

I sat in the 5th row at the Chicago Theater and was SHOCKED that security MADE everyone in the front sit down during the first few songs. Had I been closer to the aisle, I would have asked this idiot if Prince was asking us to sit or if it was just his idea. I didn't pay over $125 dollars to be told to sit and not enjoy the show. What a disappointment. I wasn't blocking anyone's view---they were all standing behind me. In addition, it became clear to me that if you were a young, good looking black female...then you could stand all night if you wanted. This all happended in front Prince's people and if they didn't agree with it they could have stopped it at any time.

That brings me to the next thing. There was definitely an air of racial turbulence in the air last night. And folks, it was also coming from the stage. Thanks Prince, for making me feel uncomfortable during the whole Abraham Lincoln thing. At this point in history (not to mention the current climate in the world) I thought we had moved passed this sort of thing. I guess not. I love my fellow man, but I guess that's not good enough. As this country continues to pull together as we defend our people, future, and freedom you might want to think about dumping the part of your show that essentially divides the room.

I have been following Prince for just under 20 years now. And I have to say, if that's the sort of thing I can expect from now on...then this may have been the last concert I attend. I wonder if I met Prince if he would have the guts to spew the same racial crap to my face as he did on stage.

Dude, stick to the music. Most of your audience is older now and does not need to be lectured. We are mature and loving. Probably a lot more than you.

Everlasting Now? Venus de Milo? Great additions!

luv4evry1 said:

So if you are the one that winds up unsatisfied, that makes you the asshole. Being a Prince fan doesn't mean being a mindless moron who kisses his ass no matter what he does.

That brings me to the next thing. There was definitely an air of racial turbulence in the air last night. And folks, it was also coming from the stage. Thanks Prince, for making me feel uncomfortable during the whole Abraham Lincoln thing. At this point in history (not to mention the current climate in the world) I thought we had moved passed this sort of thing. I guess not. I love my fellow man, but I guess that's not good enough. As this country continues to pull together as we defend our people, future, and freedom you might want to think about dumping the part of your show that essentially divides the room.

I have been following Prince for just under 20 years now. And I have to say, if that's the sort of thing I can expect from now on...then this may have been the last concert I attend. I wonder if I met Prince if he would have the guts to spew the same racial crap to my face as he did on stage.

Dude, stick to the music. Most of your audience is older now and does not need to be lectured. We are mature and loving. Probably a lot more than you.[/quote]

I agree with u completely. The last thing I need is to be lectured to or attempted to try and have my convictions swayed. I've been a Prince fan for over 15 years. And yes, I maybe only 23 but I know where I stand on political,religious, feminist, and minority issues (and on many other issues) Prince preaching bullshit on stage isn't going to make me change my mind about anything, only aggrevate me. At 23, I've worked very hard. I have a Masters degree and just started working on my Doctorate. Prince doesn't have a formal eductaion, and he doesn't realize much of what he "preaches" is highly innacurate. He creates these ridiculous theories that have no substance, filled with holes, and then throws them at his fans. All he does is show me how uneducated he really is and how he doesn't mind making an ass of himself. IF YOUR READING THIS PRINCE-HERE'S A SUGGESTION-TAKE A COURSE IN LOGIC!

Thanks, Adambomb. Prince is great at bringing the masses together. That's why I was so put off by that element of the show. It had a very "us against them" feel.

Prince...stick to being a uniter not a divider.

funkydoo,

i noticed that security made everyone sit down. what was up with that? that killed the energy going on in the crowd at that point.

i noticed some tension. i had to stop an argument between a white woman and a black woman during i love u but i don't trust u anymore. basically, the white woman was pissed at the black woman because she moved up into a seat that was next to me. i didn't care that she moved there, but the woman behind me did. she had put her coat on the seat. she started yelling at this woman about sitting on her coat. she wasn't sitting on the coat and she replied, "i'm sorry i didn't realize that you bought a ticket for your coat." i don't know if this tension was racial, but it ruined what should have been the prettiest song of the night. i had to break up this argument or else it would have gone on for a long time. (the woman with the coat was really annoying. she held up a sign that said something like "play little red corvette for [someone] its her birthday". please! this isn't karaoke night at the chicago theater.

abraham lincoln lived in a much different time. frederick douglass made a huge impact on decisions he made during his tenure as president. let's not forget that this man emancipated the slaves knowing that a war would be necessary to preserve the union after this action. he could have been silent on the issue, but instead he made what was probably the most important executive decision in this country's history. please prince, stick to jamming. that is what you do best. put your history lessons on your website.

ComeOn:

Just try and find a country's history that is pleasant. I bet it would be difficult. I said this on another thread...he's should stick to being a uniter instead of a divider.

How do you talk about "love for one another" and then keep bringing up things from the past. Hmmm, sounds a bit messed up to me. I wonder if he does this in his relationships? That's probably one of the reasons he can't stay in a long-term relationship.

Still, the guy is just all-around wicked as a musician and I admire him for his many talents.

I think there is a difference in Prince trying to educate his fans about Lincoln and creating racial tension purposely. Sometimes white Americans get defensive when they feel they are being targeted. I doubt Prince is a racist although he certainly likes to spark discussion as of late about racial matters. I wonder how good of a debater Prince could be in a 1 on 1 discussion on racial affairs.

As for Lincoln...I've read transcripts where he obviously conveys that he thinks blacks are inferior. His motivation during the Civil War I think had more to do with saving the union, states rights, and slavery as an economic institution (not moral). That being said, he should get credit for laying the ground work for freeing slaves as should all the Founding Fathers for having a vision. Whether or not they were all moral icons is another story...if that's all Prince is trying to say then I'm cool with it.

I agree with u completely. The last thing I need is to be lectured to or attempted to try and have my convictions swayed. I've been a Prince fan for over 15 years. And yes, I maybe only 23 but I know where I stand on political,religious, feminist, and minority issues (and on many other issues) Prince preaching bullshit on stage isn't going to make me change my mind about anything, only aggrevate me. At 23, I've worked very hard. I have a Masters degree and just started working on my Doctorate. Prince doesn't have a formal eductaion,quote]

- So because Prince wasn't formally educated (In a biased system? Ouch!) for as long a duration as you, he doesn't have the right to learn elsewhere and offer opinions?

He doesn't have right to decide the format at his own shows?

He's trying to teach you something. It's sad that you felt so threatend by the truth.

funkydoo said:

Pdubb:

I'm not threatened by the truth. I happen to be quite familiar with it and have read up on the subject at hand.

I just think it's hypocritical to talk love and God, etc. and then alienate or ostracize people. If you had been at the show you might have a different opinion. I have talked to people of several races about that portion of the show and 3 our of 4 thought it was a bit much. One said that it was good to raise awareness of such an issue because racism is on the rise.

Why can't people live with the fact that Prince speaks his mind? You don't have to agree, you know.

I was at the show in Chicago and I didn't feel uncomfortable one bit. I someone says "Abraham Lincoln was a rascist", it doesn't bother me at all because... umm... I'm not Abraham Lincoln.