I've read many a post where people were disappointed in the manner in which the NPG seems to do things and of course the cost of membership.

So, is being a member worth it? Advantages/ disadvantages ?Would you recommend membership services to others not living in the U.S. (given the fact that he currently seems only to be touring in the U.S.).


Thanks for reading!

I can't advise u. But I can tell u that I have been VERY happy. The only thing stopping me from saying "JOIN" at the top of my lungs is the "out of country" thing. If he doesn't play there then priority seating isn't really a bonus 4 u.

The way I look at it is, 4 cd's cost very close to $100.00 including tax. Everything else is just extra really...

The seating is FANTASTIC.

I think the club is evolving and working out some bugs, however I have not been affected and niether have my friends.

I love the club!

I would like to see some bonus downloads. I paid $100 and by the time it hit my credit card it was $162. (I live in Canada) I love Prince's music but for $162 I think we should get some bonus stuff while we wait.

The club is a hit or miss deal. Too much depends on "luck" and whims. It works for some people, but not for everyone.

So, is being a member worth it?
Advantages/ disadvantages ?

I think so. There was a time where there was no contact and everything we had to rely upon was an article in some magazine, newspaper, or broadcast.

If you are a Prince fan, have the money, and want to follow along with what he is doing...that is a small price to pay for so much information on him.

The ONLY disadvantage I see at this point is expectations. If you join for music downloads, concert tix, and/or CDs that have been promised...then you just might, I did say might, be disappointed.

Well I am in the UK (England) and my membership worked out at £72. So far I have Silicon on mp3 and if I only get 4 CDs that works out at £18 pound a CD (new CDs in England are usually between £9.99 and £15.99).

That is not bad considering that if/when they are released over here they would probably be import CDs (hence slightly more expensive) anyway. I also feel sure that they will not be 8 or 9 track 45 min albums. They are more likely to be 8 or 9 track 70 min albums or even double/triple albums in the vein of Crystal Ball. This is Prince we are talking about, he simply oozes music.

I also have been able to access the NPGMC members only retail section and have purchased Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic for a bargain $15 (around £8 or £9).

Obviously I am looking forward to the membership CDs (which I will get), more downloads (which I am sure I will get) and hoping that Prince does tour in Europe and the UK (not guaranteed). For the moment though, I am happy.

Thank you so much for your responses.

Like DJEmale, I also live in Canada and although Prince does tour here (like the Olympics... he comes every four or so years), he isn't here often enough.

In other words, joining the club today for $162(Canadian dollars) would basically get me, four CD, priority seating and some access to soundchecks/after show parties... if and when he comes here?????

Are music downloads included in this fee? Which CDs do you get? Are there any other bonuses?

ronnie,

music downloads are included, but again there is nothing set in stone here. NPGMC say there may be the odd surprise download added to the relevant section of the members website. So far there is Silicon (which apparently last years members already have).

There is no official word on which CDs we will get yet although based on the ONA tour program it seems that they will possibly be One Nite Alone (a Prince alone at the piano album) Xenophobia (jazzy instrumental album) these are almost definite. The Very Best of O+> has been mentioned (and it is thought this may be Prince's new masters of some of his back catalogue) Last December is the final one but this could be a CD single of TRC track for all we know.

Other "bonuses" are the concert related perks as they are only relevant if he tours near you, and access to the NPGMC Members only retail section (currently has TRC mugs, TRC mousemats, NPG Pendants and the limited edition Rave In2 The Joy Fantastic CD for $15 USD)

Hope that clears it up! Phew!
[This message was edited Thu May 2 3:24:33 PDT 2002 by KeithyT]

Thanks for clearing that up for me KeithyT. Considering everthing, it sure doesn't sound worth it for those living outside of the U.S.

I wonder how quick I can become a member and receive the perks when a concert here is announced. I imagine that the perks mentioned are not limited to certain countries only...

How many orgers are NPG members?

Well you can buy tickets direct from the NPGMC site 2 days before the general public. So you would have to join and have confirmation at least 2 or 3 days before the concert.

The concerts perks are not really a part of the membership package though. Prince may stop doing the soundchecks altogether if he feels like it and then you will only be left with preferred seating for the main concert. The membership deal is only really for at least 4 CDs (although now on the site it says 4 CDs - implying only 4 CDs)

Berry said:

GREAT post, Berry!!! couldn't have put it better myself! Everything u say is right on ... THE NPGMC ROCKS MY SOCKS!!!!! )

KeithyT said:

Thanks again KeithyT!

I think I migh do just that for now.

love4oneanother said:

And that's exactly what's stopping me. Although Keith and Dj have joined and seemed to have no complaints.... How many orgers are members, you think?

i was a member last year, but haven't joined this year, one of the reasons is i don't plan to go to any of his concerts this year.

i can't complain at all about last year....i went to 2 concerts and had a great time at the soundchecks, etc....

and the downloads were cool too.

i confess i am curious about the 4 cd's.....but not curious enough yet....

peace, kim--

I was a member last year and would've rejoined on day 1 if they'd ever told us what was going to be on the CDs. I live in the UK.

Towards the end of the last year there was a live chat to discuss the future of the club. Well, nothing that was said turned out to be the case (notably WE THINK YOU SHOULD KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PAYING FOR IN ADVANCE).

So I still haven't joined. A European tour still looks pretty sketchy and I'm a bit unsure about the rumours of what the CDs will be, so I'm not sure I will join at all.

It seems very much to me like the club has dried up since last year, where there was always a buzz about what was coming next.

Saxjedi said:

I did have to think long and hard about joining but in the end I thought it was worth it for the promise of at least 4 new CDs. I don't think Prince is going to send out music that we already have, (having said that I was not a NPGMC member last year so even if he puts some of last years dowload tracks on a CD I will obviously be getting "new" music). I cannot think of anything he would release that I wouldn't want. So I don't see why this would make you delay joining.

I also have a feeling from the hints so far that he will tour Europe and the UK. Obviously in the world of Prince there are no guarantees.

I agree about the buzz generated last year. I was salivating at all the talk about the new tracks and downloads, I really was put off by my standard telephone line internet connection, I thought the call charges would be too high to download so many MBs per month. This year that buzz seems to be have been replaced by negativity, which is not good PR for the NPGMC. A few extra downloads may be the way to placate people.

I have a feeling the CD will be announced and shipped very soon. Portland was apparently the last tour date for a while and now they are all on a month's break. I am sure Prince will give the go ahead in the next week or so. Fingers crossed.

So Far...No Pleased.

He only seems to be touring the U.S for now. I'm kind of glad I haven't joined so far....