Andy Allo ‏@andyallo

Sincerely Thank you so much to all who allowed me to share #Superconductor w/ them last night! I can’t wait to debut the whole show tonight!

bellanoche said:

.

The problems

Allo didn't apologize for the wait. Nor did she try to ingratiate herself to the audience with any real sense of gratitude or humility. Instead, she came out as if she were Prince.

Andy is a pretty girl with some stage presence, though she is becoming more and more a Prince mime. Her mannerisms mimic his in the way that Sheila did when she first came out as a solo artist under his tutelage. However, it is clear that Andy is not naturally funky.

People who have seen her last year, were telling this for a long time now. It's also one of the reasons, why I can't stand her at all. Mostly, cause she thinks she's the best performer EVER. If sleeping with Prince makes her believe this, then I feel sorry for her. She was a joke last year to most people in the audience.

I'm so bored with his lame tactics these days. She should be avoided alltogether, so that he can focus on his own stuff again.

I'd have left the building, if that was the case. Damn, this is vile. Sorry, but I can't stop laughing about this.

Cause not many attended the show, could be one of the reasons why she just played the CD and performance was shit. Maybe she expected a few thousand in the audience, specially since you say she has the Prince mannerism, more likely this is what her expectations are. LOL

Sad that Prince makes her believe all this. Koo Koo

bellanoche said:

the CD then began playing through the sound system as the audience stood listening in the dark - literally and figuratively. She barely intro'ed the songs, nor said anything about what they were about or who wrote them, etc.

Although there were probably only a few hundred people in attendance, we had to wait outside in the cold until about 8:45 p.m. when they finally started to let us enter the venue. What happened to doors at 7 p.m.?

[Edited 9/24/12 5:10am]

doing the Camaroon

When I saw Prince last at HOB, he didn't get there until 2 even though doors were 10 and performance was supposed to be at 12. He also did not apologise. He then went on to have problems with his amp and didn't play his guitar til almost 4 I believe. So, I am not shocked when I read what bellanoche said. I am attending all three aftershows and have zero expectations. Plus, I'll be seated the whole night and I'll be with friends so...there's that.

It was a listening party. However late it started, the CD was played, right? I read nothing about Ms. Allo performing or Prince performing leading up to last night's show.

I am so glad I didn't go to this tho. I was on the southside at a party with Marcus and a ton of really wonderful people watching Prince videos and eating some great food.

OldFriends4Sale said:

doing the Camaroon

The cameroon that I witnessed at the concert and the clip board drawing is what she supposed to be focusing on while being a Prince protegee as her future plans for the sake of Prince fans.

[Edited 9/24/12 14:10pm]

AlexandraNevermind said:

Wait, she said "come back tomorrow for the whole show"? So, she'll just be performing tonight? In that case, anyone want my GA ticket?

Stymie said:

AlexandraNevermind said:

Wait, she said "come back tomorrow for the whole show"? So, she'll just be performing tonight? In that case, anyone want my GA ticket?

This is what was always said. I don't know why people are expecting a prince performance when it clearly states Ms. Allo will be showcased.

People are expecting a Prince performance because you don't pay $86 for an aftershow just to see a Prince protegee who many could care less about. Prince knows this. If this is all about Andy Allo, why name these aftershows, "The Purple After Jam?" I've been a Prince fan for almost 30 years and have in that time, attended my share of aftershows. He usually plays at them. Even when he's trying to showcase other artists, he most likely will play a couple of songs with them. It does not clearly state that this is a vehicle for Andy Allo.

Stymie said:

When I saw Prince last at HOB, he didn't get there until 2 even though doors were 10 and performance was supposed to be at 12. He also did not apologise. He then went on to have problems with his amp and didn't play his guitar til almost 4 I believe. So, I am not shocked when I read what bellanoche said. I am attending all three aftershows and have zero expectations. Plus, I'll be seated the whole night and I'll be with friends so...there's that.

It was a listening party. However late it started, the CD was played, right? I read nothing about Ms. Allo performing or Prince performing leading up to last night's show.

I am so glad I didn't go to this tho. I was on the southside at a party with Marcus and a ton of really wonderful people watching Prince videos and eating some great food.

Stymie, I was at that aftershow as well. However, the difference in this offering is the main ingredient; Prince! I've always been annoyed waiting for Prince, but for him to think it's okay to wait 2.5 hours for a relative nobody or just to hear his band play 4-5 songs, is just "crackish" to me. I've been to several listening parties and NONE of them made people wait hours just to hear a CD. People are standing, it's cold because the place is damn near empty (people were dancing to the Prince music in their coats for Christ's sake!) and it's just really cruel to take people's money and treat them that way. PRINCE NEEDS TO GET IT TOGETHER!

Stymie said:

When I saw Prince last at HOB, he didn't get there until 2 even though doors were 10 and performance was supposed to be at 12. He also did not apologise. He then went on to have problems with his amp and didn't play his guitar til almost 4 I believe. So, I am not shocked when I read what bellanoche said. I am attending all three aftershows and have zero expectations. Plus, I'll be seated the whole night and I'll be with friends so...there's that.

It was a listening party. However late it started, the CD was played, right? I read nothing about Ms. Allo performing or Prince performing leading up to last night's show.

I am so glad I didn't go to this tho. I was on the southside at a party with Marcus and a ton of really wonderful people watching Prince videos and eating some great food.

Well, I am not new to the world of Prince aftershows. I have been to aftershows in Chicago, Vegas, L.A., MPLS, etc. Why would Prince need to apologize for whatever time he took the stage at an aftershow? It is what it is. His reputation is for playing those until wee hours of the morning. I do expect the man to get some rest between a full concert performance and an aftershow.

I was at the HOB performance and that is completely incomparable to this. It was not a listening party, it was an actual AFTERSHOW, which meant it took place after a concert. The concert was all the way in Rosemont, IL. So there was time needed for Prince and the band as well as the fans to travel the nearly 1 hour it took to get there. Not to mention, the concert didn't end until well after 10 p.m. Yes, there was a wait, which was expected because the band had just played a monster show to end a 5-show run. Larry Graham came out and played for awhile with Prince joining him because they couldn't get his sound right. To Prince's credit he stormed off when they couldn't get his sound right, but stayed the course. Prince did finally back come out when the sound was right and gave the crowd their money's worth. He didn't sing ONE song and leave. He promised to be there until the sun came up, and we were. It wasn't 4 a.m. when he took the stage. Regardless, it was a Saturday night not a Sunday, so people could sleep it off the next day.

I have been to multiple listening parties from other artists and I have never experienced anything like this for a LISTENING PARTY. I wasn't looking for Prince to perform. I was expecting a listening party at or near 8 p.m. with Andy Allo and the NPG Band as special guests. Was there a need to wait 2.5 hours for that. Absolutely not. To quote a woman in the ladies room last night, it was some "bullsh!t."

I am glad you and your friends had fun eating and watching Prince videos of old. However, those of us who were trying to experience something new deserved better than we got - plain and simple.

To Stymie: I am going to go anyway. I knew what I got myself into. However It said 'Purple Afterjam" not "Cameroon Caberet". Which lead me (and probably a whole slew of other people) to believe that NPG members and possibly Prince would perform. No need to be crass. I have 3 day passes anyhow, So I'll put up with Allo one night if Prince might show up Tuesday or Wenesday.

AlexandraNevermind said:

To Stymie: I am going to go anyway. I knew what I got myself into. However It said 'Purple Afterjam" not "Cameroon Caberet". Which lead me (and probably a whole slew of other people) to believe that NPG members and possibly Prince would perform. No need to be crass. I have 3 day passes anyhow, So I'll put up with Allo one night if Prince might show up Tuesday or Wenesday.

enjoy the shows.....

bellanoche said:

Stymie said:

When I saw Prince last at HOB, he didn't get there until 2 even though doors were 10 and performance was supposed to be at 12. He also did not apologise. He then went on to have problems with his amp and didn't play his guitar til almost 4 I believe. So, I am not shocked when I read what bellanoche said. I am attending all three aftershows and have zero expectations. Plus, I'll be seated the whole night and I'll be with friends so...there's that.

It was a listening party. However late it started, the CD was played, right? I read nothing about Ms. Allo performing or Prince performing leading up to last night's show.

I am so glad I didn't go to this tho. I was on the southside at a party with Marcus and a ton of really wonderful people watching Prince videos and eating some great food.

Well, I am not new to the world of Prince aftershows. I have been to aftershows in Chicago, Vegas, L.A., MPLS, etc. Why would Prince need to apologize for whatever time he took the stage at an aftershow? It is what it is. His reputation is for playing those until wee hours of the morning. I do expect the man to get some rest between a full concert performance and an aftershow.

I was at the HOB performance and that is completely incomparable to this. It was not a listening party, it was an actual AFTERSHOW, which meant it took place after a concert. The concert was all the way in Rosemont, IL. So there was time needed for Prince and the band as well as the fans to travel the nearly 1 hour it took to get there. Not to mention, the concert didn't end until well after 10 p.m. Yes, there was a wait, which was expected because the band had just played a monster show to end a 5-show run. Larry Graham came out and played for awhile with Prince joining him because they couldn't get his sound right. To Prince's credit he stormed off when they couldn't get his sound right, but stayed the course. Prince did finally back come out when the sound was right and gave the crowd their money's worth. He didn't sing ONE song and leave. He promised to be there until the sun came up, and we were. It wasn't 4 a.m. when he took the stage. Regardless, it was a Saturday night not a Sunday, so people could sleep it off the next day.

I have been to multiple listening parties from other artists and I have never experienced anything like this for a LISTENING PARTY. I wasn't looking for Prince to perform. I was expecting a listening party at or near 8 p.m. with Andy Allo and the NPG Band as special guests. Was there a need to wait 2.5 hours for that. Absolutely not. To quote a woman in the ladies room last night, it was some "bullsh!t."

I am glad you and your friends had fun eating and watching Prince videos of old. However, those of us who were trying to experience something new deserved better than we got - plain and simple.

Okay.

I am sorry you had a bad experience last night.

Zannaloaf said:

pathetic. That's how you sink a career real fast. Especailly if the product does't deliver. SAd to hear she has been Prince-ized. I liked her first cd a bit. I'll still give it a shot, but someone needs a marketing person to slap some sense into Andy. Even if she gets distribution she needs to sell her record.

Yeah, I certainly won't be spending money to see her again. Unfortunately, she will apparently be showcased in full at the aftershow tonight, so I will see her. However, since I bought the 3-day pass, I will just count tonight as the freebie. That said, I WILL NOT wait another 2.5 hours for her to come out.

The music sounds like a Prince protege album. I struggled to see which songs she "penned" because everything had his stamp on it. There were some slower songs/ballads that did not go over well with the crowd. After the long wait outside and 90 minutes of a DJ playing party music, the slowpaced songs didn't fit the mood, especially since there were two or three in a row that really deflated the crowd. Several people called them "boring." I found it quite cheesy when she came out between two of the slower songs and handed people tissues to wipe tears and acted like she was crying after one of the ballads. It was not that moving.

There were some funkier midtempo songs that were nice. The grooves were decidely Prince, though. It just didn't feel like the music of a 23-year-old girl. After the best song on the album, which was like track 3 or 4, she asked if it made you feel like roller skating. I don't think anyone even responded. The crowd just seemed do deflated once she came out. I am struggling to figure out who the target market is for this project beyond Prince fans. The full-length Supercondutor song did not work for me at all.

Her one song performance was ok. The band was tight. She has presence as I said before, but she seemed to be acting like a funk artist. She just is not funky and I have no idea why they included dancing as one of her talents on the press release.

Overall, she just seems to be the next link in the concatenation of Prince proteges.

[Edited 9/24/12 10:47am]

Stymie said:

When I saw Prince last at HOB, he didn't get there until 2 even though doors were 10 and performance was supposed to be at 12. He also did not apologise. He then went on to have problems with his amp and didn't play his guitar til almost 4 I believe. So, I am not shocked when I read what bellanoche said. I am attending all three aftershows and have zero expectations. Plus, I'll be seated the whole night and I'll be with friends so...there's that.

It was a listening party. However late it started, the CD was played, right? I read nothing about Ms. Allo performing or Prince performing leading up to last night's show.

I am so glad I didn't go to this tho. I was on the southside at a party with Marcus and a ton of really wonderful people watching Prince videos and eating some great food.

My friend's mom and her best friend went to that party after the Andy event. My friend and I were too tired to go. It sounds like it was fun. I would have much rather been there then at the HOB, which I will elaborate on in my next post.

PurpleChi said:

Stymie said:

When I saw Prince last at HOB, he didn't get there until 2 even though doors were 10 and performance was supposed to be at 12. He also did not apologise. He then went on to have problems with his amp and didn't play his guitar til almost 4 I believe. So, I am not shocked when I read what bellanoche said. I am attending all three aftershows and have zero expectations. Plus, I'll be seated the whole night and I'll be with friends so...there's that.

It was a listening party. However late it started, the CD was played, right? I read nothing about Ms. Allo performing or Prince performing leading up to last night's show.

I am so glad I didn't go to this tho. I was on the southside at a party with Marcus and a ton of really wonderful people watching Prince videos and eating some great food.

My friend's mom and her best friend went to that party after the Andy event. My friend and I were too tired to go. It sounds like it was fun. I would have much rather been there then at the HOB, which I will elaborate on in my next post.

It was a blast!! Robin Power was there, too.

It reminded me of the old Berlin parties. Especially when the Automatic video came on. :cloud:

bellanoche said:

it is clear that Andy is not naturally funky.

That's the impression I have gotten from all the live appearances I've seen of her, on stage with Prince and even in her solo work--the contrivance of her entire persona is transparent. It comes off as inauthentic and unconvincing. Prince music is NOT her genre. She's better suited to the coffeehouse circuit.

airbak said:

Stymie said:

AlexandraNevermind said: This is what was always said. I don't know why people are expecting a prince performance when it clearly states Ms. Allo will be showcased.

People are expecting a Prince performance because you don't pay $86 for an aftershow just to see a Prince protegee who many could care less about. Prince knows this. If this is all about Andy Allo, why name these aftershows, "The Purple After Jam?" I've been a Prince fan for almost 30 years and have in that time, attended my share of aftershows. He usually plays at them. Even when he's trying to showcase other artists, he most likely will play a couple of songs with them. It does not clearly state that this is a vehicle for Andy Allo.

You might have to manage your expectations, because Prince is mentioned NOWHERE on any of the promos or sales points for these "afterjams"--it just says the "NPG Band" (with "band" being the operative word here). That gives Prince an out shoud he decide he doesn't want to perform.

I have been a longtime fan, too, and have learned that Prince is very particular with how these gigs are promoted. "Party" almost never means performance. "Jam" always suggests informal. The only guaranteed thing of a real Prince aftershow is something billed as a "Prince aftershow." The best you may get out of these "afterjams" is Prince strumming a few licks on guitar while Ms. Allo sings. But you probably shouldn't even expect that much.

NuPwrSoul said:

airbak said:

People are expecting a Prince performance because you don't pay $86 for an aftershow just to see a Prince protegee who many could care less about. Prince knows this. If this is all about Andy Allo, why name these aftershows, "The Purple After Jam?" I've been a Prince fan for almost 30 years and have in that time, attended my share of aftershows. He usually plays at them. Even when he's trying to showcase other artists, he most likely will play a couple of songs with them. It does not clearly state that this is a vehicle for Andy Allo.

You might have to manage your expectations, because Prince is mentioned NOWHERE on any of the promos or sales points for these "afterjams"--it just says the "NPG Band" (with "band" being the operative word here). That gives Prince an out shoud he decide he doesn't want to perform.

I have been a longtime fan, too, and have learned that Prince is very particular with how these gigs are promoted. "Party" almost never means performance. "Jam" always suggests informal. The only guaranteed thing of a real Prince aftershow is something billed as a "Prince aftershow." The best you may get out of these "afterjams" is Prince strumming a few licks on guitar while Ms. Allo sings. But you probably shouldn't even expect that much.

Exactly. I full-on expect people to be bitching on a thread tomorrow if Prince doesn't do a set tonight.

My Review of the Andy Allo Listening Party

Let me first say that bellanoche's initial review was pretty spot-on. She just beat me to it. I don't know how she drove home after that "experience" and found the energy and coherence to pen such a thoughtful account. I came home, washed my face and lights-out it was for me.

I shared with bellanoche last night that I do believe I have reached a new low for Prince fandom. It has always been comical to exchange war stories of the lengths we will go to hear just a snippet of Prince's genius, but this....I had re-evaluate the level of my commitment to Prince.

I know she's already shared the deets, but let me reiterate. WE STOOD OUTSIDE IN THE COLD UNTIL 8:45 P.M. FOR A 7 P.M. DOOR TIME. This in and of itself was particularly disturbing given that we were in a short line of no more than 100 to 150 people at that time. (I would estimate that another 100 or so people showed up once the doors were open, but make no mistake, you could literally do back-flips in there.) So keeping fans waiting in cold Chicago winds for a "sound check" was completely unnecessary.

Now that we are in the venue (and thankfully, I ran into my friend from high school who had secured a table in the front, so I was able to take little sitting breaks), we stand there for another 1.75 hours waiting for some indication that we were in the right place. As bellanoche stated, the dj was outstanding and you could tell that there were true Prince fans in the house because we were singing and dancing to some of his more obscure material. Thank God for him because he was our only form of life support during that dreadful period.

Miss Allo hits the stage at 10:30. Now this is Chicago folks and we don't play that, so her reception was lukewarm at best. She then plays the album, which honestly, I really liked. In fact, I found myself saying that I didn't understand why Prince couldn't produce an album like that for himself. The title track, however, was my least favorite. The best part of that song is the 16-min clip that was up on Andy's site for the last few months. What I found particularly disturbing was that she did not have the album there for sale. Instead there were t-shirts for sale as if someone would pay money for a t-shirt promoting an artist they know nothing about. She announced that we could place an order for the album on her website, which was the point where I realized that unless her album is available for immediate download, I won't be getting this one. I don't trust Prince to mail me anything. And if the album was not on sale during the week where Chicago Prince fans could at least get the album and post reviews that would spark interest in the masses to purchase the album, then that tells me that the cds aren't ready anyway.

At about 11:30, she did a memorable performance of People Pleaser and said good night. I'm sure she and Prince left and laughed all the way back to the hotel about what suckers we all were and how the fact that we endured such heinous treatment is indicative of the fact that she is a true superstar. I just can't.....

After her performance the NPG really jammed. As we all know, the band is phenomenal. However, I will note here that it will be interesting to hear the horn section play throughout Prince's songs at the concert. I agree with bellanoche that at times it was just a bit overdone.

Then we all went home. I think that the positives are that we danced to a great dj, her album was pretty listenable and the band was tight. However, the overshadowing negative is that none of it was worth standing in the cold 1.75 hours after the advertised door time only to have waited 2.5 hours after the advertised show time. Not to mention, the album was not available for sale, and from the sounds of it, will not be at all this week. No maam, Prince's current flavor-of-the-month was simply not worth it. And before anyone comments that it was my choice to subject myself to this madness, let me take you back to the beginning of this post where I admit that my willingness to endure this nonsense has made me reassess my own sanity when it comes to all things Prince.

My personal silver lining is that I did not purchase the 3-day pass to the aftershows. I am only attending Wednesday. Thus, I will not have to repeat this process all over again to hear Andy Allo perform tonight. I truly feel sorry for the fans that will.

Stymie said:

NuPwrSoul said:

You might have to manage your expectations, because Prince is mentioned NOWHERE on any of the promos or sales points for these "afterjams"--it just says the "NPG Band" (with "band" being the operative word here). That gives Prince an out shoud he decide he doesn't want to perform.

I have been a longtime fan, too, and have learned that Prince is very particular with how these gigs are promoted. "Party" almost never means performance. "Jam" always suggests informal. The only guaranteed thing of a real Prince aftershow is something billed as a "Prince aftershow." The best you may get out of these "afterjams" is Prince strumming a few licks on guitar while Ms. Allo sings. But you probably shouldn't even expect that much.

Exactly. I full-on expect people to be bitching on a thread tomorrow if Prince doesn't do a set tonight.

So then explain this: http://www.suntimes.com/e...blues.html

Hence why people believe Prince will show up. I don't give a damn if he comes out and plays the jawharp for 1 minute. As long as I see him up close. But honestly I think the motherfucker is gonna tear the house down. Call me a crazy. And why are you so negative? Seriously.

NuPwrSoul said:

bellanoche said:

it is clear that Andy is not naturally funky.

That's the impression I have gotten from all the live appearances I've seen of her, on stage with Prince and even in her solo work--the contrivance of her entire persona is transparent. It comes off as inauthentic and unconvincing. Prince music is NOT her genre. She's better suited to the coffeehouse circuit.

Yes, I have to agree with this as well. Though I like Andy's album, to me it's just a Prince album with her voice on it. It's obvious that she's being coached to be Andy Allo, Funk Specialist. She's not that person and like bellanoche said in another post, it's not convincing music for a 23-yr-old.

Maybe by "see you tomorrow" she meant at the United Center as an opening act?

AlexandraNevermind said:

Stymie said:

Exactly. I full-on expect people to be bitching on a thread tomorrow if Prince doesn't do a set tonight.

So then explain this: http://www.suntimes.com/e...blues.html

Hence why people believe Prince will show up. I don't give a damn if he comes out and plays the jawharp for 1 minute. As long as I see him up close. But honestly I think the motherfucker is gonna tear the house down. Call me a crazy. And why are you so negative? Seriously.

Exactly. It is perfectly reasonable to expect Prince to play the aftershows when it has been advertised in Chicago that he will play the aftershows. Unfortunately though, the world outside of Prince fandom is not accustomed to Prince's shenanigans. Regardless of how highly Prince regards Andy's talent, it is ridiculous for even him to believe that someone will spend their hard earned $88 on her when she doesn't even have a single on the radio. So yes, for that amount of cash, people are expecting Prince to play. And you don't have to worry about Orgers complaining if he doesn't play tonight; the rest of the world will do that for us.

AlexandraNevermind said:

Stymie said:

Exactly. I full-on expect people to be bitching on a thread tomorrow if Prince doesn't do a set tonight.

So then explain this: http://www.suntimes.com/e...blues.html

Hence why people believe Prince will show up. I don't give a damn if he comes out and plays the jawharp for 1 minute. As long as I see him up close. But honestly I think the motherfucker is gonna tear the house down. Call me a crazy. And why are you so negative? Seriously.

Thank you for posting this. People are killing me on this board saying that some of us need to "manage expectations." Prince KNOWS that people are paying good money to see him, not his sidekicks plain and simple. And I don't expect him to do a full on concert at these "jams," but I do expect that he should at least join the band for a couple of songs. Isn't this the purpose of a jam session anyway; to jam with other musicians on stage? I really don't find this to be unreasonable, especially for the kind of money involved here. I could see this if he was only charging $20-$35. And if it was all about showcasing Andy Allo and HER "music," why play Prince music there at all? Why not just focus on playing her music to establish her independence from Prince? Because Prince knows better. He must blur the lines or else many of us would not continue to be suckered in by these ever-changing "protegees."

SchlomoThaHomo said:

Maybe by "see you tomorrow" she meant at the United Center as an opening act?

I can see your point, but she also mentioned in a Facebook post last night the she and her band were going to anihilate HOB on Sunday and Monday. She specifically said HOB.

I was there as well and agree with everything bellanoche had to say. It was a poor excuse for a listening party. It's should have started much closer to the time stated on the website and tickets. Instead we were told while standing in line outside that the soundcheck was taking longer than usual and we would be allowed to go in after the soundcheck BUT they had no idea when the soundcheck would be over.

Finally when we were allowed to go in a guy in a black truck drove by the line and yelled out that it was Prince's fault that we were made to wait outside.

Once we got in there was a lot of time wasted. Andy's CD should have been playing in the background the whole time and it would have been nice if Andy would have thrown out some promo copies of the CD.

Lastly, the NPG was cool but some of the horn solos were way too long.

Oh...and one other thing...I heard from several people that Prince was indeed in the house and was supposed to make it to the stage. He must of decided at the last minute not too. I hope that's not gonna happen on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights but I wouldn't be surprised if it does. Lately, Prince seems to be giving too much time to his band, which I guess is cool of him but we're not there to see the band, we there to see the man!

Come on, Prince...don't let us down!