OK...so I'm torn.



Prince was at most 5 feet away from me most of the night
and I still have mixed feelings.



Let's start with the bad...

Opening acts...I thought Millennia was cool, just not what I was expecting. This is the first show I've ever been to where Prince had an opening act...and he had TWO. A big "fuck you" to the idiot who was making "ass-crack" jokes about one of the girls in the group. You looked like you might've been sportin' some crack if you had bent over too, bitch.



The Fonky Bald Heads suck. That's about all I can say. Some of them have real talent, but they're just ruining their careers by hanging with Kirky J. I don't know what the deal is with Kirky J and why Prince can't just let him fade into obscurity like every other former band member, but damn. Same sucky drumming but now he has a DJ (WTF? Did anyone actually "hear" this guy at all?), Mike Scott (why do you bring yourself down to this level?),
and Kip trying help hide his non-talent ass. Please give it up, Kirky.



Warning to all who are going to attend future shows...show up an hour late and save yourself the punishment. And somebody needs to put DVS out of his damn misery...I've never seen anyone try so hard and still suck. This guy makes Tony M look good...and that's no exaggeration. And will someone please help explain the "falling down" routine at the end of the set? Is that supposed to be funny? Just let me know when I can stop laughing...



On to the Prince show...couldn't make Sunday, so Saturday had to be it... hate it when I'm right... knew Sunday would be better. Saturday was just "OK." It was a dream to be in the front row for Prince, but he played WAY too short of a set. And what was up with ending on Purple Rain? I was so hyped to get onstage during the "Gett Off/Come On" medley and then he just bolts.



I did enjoy the new songs...they really do sound great live. I LOVED the bluesy extended version of UMMSS. "The Work" is growing on me...both live and studio. There was also some serious axe work which was awesome to witness from so close. And yes it's true...the man is TINY.



The coolest part of the whole night was watching Prince's guitar tech. He was a really cool and down-to-earth guy. He explained to everyone in the front row beforehand that Prince might be throwing his guitar and to NOT interfere if he did. Of course some redneck (the same drunk one that got up on stage to dance with the rose in her mouth) had to keep asking him for a towel. "I've already got a pick...I need you to get me one of those towels." Like he's never heard that. Anyway, he was really cool and gave everyone guitar picks after the show.



I actually kept getting hit by Habibi when he was moving it around, which I honestly didn't mind...I actually touched Prince's guitar... but he always said "sorry," which I thought was cool. Especially considering he had about 20 square feet of room to work with all night.



Oh yeah...the guitar tech also had to clean up a spilt drink before it got to the guitars and other equipment. Anyone guess who spilled it? That's right...redneck. This woman was so drunk she fell UP on stage and then back DOWN afterwards. Nice...



I wouldn't have that tech's job for any amount of money. Prince kept complaining all night about the fan at the base of the stage not blowing air on him, which apparently his tech is also responsible for. So this guy is trying to tune Prince's guitars on the fly, stay away from the drunk redneck, hand guitars to Prince on cue, keep Prince cool, and watch for Prince's other requests all night. How many wanna bet that he is under appreciated by Prince?



Another interesting note... his tech had a set list so he would know which guitar to tune, and also a big lyric book that he would put at Prince's feet for certain songs (The Work, Purple Rain, Scandalous....). Kinda weird that Prince wouldn't know the lyrics to PR, don't you think?



Anyway... I know Prince ended the show prematurely because
the tech had just put the lyric book back onstage and turned to JOY IN REPETITION... then the lights went up. The tech looked as surprised as anyone. Damn...I wish I could have heard that song live



Anyway...it was great to be in the front row for my favorite artist ever. Easily worth the price just for that. But it could have been a lot better.



It was good to see the CD singles ($5 each) at the souvenir stand for a change... I LOVE "Underneath the Cream" and "Supercute." Nothing groundbreaking, just cool little jams. Still hate "The Daisy Chain." "Gamillah" is beautiful! Anyone one know what that word means?



Props to T... good to finally meet you (again). Sorry my girlfriend and I had to split. We still need to settle that Star Wars trade from way back!



Also props to David who sat next to me and the guy from Birmingham behind me... another computer geek who is crazy about Prince...



I knew I wasn't alone!



Peace,

Matthew