This should be interesting.BTW, I haven't been to too many concerts from other artists but Prince's shows always stood out as being the best.

For, me it would have been Nine Inch Nails, circa 1994 just before "Broken" was released as a single.

He toured Germany and I saw him in a small club. I met him actually at the bar before Trent took stage.


I'll concede that their is no comparision between the two acts, as NIN plays to tape and is basically a big artsy-fartsy circus on stage compared to Prince--but I'm basing this on entertainment value and how engaged the audience was. It was spectacular--a night I won't soon forget.


I've seen Prince 3 times, and at 2 afterparties. I never cared for his concerts. But the after parties are good.

I dont think ANYONE is a better live act than Prince , full stop . But there are a few acts who put on very good shows , U2's Zoo TV show was a real spectacular , Madonna's done some excellent tours too , the Blonde Ambition tour is her best IMHO ,really entertaining , Kylie Minogue is pretty good live too . Comparing them all though , Prince sings much better live than Madonna , hes more of a complete showman than U2's Bono I think (who can't dance hehe) and his back catalogue is far better than Kylie's for live purposes . Kylie and Madonna use dancers to make themselves and thier shows look better , whereas when Prince dances its all about him , hes not got a platoon of dancers behind him , he can wow an audience all alone with his footwork I think.

yrh said:

Co-sign.
[Edited 7/9/05 19:20pm]

Radiohead was really great...until I saw Prince
As a longtime fan he exceeded my expectations.

The Time puts on an equal show IMHO....and sometimes BETTER....



yeah, I said it!!!

MidnightFunk said:

oh yeah, why....


showmanship, the setlist includes all u wanna hear, although I wouldn't mind them changing it up a little it's a REAL funk band, playing REAL funk music..
ask Prince, he knew he created a monster.....I think he even called them Godzilla and they were the ONLY band he was ever afraid of ....

Sade


Her band is hugely, hugely underrated..(and they dont need to show off to entertain).....and she knows how to hold an entire stadium captive just with her presence.....no gimmicks...no dancers....no fifty people on stage....no special effects...just her presence...no grandstanding....

Sade (the entire band including Ms. Adu) is a class act....totally different then Prince..but equally talented on stage.

and im gonna say something that might earn a lot of flack but Bette Midler puts on an awesome show too....totally different then Prince but I was equally entertained..

Prince is just one of a long list of entertainers that have fine tuned their talents on stage and give wonderful wonderful face.....

Michael Jackson

Before you start throwing stuff at me - let me explain.

Now not his HIStory Tour or even his 30th Anniversary Special..those were alright but those aren't what I'm talking about. I think Michael is one of those artists who is fantastic to watch live (like I'm sure Prince is.)

However..his "Bad" tour..wow. I didn't go to it but dang, just watching the taped performances show how great it was. I wish I could have been there. That was MAGIC.

But I'm sure there is an awesome Prince concert that would make a close second. (IMO)

Dude...you're retarded. That's like me saying Elvis puts on a better show then Prince. MJ is so over.

For The record, I work in the music biz (sometimes-depends). And I've seen just about anyone you could name in the last 10 years. Prince is hands down, the most awesome performer, showman, live artist alive. I've seen everyone from Josh Redman, Victor Wooten, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, David Bowie, Tori Amos, D'Angelo, Radiohead,Sonic Youth, Paul Westerberg, james Brown, Lou Reed, PJ Harvey etc.

The only artist who was almost as powerful was Bowie, and he just doesn't have some of the raw talents Prince does. Prince above everything is the most all around best performer. His worst show is better then 99% of peoples best shows. He is unbelievable

jasonstar said:

Actually no I'm not retarded. It is all "subjective." There is no "objective" best live show. It isn't a set fact. So what you hold to be true - someone else might disagree with. I can name a few people who don't care much for Bowie (and that being said would certainly not call his live show one of the greatest or near Prince's for that matter.) As for MJ..Well he certainly isn't over. The guy made Thriller. He was found NOT GUILTY 10 times over and his most recent studio album (Invincible) *Not counting compilations here* debuted number one in every country including America. So..to make a long story short..
The truth hurts..Michael's "Bad" tour was the best..deal with it.
Oh and I'm not retarded! Thank you very much...now go drink 6 razor blades..razor blades from a paper cup!

neronava said:

[i]
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jasonstar said:

I'll forgive your statments, simply because you obviously haven't seen Prince live. Michael's shows are ok, if you like lot's of lights, techno effects, choreographed routines, and crotch grabbing, but none of that can compare to a Prince live show! The man is OUTSTANDING live!! His concerts are EVENTS, for real!!

sitruk7 said:

Cannibal Corpse because of the way they fling their hair around in circles : )

jasonstar said:

I've seen Prince live three times.

I've seen Michael live one time.

Prince wins.

Until you've seen a Prince show, and I'm talking actually being there, then you can't make a judgment like that. I'll give Michael his due, he puts on one hell of a good show, but he's not as connected with the crowd as Prince is. Prince thrives on the crowd and the energy they provide.

SexyBeautifulOne said:

I have seen both many times. They're both not what they were. A Prince show is a more satisfying experience nowadays for sure. But in my eyes he never surpassed the Bad Tour for excitement and showmanship.

TheBigBang said:

once again..its all subjective...why must people debate opinions as if they are facts?

good grief....

sosgemini said:

Becuase they are heartless and evil!!!
And they are infected with the sickness of arrogance!!!!!

(NOTE: that was only an opinion)

The Bar-Kays.....





These guys have been around since the 1960s and they still turn it out. Larry Dodson, the lead singer, shoots fire from his hands and comes out with a python snake. They truly live up to their song "Freakshow On The Dance Floor".

^
Really? Wow! I never knew that!

I've always felt KISS were the Greatest Show In Rock & Roll.

vainandy said:

divas to the dance floor, please!!!

sosgemini said:

... ...

Fuck it, I know I'm right.

Bowie

fingertips said:

Why?

sitruk7 said:

help us expand our minds....im jazzed about these parkay guys after all that vainandy has been saying about em.....i like these types of threads..it opens me up to new (to me) talent.

No one. Because P is the best.

I called you retarded because the post is called "Who puts on a better show than Prince & why?". U said MJ...Now MJ as far as I remember doesn't put on any show period. Now Prince has been actively touring for the last 25 years, and last year had one of the most successful tours of the year (and his career). Now you said MJ, right?. And you claimed the bad tour. But that was almost 20 years ago. Now I called you retarded because how can a tour from almost 20 years compete with Prince who is still killing at concerts today. Hence my Elvis reference. Are we talking currently, or in the history of music...what? I thought we were talking about today, on planet earth, this time period. It is subjective...absolutely, but saying MJ is out of context. MJ hasn't toured the states in what 10-15 years? Also you said "MJ made thriller"...well that's great & good. But that was over 20 years ago. Plus-have you ever attended a Prince concert? Apparently the best show you've seen was a MJ show on TV. Now again-that's not really in context. I've seen Miles Davis concerts on TV, but I can't say that was one of the best shows...because-well I WASN'T THERE. Looked/sounded great. But to experience a show you have to feel the energy in the room.

Artists like: Prince, & Bowie stay relevent, current, rich, & fresh is because they tour and rework there old material. Sure David Bowie still plays Ziggy from almost 30 years ago-but he has accumulated new material, new fans, a new perspective, new musicians. And he (like PRINCE) has consistently done great shows (although some of those 80's bowie tours were weak). So to sum this up: I don't think MJ is relevent, i think he's a has been, and has really milked the media, and recording industry for attention with his past accomplishments. Although MJ has done some amazing, and un-touchable things in the recording industry: his time has past, any of his future tours (& endeavors) will fail, and that's if he even ever tours again. Apparently if he has any pressure (like court for molesting children) he is apparently too sickly or addicted to drugs to rise to the occasion. So I don't think the guy could even finish a tour-if we're to believe he is/was unhealthy as he is.

So yeah...thats why I called you retarded.
It's all subjective your right...but other then that your wrong
(hahaha)

Nero

jasonstar said:

sitruk7 said:

He has a unique stage presence, commands the audience without alot of call & repsonse, or direction. His live arrangements are fresh, and give new and old listeners something interesting to experience. He is personable in a kind of lounge singer way. Explains the meanings of the songs, makes jokes, & on the other hand is the master of high rock drama. His voice live is really flawless. It's amazing, and underrated how great this guys voice is. I can't believe he's been smoking for 30 years. His arsenal/catalog of music is only matched by maybe: The Stones, Dylan, or Prince. And like Prince-even if people don't like his music-if you take them to one of his shows-it will change your life.

Nero

neronava said:

Spot on.

Bowie and Prince because they just have...presence" added to the talent.