Since I have been wondering about this for quite some years and hubby doesn't know either I might as well give it a try in here (who else to ask a Prince question ):

In 1998 Prince was on tour in Europe. I saw him in Utrecht, Cologne and Gent.

What I'm trying to recall is if he played DJ for a while in Cologne or Gent. Since he was in such a bad mood in Cologne I think it was in Gent but then again in Cologne I sat very high and I remember he was standing on stage at the right behind a synthesizer/DJ table.

The reason for asking is that I thought it was totally awesome what he did behind that table. It felt we were in a Disco. He mixed some cool sounds/tunes together and it had that techno/house feeling, it seemed very experimental. He looked very cool and serious.

Does anyone recall/recognise what I'm talking about?

Did he do this more often because to me this was the only time I've heard him do that and I really loved it. Imo he should do it more often.

Not one single orger??

CJanssen said:

Hi CJ, I wish I could help but I wasn't there...

pplrain said:

a reaction!

Thanks anyway pplrain

I can't imagine that there isn't one orger who has seen him in 1998 or anyone, maybe American, who witnessed something alike during another tour or show. I can't imagine that he only played the DJ on that concert. It was too cool for words.

CJanssen said:

I know it is awesome watching him do something impromtu... rather than rehearsed..

CJanssen said:

Yes, he was. I saw him in Cologne, too.

CJanssen said:

Yes, the concert in Cologne was short, very short, as a matter of fact. But the aftershow was announced over the speakers in the hall at the end, where it was and stuff. The support was Larry Graham I think and Prince joined the support band. LG played bass going through the crowd but Prince started so late then that there wasn't so much time till the curfew. On each side of the stage there was "a fire". The songs, the versions weren't bad, although there weren't any horn player that night, just keyboards (or Candy?). When he was behind the synthe/DJ table as you say I think there were also people on the stage for a "dance contest", to dance. And to one girl I remember he said: "Are you tired?!" As if not pleased with her style... Anyway, I remember that part, too. But would say it was a synthesizer/keyboard. At the end evrybody was surprised that it was really finished and waited for more but there shouldn't be. Some people even booed and Prince and Larry Graham came out again on the stage, showing a sign with their hand (but I couldn't see what exactly) and went back, then the aftershow announcement...
He wouldn't come back to Germany for 4 years (in 2002, One Nite Alone Tour).
He was often here from 1986 to 1994, but from 1995 to 2008, only two short times

CJanssen said:

Yes, as a matter of fact, it was a good part, some kind of an electro/house/techno thing as far as I can remember.

CJanssen said:

Yes.

CJanssen said:

"2 Whom It May Concern", the commercial spot for the O)-> album, there he played the role of a DJ. But different than what you mean I think.
Then maybe the synthesizer section of the 21 Nights shows in London last year. Standing at a keyboard/synthe and hitting a key with another hit, singing the lyrics and stuff.

CJanssen said:

I'm sorry.

I am maried.

G0d said:

I saw the regular shows in Utrecht and Gent, but didn't go to the afters. Utrecht was with Lenny and Larry, so no dj-ing I guess.

An afterparty in 2002 in Antwerp had his own DJ playing some Princely house tunes, and perhaps Prince for a minute or two behind the deck. Can't really recall though. Very short and no big impressions.

Good luck!

"I am the DJ, I play what I play."

incredibleD said:

Thanks, it must have been Cologne (the regular show, not the afterparty) because in Gent I sat at the left and he gave a really cool show there, probably one of the best I've witnessed, with him and his cane standing a little bit hidden at the side and the house lights on.
He was really irritated in Cologne but I couldn't blame him. I remember when he stopped my hubby looked at me like saying "he left..., he left already?" And I was like, yeah, I would have too with this kind of audience. No interaction or recognition of his songs whatsoever. It was an expensive ticket that night
But the part where he started playing the electro/techno/house part is the only thing I remembered clearly because it sounded so cool. It wasn't Prince music and I've never heard/saw it again. Wish I had a bootleg from that one!
It was nothing like the 21 London show synthesizer thing, playing short snippets of his songs. It was just cold experimental unknown dance music

Sander said:

Ha, I don't recall any Larry in Cologne or Gent, only Utrecht. And Lenny's big head of course.
I'm wondering why he only played the DJ at that particular show. He must have done it more times. But then again, I don't think I ever heard the 2002 Antwerp afterparty show, maybe that was similar.
I really think he should do it again, he can make good techno/dance tunes if he wants to, I think....