Prince Reigns on Monaco

Under the Gold of the Monegasque Opera, the singer played Thursday evening two memorable back-to-back concerts, under the eye of Albert II and a fusional audience. An exceptional evening
Hubert Lizé | 08.15.2009, 07h00

Dutch fans that were expecting him at the artist entrance ended up wasting their time. True to his habits, Prince escaped from the photographers and the videos cameras as soon as he arrived in the Principality, only to leave his Monte-Carlo Bay suite to jump in the backstage area of the Palais Garnier, hidden behind an umbrella while leaving in his limo.

In the room, same punishment: security guards tracking the smallest flash hit, up to the backstage area where they found a wanna-be paparazzi. In spite of his uneven musical production these last few years, the American singer remains a stage phenomenon. Since the disappearing of Michael Jackson, we can’t think of anybody to rival him on this field. At 51, his highness protects jealously his capital.

An explosive concert

Skinflint with his image, he, on the other hand, doesn’t skimp with his audience. The two shows he gave Thursday evening at the Opera are there to witness. 500 people who spent 200€ were privileged to attempt them under the rococo gildings, the rupestral murals, and the imposing crystal chandelier that resides in this small building built in the 19th century and dedicated to Verdi, Mozart, Rossini. A most chic and intimate environment for the Kid of Minneapolis who performed with a very small configuration (keyboards, bass and drums) on a stage surmounted by two luminous jellyfish and a giant gong displaying psychedelic light effects.

The star suddenly emerges in a white satin suit, black shirt, white boots, and his hanging red guitar. From the first chords of “The Love We Make” the audience is standing up and letting go, forgetting the “proper outfit required” to dance, scream to give an ovation to the returning. During almost two hours, in a oven like heat, Prince will deliver an explosive concert made of Hendrixian Rocks, of lascivious ballads and of a good pinch of Funk. Alternating older and less popular tunes, songs from his new album and certified hits like “Little Red Corvette” or “Scandalous”. In a playful mood, he extended to the infinite a few incandescent guitar solos, plays with his audience by encouraging them to clap their hands or jump up and down. He offers his guitar to the first row before a roadie come to take it back real quick… And ends the first concert with a luminous version of “Nothing Compares to You” and an unforgettable “Purple Rain”.

Unbelievably generous

The second show, (there’s even going to be a third one tomorrow a the Sporting-Club, still in Monaco) is even more energetic. Like an uppercut! Facing the Princely balcony where Albert II, his fiancée Charlène and his guests, including the singer Louis Bertignac, under the eyes of Elton John who received an ovation as he arrived, the star, in all black this time, unchains himself on a Funky-Devilish cover of Elvis Presley’s « All Shook up ».

Unbelievably generous with his audience, he makes his guitar meow, pushes his voice in the high register, outlines his famous dance steps (he doesn’t do the front split anymore), and throws his towel to the audience. The room is in fusion. Albert is not the last one to wriggle on his balcony. Prince at last offers to the Monegasque subject an improvisation to the glory of the rock: “Oh Monaco, oh Monaco, oh Monaco! ” It’s on this soccer player’s anthem that he invites the audience to invade the stage around him. And ends up eclipsing royally.

Great review!...Thank U!

THANKS!!!

deepabove said:

I wonder.... nah, that wouldn't be us, right?

Thanks for posting.