BartVanHemelen said:

Timmy84 said:

Even Madonna had to put a few classics back in her set list because fans were complaining about not enough hits on it. So no one's immune to it. Not Prince, not Madonna, no one.

Oh please. Madonna's latest shows have been about her LATEST albums and featured 80% NEW/RECENT music. Prince plays the hits and the same goddamn covers he's been playing for 10+ years and maybe one or two recent song. Madonna's the OPPOSITE of Prince.

So ask yourself this question: if Madonna's audience can tolerate a set heavy on recent songs, how come Prince's can't? Also: how can a recent song become a classic when PRINCE DOES NOT PLAY IT?

True she usually features the 95% of the whole new album, some hits, and some classics

Yes I've had enough.

I don't agree that he has to play a hit parade them at every show.

He could in fact just play a few at each show, spread them through-out the set and rotate them from night to night.

That was one of the only truly redeeming factors of the Rio residency (at first). They played some new songs (in relation to what he'd been playing live) and different arrangements of old ones. But that set got stale pretty fast, too. Dude has hundreds of songs at his disposal. Just rehearse a hundred of them, or somewhere around that many, and play what you feel like playin' from night to night.

And another thing, because somebody mentioned it up above, why release all these new albums if you aren't going to play the material? He certainly hasn't bothered "touring an album" since Musicology. Dude could put together a pretty serious live set with tracks pulled from 3121, Planet Earth, Lotusflow3r and 20ten. Sprinkle a few hits in there and audiences would go nuts. ... no pun intended.

[Edited 7/20/10 11:22am]

Efan said:

I wish he'd cycle in some different hits. He's got plenty to choose from, and he ignores quite a few.

My Ideal setlist for the 20ten Tour

Purple Rain

P Control

Sexy M.F.

Bob George

Sexuality

I Feel for You

I Wanna Be Your Lover

Dirty Mind

Controversy

Uptown

When U were Mine

Let's Pretend We're Married

Delirious

Baby I'm A Star

When Doves Cry

Raspberry Beret

Take Me With U

Erotic City

Beautiful Ones

The Most Beautiful Girl In the World

Musicology

Black Sweat

Rainbow Children (Instrumental)

The Work Pt. 1

The Cross

I Would Die 4 U

Compassion

Future Soul Song

Chocalate Box

Dance 4 Me

Nothing Compares 2 U

If I Was Your Girlfriend

Diamonds And Pearls

[Edited 7/19/10 16:28pm]

[Edited 7/19/10 16:33pm]

He said he was going to retire some of these songs forever. Why does he keep lying to us?

OldFriends4Sale said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Oh please. Madonna's latest shows have been about her LATEST albums and featured 80% NEW/RECENT music. Prince plays the hits and the same goddamn covers he's been playing for 10+ years and maybe one or two recent song. Madonna's the OPPOSITE of Prince.

So ask yourself this question: if Madonna's audience can tolerate a set heavy on recent songs, how come Prince's can't? Also: how can a recent song become a classic when PRINCE DOES NOT PLAY IT?

True she usually features the 95% of the whole new album, some hits, and some classics

Madonna still has a massive following and she gives her fans what they want! The last time I visited her website all of her videos were available to watch for free, even though she recently released a dvd video compilation with all her videos. That says a lot. She has always released a dvd of her tour. Prince wants everything to be tucked away to never be seen again. I don't get it.

I've honestly come to believe that the redundant setlist is Prince's way of controlling the unauthorized replication of his music.

He releases new music in a form/format that he does not mind it being digitally shared. He gets his $$ upfront so copy away.

With his live shows, he knows they're being recorded so he plays what he's willing to give away for free, so copy away.

What worries me is that, should there be any remote chance that I'm right, we'll never hear an great new setlist, or get a great new dvd, or even a great new remastering because of how easy it is to share it. Prince would have to get an ENORMOUS amount of money up front to make his best stuff worth giving away.

People like us are a very small minority of people that are in the audience at Prince shows.

Hardly anyone at his concerts will be complaining that they've heard Purple Rain for the umpteenth time.

Matter of fact, the main complaint about the One Nite Alone tour was that he hardly played any Hits at all.

For some reason, Prince is the only artist who gets shit from his fanbase for playing his most popular material.

Springsteen fans don't care that they've heard Born to Run 10,000 times, and they love every minute of it.

I'm guessing that Michael Jackson wasn't planning on performing much new material at the This is It performances.

It's not Prince's fault you have bootlegs from every tour, and have played those songs over and over and over and over until you got sick of them.

motherfunka said:

Prince wants everything to be tucked away to never be seen again. I don't get it.

Because it's Prince's music, and he can do whatever he wants with it.

Paris9748430 said:

motherfunka said:

Prince wants everything to be tucked away to never be seen again. I don't get it.

Because it's Prince's music, and he can do whatever he wants with it.

Too bad Warner Brothers owns the masters for the better part of his career!

Paris9748430 said:

motherfunka said:

Prince wants everything to be tucked away to never be seen again. I don't get it.

Because it's Prince's music, and he can do whatever he wants with it.

I have no problem with that concept. If that's what he wants, great. I've expressed my opinions regarding the vault, live releases and remastering his catalogue many times before, so I'll leave that alone. But in regards to the him doing whatever he wants with his music in a live setting, that's not going to work much longer. The residencies thing got old real fast. And unless he starts his next tour/residency in the states in my city, so I'm FORCED to go to the first show , I WILL wait to get an idea what he's playing before I buy tickets again. I'm just not interested in hearing the same songs live for the 50th time. Hopefully he'll get them out of his system playing all these countries he hasn't been to in years, so when he gets around to touring the states we'll get something new and different.

The weird thing is he keeps wearing that fucking 20ten shirt, but doesn't play any of the new songs. The songs would be badass live, especially Sticky Like My Boo and Lay My Bria Down.

Don't get him. He's a walking billboard hawking a different product.

If he plays smaller venues, he should have more leeway to play what he wants. If he plays arenas, it's more about money, concession stands, butts in (and out of) seats than the music, and are more for the casual fan who want to hear the hits.

It's like asking a fan if they had to choose between an arena show with the hits, or the after show, what's the better of the two?

Paris9748430 said:

People like us are a very small minority of people that are in the audience at Prince shows.

Go on, keep proving that Madonna's audience is more sophisticated than Prince's audience.

Nothinbutjoy said:

I've honestly come to believe that the redundant setlist is Prince's way of controlling the unauthorized replication of his music.

He releases new music in a form/format that he does not mind it being digitally shared. He gets his $$ upfront so copy away.

Go on, publish a torrent with your real name and address and see what happens.

With his live shows, he knows they're being recorded so he plays what he's willing to give away for free, so copy away.

The nonsense you lot make up... The dude won't allow PHOTOGRAPHERS at his shows.

What worries me is that, should there be any remote chance that I'm right, we'll never hear an great new setlist, or get a great new dvd, or even a great new remastering because of how easy it is to share it.

Bullcrap.

dalsh327 said:

If he plays smaller venues, he should have more leeway to play what he wants. If he plays arenas, it's more about money, concession stands, butts in (and out of) seats than the music, and are more for the casual fan who want to hear the hits.

Keep lying to yourself. Let's see: Prince didn't have any merch (usually the way to earn lotsa $).

And I keep repeating this: why can't Prince do what Madonna can? EXPLAIN THAT ONE.

It's like asking a fan if they had to choose between an arena show with the hits, or the after show, what's the better of the two?

What did he play at the Brussels aftershow? The SAME SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE COVERS he plays in regular concerts. THE SAME FRIKKING ONES HE'S BEEN PLAYING 10+ YEARS.

STOP LYING.

If we are talking wishlist / setlist that I can't remember the last time Prince played...

Dear Prince I would like:

Party Up

Uptown

Dirty Mind

With You

Jack U Off

Baby I'm A Star

I Would Die 4 U

Lovesexy

Eye No

I Wish You Heaven

Glam Slam

Paisley Park

The Ladder

Around The World In A Day

Let's Pretend We're Married

AnotherLoverHoleblahblahblah...

The Cross (Yes I know he won't play it anymore but it is a wishlist)

Adore - properly - not one line

Yada yada yada...

...............................................

And much as I love hearing Controversy - please Prince swap it for something else..

Everytime I hear 'We gotta go back...' I know he's gonna do the Controversy medley and it's getting so predictable..

................................................

[Edited 7/20/10 1:37am]

To be fair, isn't Madonna's setlist like 90% the same every night on her tours? I know it still includes new songs, but as far as her being more adventurous and daring, I guess it can be viewed as pretty stale (not to mention pre-programmed and ready to lip sync to) as well.

pepper7 said:

If we are talking wishlist / setlist that I can't remember the last time Prince played...

Dear Prince I would like:

Party Up (I can see him doing this with some slight lyric changes, of course "fuckin'" and "damn" would be taken out)

Uptown (He may just do the instrumental)

Dirty Mind (Don't see it happening)

With You (He could do that one)

Jack U Off (Not in a million years lol)

Baby I'm A Star (OH YEAH BRING THAT ONE BACK)

I Would Die 4 U (Ditto)

Lovesexy (Oh yes)

Eye No (Man...)

I Wish You Heaven (One of my favorite Prince songs that he never performs lol)

Glam Slam (Maybe lol)

Paisley Park (It'll be nice if he brought that one back)

The Ladder (I don't know WHY he hasn't sung that live in recent years)

Around The World In A Day (Or this one)

Let's Pretend We're Married (Obviously if he was to do this, he'll do the verses and just do the instrumental)

AnotherLoverHoleblahblahblah... (Yes)

The Cross (Yes I know he won't play it anymore but it is a wishlist) (YES)

Adore - properly - not one line (YES)

Yada yada yada...

................................................

I would love for him to do that. Prince has a lot of great material that he hasn't done in a while.

BartVanHemelen said:

Paris9748430 said:

People like us are a very small minority of people that are in the audience at Prince shows.

Go on, keep proving that Madonna's audience is more sophisticated than Prince's audience.

Man, it must be really hard to walk with that stick up your ass!!!

SadAntenna said:

To be fair, isn't Madonna's setlist like 90% the same every night on her tours? I know it still includes new songs, but as far as her being more adventurous and daring, I guess it can be viewed as pretty stale (not to mention pre-programmed and ready to lip sync to) as well.

She's been criticized for being just that. I think she added some classic stuff in her last tour but probably not I probably read it wrong.

If it wasn't for those hits, he probably wouldn't have still been playing concerts in 2010.

Number23 said:

Prince maintains an opulent lifestyle beyond the imagination of most folk - and disgustingly wasteful and egomanical to most of those who can. Believe it or not, his royalties only just cover the running of Paisley Park and a few sandwiches. Everything else requires a steady cash flow of millions of dollars - hense one-off shows for Arabian Kings, 77dollar websites, the gayest pillows ever and continual jumping into bed with loathsome capitalist pigs. Like most people, his principles are set at a price. Concert promotoers will only pay in advance if Prince signs a contract to play a certain amount of 'hits' per show - this wee hinderance making a mockery of the 'Prince is dead' stance of 1995 during his brief Japanese tour. Vicky Waiting still counts, Prince. Also highlighting his laughable hypocracy when it comes to 'con'tracts. he signs em all the time. And even when he changed his name, he signed 'Prince Nelson'. It's all showbiz and misdirection. Thanks Christ he's a musical genius or else he'd be quite a loathsome cunt.

He hates kittens too!

OldFriends4Sale said:

BartVanHemelen said:

Oh please. Madonna's latest shows have been about her LATEST albums and featured 80% NEW/RECENT music. Prince plays the hits and the same goddamn covers he's been playing for 10+ years and maybe one or two recent song. Madonna's the OPPOSITE of Prince.

So ask yourself this question: if Madonna's audience can tolerate a set heavy on recent songs, how come Prince's can't? Also: how can a recent song become a classic when PRINCE DOES NOT PLAY IT?

True she usually features the 95% of the whole new album, some hits, and some classics

Most Madonna fans I know truly believe she could shit onstage and they'd want front row seats and pictures with the turd.

If this site is any indication most Prince fans are hyper-sensitive and judgemental about any little thing Prince does and will be quick to admonish him for doing or not doing whatever they desire.

There is a difference.

BartVanHemelen said:

Timmy84 said:

Even Madonna had to put a few classics back in her set list because fans were complaining about not enough hits on it. So no one's immune to it. Not Prince, not Madonna, no one.

Oh please. Madonna's latest shows have been about her LATEST albums and featured 80% NEW/RECENT music. Prince plays the hits and the same goddamn covers he's been playing for 10+ years and maybe one or two recent song. Madonna's the OPPOSITE of Prince.

So ask yourself this question: if Madonna's audience can tolerate a set heavy on recent songs, how come Prince's can't? Also: how can a recent song become a classic when PRINCE DOES NOT PLAY IT?

Maybe because most of his fans are bitter, vengeful and ready to complain regardless of what he played or didn't play.

BartVanHemelen said:

Nothinbutjoy said:

I've honestly come to believe that the redundant setlist is Prince's way of controlling the unauthorized replication of his music.

He releases new music in a form/format that he does not mind it being digitally shared. He gets his $$ upfront so copy away.

Go on, publish a torrent with your real name and address and see what happens.

The nonsense you lot make up... The dude won't allow PHOTOGRAPHERS at his shows.

What worries me is that, should there be any remote chance that I'm right, we'll never hear an great new setlist, or get a great new dvd, or even a great new remastering because of how easy it is to share it.

Bullcrap.

I'm not saying he likes it or prefers it. I'm saying he knows it's happening and he's adjusted accordingly.

And whether he allows them or not, the photographers are there, hence all the pictures from the shows.

BartVanHemelen said:

dalsh327 said:

If he plays smaller venues, he should have more leeway to play what he wants. If he plays arenas, it's more about money, concession stands, butts in (and out of) seats than the music, and are more for the casual fan who want to hear the hits.

Keep lying to yourself. Let's see: Prince didn't have any merch (usually the way to earn lotsa $).

And I keep repeating this: why can't Prince do what Madonna can? EXPLAIN THAT ONE.

It's like asking a fan if they had to choose between an arena show with the hits, or the after show, what's the better of the two?

What did he play at the Brussels aftershow? The SAME SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE COVERS he plays in regular concerts. THE SAME FRIKKING ONES HE'S BEEN PLAYING 10+ YEARS.

STOP LYING.

He doesn't want people to take liberties with his work, (music and image), so he doesn't put out there anything more than what he has to to make enough money to live the way he wants to. He doesn't want them taking the liberties because they can/will make money off of it and to him that money should all belong to him.

I was watching a Paul McCartney concert the other day and Im a big beatles fan and like McCartneys early stuff from Band on the Run etc...but I havent bought any of his music from 1982-present, so I wouldnt know any songs from him from say the past 30 years. He played mostly hits and a few new songs during his show. It helped me understand how the casual fan wants to hear the hits and only us diehards want P's new stuff.

P is in the same boat as McCartney and other artists when playing to large crowds. Gotta bust out the hits.

BartVanHemelen said:

Timmy84 said:

Even Madonna had to put a few classics back in her set list because fans were complaining about not enough hits on it. So no one's immune to it. Not Prince, not Madonna, no one.

Oh please. Madonna's latest shows have been about her LATEST albums and featured 80% NEW/RECENT music. Prince plays the hits and the same goddamn covers he's been playing for 10+ years and maybe one or two recent song. Madonna's the OPPOSITE of Prince.

So ask yourself this question: if Madonna's audience can tolerate a set heavy on recent songs, how come Prince's can't? Also: how can a recent song become a classic when PRINCE DOES NOT PLAY IT?

Your comparing Madonna to Prince? Pleaase...thats apples and oranges..u cannot compare the two. Their careers are not alike any too many ways. Their fans are not alike either.

BartVanHemelen said:

Timmy84 said:

Even Madonna had to put a few classics back in her set list because fans were complaining about not enough hits on it. So no one's immune to it. Not Prince, not Madonna, no one.

Oh please. Madonna's latest shows have been about her LATEST albums and featured 80% NEW/RECENT music. Prince plays the hits and the same goddamn covers he's been playing for 10+ years and maybe one or two recent song. Madonna's the OPPOSITE of Prince.

So ask yourself this question: if Madonna's audience can tolerate a set heavy on recent songs, how come Prince's can't? Also: how can a recent song become a classic when PRINCE DOES NOT PLAY IT?

I'll take on "Bart" with a simple explanation.

Madonna plays more of her current music because in reality her old music is absolutely terrible. Prince's old music consists many true classics. Madonna's old music is embarrassing to listen to and probably even more embarrassing for her to sing today.