EyeHatechu said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

true, only issue is, by playing 'covers' he assumes everyone knows those songs. And many probably don't. It would be just as easy to introduce 'not hit' announce the album (Self Promo) and then play it. The people will probably seek it out afterwards

True.. I see where you are coming from

No issue playing covers as shown Sat in Manchester with Live it Up. I was thinking and yelling that's a new album song convinced he had dropped some bomb and we were back into some kind of Prince hit machine... only to find out here it was a cover. Which I think is cool because 1) He made it more bad ass 2) He made it his own 3) he can release a cover (if all works out) 4) the crowd went wild and sorry I am not 100% sure or even 50% sure they all knew it was the Isley Bros!

OnlyNDaUsa said:

No... what he needs to do is start doing the full songs...rotate them in the set lists. He can do 4 or 5 pretty much every night and then 15 or so other songs + a 10 song medley (solo at piano or guitar of his other songs. And actualy mix it up. But the core needs to be the hits.

You say you want the full songs, and then you want a medley? Songs are like Children to me. The ones I write are my children, and the ones written by artists I like are my "adopted" children. Medleys are like children with no arms and legs or no soul.

Please Prince retire the medleys. Medleys are for old washed up artists who don't even know the words to their songs. If there really is no such thing as time, don't act old...and play full length songs.

I took a non-prince fan with me to the last concert in Birmingham. If he hadn't played any of his hits and my friend still had paid the best part of £100 for a ticket then it's a waste of money for him. If he is playing the big arenas then why can't he mix it up with new and old stuff? Also many people will just go see an artist once in their lifetime so they would feel short changed if they didn't hear Purple Rain for example. Personally I'd be happy not to hear the hits again but then I've seen him 7/8 times.

I guess it all depends on how the concert is advertised. If I went to a concert and knew beforehand that I wouldn't be hearing any of the old stuff at least you can then make an informed decision on how much you would want to pay for a ticket.

That said if the new material is strong then he should be playing 5/6 songs from the new album. Is part of the issue that the new material just isn't strong enough to warrant selling out a 20 000 seater. I'm not sure. I love Prince so would see him anywhere but then what would a casual fan do? Personally I would like to hear the newer material. If I want to hear the older stuff I can listen to a bootleg.

stillwaiting said:

OnlyNDaUsa said:

No... what he needs to do is start doing the full songs...rotate them in the set lists. He can do 4 or 5 pretty much every night and then 15 or so other songs + a 10 song medley (solo at piano or guitar of his other songs. And actualy mix it up. But the core needs to be the hits.

You say you want the full songs, and then you want a medley? Songs are like Children to me. The ones I write are my children, and the ones written by artists I like are my "adopted" children. Medleys are like children with no arms and legs or no soul.

Please Prince retire the medleys. Medleys are for old washed up artists who don't even know the words to their songs. If there really is no such thing as time, don't act old...and play full length songs.

I did not say they ALL had to be full songs. And I like the medleys too. And you know prince has the lyrics on screens so he can read them....

databank said:

It was brilliant in 94 when P played almost only new material. It was brilliant in 2002 when he oriented a whole tour around an album again. It wasn't just the setlists BTW, focusing on an album means focusing on a SOUND, and another boring thing is that no matter which version of the NPG will play DMSR or Kiss it ends-up always sounding the same to me now because there's no strong musical concept/sound behind each new tour.

.

And the reason for that is because Prince has long ago decided that "this will do" is good enough for a large enough section of the audience.

.

Virtually nothing Prince has done on a stage in the past decade is worthy of being recorded and released, yet whenever a new 1980s soundboard recording surfaces the Org goes bonkers for days.

goodfella said:

I guess it all depends on how the concert is advertised. If I went to a concert and knew beforehand that I wouldn't be hearing any of the old stuff at least you can then make an informed decision on how much you would want to pay for a ticket.

Prince did this in '94-'95 and still people asked their money back afterwards. (Apparently they couldn't read/didn't follow the media.)

I wonder if they ever did get their money back...

Pentacle said:

goodfella said:

I guess it all depends on how the concert is advertised. If I went to a concert and knew beforehand that I wouldn't be hearing any of the old stuff at least you can then make an informed decision on how much you would want to pay for a ticket.

Prince did this in '94-'95 and still people asked their money back afterwards. (Apparently they couldn't read/didn't follow the media.)

I wonder if they ever did get their money back...

as long as he takes the stage and does a performance, even if it was just a few minutes, it would be very hard to force a refund.

BartVanHemelen said:

databank said:

It was brilliant in 94 when P played almost only new material. It was brilliant in 2002 when he oriented a whole tour around an album again. It wasn't just the setlists BTW, focusing on an album means focusing on a SOUND, and another boring thing is that no matter which version of the NPG will play DMSR or Kiss it ends-up always sounding the same to me now because there's no strong musical concept/sound behind each new tour.

.

And the reason for that is because Prince has long ago decided that "this will do" is good enough for a large enough section of the audience.

.

Virtually nothing Prince has done on a stage in the past decade is worthy of being recorded and released, yet whenever a new 1980s soundboard recording surfaces the Org goes bonkers for days.

I know you said virtually, but what do you think of Montreux 2009 concert(s)?

Are the "hits" not what introduced everyone to him in the first place? I love when he mixes in the more rare/unknown songs but it wouldn't be a Prince concert without Purple Rain, WDC, Kiss, etc.

I think that Prince would be happy but his bank account would not be so happy. The UK shows were nothing more than a cash grab for him. Unfortunately I think that is what he is going to be about from now on since his music doesn't really sell like he wants it to.

I remember Endorphinmachine in Vegas last year. It was amazing but when I looked around, most of the audience had no idea what it was. I think he has changed the arrangement of some hits just to keep it interesting for him, because otherwise he is bored shitless with hits.

3rdeyedude said:

I think that Prince would be happy but his bank account would not be so happy. The UK shows were nothing more than a cash grab for him. Unfortunately I think that is what he is going to be about from now on since his music doesn't really sell like he wants it to.

I remember Endorphinmachine in Vegas last year. It was amazing but when I looked around, most of the audience had no idea what it was. I think he has changed the arrangement of some hits just to keep it interesting for him, because otherwise he is bored shitless with hits.

Well this is the paradox really. Is one obliged to cater for the iTunes/Spotify crowd? Yes!

Is [insert bootleg title here] on Spotify? No! Do jazz festivals exist? Yes!

I'm not myself in a position to comment on the arena experience as I never go out, living in the styx as I do, so attending an arena gig is mostly "oh, i know this song", "it's a bit loud", "seems a lot smaller than last time","how about a picnic and a nice chat?".

Can't fault 3rdeyegirl for belting it all out though, it was bound to be full on. A constant feature of the lack of surprise factor is always the internet, so Funk N Roll and Plectrum Electrum instead of being novel experiences were reduced to "oh, it's that one", and "it's a bit loud (again)". If I have to relate this discussion to one recent gig experience, out of all of the songs, the playful "play it faster" bit from Funk N Roll featured some genuinely on it organ tone that finally set the acoustics off majestically. "Waaaaaaaarp!". We're sat behind the sound guy, what we s'posed to do? Vault over the rail and mess it up further?

Why, I danced so little I dreamt my right foot were sprouting conifer buds.

As for retiring the Hits, my subjective vs projective opinion is tempered by my not listening to music anyway, more a slow forming sequence of disparate events that may or may not cohere into a thang at some point, like the audibly pitched standing wave of thunder at a bus shelter or any front-facing buildings.

Conclusion: yes, retire the hits, but come back in another 7 years at an open-air festival when Donna and Hannah have got off the Cherry Garcia!

[Edited 5/20/14 13:53pm]

[Edited 5/20/14 13:56pm]

WetDream said:

I have just finished my 3 gigs back-to-back run and absolutely loved all three of them. He is the ultimate live performer and, to me, the greatest to ever be in the game......but i was very, very surprised to find out i was one of only (from what it seemed) 50-ish fans that really, really had enthusiasm for the non-hits. I went nuts for the Electric Intercourse's, Empty Rooms, Love We Makes, What's My names, etc, etc but almost everyone around me, including when i was bang at the front was vice versa. I was expecting the opposite when at the front. Sure, many of you were enthusiastic for the non-hits, i'm sure many more of you had the enthusiasm quietly and people, including casuals, sometimes got into them as great music is great music, but at times, i felt lonely lol.....and as much as i enjoyed almost all the show had to offer, i must confess to slightly deflating upon hearing Raspberry Barret, 1999 or Purple Rain. It's amazing when he changes up the hits, so hardcores can get something out of them again ala LRC, LGC, ICNTTPOYM, though and that deserves props as it is impressive.

So, how many here actually WOULD like it if Prince retired the arenas and hits....and went back to being a lot more bolder with his music. Actually supporting his new songs, rare songs, many instrumental jams of all genres, etc?

[Edited 5/18/14 16:45pm]

Depends on the venue.....

Hits for Arenas, no hits for small venues. Simple.

SquirrelMeat said:

Hits for Arenas, no hits for small venues. Simple.

for sure: a night of hits and a night of other stuff. (But I have to say I have little intrest much of the newer stuff...I rather hear "My Love is forever" than anything off the last several albums.)

I see people have trouble reading or simply read what they want to read again......

I asked would YOU like it if he retired the hits and arenas? Not why does he perform X and not Y! I know why he chooses a hits setlist for arenas, festivals, etc, etc....i am not stupid. I am asking how many here would like it if Prince gave the hits and arenas a retirement, in favor of pushing his new art, jam sessions, album tracks and generally challenging his audience again ala One Night Alone, SoTT, Club Nokia 2009, etc, etc.

So, no....it's not "Hits - Arena / Other - Smaller" or "depends on the venue".....because that is not answering the question i asked.

WetDream said:

I see people have trouble reading or simply read what they want to read again......

I asked would YOU like it if he retired the hits and arenas? Not why does he perform X and not Y! I know why he chooses a hits setlist for arenas, festivals, etc, etc....i am not stupid. I am asking how many here would like it if Prince gave the hits and arenas a retirement, in favor of pushing his new art, jam sessions, album tracks and generally challenging his audience again ala One Night Alone, SoTT, Club Nokia 2009, etc, etc.

So, no....it's not "Hits - Arena / Other - Smaller" or "depends on the venue".....because that is not answering the question i asked.

Who made u the Queen of England????

Turn it down, dog...lol

I wouldn't mind if he skipped old songs/hits but new songs can become hits...

I really would like him to play Arena's with a preset :

He could pull that off.

Not a suprise like MJF2013 but planned./

Night One - Prince the Hits (or deFault)

Night Two - Prince the Schnitss (being everything non hits) or Prince deVault for those die hards...

I would then skip part one and many I know the other.

and for those who want

Night Three - Prince Presents (covers and other sideprojects and inspirations)

[Edited 5/21/14 0:49am]

Bambi82 said:

Are the "hits" not what introduced everyone to him in the first place? I love when he mixes in the more rare/unknown songs but it wouldn't be a Prince concert without Purple Rain, WDC, Kiss, etc.

100% agreed.

Not me, I like it when he plays the hits

However, I don't like the setlists that are mostly hits, I like it when he mixes it up a little with rare songs or album tracks that the casual fan may not know (but are willing to learn).

I mean, how awesome would it be if, during When Doves Cry/ Purple Rain/ Kiss, etc, he suddenly gave the audience a surprise blast of Lovesexy, Hot Thing or Electric Chair? I used to like the concerts when he did things like that

I'm actually really surprised at how many would still like the hits in the show. I was under the impression the Org was almost entirely fed up of the Hits until now.

I for one, would love for him to retire the hits and get back to challenging us artistically and pushing new projects with him performing all of/most of a new album.

funkomatic said:

What about a compromise? No songs older than 10 years!

Makes you realise even more: Prince has a big problem, if he doesn't rely on his 80s work!

would you be happy to go and see stevie wonder in concert and he only did songs from conversation peace and a time 2 love albums ???... i bloody wouldnt for a start..i have never seen stevie in concert and if i ever get the chance...i want to hear the hits..which is the same as the majority of people who go to these arena gigs..

.

prince isnt any different from any other artist when he is playing big concerts...people come to hear the hits...especially the older hits that they identify with..it isnt rocket science...prince has done tours where he played only a few hits... "ultimate live tour"... "one nite alone tour" but they were in smaller venues..

.

treehouse said:

OldFriends4Sale said:

There are 1000s of new fans, and people who have never seen Prince live-even if they were a fan for a long time.

.

.

Yup, or they went to one of the bad shows where Prince disco called, and had the audience sing the chorus (like the poster above mentioned). Sometimes a show sounds better on the bootleg.

.

I don't get this thread actually....Prince just did a tour supporting a new band, new songs, and a lot of new renditions of old songs. Maybe people are longing for the After Party shows, or the fantasy of them. His set lists look pretty diverse to me, considering the band he's got now.

I just that 'when the album is finally released' that he promotes it, performs most songs from the album, a few hits sprinkled in that work with the songs and a more songs from other 1990s 2000 albums that work. He should push the rock edge he wants

Yes, I'd like him to retire from most big hits. I'm done with them.

I don't like Kiss or U got the look as much as so many other 'obscure' songs. Raspberry Baret is a great song, but when the whole audiance sings it along, I doubt that they understand what the song is about. That spoils it a bit for me. Little red corvette has never been a favorite of mine.

Purple Rain I love, and Let's go crazy and 1999 work great live. But I don't need to hear them every time I go to his concert.

Actually, Purple Rain, I can hear at every concert. Never gets boring somehow. And especially in the latest Paradiso version was very memorable.

Songs that are known, Sign O'Times, The Cross and Play in the Sunshine are songs I like. Audiance will respond to it, and fans too. So, that would work, I guess.

I did not enjoy the stadium concerts in Antwerp and Rotterdam that much. Just did not feel right. As if Prince was working in stead of enjoying making music. But that was just my subjective perception.

Then again, I absolutely Loved Werchter and the 3 concerts at NSJF.

Paradiso was just really great. I loved that sooooo much!

The concerts where it wasn't about the routine of hits, and I was in front of the stage and able to see the faces of the band are my all time favorite concerts (+ Werchter).

dJJ said:

Yes, I'd like him to retire from most big hits. I'm done with them.

I don't like Kiss or U got the look as much as so many other 'obscure' songs. Raspberry Baret is a great song, but when the whole audiance sings it along, I doubt that they understand what the song is about. That spoils it a bit for me. Little red corvette has never been a favorite of mine.

Purple Rain I love, and Let's go crazy and 1999 work great live. But I don't need to hear them every time I go to his concert.

Actually, Purple Rain, I can hear at every concert. Never gets boring somehow. And especially in the latest Paradiso version was very memorable.

Songs that are known, Sign O'Times, The Cross and Play in the Sunshine are songs I like. Audiance will respond to it, and fans too. So, that would work, I guess.

I did not enjoy the stadium concerts in Antwerp and Rotterdam that much. Just did not feel right. As if Prince was working in stead of enjoying making music. But that was just my subjective perception.

Then again, I absolutely Loved Werchter and the 3 concerts at NSJF.

Paradiso was just really great. I loved that sooooo much!

The concerts where it wasn't about the routine of hits, and I was in front of the stage and able to see the faces of the band are my all time favorite concerts (+ Werchter).

I agree.

I just watched 10 mins worth of footage highlights from the recent Montreux gig and i counted one hit - 1999. The rest was album tracks or rare tracks and it was way better than these recent gigs AND prince looked way more enthusiastic.

I think that's why he keeps going back there....he's free to experiment. Prince needs to perform like that....for at least awhile now.

WetDream said:

The rest was album tracks or rare tracks and it was way better than these recent gigs AND prince looked way more enthusiastic.

.

Yeah but not everyone is suffering from burnout like you, and other hardcore fans might be. Prince himself is probably burnt out on them, and goes autopilot (decades of singing Purple Rain has to take it's toll), so it's just a question of whatever he finds stirring at the moment providing the best show.

.

But retiring the hits altogether? Career suicide unless you're generating new fan favorites.

treehouse said:

WetDream said:

The rest was album tracks or rare tracks and it was way better than these recent gigs AND prince looked way more enthusiastic.

.

Yeah but not everyone is suffering from burnout like you, and other hardcore fans might be. Prince himself is probably burnt out on them, and goes autopilot (decades of singing Purple Rain has to take it's toll), so it's just a question of whatever he finds stirring at the moment providing the best show.

.

But retiring the hits altogether? Career suicide unless you're generating new fan favorites.

I'm not sure if it are the hits that make or break his concerts.

2nd night of North Sea Jazz Festival he played no hits, and still the whole audiance loved it.


If Prince is on the roll, it doesn't matter that much, people will get in to the concert because it's good.


And yes, one or two know songs are great. But, there are a lot of songs known, eventhough it never were hits.

treehouse said:

WetDream said:

The rest was album tracks or rare tracks and it was way better than these recent gigs AND prince looked way more enthusiastic.

.

Yeah but not everyone is suffering from burnout like you, and other hardcore fans might be. Prince himself is probably burnt out on them, and goes autopilot (decades of singing Purple Rain has to take it's toll), so it's just a question of whatever he finds stirring at the moment providing the best show.

.

But retiring the hits altogether? Career suicide unless you're generating new fan favorites.

What is "burnout"? An opinion stitched together from a youtube montage?

From one recent Prince interview regarding Plectrum Electrum: "this is the album you listen to if you want to learn how to play guitar". That's awesome. Much like the Undertaker when P jammed with Sonny and Michael like he dint give a mezzo forte (and a girl threw up and called her mum) the current tour with 3rd Eye girl is like the bright side of honking.

As a fellow orger who can see a Chris Morris quote when I see it, isn't Prince merely wanting to pass on his rhythmic DNA and the recent tour is the 3rd Eye Tryouts?

They played Plectrum Electrum live in an Arena - it was too loud, but they... is this the first 3rd Eye Girl arena tour? Somebody help me I've run out of facts.

blackbob said:

funkomatic said:

What about a compromise? No songs older than 10 years!

Makes you realise even more: Prince has a big problem, if he doesn't rely on his 80s work!

would you be happy to go and see stevie wonder in concert and he only did songs from conversation peace and a time 2 love albums ???... i bloody wouldnt for a start..i have never seen stevie in concert and if i ever get the chance...i want to hear the hits..which is the same as the majority of people who go to these arena gigs..

.

prince isnt any different from any other artist when he is playing big concerts...people come to hear the hits...especially the older hits that they identify with..it isnt rocket science...prince has done tours where he played only a few hits... "ultimate live tour"... "one nite alone tour" but they were in smaller venues..

.

The problem of your view is: it's from a consumer's perspective. An artist who relies mostly on his older work is a dead artist. A nostalgia act trying to reproduce what he's done 30 years ago over and over again. It's money for hits. A deal.