Now that so many vids are circulating, kinda bumbed we in the US missed out on so much especially most recently.

emesem said:

Now that so many vids are circulating, kinda bumbed we in the US missed out on so much especially most recently.

That would be an interesting follow-up -- where did he play most. Where did he never perform. How many countries did he perform in.

In case anyone feels like doing that: http://www.princevault.co...rformances

This is only conjecture, but I feel like Prince sometimes toured in Europe more, for the same reasons Tina Turner did (and possibly others).

Tina often noted how she had such a warmer reception in Europe (it's why one of her concert DVDs was filmed in Amsterdam specifically), and that she always remembered that. Europe was more accepting of her music (even more than the U.S.), when she was trying to get back to being just Tina (after her divorce from that asshole abuser who shall not be named here). She so much fell in love with Europe that she eventually became a citizen of Switzerland, and rescinded her U.S. citizenship.

While Prince wasn't changing citizenship, I wonder if he didn't have some of the same feelings about the European audiences opposed to the U.S. audiences. He spoke more recently about how they were different, and how U.S. audiences were loud, and yelled out during him talking or during a ballad, whereas the Euro audiences would actually just STFU and listen. We also have to consider that Planet Earth, and 20Ten were Euro only releases (and free, at that!).

Even Madonna had a similar mindset during the Erotica time period, because of the backlash against the Sex book, "Erotica" video, Erotic's lower sales compared to the ginormous success of Like A Prayer and Blond Ambition ticket sales, and (predating that) the "Justify My Love" video. The Girlie Show mostly toured overseas, which just 5 U.S. dates.

I don't think he loved Europe more than the U.S. (it's not a contest), but he knew where more bread could be buttered, and where he had additional appreciation for his work.

Very common in music for European audiences to be more receptive to American music. There's a lot of reasons for this but some of the key ones are:

1. The culture in most European countries has a higher appreciation of live music.

2. There are tons of music festivals that showcase a wide variety of acts. Not so much in the US.

3. It's easier to travel since the population density is higher and transportation systems are more efficient.

I remember watching a video of Geroge Benson and being surprised that all these pasty middle aged women in the UK were worshiping him. Turns out he tours the UK and Europe constantly (in fact right now).

[Edited 6/2/16 9:30am]

TrivialPursuit said:

This is only conjecture, but I feel like Prince sometimes toured in Europe more, for the same reasons Tina Turner did (and possibly others).

Tina often noted how she had such a warmer reception in Europe (it's why one of her concert DVDs was filmed in Amsterdam specifically), and that she always remembered that. Europe was more accepting of her music (even more than the U.S.), when she was trying to get back to being just Tina (after her divorce from that asshole abuser who shall not be named here). She so much fell in love with Europe that she eventually became a citizen of Switzerland, and rescinded her U.S. citizenship.

While Prince wasn't changing citizenship, I wonder if he didn't have some of the same feelings about the European audiences opposed to the U.S. audiences. He spoke more recently about how they were different, and how U.S. audiences were loud, and yelled out during him talking or during a ballad, whereas the Euro audiences would actually just STFU and listen. We also have to consider that Planet Earth, and 20Ten were Euro only releases (and free, at that!).

Even Madonna had a similar mindset during the Erotica time period, because of the backlash against the Sex book, "Erotica" video, Erotic's lower sales compared to the ginormous success of Like A Prayer and Blond Ambition ticket sales, and (predating that) the "Justify My Love" video. The Girlie Show mostly toured overseas, which just 5 U.S. dates.

I don't think he loved Europe more than the U.S. (it's not a contest), but he knew where more bread could be buttered, and where he had additional appreciation for his work.

Great post, I would tend to agree with this being the reason.

Michael Jackson was another one who followed a similar pattern. Neither the "Dangerous Tour" or the "HIStory Tour" had US mainland dates. I say mainland because the latter had a couple of shows in Hawaii.

I often feel bad for American MJ fans in my age bracket, because they simply didn't have the opportunity to see him. I was fortunate enough to see MJ on the HIStory Tour at Wembley.

At least with Prince he did do US shows, and residencies like LA and Oakland, in the last few years. But he definitely played here in Europe more. Between February 2014 - February 2015 I saw him 4 times in the UK alone. Those in Europe with a bigger income could easily have seen him 20-30 times in that year alone.

Prince clearly had a thing for the UK and Holland, also Belguim and France.

I think there are two primary reasons:

1. Those European countries took to his 85-88 music with open arms, while the US were moving in the opposite direction. I think he therefore always felt Europe was more embracing of his changes.

2. He was growing. Those trips abroad influenced him and his music. I don't think an album like NEWS would ever have been recorded if Prince had toured like Elvis.

suomynona said:

emesem said:

Now that so many vids are circulating, kinda bumbed we in the US missed out on so much especially most recently.

That would be an interesting follow-up -- where did he play most. Where did he never perform. How many countries did he perform in.

In case anyone feels like doing that: http://www.princevault.co...rformances

This is a rough count of concerts (including benefits), one-offs such as aftershows, and guest appearances, so this isn't restrcted to 'tours'.

I have not included radio and tv appearances, NPGMC (or other) soundchecks, Lianne LaHavas' living room, and other private residence performances, but there are Paisley Park events where he performed. There will inevitably be discrepancies and anomalies, (and my inability to count) but it gives a basic picture. The European appearances total about one third of the USA appearances

Argentina 1

Australia 48

Austria 6

Belgium 22

Brazil 2

Canada 58

China 2

Curaçao 1

Denmark 17

Eire 8

England 142

Finland 1

France 45

French West Indies 1

Germany (including former West Germany) 61

Hungary 1

Italy 16

Japan 38

Luxembourg 1

Monaco 5

New Zealand 2

Norway 6

Poland 1

Portugal 5

Russia 1

Scotland 6

Spain 16

Sweden 20

Switzerland 20

The Netherlands 47

Turks and Caicos 1

United Arab Emirates 3

USA 1242

I always think of this song when this discussion come up

Take me to the vineyards of Lavaux
Wanna see the mountains where the waters flow
Life back home depresses me, just another form of slavery
The cost of freedom is anything but free

I don't care if they are covered with snow
I don't care if the road is narrow, if it is I'll know
It was always meant to be, still in love I must believe
Whatever path I choose will lead me home
Lead me home, Lavaux

Take me to the streets of Portugal
That might be my destiny to see the waterfall
Tears or rain, they're all the same
The only way to win this game
To let everybody play and share the ball

There ain't nobody got no chains on me
I'm flying higher than any mountain, deeper than any sea
A paradox is box's key, I'm the why in mystery
You're gonna unlock the secrets if you please

Come take me to an assembly in New York
To speak of the brand new everlasting wonder war
To win or lose is so absurd
And the only casualty is the word, the word

Revolution time has come today
'Cause it took a black face to see the same decay
Like the chocolate of Vevey, in the sun they'll melt away
As for me, I'll laugh and go to the mountains where the waters flow
Back to the vineyards of Lavaux

Lavaux
Lavaux
Lavaux
Lavaux

suomynona said:

emesem said:

Now that so many vids are circulating, kinda bumbed we in the US missed out on so much especially most recently.

That would be an interesting follow-up -- where did he play most. Where did he never perform. How many countries did he perform in.

In case anyone feels like doing that: http://www.princevault.co...rformances

.

I pulled this together from the PrinceVault data a couple of weeks ago when a friend and I were discussing a similar thing:

.

.

The 'Tour' data counts main shows only. Aftershows, one-off concerts, TV appearances, most Paisley Park shows, etc. are counted under 'Other'.

.

It was pulled together quite quickly so there may be a few errors - but not enough to diminish the USA's lead on concert opportunities.

.

geetee71 said:

suomynona said:

That would be an interesting follow-up -- where did he play most. Where did he never perform. How many countries did he perform in.

In case anyone feels like doing that: http://www.princevault.co...rformances

.

I pulled this together from the PrinceVault data a couple of weeks ago when a friend and I were discussing a similar thing:

.

.

The 'Tour' data counts main shows only. Aftershows, one-off concerts, TV appearances, most Paisley Park shows, etc. are counted under 'Other'.

.

It was pulled together quite quickly so there may be a few errors - but not enough to diminish the USA's lead on concert opportunities.

.

Thanks for doing that! I always felt cheated missing the Parade and Sign O' The Times tours, but I made up for it.

NorthC said:

TrivialPursuit said:

This is only conjecture, but I feel like Prince sometimes toured in Europe more, for the same reasons Tina Turner did (and possibly others).

Tina often noted how she had such a warmer reception in Europe (it's why one of her concert DVDs was filmed in Amsterdam specifically), and that she always remembered that. Europe was more accepting of her music (even more than the U.S.), when she was trying to get back to being just Tina (after her divorce from that asshole abuser who shall not be named here). She so much fell in love with Europe that she eventually became a citizen of Switzerland, and rescinded her U.S. citizenship.

While Prince wasn't changing citizenship, I wonder if he didn't have some of the same feelings about the European audiences opposed to the U.S. audiences. He spoke more recently about how they were different, and how U.S. audiences were loud, and yelled out during him talking or during a ballad, whereas the Euro audiences would actually just STFU and listen. We also have to consider that Planet Earth, and 20Ten were Euro only releases (and free, at that!).

Even Madonna had a similar mindset during the Erotica time period, because of the backlash against the Sex book, "Erotica" video, Erotic's lower sales compared to the ginormous success of Like A Prayer and Blond Ambition ticket sales, and (predating that) the "Justify My Love" video. The Girlie Show mostly toured overseas, which just 5 U.S. dates.

I don't think he loved Europe more than the U.S. (it's not a contest), but he knew where more bread could be buttered, and where he had additional appreciation for his work.

I think you make a number of great points. England and also particularly Holland loved Prince's work but I think European attitudes also may have played a part. The LoveSexy Album cover, for example, really wasn't an issue for us. Firstly we saw it as Spiritual and secondly we have had naked people on works of art since, well, forever.

I just feel very lucky I live in the UK and managed to see him as often as I did. Pity poor Greece and Kostas.

It is also worth stating.of course, that he played his home country of America nearly ten times more than any other country. It stands to reason that the Continent of Europe would probably be the biggest contender after that.

[Edited 6/2/16 22:20pm]

GirlBrother said:

His last European show was over a year ago. http://www.setlist.fm/set...a3472.html In London. And he covered Paloma Faith.

I was there.....

TrivialPursuit said:

This is only conjecture, but I feel like Prince sometimes toured in Europe more, for the same reasons Tina Turner did (and possibly others).

Tina often noted how she had such a warmer reception in Europe (it's why one of her concert DVDs was filmed in Amsterdam specifically), and that she always remembered that. Europe was more accepting of her music (even more than the U.S.), when she was trying to get back to being just Tina (after her divorce from that asshole abuser who shall not be named here). She so much fell in love with Europe that she eventually became a citizen of Switzerland, and rescinded her U.S. citizenship.

While Prince wasn't changing citizenship, I wonder if he didn't have some of the same feelings about the European audiences opposed to the U.S. audiences. He spoke more recently about how they were different, and how U.S. audiences were loud, and yelled out during him talking or during a ballad, whereas the Euro audiences would actually just STFU and listen. We also have to consider that Planet Earth, and 20Ten were Euro only releases (and free, at that!).

Even Madonna had a similar mindset during the Erotica time period, because of the backlash against the Sex book, "Erotica" video, Erotic's lower sales compared to the ginormous success of Like A Prayer and Blond Ambition ticket sales, and (predating that) the "Justify My Love" video. The Girlie Show mostly toured overseas, which just 5 U.S. dates.

I don't think he loved Europe more than the U.S. (it's not a contest), but he knew where more bread could be buttered, and where he had additional appreciation for his work.

Have you seen his press conference in France, 2009. He touches upon this many times while speaking to reporters .. some of the main points were ...'

"when I did 21 Nights in London, the sound of the audience was so powerful that I needed something better or bigger ..."

He also mentioned how respectful European audiences are as far as not using phone cameras and being quiet during the softer songs .. he felt they honored his wishes as opposed to American audiences who are "obsessed with their technology"

He also mentions that Paris is a very "erotic" place, something he liked about it.

Also, in the early (1981) Amsterdam interview that was going around recently, he mentions that he loved its vibe and spirit and that there were things about Amsterdam that he wished he could take back to the states with him.

In the Paris press conference, tere's also a very interesting response that he made when asked what it's like to be a performer .... "I feel like I'm living a dream. ... I don't like sleeping anymore because my dreams are never as good as real life."

I truly believe he was very happy and quite possibly didn't want to take time out of his dream to get the help he needed.

[Edited 6/3/16 7:41am]

makeadifference said:

There is no doubt London got special attention. Not sure why, Prince obviously felt more at home. England is only the size of Florida, but ratio wise, got far more gigs, and special attention. The capital obviouly benefited from that.

imagine how South American fans feel. i've always found it weird that he never toured the region. did he not have a big audience?

NorthC said:

Europe loved Prince