Prince Manchester Phones 4 U Arena -May 17th 2014
PART One 1
First of all if you'd of said to me when I was a kid in the mid to late 80's that I would one day see 'Prince' in concert in my hometown region I'd of said you were mad ,1 he'd never come here, 2, I'd never get in as he's such a major star.
Cast your minds back to February,news breaks that 'Prince Nelson Rogers' is here in the U.K. why ?? he has been here for at least a month according to reports on the grapevine,he played secret gigs in Londons Camden Electric Ballroom into after midnight with just slight clues sending fans on a wild 'Prince-chase' where is he playing what time is it a wind up is it really £10 on the door ? Twitter and Facebook was in meltdown with fans desperate for info.
About a week later after presenting an award on Brit Awards he announces to fans online that he is coming to Manchester and he's playing ....wait for it ...Manchester Academy 1,I couldn't believe it and I had no spare cash as tickets were going for £70 ,the rumour was true he played 2 gigs there for fans who wanted to queue though there was a mix up how long he would play for so they got in to the next show one 'Prince' is never far from is Controversy, then he went home for a bit and announced yes he's coming back soon wahay .
I recall his best songs in the 80's and 90's and how much of a controversial person he was for me he was the male 'Madonna' the two were closely linked and they were no strangers to one another as they worked on a track for her 'Like A Prayer' album in 1989 called 'Love Song'.
So Fast forward a few months an Arena tour is announced and yes he's coming to 'Manchester' again and this time I'm ready for him 'Jubilation',I have been excited for weeks and the time is near ...The Day is here.
After hearing about how devoted his fans are I wanted to get there early and take no chances,and it is the Manchester Arena where queuing chaos often drives people mad I'm familiar with the stress this venue can cause for serial queuers and No'd editioned fans ...it's not pretty.
I Arrived 6am to find 1 fan waiting as apparently last night the queueing sytem was a total shock to them (IE There is none)and they were not amused apparently why am I not surprised it's one the hardest venues to crack for getting best viewing areas and where to queue for wristbanding,I could write a manual but no time.
Tonight I'm an extremely lucky girl, I'm with a great bunch of people in the 'PrinceArmy' and I have a place slap bang in front of the mic stand with the huge imfamous Prince Symbol which is silhouetted under the lilac lit curtains.
I'm a little giddy but more expectant, watching the fluttering curtains and listening to the crowd chattering in excitement,I'm told I wont believe how amazing he is and to get ready, as some of these people have seen him up to 14 times this year and are hooked 'Prince' addicts.
The lights go down and up at three times and nothing happens, finally they do go out the curtain drops and his girl band '3rd Eye Girl' appear in view in black rock Chic leather gear and sparkly wedges, The 'Prince' appears arriving in a White and gold tunic Trouser suit and and an afro that 'Sly Stone' would wish he had if he he were still alive.
'Prince' is certainly tiny as he stands only around 5ft 1 inch but star charisma hits you like a truck at a hundred miles a hour, he begins with a slowed but funky version of 'Let's Go Crazy' the crowd were already en-tranced as he pirouetted and grooved, as he is still an exceptional funky dancer as he moves across the stage , he doesn't look a day over 30 with his elfin looks and cheeky smile.
He keeps us all guessing what song is coming next because he generally dosent decide on a setlist until the night he's very secretive of his act and it adds to his appeal he keeps up the momentum with 'Raspberry Beret' and he parades around making the fans go crazy it's fascinating to watch the band they sound tonight so disco funky it is like being in a discoteque.
The other thing you cant fail to notice is his guitar skills he's a genius playing guitar it screams and speaks the emotions of his anthems clearly and precisely that its like watching 'Jimi Hendrix' in 1967,my energy is through the roof and he's managing to make me feel like a giddy fizzy orange I've no idea how it's happening,he gets us all clapping and singing the ad libs to kick the songs off ,atomosphere is pure electric.
Another female singer walks on stage with a silver sparkly jacket and a cane and she sings 'U Got The Look' (originally by Prince and Shelia E.) and then an amazing version of 'Kiss' his vocal range is well and truly explored on this classic the 'Tom Jones' version relatively forgotten once you hear the original.
I'm drawn to a new song which does what its says on the label its called 'Funk N Roll' the bass is hip shaking string slappingley marvellous as he bumps and grinds he knows he owns the stage.
I've lost count of the classics he played tonight 'When Doves Cry' was particularly a memorable moment where he looks at the crowd and points and if all that didn't excite there was 'Sign O' The Times' did I love that song !! I was singing all the words back to him on the stage showing my appreciation.
Part TWO II
Prince has such a huge back catalogue dating back to 1978,with his latest project he gives us a glimpse of what to expect in 2014 and although I wasn't familiar with them still I enjoyed it,there is a piano/keyboards section to the right of he stage where 'Prince' dons a brimmed hat and turns DJ doing different mixes of the tracks including a superb version of 'I Would Die 4 U', and using his vocal techniques he can go low he can go high is there nothing this man can't do tonight.
He speak's to us all the time telling us to clap but now he speaks to introduce and to get us all singing an intro beat to kick the song off and of course it is 'Purple Rain' and we all wave arms about, the intro goes on forever until he finally sings "Never meant to cause you any trouble,Never meant to cause you any pain ...",he leaves the stage to a lot of chanting for him to come back on .
1st encore of the night, the band arrive back on stage ,'Prince' has changed his outfit to a long sleeved spiritual t-shirt with an Eye on it,he begins the set again with 'Controversy' followed by '1999' and 'ittle Red Corvette' I'm all danced out with the clapping the arm waving sheesh he can go on all night !!
Then he engages further with us asking us to sing a song about 'Maaanchesster' for which I'm stunned we all sing 'I Live In Maaannchesster" it's a funky tribute I'm so impressed,'Prince' speak's again "I told you I'd come back to you Maaancchester' but will you come and see me in Minneapolis U.S.A.? Everyone screams.
He plays another encore and 2 more covers where he declares "Tonight this is my house and you are in my house now" with that he launches into 'Play That Funky Music' and toward the middle a bunch of men and women are dancing on the stage presumably picked from the audience pre gig the ultimate fans dream.
He closes with 'Live it Up by 'Isley Brothers' which has even more energy,I've danced for 2 and half hours I'm shattered,what a party what a superstar,he remerge's again with a handful of coloured balloon and he lets them go in the air and pounds his chest to say he felt he love and then he was ...Gone ............
Party Over Oops Outta time...
Due to the artist's restrictions and bodyguards with torches I did not get any photos of 'The Purple One' had I of been able to I'd of had the best pics close up, I'm gutted I can only dream of when he says Photos allowed folks one day.
Til not long now
LMi xx
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