Tuesday, March 30, 2004
a funky full circle
I saw Prince for the first time about 15 years ago.
The Lovesexy tour was performed in the round. Parked next to the stage was a huge, white Lincoln Continental.
Before the lights even went down, massive amounts of smoke started pouring out from under the stage, practically filling the entire floor section.
Finally the Lincoln next to the stage "started up," actually mounted on a hydraulic arm which raised the car above the fog. Inside the car were Prince and his entire band.
With the only light inside the sports arena coming from the Lincoln's interior and headlights, the car began to circle the stage. With the smoke and the darkness, it literally looked like the car was flying.
When it finally stopped, all you could hear over the screaming was a loud 'key in the ignition' buzz as the band stepped out of the car and onto the stage.
Naturally, I nearly wet my pants.
Last night, 15 years later, I saw Prince again. Again in the round, again with one of my oldest and closest friends who was with me that epic (albeit very blurry) first time.
Since it was only the second show of the tour, I don't want to give away too much. I know lots of my pals are planning to see it soon. For those that aren't: make plans to do so. Seriously. This is your chance to see/hear Prince in top form, performing all of his hits "for the last time" (he says now), and in the round for an incredible, all-encompassing concert experience. His band is so tight, his moves are amazing, and his music more than stands the test of time. An encore acoustic set was particularly worth the price of admission.
This time, his entrance was topped only by his exit. And the 2-hour funky jam session that led up to it was pretty spectacular too. Literally the entire Staples Center was on its feet for most of the show.
I should admit that last night's show also had an extra-sappy dose of meaning to me. I can't help but read a bit into these Prince-in-the-round concerts as coming full circle… since after 15 years of living in Los Angeles between the two, I'm saying goodbye.
Not a bad set of bookends. But unlike Prince, I plan to revisit my past frequently.
The Lovesexy tour was performed in the round. Parked next to the stage was a huge, white Lincoln Continental.
Before the lights even went down, massive amounts of smoke started pouring out from under the stage, practically filling the entire floor section.
Finally the Lincoln next to the stage "started up," actually mounted on a hydraulic arm which raised the car above the fog. Inside the car were Prince and his entire band.
With the only light inside the sports arena coming from the Lincoln's interior and headlights, the car began to circle the stage. With the smoke and the darkness, it literally looked like the car was flying.
When it finally stopped, all you could hear over the screaming was a loud 'key in the ignition' buzz as the band stepped out of the car and onto the stage.
Naturally, I nearly wet my pants.
Last night, 15 years later, I saw Prince again. Again in the round, again with one of my oldest and closest friends who was with me that epic (albeit very blurry) first time.
Since it was only the second show of the tour, I don't want to give away too much. I know lots of my pals are planning to see it soon. For those that aren't: make plans to do so. Seriously. This is your chance to see/hear Prince in top form, performing all of his hits "for the last time" (he says now), and in the round for an incredible, all-encompassing concert experience. His band is so tight, his moves are amazing, and his music more than stands the test of time. An encore acoustic set was particularly worth the price of admission.
This time, his entrance was topped only by his exit. And the 2-hour funky jam session that led up to it was pretty spectacular too. Literally the entire Staples Center was on its feet for most of the show.
I should admit that last night's show also had an extra-sappy dose of meaning to me. I can't help but read a bit into these Prince-in-the-round concerts as coming full circle… since after 15 years of living in Los Angeles between the two, I'm saying goodbye.
Not a bad set of bookends. But unlike Prince, I plan to revisit my past frequently.
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