As
some of you know, I managed to score tickets to the fourth and final
show of Prince & 3rdEyeGirl's US 2015 Hit 'N' Run debut in
Louisville. The Louisville Palace was the sight and I must say that it
was an amazing venue. Having seen Prince several times, including
aftershows, this had that personable, aftershow feel and it turned out
to be everything I thought it would be. Now the show was on March 15th
but I have intentionally waited to write my review. I didn't want to
write it immediately after the show when I was still on that "purple
high" so now seemed like a good time.
I
took the two hour drive up I-65 to Louisville while jamming out to
purple music. I had made a few playlists to listen to on the way. One
was just a bunch of classic Prince tunes that I enjoy while the other
was sort of my version of what Plectrum Electrum and Art Official Age
would be as a single project (with a few other cuts not on the albums
thrown in). I had heard about line troubles getting in the night before
so I tried to get there early. I managed to make it to the Louisville
Palace shortly after the beginning of the first show. I guessed parking
was going to be a problem but was able to easily find a spot in a
parking garage directly across the street from the Palace. After
walking across the street, I talked to one of the security guards and he
told me where the line would be. It turns out I was third in line.
There was a married couple in front of me and during conversation, it
turns out that the wife and I went to high school together. She was two
years ahead of me and I hadn't seen her since '85 but here we were.
Small world, huh? Me and my fellow purple family members patiently stood
in line and swapped stories about shows we had seen until finally it
was time for us to enter. Since the first show wasn't over yet, after
you entered, you were ushered into the bar area which was sequestered
from the main lobby. After two more encores, the first show finally
ended and we waited for security to push the crowd out. Finally we were
allowed to enter the lobby and I immediately made my way to the
merchandise table. They had vinyl for both albums and the usual shirts.
The one shirt I actually wanted was already sold out so I settled on
the black tour shirt with the picture below on it. Then I was off to
find my seat.
Seat
located and now to wait. I didn't have to wait too long though. Out
of the darkness and from behind the purple rain influenced curtain, we
heard Hannah's voice. She welcomed us all to Louisville and thanked us
for coming to the show. Then she gave us the phone warning, telling us
not to use our phones for any pictures or videos. She said, "Trust me,
technology can not capture what you are about to witness on this stage
tonight!" Then she was gone.
You
could feel the tension building in the crowd and then we heard it,
"Dearly beloved....." and the crowd lost their minds. From those
opening lines all the way through the Frankenstein addition and back to
the ending solo, Prince let us all know that it was gonna be one hell of
ride. Next was Take Me With U followed by U Got The Look. Prince was
all over the stage and was really interacting with the crowd. After
rocking out, it was time to cool down a little as we were lead into
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough. That of course could only lead into
Cool. Louisville are you hot? NO! Do you know why? Cuz you COOL!!!! He
brought a few folks up to dance on stage as he danced around the stage
cuing the crowd and band. But when he yelled somebody dance with me and
busted his dance moves, the crowd went nuts. Then, after leaving the
stage, Prince reappeared on the piano for a crowd singalong of Diamonds
and Pearls before launching in to the full version of The Beautiful
Ones. This was followed by When Doves Cry (which I thought would be a
snippet leading to the sampler set) and I was shocked it was the full
version. Prince asked, "How many of you remember the 80s?" which caused
a huge response but not nearly as loud as when he asked, "How many of
you were born in the 80s?" All of this lead to Controversy followed by
1999. I was actually shocked about how many people were just standing
around by this time. When P asked, "Louisville, what do you wanna do?"
As most of us die-hard fans were yelling, "PARTY!!!!!" there were plenty
of people just standing there. Next was the slowed down Little Red
Corvette with the call and response of slow down. Prince then delivered
a heart felt and emotional Nothing Compares 2 U before saying "Thank
you, Kentucky!! Goodnight!!"
After
a couple of minutes, the crowd responded to the shadows on the stage
and we heard Prince ask, "What should we play? How about Scandalous?
Insatiable? I know, I know, how about Adore?" Each question got a
louder response but then he said, "I wrote all these songs and you know
what? I play what I want, how I want and when I want! Hit me Hannah!" as
Hannah cued the guitar loop for Kiss. He played it much like most
recent performances (U don't have to watch Real Housewives) to include
the dancing breakdown after the normal end of the song. And then he was
gone again.
When
he appeared again, he had his guitar with him and he said how much he
loved that guitar before rocking out on Guitar. That was quickly
followed up by Plectrum Electrum and then Pretzelbodylogic. Both songs
allowed the band to rock out with Prince featuring Donna and Ida on
solos throughout. Finally it was Hannah's turn with Stratus and a
breathtaking drum solo as she was left alone on stage. I don't know how
long it was but it seemed easily five minutes. I tweeted out that she
rocked the solo so hard that she broke three of MY ribs. Then she was
gone too. The band appeared one last time and the show ended with Purple
Rain. Like Nothing Compares 2 U, this seemed very heart felt and his
solos were screaming. I've seen him perform this song live ten other
times but this seemed the most emotional since I saw him on the Purple
Rain Tour.
And
then it was over. The lights were up. The stage was being broken down
and we sat. Dumbfounded. Exhausted. Emotionally spent. Overdosed on
purple music. As most of you know, I had lost my faith in Prince after
my experience on the opening night of Welcome 2 Chicago. Well, now that
faith has been renewed. Rekindled. Once again, I had witnessed the
greatest performer of our time and I had just experienced one of those
"I was there" moments. Now, like all purple junkies, all I can do is
wait for my next purple fix. Hopefully it comes soon.
Note:
Only the pics of the Palace are my photos. The others were taken from
Twitter and all credit should go to the original photographers.
Unfortunately, I don't remember who to credit. Sorry.
This post originally appeared on my other blog, Are Friends Electric?
