Photo: Press
Purple Fever has gripped London. Followers of His Royal Badness stalk the internet for the latest whisperings and rumours of where their icon may make a surprise appearance next. Hundreds line the streets of Camden for hours in the pouring rain to catch a glimpse of the man of the moment. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome His Royal Badness: Prince.
Much less a secret than the previous night's 'open soundcheck', the news of tonight's intimate show spread across town furiously - with many Purple followers using the Tube strike as an excuse to bunk off work and queue outside the Ballroom. But was Prince worth the wait?
Of course he bloody was. Having not performed on British soil since his now legendary headline set at Hop Farm 2011, the chance to see an icon in such an intimate sweatbox setting was never going to be any less than essential.
However, this is not Prince as you know him. This is not the foppish, cravate-wearing, velvet cartoon that you've seen in the history books. Stepping on to the stage adorned with a monumental mic stand adorned with his symbol, clad in leather and flanked by his new backing band 3RDEYEGIRL - this is Prince reborn as a fierce rock beast.
As the sexy swagger of new single 'PRETZELBODYLOGIC' booms out over the soundsystem, you can sense a new sense of conviction in Mr Rogers Nelson - made clear in abundance by a funky rocked-up blues rendition of Purple Rain classic 'Let's Go Crazy'.
"You've got some friends waiting outside," smirks Prince to the elation of the packed Ballroom. "Shall we let them in?...Put your phones away and get your party on."
The sense of occasion is not lost on anyone. There's a strange but invigorating energy to the paradox of what's going on. Here's Prince - a stadium-filling demi-God of pop, gyrating on the edge of the humblest of stages. Damp and shivering fans dance away the cold as one huge moss of gyration while Laura Mvula, Lianne La Havas, Paloma Faith and a stairway of VIPs groove away in the corner.
Keeping everything perfectly centred is the man himself. His slight frame jerking the stage in his own inimitable style - a stage he's more than happy to share with 3RDEYEGIRL. Throughout the set, your focus is drawn away from the ecstatic faces and elastic face of Prince and towards the sheer awesome showmanship and artistry of guitarist Donna Grantis, drummer Hannah Ford and bassist Ida Nielsen.
At his press conference this week, Prince said "this is a new band, people are getting something new" - and exactly what we got. You won't see him stood high on a podium, howling to an arena full of camera phones. You'll see him here - in a sweaty rock club, shredding thigh to thigh with his sisters in rock, as equals.
That energy makes new tracks 'PlectrumElectrum' and 'FixUrLifeUp' land with as much fervour as old favourites like 'She's Always In My Hair' and an utterly unforgettable piano-led 'Something In The Water' - all intercut with relentless jamming from an artist who plays like he was born with a guitar between his legs. This man sweats music.
Not bad for £10 a ticket, eh? As if that wasn't enough, Prince opened the doors once again at 10.30pm for an even more epic 23-song set, into the early hours - pissing off anyone who caught the earlier show. Still, one can't complain when in the presence of greatness.
Prince has invaded London. Prepare to line the streets, fight the cold, and endure Purple Fever.
Prince's first set was:
Pretzelbodylogic
Let's Go Crazy
Funknroll
She's Always in My Hair
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
Guitar
Plectrum Electrum
FixUrLifeUp
Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)
Stratus (Billy Cobham cover)
Chaos and Disorder
Pretzelbodylogic (Remix)
Bambi
Prince's second set was:
Pretzelbodylogic
Let's Go Crazy
Funknroll
She's Always in My Hair
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
Guitar
Plectrum Electrum
FixUrLifeUp
Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)
Crimson & Clover
Cause and Effect
Dreamer
Play That Funky Music
The Max
Purple Rain
Pretzelbodylogic (Remix)
Stratus
When Doves Cry
Sign “☮” the Times
Hot Thing
Nasty Girl (instrumental)
Alphabet St.(instrumental)
Housequake
I Would Die 4 U
Pop Life (instrumental)
A Love Bizarre (instrumental)
Prince's Hit And Run tour is set to continue in 'iconic' venues throughout London this month.
Below: 9 reasons to be VERY excited about Prince's 2014 London shows
