Photo:
After Prince announced earlier this week that he would be playing two shows in one night at the Camden Roundhouse, it was literally only a matter of minutes before tickets for both gigs sold out. So you could say that witnessing the all-mighty funk legend strut his stuff, alongside his new band 3RDEYEGIRL, is a pretty big deal indeed. Gigwise made it down to the 9:45pm evening performance to check out all the action.
Here’s the 10 best bits from Prince’s gig at the Roundhouse…
1. Phone ban
Before the show had even started the sassy ladies from 3RDEYEGIRL walked on stage to announce that tonight there would be a phone and video ban for the entire gig.
“We want you to connect with the show through watching with your eyes and not through a camera screen,” said drummer Hannah Ford.
Some might say this was a bit of a diva move from the funk icon, but, it has to be said; the ban worked a treat. As fans interacted and partied to classic Prince songs like it was indeed 1999. Although anyone who did attempt to take a sneaky picture was quickly blinded by a security searchlight.
As we all know, Prince is all about the image and he certainly didn’t let us down with his 80s glam-rock stage ensemble. His mix of colorful flares and backcombed-to-perfection afro complemented his leopard print layering.
Playing through ‘Raspberry Beret’ early on in the set, the singer blasted through guitar solos and executed the song with his signature Prince pout. The girls from 3RDEYEGIRL also looked incredible, with leather cat suits; flesh baring belly tops and plenty of attitude.
3. All the hits
“The problem is I just have so many hits,” said the singer at one point. But for the crowd, this really isn’t a problem at all.
The hits are what we’re here for and the incredible thing about tonight is the sheer volume of songs Prince manages to get through. You realise that you’re in the presence of a true showman, who clearly still thrives off of the crowd chanting his name and singing back his songs.
At one point he takes to the DJ decks, mixing up and blending together singles such as ‘Kiss’ and ‘Cream’. The tracks are a refreshing change from the manufactured dance beats you hear today, with Prince’s tunes still sounding fresh and original when accompanied by a live band. Even from a man in his late 50’s, he really does have so much more funk to give.
4. Witty one-liners
Prince is a marvel to watch, as he spins around on stage and has the audience eating out of the palm of his hands for the shows entirety. But it’s his ability to charm the audience with his witty one-liners like “I’m so funky I can’t even sleep with myself” that cracks us up.
The humor helps us to relate and feel closer to the huge superstar and you realise just how much he values building a connection to each and every person in the building.
5. Instrumental solos – lots of them
The face melting guitar solos were out in full force tonight, which varied from up-tempo funk infusions to slicker and more fragmented ballad types. But it wasn’t just the guitar that came out to play, as every single artist onstage with an instrument was given his or her time to shine. From drum breakdowns, keyboard tinkering, bass blasts and guitar wailing – you name it they did it.
But other instruments aside, it’s an absolute pleasure to witness such an incredibly talented guitarist like Prince, playing to an ecstatic wave of fans. It’s especially during ‘When Doves Cry’ that the singer gets to launch into epic finger tapping movements and riff crunching guitar thrusts.
6. 3RDEYEGIRL
It would be rude not to give 3RDEYEGIRL their own unique mention, as the three women are clearly more than just your average backing singers/musicians. The ladies add leverage and power to the show, which you don’t get from just any old band. They have highly developed musical skills, which they’re certainly not afraid to flaunt.
The band play in such a succinct notion that it’s all so perfectly knitted together, giving a feeling that nothing could possibly go wrong. This security allows the crowd to truly let their hair down and relish in the moment.
7. The crowd
It’s a Wednesday night, it’s almost 12pm and Prince is still going on strong. Yet the crowd have no intention of faltering either, as the beers continue to flow and the voices become more shrill, tonight is a real celebration of a legendary artist and his loyal fans.
7. The ability to slow it down
Roaring through a set of up-tempo 80s hits and continuing to dance around stage almost non-stop, towards the end of the set the crowd and Prince alike are in need of some down time.
The singer converts the crowd into full song for “Nothing Compares 2 U” (The Family cover), which is tied down by dramatic stage movements and acting out scenarios of the lyrics by the star.
But broken down even more, Prince delivers an intimate performance on the piano, as he takes the crowd to a wonderfully familiar place with songs ‘Diamonds and Peals’ and ‘The Beautiful Ones.’
He can nail a fast paced guitar solo and the most intricate of piano tracks. Is there anything this man can’t do?
9. Prince dancing
As well as a cracking vocal, Prince has the ability to impress the room with some seriously funky moves. At one point, he launches into a booty shake that would put even Miley Cyrus to shame. The thing about Prince is, nothing is taken too seriously and with his sincere love for music and ability to have fun with it, this makes you like him even more.
10. One big party
Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL really put on something special, as they play through a set jam-packed with hit after hit.
The whole performance really feels like one big party and even though it’s a rainy Wednesday evening in North London, the ambiance is like you’ve been transported back to an older time, where glorious funk music was well and truly alive.
