On December 19th, 2011, Prince left thousands of concertgoers unsatisfied after a far too short show at the Tacoma Dome in Washington State. How do I know they were unsatisfied? Very few people left the arena, even long after the houselights came up and the stagehands began disassembling equipment. There seemed to be a collective feeling of disbelief among the large crowd, many of whom were likely well aware of the lavish praise Prince’s current Welcome 2 America tour is receiving. The folks I talked to after the show were outright pissed – and with good reason: the good seats were around two hundred bucks a pop (to say nothing of the VIP tables near the stage). Couldn’t Prince manage a two-hour show at the very least?
Not on this night, as it turned out. It’s especially unfortunate for those who were seeing Prince for the first time. It was my sixth Prince concert, but it's the first time I felt like I didn’t get my money’s worth. The show started late, but not absurdly so. The stage – in the shape of Prince’s patented symbol that once served as his name – was in the center of the arena. He’s done this before and I was happy to see this type of presentation again. It gives the audience a much better view, one that favors the entire arena rather than only those closest to the stage. There were a few false alarms with the lights going down briefly and coming right back up, amping up the anticipation prior to Prince and his band taking the stage.
Now would be a good time to say I love Prince and consider him to be, bar none, the baddest man in all of music. He’s truly in a class of his own as a live performer, breathing a rarefied air known only to the likes of the late Godfather of Soul, James Brown. His bands are always incredible – with legendary sax man Maceo Parker taking on a co-starring role on the current tour. Parker has been playing with Prince for years now, but he’s best known for the groundbreaking funk solos he played during his many years with James Brown. When Prince was onstage in Tacoma, he put on a solid show as usual. At barely an hour and a half, there just wasn’t enough of it.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Kristen
I read that he stopped abruptly because too many people were taking photo and video. I saw it too; security guards were spotting people taking photos and they grabbed the phones of the guilty parties and deleted their photos.
This was my first Prince show and feel that I paid way too much to see less than two hours. I'm actually saddenned!
2 - Heather C.
I completely agree with the entire article.
3 - The Other Chad
@ Kristen, oh really? I don't think I noticed anything going on like that, but what a shame if its true. In this day and age, phone pics/vids are inevitable and usually of such low quality that it shouldn't be regarded as a big deal. Anyway, sorry your first Prince show wasn't one of his better ones.
@ Heather C., thanks for the comment. It pains me to write a less than sterling review of a Prince show.
4 - Teresa
I was at the show last night too. I was right by the piano (not the VIP seats though). Security was in front of us the whole time and I wanted to take a picture so bad but they were busting people left and right. Also, some stupid chick breached security and got under the stage (through the VIP section). I think Prince found out and that pissed him off and that's why he ended early. The t-dome security people told us that Prince's security people were pissed that the chick got through. I think that had a lot to do with him leaving early.
5 - The Other Chad
@ Teresa - so the plot thickens... Thanks for the info.
Oh, and since my previous comment, my wife told me that she saw people getting busted for taking pics too - I guess I was oblivious to all that!
6 - Christina
This was my first Prince concert and I have been a LONG time fan. I was disappointed in how short the show was, especially since I was one that paid for the higher priceed seats. I only did because it was my first time seeing him, and it was seriously one the top things on my "bucket list" of things to do. I kept hearing from several people who have seen him that he does several encors and goes on for hours, Be sure not to leave until they tear down the stage. We did just that. Sat and waited, but nothing. In reading the previous posts, I can understand him getting upset about security, or cameras, but to punish ALL of the fans that were there? I'm still a HUGE fan, that will never change. And if I get a chance to see him again, I will.
7 - JB
I've been a Prince fan my entire life, but the concert last night was absolutely insulting. We paid $1000 for our family to enjoy a quality show during the holidays, and he didn't even play for 1.5 hours. Of the music that we heard, he sang MAYBE half the time and his band picked up the rest of the show.
At least we get to make fun of him for wearing those bad costumes for the rest of our lives. It looked like he stopped off at Hollywood Costume Mart before the show to pick a few items off the sale rack.
8 - Heather C.
I think I saw that lady who got under the stage being escorted out by 3 security men.
I'm surprised you missed people getting busted for taking pictures, even on the way into the Tacoma Dome there was a man paid to tell everyone, "No taking pictures or video". I felt pretty bad for a lady in front of me who was taking a picture of the stage way before the concert started...just for taking a picture of the stage, a man in a red shirt that said "Alcohol Enforcement" on the back, was so rude to her and continued to harass her even after she cooperated fully and deleted the picture. She then was sending text messages and he came down and "swore" she took more pictures and harassed her some more.
I'm disappointed, in 2004 Prince had a show at Key Arena that blew my mind. He had the same sage set up, which was fine for last night but somewhat added to the disappointment once everything was said and done. I may be incorrect here, but did he even play with his purple, TAFKAP symbol?
9 - Heather C.
Purple, TAFKAP symbol guitar?*
10 - Java
I guess I'm in a minority? -1st time to a Prince concert and still on a contact high. One of, if not the best, concert I've been to in over 40 years of attending many concerts. My wife, who isn't a fan, feels the same way!
11 - The Other Chad
@ Heather C. - my wife did say she saw some of security dealing with picture-takers, I just guess I wasn't paying attention. I loved the '04 Key Arena show to. I didn't see the symbol guitar at all last night.
@ Java - glad you and your wife enjoyed the show! I think this being your first Prince concert probably helped your overall enjoyment level. Don't get me wrong, the performance itself was still very good.
12 - Sherry
@Java - it was a pretty good show. This review mentions quite a few highlights. However it was pretty short compared to what he usually does and what he has been doing recently. The Toronto show was reportedly over 3 hours with six encores. It's hard not to feel short changed.
I thought the extended segment with him singing to just a pre-corded backing track was a little strange. "Real Music?"
13 - Glen Boyd
After seeing Prince's amazing 2004 Musicology show at Key Arena, I so wanted to be at the T-Dome last night. After reading this and some other reports though, I'm glad I didn't spend the money.
That said, on a good night, Prince is still one of the most electrifying performers on the planet, and his 2004 Seattle was one of the best I've ever seen from anyone, period.
I'm just glad I'm able to keep my memories of the many great Prince shows I've seen over the years, and not have that tarnished by what sounds like a rare, off night complicated by weird outside factors (like the mysterios girl under the stage).
Nice reporting though, Chad.
-Glen
14 - Ronda
I saw the Key arena show & thought it was a bit better. I love seeing Prince & will go back to see him again & again when I can. I do think it is sad if he did punish all of us for some people doing what they were asking not to do. But it also isn't like he isn't getting his money. The quality of pictures I could take w/my camera or my cell camera would not be one that would earn me $50,000..... or even the price of the ticket. I do wish artists would undertand we want a memento of the evening thru a picture that we took even if only before the show started. I was going to buy a shirt but they didn't have one in my size that said America on it.. I didn't want the Canada one (no offense).
15 - Cyn
It took longer to find my all purple outfit (boots and all) than it did at that concert. I went to the one in 04' and was late (second show) and was LONGER than the one last night. I didn't know anything about him performing at republiq... AND...your gonna take it out on fans cause of the crazy lady fan and the cameras? I did not appreciate the tease of Darling Nikki (he knew he wasn't gonna perform it so don't tease)... And thank goodness I paid $37 bucks for my seats cause they were great. I will be a fan of Prince, but I do feel like I was slapped in the face!
16 - Holly
I also totally agree with your review. It was my 3rd time seeing Prince in concert, and I was very disappointed.
17 - Chickie
Great write-up, summed it up very well. Maceo Parker was the best part of the show and there was definitely a James Brown influence going on. The Hardest Working Man in Show Business would not have approved of last night's show, however. I went online first thing this morning to look for concert reviews and read an earlier review from a blog at Seattle Weekly. Honestly couldn't figure out if the author was at the same concert....
I've been a long-time Prince fan and this was my first Prince concert. I might try to see him again another time to see if last night was an anomaly, but the boyfriend won't be convinced to go again, he wasn't much of a fan before and really isn't now.
18 - Mark
Soooooooooo disappointed. This was my third (and last) Prince concert. No way he gave me my money's worth. Not even close. This was more like a Superbowl halftime show than a full concert. I basically paid him $3 per minute. Although, if you consider his actual time on stage it was probably more like $5 per minute. That's a bit unreasonable. I lost a lot of respect for Prince last night. Real music? Real ripoff.
On a positive note, Maceo Parker is amazing. I'm so glad he was there.
19 - dnamj
I thought it was a weak performance, and a serious disappointment. When you have a crowd that size, and a band of that caliber, to throw away that opportunity by holding back and cutting the show short is unworthy.
After insulting the crowd (does the name James Brown mean anything to anyone? Yes. It does. More than the name "Prince" does in fact), playing nothing more than snippets of his 1980s hits, wanking on his synth, and strutting around pulling call-and-response tired BS for 70 minutes, he pulled out the Purple Rain and one encore song and left.
To bail after a short show in order to play a club date (which was an additional $100) is a douchebag move.
20 - Sheila
I was so excited to see Prince in concert last night. I had seen him in the past and he put on an amazing show. I expected a similar experience and I was surprisingly disappointed with the show. Myself and the people around us were confused as to wether the show was over or not, when the lights came partially on. He had the audience sing as well as have his band carry the show, singing medleys as opposed to playing the whole song. To spend that kind of money during this expensive holiday season was really disheartening. If he wasn't going to give his all and only put on half a show, he should have rescheduled. Instead he took the money people work so hard to make. It's just...unfortunate
21 - Michael Dean
The Dome show was Super short. I hate to admit it. I went to the after show in Seattle. THAT was the real funk. Started around 2:15am. That club was SWEATY! Shelby B was on fire.
22 - Patricia, Federal Way
I attended the Prince Concert held at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma Washington Monday night 12-19-2011, the last leg of the Prince's Welcome 2 Canada Tour. This was the first time since 2004 that Prince graced the Northwest (NW) with his royal presence. To boldly speak for my fellow Prince fans....we were anticipating an epic concert from THE best LIVE entertainer/performer of our time. We the previously ignored NW fans; we spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars to attend a Monday night performance. (Money that most of us will be paying on for quite some time.). When we heard Prince was coming to Tacoma; we didn't care if we had to take vacation time to leave early from work if we worked the day shift or take vacation time to miss a day of work if we worked the night shift. We didn't care if we had to fight traffic, park a distance away, in order not to pay for parking, and to walk or bus in. Some if us didn't even mind paying $25.00 to park on top of all of our other expenses for the concert. All we knew was that Prince was coming to Tacoma Washington and we the Ultimate fans of a Consummate performer would be there heck or high water. We his NW Ultimate fans just wanted to see Prince, because we knew we would get our monies worth and so, so, so, so much more!!
Unfortunately, Prince was not his usual royal powder keg of energy and funk. As a fellow Gemini who is 10 days younger than Prince, I believe his twin was performing last night. Yes, he performed his chart topping hits. Yes, he danced and held school on guitar and piano playing. But something was off. In my section we were singing every word to every song and waiting for the next royal explosion of funk. Unfortunately, we didn't get quite the burst we had anticipated. I felt we were short changed. What we got was barely a 90 minute performance that fell flat about 45 minutes into it. I don't know if it was the obvious acoustic problems, lighting problems or what. The epic concert we all anticipated turned out to be an mediocre event, that included Prince singing to a sound track at his piano. (I believe...however I think at that point in the performance he had asked the lighting technicians to turn up the house lights, and they turned them OFF, so I can't positively confirm that he was singing over a prerecorded track I can only rely on my hearing.) As I said something was off last night and before you know it.....it was over., quite abruptly. For any other performer that would probably be acceptable, but for Prince it was beyond disappointing to us, his career long fans.
When we first heard that Prince had included Tacoma Washington as the last leg of a Canadian tour; some of us did wonder if Tacoma was entered as a last minute afterthought. Frankly, after the performance we witnessed last night, I would sadly say that the answer to that question is a resounding YES!
I've read in many comments posted to various reviews of the 12-19-2011concert that patrons to the concert thought Prince was upset that so many people were taking pictures and videos, so he cut the concert short. Considering that Prince is a mega superstar and the fans just wanted to capture a picture of him to relive their experience.....well anyone else may see that as an ultimate compliment.
Other comments I've read were that Prince was upset because some over exuberant ignorant female fan breached security and got in under his stage, so he cut the concert short. (That would be scary.....considering the number of psychos in society today.) I understand the concern. But why punish the unsuspecting thousands for one ignorant fans' action.
Regardless of the issues; I feel Prince owes Tacoma fans another opportunity to see him put on a live performance on the royal level that we all know that he is more than capable of giving. After all it seems he gave his nonpaying public at the Seattle Republiq Club a royal two hour post concert/after party performance. Was that why he left so abruptly? I hope not.
And the Tacoma Dome owes at least a discount to 12-19-2011 ticketholders at least a fifty percent discount on the future concert.
My personal request to Prince, if you or one of your staff happens to read this posting: Prince, I am not a fair-weather fan, I will see you perform again in the future somewhere. However, whatever the problems were at the Tacoma Dome on 12-19-2011.....don't allow those problems to put a bitter taste in your mouth. Come back to Tacoma....don’t take another 7 years....but VERY SOON. Come back and WOW your fans the way we deserve to be WOWD.
23 - The Other Chad
@ Michael Dean - if you get a moment, I'd love to hear some more details about the aftershow - that's great you were able to go.
24 - rm
The energy and excitement before the concert started was really great. So many long time fans, such as parents with their young adult kids, all in such good spirit. And the concert was good, but never really felt like it went to someplace special, and the goofy bit at the piano with a verse from lots of songs was something from Lawrence Welk. But then to end the concert so short was just insulting. It was one of the saddest things I've ever experienced at a concert, thousands of people waiting in disbelief after the concert had ended, hoping they really weren't cheated. And then to find out the real concert was for folks in the know with an extra hundred to spend above the $200 the Dome tickets cos (and who didn't have to get up and work the next day). Prince, I have always loved what you do (and still do) but I will never pay to see you again, and always see you as someone who's in it for the money, and doesn't really care about his fans, or their money.
25 - The Other Chad
@ Patricia - wow, long comment - just wanted to add that as far as I know, the Republiq aftershow was not free. I know that doesn't invalidate your point at all, you just mentioned "non-paying public." I heard the aftershow tix were 60 bucks (maybe Michael Dean can confirm or correct that?)
Anyway, yeah I agree with everyone saying the phone pics and security issues aren't something everyone should be punished for.
But that's IF these factors were in fact why the show was lacking. After all, many of us longtime fans know the man doesn't always have his fans' best interests in mind (not releasing his latest album in the U.S., but giving it away for free in the UK, being just the recent tip of the iceberg).