... And I had a front row seat to see him at the ACC last night. Only problem was that it was directly in front of the security guard in this grainy photo. I asked him if I could take a couple of crappy camera pictures during the show... Nope. A photo of the empty stage afterwards... Nein. This was all I could manage as I made my way towards the exit.
Like my Breakfast Club brethren I grew up listening to 1999 and Purple Rain; unlike most I'm not upset by rumours that Prince is performing material from this era for the last time on his current tour. His drummer John Blackwell apparently agrees with me — for the climax of his curtain call solo he simply yelled "we hate new wave!" into one of his drum mics.
This isn't to imply, however, that the band didn't give every single number a hundred and ten percent — they did, and did it with class. Maceo Parker on tenor sax even saved an authentic tambourine for a little girl sitting two seats over from me.
As for Prince, he had a brilliant strategy for getting some unexpected energy out of his reserved Toronto audience. At one point he simply stopped everything and got all pouty, retreating to an onstage sofa and casually flipping through a magazine, pretending to ignore his adoring fans. Within thirty seconds the crowd was absolutely berserk, and the level of excitement in the room was bigger and louder than at a game-tying goal I had seen here during the NHL playoffs two years ago.
I can't think of anyone else who could pull that off...
Article comments
1 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
Andrew, thanks for a really enjoyable review. The thought of Prince just lounging about on the sofa, not in the slightest bit concerned about the adoring thousands, fills The Duke will an odd kind of warmth.
2 - Linda
I went 2 both Toronto shows and the 2nd night my boyfriend was asked on the stage by Prince. We were both excited and he really looked great. Red shirt, dark suit and Red godfather. We'll never forget Toronto.
3 - Michele
I have been a Prince forever, his concert was the best night of my life, one I will never forget....Michele
4 - Aaron, Duke De Mondo
i was gonna buy the rainbow children yesterday. it was 17 quid tho. perhaps i should've.
oh well, the rob zombie stuff i got instead is wonderful.
5 - WENDY ANGIONE OF WINDSOR, ONT
NO WAY I HAVE TO TELL IT LIKE IT WAS AND IS FOR ME I ADORED PRINCE I HAD ALL THE ALBUMNS
AND IT WAS A FRIEND OF MINES COLLECTION TO I JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT PRINCE ULTIMATE CD I RECALL HIS CONCERT IN 89 I THINK AT JOE LOUIS IN DETROIT I RUSHED THE SECURITY GUARDS ON MAIN FLOOR BECAUSE I HAD A SEAT HIGH UP MY BEST FRIEND AND I WERE NO WHERE TO BE FOUND BECAUSE WE ENDED UP IN FRONT ROW AND WE TURNED AROUND AND THE TIME WAS SITTING BEHIND US WE HAD FLOWERS ROSES AND GAVE MORRIS DAY AND JEROME A FLOWER OMG MEMMORIES I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FACINATED BY THIS ARTIST HIS ABILITIES AND TALENT TAKE MY BREATH AWAY.
6 - John A. Glasspoole
I've seen Prince twice now in Montreal. I've been a long time fan and pretty sure I always will be! I'm also a musician, and this was by far the most enjoyable and intense concert I have ever seen! So much perfection, and professionalism- outstanding showmanship from Prince and the entire ensemble. If you have never seen them perform, please, put them on your bucket list! A show like this cannot be missed, he's truly one of the best performers of our time!