Love Live Music

Prince comes to Leeds - The Hit and Run Tour Part II - May 2014

Guest Blog by @MoodyBill

Before the show, 3rdEyeGirl came onto one of the stage aprons and asked the audience not to film the show or photograph anything. This could have sounded Pharisaical but actually came across as winsome. Share in the energy was the creed; don’t dilute it by hiding behind a phone. Be here in the present. Prince may have been anxious about his intellectual property in the past with Warner Bros. and he may still be be anxious about the control he has over his charismata, but hell, what a sweet way to be asked.

This wasn’t one of the tiny shows like the ones he played in London earlier in 2014. Leeds' First Direct Arena is a wriggly tin shed, like an Asda distribution centre on the M62 crossed with a disco ball. It holds 13,000 plus and I was a teensy bit concerned about the acoustic. I shouldn’t have bothered. Even on Level 1, I could feel my trousers shaking when the opening blast of Let’s Go Crazy dropped.

He played all the classics. I wanted anything new. I’ve always thought When Doves Cry was a bit cheesy. It’s my new favourite Prince song. 

How do you review Prince? You don’t, I guess.

His energy and showmanship are flawless. If I went to church and reviewed the pastor that would be like heresy. Who the fuck am I to comment on someone blessed? Little moments of the man shone through, like rapping instructions to the sound technician mid vocal; saying ‘Oh something’s missing’ and getting his fedora from the keyboard; chucking his guitar for the roadie… and missing. 

3rdEyeGirl were perfect too. Smiles, happiness and love in abundance.

  Prince is 55 ffs. He makes a purple churidar look fantastic. I’m glad I was present.

 Full set List from Leeds - read it and weep ....

Let's Go Crazy includes Frankenstein 
Take Me With U 
Raspberry Beret
U Got The Look includes Eye Can't Stand Myself
Musicology includes Mama Feelgood 
Kiss
The Love We Make
Controversy 
1999
Little Red Corvette

Sampler Set

When Doves Cry
Sign O' The Times
Hot Thing
Eye Would Die 4 U
Pop Life
Alphabet St.
A Love Bizarre
17 Days
Love

Nothing Compares 2 U
Funknroll
Plectrumelectrum (short)
Dreamer
Purple Rain

(Piano)

Diamonds And Pearls
The Beautiful Ones
How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore

Cool
She's Always In My Hair
Play That Funky Music
Endorphinmachine
Guitar
Sometimes It Snows In April

Video - Let's go Crazy - from Manchester - copywright +3rdEyeGirl @3rdeyegirl

Blog by Bill Moody - Third Culture Kid; still learning but practising drums, writing and photography the hardest; @moodybill on twitter