1. 

   Kai
   July 28th, 2011 - 21:01

   Worst concert ever. He can skip Germany next time. The audience was really disappointed, was shouting out loud and throwing empty cups on stage.
   I’ll try to get a refund.
2. 

   AngelSoDivine
   July 28th, 2011 - 21:02

   LOL!! Love the diagnosis, Doc. =D
3. 

   drfunkencherry
   July 28th, 2011 - 21:08

   What a bummer for the fans and Prince and the band; I know they always want to give the best performance they can. From what I’ve read, it sounds like it affected the band more than the audience. But I know Prince and the NPG will come back kicking even more a** next time!
4. 

   Rinna
   July 28th, 2011 - 21:29

   Exactly the same thing happened in Helsinki week ago.Hopefully John the soundman will keep his job!The concert here was over 40 minutes late and in the beginning sounded strange,hope the crew can fix the problem.Still,The concert was superb anyway because Prince and the NPG are professionals!Thank you!
5. 

   fixitband
   July 28th, 2011 - 22:23

   These seem to be the reoccuring problems with this European tour. Three main points Prince and the NPG should consider fixing.
   1- Bad Sound, really bad sound
   2- Too many covers!
   3- His backing singers take up most of the show! We wanna hear Prince sing and play, not his latest young toy he wants to impress. (Who can’t play the guitar BTW so why does she have one in her hands?)

   This band is by far the weakest collectively Prince has had to date. John Blackwell, Ida and Cassie are great but this line up is not impressive. Andy Allo is an amatuer and the weakest link. It takes away from the whole IMO
6. 

   Royal Rican Prince
   July 28th, 2011 - 22:30

   I see a purple heel going in to someone ass in thier future!
7. 

   violet aura
   July 28th, 2011 - 22:42

   A sound check may go smooth but once you start adding bodies to the mix things can get a little fuzzy.Perhaps he has a man doing the sound and the place he really needs some ladies is working that board!Besides it is a proven fact we are better at it! Who knows what they are dealing with phase cancellation, the reverberant sound,feedback etc But I am sure that Prince will see to it that it is dealt with.And I agree with a few of the points that fixitband made.Mr John Blackwell and Mr Hayes are 2 he should most definately hang onto.Thanks for sharing the details Doc
8. 

   saidelarkin
   July 28th, 2011 - 22:52

   @fixit band I agree! 100 percent. Fans go to a Prince concert to hear Prince singing, playing the guitar and piano. He is the one we all pay to see. He is a legendary performer known for having the best show and best band, this is not amateur hour with a bit of Prince thrown in.
9. 

   JessicaLove69
   July 28th, 2011 - 22:57

   Yeah it sucks when the playback track goes of and the band has to follow! Lol. Come on Prince, go back to a full live band. I was there, you guys didn’t fool a fellow musician!
10. 

    Bruce Willis
    July 28th, 2011 - 22:59

    This was the worst Prince concert I´ve ever been to, and maybe not just the worst Prince concert but THE WORST concert by any major artist that I´ve ever seen.
    The sound engineer was, as far as I know, the same guy who handled the sound in Rotterdam.
    ( A guy named John).
    If I were John, I´d quit my job and let Prince know that it´s not cool and not very professional to put the blame on ONE guy and tell thousands of people that John messed up and that he wishes everybody would just do their job just like Shelby does. That is just wrong and unfair, unprofessional and makes you wonder who is really in charge of this show. The sound was not the only problem last night, the whole show left a lot to be desired.
    Andy should either play the guitar or not play it at all and maybe just sing ……but not just stand there on stage HOLDING a guitar. That Purple Rain intro was a joke. The whole show was a bad joke. The singalongs, the “Clap your hands!” chants, the “No curfew!” and “Party til you fall asleep” comments when you don´t even play more than 90 minutes and KNOW there´s a curfew, Shelby J dominating the whole show and singing a cover version, all those people on stage, the lack of passion, the lack of dedication while singing, letting other people sing most of his lyrics for him, or blaming this, that and the other for a bunch of things that already happened before and should have been dealt with before.
    I know Prince can still deliver a great show, and maybe he´ll make up for this in Ireland, but the majority of those who were there last night and saw Prince´s ONLY Germany show during this tourand will probably never go to a Prince show again.

    I was just standing there in shock and disbelief. I have never seen people booing at a Prince show or throwing garbage and beer cups on stage . This whole thing was a disaster, a disgrace and no matter how many people liked it or no matter who Prince blames for this mess, in the end it is HIS show and he should know better by now.
    There´s absolutely no use in sugarcoating this. As long as his fans and his band members tolerate this, this will definitely happen again and again.

    The best thing about that whole fiasco was the pizza and salad I had at Vapiano before the show, and of course spending some time with my friends and finding out that Prince is only human. It was an interesting experience. Not really positive, but interesting.

    There are much more important things in life than having a bad night at a bad Prince show, shit happens, and I know he can get his act together just like he´s done before but this was really a bad joke.
    I used to think that Prince on his worst day is still just as exciting or maybe even more exciting than any other artist in his prime but last night´s show proved me wrong.

    I don´t need to see, let alone hear, two or three background singers, or dancers, or Prince dancing or doing the splits, I don´t need to hear certain lyrics to certain songs that he doesn´t want to sing anymore…..just go on stage and let your music and your lyrics and your singing create the magic, sit on a stool if you can´t run around all the time, sit at your piano and play for hours, I don´t care , as long as you don´t fool yourself and those who care about your music.
11. 

    freethemusic
    July 28th, 2011 - 23:31

    All I need is Prince and deep emotion from his soul, the pain, the joy, the love, the heartache, the laughter, the magic of him and his music that connects him with the audience. All the other stuff around him is insignificant.
12. 

    angelarnold
    July 28th, 2011 - 23:38

    Prince has ALWAYS been a performer. Im sad that he is having problems with his equip,ent…I am sure that it has happened before…all the concerts he has given. No need to riot and throw things on the stage…a sign of real maturity…pppfftt.
    When you go to a concert…do you go to see PRINCE or do you go to hear the fluff of the band (no offese…I did like them) …you go to see and hear PRINCE. Prince could sing accepella and it would still be good!! “FREETHEMUSIC” said it BEST!!!! Stop your complaining…chalk it up to a bad experience and move on.
13. 

    BillySez
    July 28th, 2011 - 23:47

    BILLY: It won’t be The Time — they’re playing backup to Vanity. So it’s either you or the Modern Aires.
    What would You do in my position?
    (Prince has a sinking feeling in his gut)
    ‘Nough said. Get smart. Straighten up your shit
14. 

    marijke jongbloed
    July 29th, 2011 - 02:01

    All I can say is the first concert in The Hague july 8th the sound was distorted too. All levels, instruments and voices far too loud. I was wearing earplugs and mailed Shelby J too report this. The next concert on saturday night things were fixed and Prince apologized for this matter…
    My other concert in a smaller venue, The Melkweg in Amsterdam was superb! I had a ball! So who is in the end responsible for the sound?
15. 

    ranon
    July 29th, 2011 - 02:28

    So Germany is being left with leftovers lately in Princeland?
    This isn’t good PR. Not the slightest. Buy new gear Prince.
16. 

    TKanne
    July 29th, 2011 - 03:06

    A lot said here, nothing to add. I was traveling 8 hours to see him after approx. 20 years again, just to have again a supershort concert like in Hanover.
    Basically I agree with Bruce Willis here – really sad experience.
17. 

    Dominique
    July 29th, 2011 - 04:00

    the concert in Belgium Ghent was SUPERRRRRRRRRR, the best !
    unbelievable performance ! Come all to Belgium next time !
    great vibes, cool people , great atmosphere !
18. 

    marijke jongbloed
    July 29th, 2011 - 04:11

    I feel for Prince! He’s always impaccable with his show, performance, costumes, lighting, image, setlist, sound everything under the sun. It shows how vulnerable you are as an artist. Stuff been trown at you, while you’re playing your socks off!! It might have re opened an old wound, when he was doing the opening act of The Rolling Stones in the early eighties in California. He got beer bottles and rotten food in his face and flew back to Minneapolis. Even the second time stuff was trown at him, but Jagger told him to stay. All I can say: send Prince good vibes to keep up the good work. He’s a genius and even when the sound is off – skip it- and go to the next take, eh performance!
19. 

    justmemuchlove
    July 29th, 2011 - 04:24

    The headline gave me a scare.. I thought something terrible happend!!
    @Bruce Willis.. yadda yada yadda….
20. 

    Studio53
    July 29th, 2011 - 04:27

    and I thought Rotterdam Ahoy was a short gig… sorry for the German fans..
21. 

    Terri Walsh
    July 29th, 2011 - 06:22

    well, everyone can have a bad week, but Prince really doesn’t need much else on that stage but him and his piano or guitar. everyone would be happy with that, he doesnt need all those other people, especially if it means complication.
22. 

    Johan
    July 29th, 2011 - 06:43

    I was there and it was at times very enjoyable. However, the sound was a disaster AND the way the audience was handled even worse. I am seeking a refund, and there are rumors of a 50% reimbursement.

    14 songs?! That’s a lot of money per song if you pay 100€ … And to leave the audience hanging for 10 minutes before turning on the house lights was just mocking. No wonder there was a massive booing and people throwing things.

    I don’t blame Prince, but he should have better people around him.
23. 

    anjelle
    July 29th, 2011 - 08:07

    omg! it’s not prince and the npg fault …damn! get over it ppl were all humans we make mistakes !
24. 

    suzeesix
    July 29th, 2011 - 09:39

    He is human, isn’t he? This will just serve as a lesson 2 him. I love Prince! I’m a diehard fan of His Royal Badness. I also love Shelby and John Blackwell. Andy Allo…..not so much. Fluff.
25. 

    Justin
    July 29th, 2011 - 09:49

    People complain because they have nothing better to do.

    It’s ONE bad concert, get over yourselves. Everybody has sound issues sometime.
26. 

    swanny
    July 29th, 2011 - 10:22

    Of course its Prince’s fault, its his fucking show. And as for “one bad concert”, errr hello Rotterdam ?

    the simple fact is that Prince is now only interested in money. This is a man who put on such well produced shows in the 80s that other acts went along to witness the advanced production techniques employed by Prince.

    Now he just does it on the cheap with an empty stage and amateur people in roles that need experience and skill.

    What a fucking waste.
27. 

    DNZ
    July 29th, 2011 - 10:30

    No, its not one bad concert. The whole europe tour is bad. The sound is shit!! Purple Rain for example sounded like an old GameBoy. Rotterdam the same shit and Louxembourg too. It´s Prince fault too, he gave “John” this job and John should quit his job because I think he is deaf. I love Prince and the NPG and we all know that he is the best in his work, but yesterday made me very sad. He even didn´t say good bye, he left the stage and we all were shocked! And people who fawn, please be neutral becaue the Europe tour this year is bad (sound technically). And Andy Allo we all know that you can´t play guitar so what are you doing with the guitar in your hand thats stupid! So let us hope that Prince will invest next time more to the sound and fire this fucking guy called “John” idiot.
28. 

    TKanne
    July 29th, 2011 - 11:34

    I don’t blame Prince, I agree this can happen. But all of them who are questioning the others frustrations I have to ask:
    If Amazon would deliver scrap to you, what would you say? Remember 100 € or more. And I understand that my comparison is not so correct and not absolutely fair as we have a lot of personal constitution in the game here.
    And I cannot go easily to another concert. Additional 100 € and further 2 days holiday is a bit to mouch I admit. Although I am really a long time fan (around 20 years).

    Cheers to all!
29. 

    Henrik skov hansen
    July 29th, 2011 - 12:32

    Feel sorry for the audience and the band.. Nobody wants This situation. Maybe the venue is very difficult – WHO knows… Sad thing..here in Copenhagen, Denmark there are a big stadium: parken. Its almost impossible to get good Sound there. When prince PlayS the expectations seems very high ( and for a good reason ) its Not fair if people think that Prince and the band dont care about the Sound. Of course the do – they are musicians

    Looking forward to see npg and others in copenhagen next week.
30. 

    MoonPool
    July 29th, 2011 - 12:55

    Loud and distorted… is this a sign of the times?
    Shhhh … a bit
31. 

    InvisibleWolfMan
    July 29th, 2011 - 13:34

    I have to say that there really wasn’t a problem in Helsinki. Prince complained maybe 3 times about the sound, and it was only because of some random feedback when his guitar was too close to the microphone. He joked about the moments in the end and kept it light.
32. 

    henk
    July 29th, 2011 - 15:29

    I agree with Bruce Willis 100%. I was at the Rotterdam show the 26th of july. The sound was really horrible and P. seemed tired and uninspired. I also thought I would never ever witness a bad P. show. And I didn’t for 50+ shows. But now I did……
    I don’t know who is keeping you posted Dr. F., but something is very wrong with this tour and I do not share your confidence that it will be put right. It should have been put right after the first night of North Sea jazz and it obviously wasn’t. So why would it improve?
    I went to Erykah Badu the night after P. Perfect sound from start to finish. It can be done, you know!
33. 

    Inge
    July 29th, 2011 - 16:36

    I saw his show in Gent and the latest NSJ. Gent was really good and NSJ had a great setlist but a terrible sound (after 2 previous evenings in the same hall!).

    The sound man, a guy named Jonathan, should be fired, really. He must be deaf or something.

    Prince in a good mood is still okay, but it seems to me that he’s indeed too busy impressing Andy (whose additional value to the show is 1% – the Something in the water does not compute duet in Gent).

    I wouldn’t say this is a bad band, I LOVE Shelby J, Ida, Renato, John. But he needs to get his act together. People in Europe pay a lot of money to see a show (100 euros = +- 140 dollars), while people could watch him in the US for 25 dollars… we do have high expectations in exchange!!
34. 

    Marcel
    July 29th, 2011 - 18:20

    If I come twice late at work, I have a problem with my boss.
    If P started in time he would have enough time to do a decent show.
    Probably because he already has his $$$ he don’t care.
35. 

    violet aura
    July 29th, 2011 - 19:24

    Every artist experiences sound issues throughout their careers.Part of the territory.But as a sound technician myself I can tell you that if the band leaves the stage…
    U IN TROUBLE! lmao Prince is a perfectionist and I can tell you from a past aftershow years ago in Nashville…that let’s just say he walked back to the board and took matters into his own hands!There are many different variables to take into consideration when doing sound.And I have to wonder if perhaps he is not using his usual crew? Whatever the issue I have no doubt that he will do his best to see that it is handled!And as a singer also if Shelby,Prince do not have good sound back to them in their monitors how do you expect them to know how they sound?They can’t hear themselves!So people ish happens….take a chill pill and remember to act your age not your shoe size and show a little respect for someone you paid 2 see!Everyone has their off/bad days!
36. 

    Petra
    July 29th, 2011 - 19:55

    Well Prince has always preformed surrounded by gifted women. Sheila E, Sheena Easton, Wendy & Lisa, Cat, Ingrid Chavez….a lot of them taking place on his shows even in past tours!
37. 

    Petra
    July 29th, 2011 - 19:57

    I saw all the three shows at North Sea Jazz Festival and the sound was bad all three nights, but on the third night Prince was very upset about it and they did like a soundcheck for about five minutes. Actually I thought he was going to flip and end the show!
38. 

    Petra
    July 29th, 2011 - 19:59

    Johan: They waited 45 (!) minutes before they turned on the lights at the third night at North Sea Jazz…..it was a bit of an anticlimax to stand and wait for so long….and very disappointing.
39. 

    Rainman
    July 31st, 2011 - 12:21

    There goes Germany. Prince put his last German fans off. In 5 + 60 minutes…
40. 

    fonkyandy
    July 31st, 2011 - 16:20

    Btw: the media coverage in Germany is the worst PR Prince could get in years. The press has fired some really disgraceful comments in the direction of a superhuman performer formerly known as genius.

    Prince has made history with this show and his emberassing conduct in cologne: now, everybody will warn you before you intend to buy a ticket for German Prince show. Remember cologne, everybody will go, that was the first wholly messed up show by the artist formerly known as most brilliant performer in the world…
41. 

    Ollie
    July 31st, 2011 - 18:37

    I live in Cologne, but I was not at the show. I read a couple of reviews in the papers, though.
    As far as I understand Prince was 45 minutes late, played one song, then left the stage for another 45 minutes!
    He then returned for 80 minutes and left the stage without an encore. The gig is said to be well beneath his standards from a performance point of view.

    You have to keep in mind that his last tour was a pr desaster as well. The Berlin show had very high ticket prices which resulted in poor audience attendance. It was in all newspapers and on TV. Now he’s returned to Germany for one show and basically >|$%] it up completely.

    I would say he’s on the verge of abusing the German media and fans to a point where he might just as well stay out of the country.
42. 

    Trudy June
    August 1st, 2011 - 14:11

    I was’nt there, so I can not comment on the German thing, but I can comment on sound and wanting to see Prince and not the band on their own, from another time that I saw the show. So the soud was bad, Prince you are forgiven, It doesn.t matter if I go to see the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lenny Kravitz, Amy Winehouse, the Beatles …. or who ever I like to see, if I paid my ticket to see YOU, so I paid and I’m going to see who ever I Like !( People I dont wanna see, I’m not going), So I wanna see you people and nobody else, so Mr. Nelson spare us your likings, we already know what we like, that is why people come to see YOU ! Not to see what you like ……….
43. 

    justmemuchlove
    August 1st, 2011 - 14:34

    The shoes. You gotta LOVE the shoes.Nice picture.
    Much Love
44. 

    Chocolatsis65
    August 1st, 2011 - 17:38

    I just saw a little snippet of Andy n P singing Whenweredancin, I love seeing him share the spot light, doing background or just playing in the far back. He’s still there! and I mean it’s all HIM! For the most part his music or his favorite songs, which is so cool that u get to know what he likes and then he puts his thang on em and wow they r better than the original, 2 me anyway. I mean I just don’t get it (all the complaints) I guess ppl just want what they want. I guess I want what he wants n I know what that makes me….yadyada Don’t care just wish I was there:(
    Oh and I think I sing it better, but she’s still cool, jealousy is for fools.
45. 

    steve-O
    August 4th, 2011 - 05:24

    I was there and the sound WAS terrible. Still, I would have preferred a full concert even with a bad sound. Leaving without a single encore just made things worse – for the people and for Prince. Not all of the 12.000 people were perfectionists like him.
46. 

    Anonymous
    November 26th, 2011 - 17:52

    Friday Nov.25, ACC, Toronto Canada. Everything I just read is a bit of what happened. Prince had crowd waiting for 30 mins. before we were let into stadium, due to sound problems. The concert started and Prince didn’t pick up his guitar for the longest while. Video screens were intermitent, feedback, and a lot of Background singing. Ok concert but not what I’m use to from prince. Sorry for those of you in Europe who had to experience something much worse.

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