While a storm was brewing outside the RBC center, the energy inside was just as powerful. The “Welcome 2 America” tour with Prince hit the Triangle last night with Chaka Khan as his special guest. The light guy toyed with concert goers, flashing lights off and on the stage and the crowd went nuts.
I was excited to see the Purple One and his “Royal Badness” did not disappoint. It was a non-stop party as he churned out hit after hit . Backed by the New Power Generation, Prince took me there with “Raspberry Beret”, “Delirious”, “When Doves Cry”, Medley: “Cool” / “Let’s Work”, “U Got The Look”, Angel. “If I Was Your Girlfriend”, “Insatiable”, “Scandalous”, “Adore” and my favorite song “Purple Rain”.
I don’t think I set down the entire concert. Non-stop energy flowed throughout the entire show with hits like Controversy / a bit of Sly and the Family Stone/Play That Funk Music (AWB cover) and Housequake. I’ve seen Prince in concert throughout my career, and this by far was off the charts. The light show was amazing and the music was so tight. Prince can still pull out the stops, fingering his fretboard with one hand while slicking back his short crop with the other. A playful Prince alternately grinned at his band, and happily jammed at length on one of his many his funky guitar solos. Prince Rodgers Nelson is truly a musical genius.
For the fans who left after “Purple Rain” you missed an encore performance “Kiss”, and a second encore “DMSR” (b-side 1999). Prince had some of the smooth moves ever. I have to say this show rocked. Prince thank you for this night, thank you for your talent, and thank you for great music.
