unique
10th May 2007, 03:44 AM
http://www.nme.com/news/prince/28282
Prince plays surprise UK gig.
Amy Winehouse and Gnarls Barkley saluted during London show
Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) played a surprise gig in London tonight (May 10).
The singer, who was in town this week to launch a series of gigs at the O2 Arena (http://www.nme.com/news/prince/28197) later this summer, made the most of his trip staging the show at KOKO.
Taking the stage at around 11.30pm, Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) performed a set that mixed classics, instrumentals, new tracks, covers and songs that showcased his band.
Kicking off initially with just his brass section performing a instrumental version of 'Get Off' the singer made his entrance wearing all back except for his white hat and white high heel shoes.
Though frustrating at times in his song selection - the set was driven by an rhythm and blues flavour that saw him experiment and just jam at times - Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) ensured the fans had something to shout about including 'U Got The Look', 'Kiss', 'Cream', 'Let's Go Crazy' and an impassioned version of 'Nothing Compares To U' in his set.
Explaining why he staged a British show, which watched by a packed audience including Damian Hurst, David Furnish, The League Of Gentlemen, David Walliams, Pete Burns, Maxi Jazz and Abi Titmuss among others, Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) told the crowd:
"People asked me why we're here doing this in London. There's nothing happening in America!"
He also surprised the crowd who had spotted the hints in the listings suggesting the Royal Crown Revue were due to play the venue, by including several covers.
This started with an instrumental version of 'Play That Funky Music White Boy' which Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) led on guitar, before one of his backing vocalists took the lead on Gnarls Barkley (http://www.nme.com/artists/gnarls-barkley)'s 'Crazy' and Amy Winehouse (http://www.nme.com/artists/amy-winehouse)'s 'Love Is A Losing Game'.
Praising the British singer, who he as expressed a desire to work with, Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) declared: "Respect to Amy Winehouse (http://www.nme.com/artists/amy-winehouse), respect! What a voice!"
With more instrumentals then following as Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) intermittantly left the stage, including a version of 'Sometimes It Snows In April' while he was off the stage.
Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) then concluded the gig by taking the stage to echo his earlier comments about the UK with short speech.
"You're doing it, it's not me! You produce the energy," he told the crowd. "I told my band it was happening in London, now they know."
http://www.koko.uk.com
setlist...
pass the peas (maceo parker/jb's cover)
satisfied
down by the riverside (traditional cover)
Girls and boys
i never loved a man the way that i loved you (aretha franklin cover)
lolita
black sweat
kiss
shhh
musicology
sing a simple song (sly & family stone cover)
play that funky music (wild cherry cover)
wonderful world (louie armstrong cover)
love is a losing game (amy winehouse cover)
gotta broken heart again
cream
u got the look
crazy (gnarls barkly cover)
nothin compares 2 u
Lets go crazy
3121 London @ Koko Private Party Thursday, May 10th
Prince invites u 2 a completely private party @ 3121 London, which has moved 2 Koko in Londons Camden Town 4 the night. Doors open 9PM Thursday, May 10th and will run late!
Tickets go on sale @ 10:00 tomorrow morning (Thursday, May 10th) priced £31.21 (plus booking fee)! 2 order ur tickets, follow this link to Ticketmaster at 10 AM (link will not work b4 10 AM):
>> 3121 Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F003EA90CE9BAAB)
(http://www.koko.uk.com/image/201206-1921__koko_int_004.jpg)
Prince plays surprise UK gig.
Amy Winehouse and Gnarls Barkley saluted during London show
Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) played a surprise gig in London tonight (May 10).
The singer, who was in town this week to launch a series of gigs at the O2 Arena (http://www.nme.com/news/prince/28197) later this summer, made the most of his trip staging the show at KOKO.
Taking the stage at around 11.30pm, Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) performed a set that mixed classics, instrumentals, new tracks, covers and songs that showcased his band.
Kicking off initially with just his brass section performing a instrumental version of 'Get Off' the singer made his entrance wearing all back except for his white hat and white high heel shoes.
Though frustrating at times in his song selection - the set was driven by an rhythm and blues flavour that saw him experiment and just jam at times - Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) ensured the fans had something to shout about including 'U Got The Look', 'Kiss', 'Cream', 'Let's Go Crazy' and an impassioned version of 'Nothing Compares To U' in his set.
Explaining why he staged a British show, which watched by a packed audience including Damian Hurst, David Furnish, The League Of Gentlemen, David Walliams, Pete Burns, Maxi Jazz and Abi Titmuss among others, Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) told the crowd:
"People asked me why we're here doing this in London. There's nothing happening in America!"
He also surprised the crowd who had spotted the hints in the listings suggesting the Royal Crown Revue were due to play the venue, by including several covers.
This started with an instrumental version of 'Play That Funky Music White Boy' which Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) led on guitar, before one of his backing vocalists took the lead on Gnarls Barkley (http://www.nme.com/artists/gnarls-barkley)'s 'Crazy' and Amy Winehouse (http://www.nme.com/artists/amy-winehouse)'s 'Love Is A Losing Game'.
Praising the British singer, who he as expressed a desire to work with, Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) declared: "Respect to Amy Winehouse (http://www.nme.com/artists/amy-winehouse), respect! What a voice!"
With more instrumentals then following as Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) intermittantly left the stage, including a version of 'Sometimes It Snows In April' while he was off the stage.
Prince (http://www.nme.com/artists/prince) then concluded the gig by taking the stage to echo his earlier comments about the UK with short speech.
"You're doing it, it's not me! You produce the energy," he told the crowd. "I told my band it was happening in London, now they know."
http://www.koko.uk.com
setlist...
pass the peas (maceo parker/jb's cover)
satisfied
down by the riverside (traditional cover)
Girls and boys
i never loved a man the way that i loved you (aretha franklin cover)
lolita
black sweat
kiss
shhh
musicology
sing a simple song (sly & family stone cover)
play that funky music (wild cherry cover)
wonderful world (louie armstrong cover)
love is a losing game (amy winehouse cover)
gotta broken heart again
cream
u got the look
crazy (gnarls barkly cover)
nothin compares 2 u
Lets go crazy
3121 London @ Koko Private Party Thursday, May 10th
Prince invites u 2 a completely private party @ 3121 London, which has moved 2 Koko in Londons Camden Town 4 the night. Doors open 9PM Thursday, May 10th and will run late!
Tickets go on sale @ 10:00 tomorrow morning (Thursday, May 10th) priced £31.21 (plus booking fee)! 2 order ur tickets, follow this link to Ticketmaster at 10 AM (link will not work b4 10 AM):
>> 3121 Ticketmaster (http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/1F003EA90CE9BAAB)
(http://www.koko.uk.com/image/201206-1921__koko_int_004.jpg)