(KRON) — If there is an artist capable of selling out surprise shows, anywhere, that artist is without a doubt, Prince. Not only did he have two back-to-back shows at the historic Paramount Theatre, but he stayed in the Bay Area and attended Thursday’s Warriors game, where the team defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106. Prince also had another “surprise” show at the Oracle Arena on Friday night.
There was tremendous buzz after his two sold-out nights at the Paramount, and those who scored tickets to Friday night’s show at Oracle Arena were in for the treat of a lifetime.
There was high security at the Oracle; fans had to go through metal detectors before even reaching the entrance to the venue. A guard with a bullhorn announced that the night’s show was “intimate and special” and no pictures were allowed.
Once inside, there were long lines of people waiting to get to their seats. There were also confused faces among the crowds while others sipped beverages while they waited. At approximately 9:00 PM, fans were finally let, where a jumbotron displayed “NO PICTURES ALLOWED.” This, of course, did not derail people from sneaking selfies, and snaps of the stage, which at the time was not visible from behind a black mesh.
The anticipation for Prince to come onstage grew larger, as it was after 9:00 PM and the show had not started as the ticket indicated. At exactly 9:35 PM, the loudest of cheers and screams filled the arena, a clear indication that through the purple lighted hallway, Prince was making his way to the stage.
And, what a simple, yet captivating stage it was, featuring a high-tech purple piano with a touch screen, black stool, and four perfectly placed candles on each corner of the stage. Prince swayed down the purple carpet lined with purple velvet ropes. He strutted up the steps that led to his piano, and took a seat on his throne, ready to dazzle his audience.
The cheers and screams did not die down until he hit the first music note to what was going to be a rare night down memory lane.
Prince’s outfit was equally mesmerizing as his presence and his vocals. He wore purple bell bottoms, with a purple bell sleeved top, an intricate ivory vest, a long gold chain, and glitzy white shoes that lit up when he stomp his feet.
His powerful vocals evoked standing ovations after every song. The cheers, screams, and sing-alongs did not stop all through the night. Prince and his piano exceeded all possible expectations. The selection of songs for the night was a musically delightful medley of his extensive discography.
From “Controversy”, “Little Red Corvette”, “Cream”, “Purple Rain”, to “Kiss”, and “Paisley Park”, there was a song specific to every single member of the audience. Prince did not need a full band, dancers, or an elaborate stage. He is a gifted pianist, with a falsetto that has withstood the test of time.
When everyone thought that the show was over, he came back for not only one encore but a second and a third one (change of outfit included.) Few left after the first encore highly regretting their decision to not stay.
Prince gave a shout-out to Warriors MVP Stephen Curry, and sang of self-preservation and of Black Lives Matter, all in the best way that he does, with that voice of glory.
By now, he is probably back at his Paisley Park compound in Minnesota, but for the past week, and especially last night, Prince belonged to Oakland, and to the thousands of fans who flocked to witness the spectacular three nights that he gifted to his fans.
Setlist:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Somewhere Here on Earth
Baltimore
Rocknroll Loveaffair
Breakdown
Little Red Corvette
Dirty Mind
I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man
The Ballad of Dorothy Parker/ 4
Controversy
I Would Die 4 U/Baby, I’m a Star
Purple Music
Dear Mr. Man
Cream
Waiting in Vain/If I Was Your Girlfriend
How Come U Don’t Call Me Anymore
Raspberry Beret
Starfish and Coffee
Paisley Park
Sometimes It Snows in April
Purple Rain
Black Sweat
Kiss
Encore:
Diamonds and Pearls/The Beautiful Ones
A Place in Heaven
Venus de Milo
Condition of the Heart/Under the Cherry Moon
Nothing Compares 2 U
When Doves Cry
Encore 2:
Free Urself
Encore 3:
Thieves in the Temple
It
I Wanna Be Your Lover
Do Me, Baby
Adore