The best way to experience a Prince show is not to shell out 200 bucks for a decent seat in the balcony, as my pal Jeff and I once did (with no regrets whatsoever!). No, the best way is to follow rumors circulating of a surprise set, if not at Paisley Park then at another more intimate space for the Purple One to work the room. These are the kinds of shows that can go into the next day, literally, and that’s precisely what happened for the crowd at Austin’s La Zona Rosa last night/this morning.
While we weren’t among the lucky thousand fans to get in the door, reports from those inside said Prince tore the roof of the joint, unleashing no less than 6 encores after the initial set ended well after midnight. His band for the night included a two-dozen-strong horn section, among his usual side musicians well-rehearsed and honed in on the Purple One’s improvisational stage presence.
When it comes to living legends stealing the week at SXSW, expectations always run high, with some hoping for the hits while others pine for new cover tunes or other unexpected memorable moments. Prince did all of the above and more: “1999” and other hits got plenty of stage time, while the encores features covers from his influences such as Curtis Mayfield and past contemporary/competition Michael Jackson.
Needless to say, we wish we could’ve been in the room, even from afar, there’s one quote from the stage we must put into the canon of great Prince boasts: “I don’t want to hurt you, Austin,” he said. “You know how many hits I got?”
Yes, we do, Prince. But it’s always a thrill to be reminded of them.
