the artist formerly known as...

On friday 3rd August we made our way out to the O2 arena in Greenwich to see Prince in concert. We were so excited, as he'd received rave reviews for his first concert. Unfortunately for us our excitement was short lived - he must have had a bad tube ride in from the Dorchester, cos he sucked.

The O2 complex is amazing, there's a ring of indoor eateries around the stadium bit, with trees and fairy lights and paved brickwork. The stadium itself is huge, and the top section is incredibly steep (they have a disclaimer on their web site saying that if you're afraid of heights don't buy tickets in the top half). As luck would have it, we were in the very last row, and so high up that Prince was a spec in the distance, and I felt woozy from vertigo for the first half an hour (probably also partly due to lack of air at that altitude). Two people were helped down by medico's during the night.

The crowd went nuts when he came out, and had the place absolutely rocking with his first song, Cream. From there though, he went all self-indulgent with some obscure songs and long guitar solo's, and at one point he disappeared for about 5 minutes and I thought he must have gone to join the queue at Pizza Express. His band made up for it though, they were awesome (even a girl drummer in a gold spangly glo-mesh dress!).

The reviews said his first concert was hit after hit, with a Beatles song thrown in - we must have lucked out on the second concert with mediocre hits, and a Gnarles Barkley song thrown in....(although that was awesome). He did sing Purple Rain, Kiss, and Lets Go Crazy, but didn't do Diamonds & Pearls, 1999, or Raspberry Beret etc etc.

Ah well, we got a free CD at the door as we left, and avoided the crowded tube by taking a Thames cruiser boat back into the city - London is beautiful at night!