Prince Performs RBC Center

Less than two weeks ago it was announced that Prince would be going on tour with one of his first stops right here in Raleigh.  The short warning did not deter Prince’s fans from lining up in droves at the RBC Center Wednesday night. Many were wearing purple and teetering on strappy high heels or sporting dark suits and unnecessary sunglasses, all making the lengthy wait to get through security at least entertaining.  The combination of a short lead time for sales and hefty ticket prices may have led to the arena not selling out, as a good chunk of upper level ticket holders were reallocated to better seats. That said, by the time Chaka Khan took the stage to Prince chanting "You are in the best place on Earth," the crowd was packed in and screaming with excitement.

Introduced by Prince as a personal inspiration and “the voice of seven generations,” Chaka belted some of her biggest hits out into her very glittery mic over the course of her brief 20 minute set. She opened up with “Ain’t Nobody” and closed with what is probably her most well known song, “I’m Every Woman,” before descending below the stage (which was shaped like a giant “Love Symbol” aka, the glyph to represent the artist formerly – and once again – known as Prince).

Following an awkward intermission in which the lights went on and off about four times – each time prompting a raucous roar from the impatient crowd – the man himself finally took the stage in bright red high heels and went straight to the piano. He asked the audience, “Do ya’ll know how many hits I got?” Apparently the answer was: too many to play them all as full songs. After giving the crowd their much needed “When Doves Cry” fix, he launched into a medley of hits that included “Alphabet City,” “Sign of the Times,” and “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” among a few others.

He finally settled into playing a few full length songs, and following a costume change, came back out to perform “Sweet Thing” alongside Chaka Khan. The second half of the set was much more high energy, and during a cover of “Play That Funky Music,” he invited a couple dozen audience members onstage to dance with him. Prince wrapped up the night with a bevy of his biggest hits – “Let’s Go Crazy,” “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” and “Purple Rain,” and giving the audience the much desired “Kiss” during his encore.

Energy and enthusiasm wasn't lacking.  The artist performed as if each track was a new hit and his passion for them hadn't waned.  Prince delivered a crowd pleasing set that was light on gimmicks and focused on the performance, whether he was climbing atop his piano to sing, sashaying across the stage in heels that would have me a tangled mess on the floor within three steps, or cranking out some of the most widely recognizable riffs on his guitar. AND he made it rain…the explosion of purple confetti within the RBC Center was followed by an early Spring thunderstorm outside. Now that’s something only true pop royalty can do.

 

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