You know that old Texas saying, Keep Austin weird?
(That would be A Tribe Called Quest, who were excellent.)
Then they waited another half hour while Prince set up.
At which point they were treated totwo and a half hoursof crazy fun.
Below is a moment-by-moment recap of what mustve been a thrilling/exhausting night for His Purple Majesty.
(The guy is 54 years old.
So much energy!)
Heres how it all went down.
shouts the woman behind me.
Sadly, this is not true.
just welcome Company Play!
announces the Lady Whos Not Naomi Campbell.
And thats when the animals arrive.
The guys in the brass section are all wearing fuzzy plush hats that look like animal heads.
The fierce-looking lady back-up singers, at least two of whom have shaved heads, are shaking tambourines.
There are 22 people in Princes band.
Hes also holding a cane that looks like it’s made out of ten billion diamonds.
He makes the best faces.
This one says:yo!
Do not interrupt the face-dabbing, or I will cut you!
Then he launches into a series of excellent Prince yowls.
And theres the amazingly high-pitchedheee-HEEEE!
A few brave souls venture to sing along to the howling and fail miserably.
12:44 a.m.:The circus ringleader shoots streamers from a cannon!
12:45 a.m.:Confetti explodes down from the ceiling!
The crowd cheers louder!
12:46 a.m.:Prince yells, Turn the lights off!
and the room gets pitch black.
Princes drummer plays a crazy drum solo in the dark.
Those cuff lights are moving very quickly.
One member of Princes band starts singing and playing a clarinet-like instrument that digitally alters his voice.
Then another member of the band does the same thing.
Then both of them do it together.
Battle of the Autotune-inets!
Or whatever theyre called!
Open up your third eye and listen!
It sounds so good, Id also like to open my third ear.
I know some old people in this room know what Im talking about!
he says, laughing.
Dont youevertouch my stereo!
Prince asks before starting the song.
But as soon as the music kicks in, hes spinning around on stage, faster and faster.
Who needs skates when youve got feet like that?
Maybe this is Princes reminder: its still nighttime, people!
1:20 a.m.:Prince emerges from backstage wearing a black and white patterned shirt.
(Note: costume change no.
Just like I pictured it.
Yall got a whole lotta guitar players up here, dontcha?
The first strains ofPurple Rainbegin, and people really lose their minds.
you’re free to sing if you want to, Prince offers generously.
And, boy, does she.
The whole room has joined in, and many people are singing with their eyes closed.
When the song is over, they erupt into applause.
What a night, huh?
says Prince, just before disappearing off stage.
I love being a musician!
It feels like a servant.
Okay, so thats a weird thing to say.
But weird is good in Austin!
Keep on serving us, Prince!
1:25 a.m.:Stage goes dark.
Chanting starts:Prince!
1:26 a.m. (FIRST ENCORE):The afterparty starts right now!
declares Prince, who has just returned to the stage wearing a hat thats tipped to one side.
(Note: costume change no.
The band starts playing Michael JacksonsDont Stop Til You Get Enough.Yall alright?
asks Prince, perhaps noticing the first signs of fatigue.
You got somewhere to go?
You got a curfew?Nooooo!yells the crowd.
Is it hot in here?
Do you know why?
Is it hot in here?
Do you know why?
Because… its really hot in here.
1:32 a.m.:Stage goes dark.
A few people leave.
Chanting starts:Prince!
1:36 a.m. (SECOND ENCORE):Can we jam for a minute like we do in Minneapolis?
asksPrince, who has just returned to the stage, wearing a black vest.
(Note: costume change no.
How many people have heard of Curtis Mayfield?
Someoldpeople in the house!
The woman whos not Naomi Campbell drags him away from the mic and revives him.
1:43 a.m.:While performingHousequake,Prince delivers the nights best non-sequitur: Everybody clap your hands!
/ Dont wait for your neighbor / Green eggs and ham!
he says, walking off stage, again.
Dont make me hurt you!
You know how many hits I got?
My middle name is Eleven Hours Energy!
1:52 a.m.:Stage goes dark.
People are getting too tired to chant.
So they clap.Clap clap clap!
Im scared of you!
They finish out the song together.
The band does the grand-finale-horns thing that late-night shows house bands do to signal that the theme songs done.
(See also: the sound at 0:50 inthis clip.)
2:10 a.m.:Prince leaves the stage.
This is great, but its also exhausting, sighs the woman standing behind me.
I think Prince has left the building, says the man next to her.
No, says his girlfriend.
You just want to believe that so it’s possible for you to go home!
2:11 a.m. (FOURTH ENCORE):Prince returns.
(Costume change No.
Runs throughLets Work.AndU Got the Look.Donna Grantis gets another solo.
Very sleepy cheers follow.
2:24 a.m.:Stage goes dark.
Very slow clapping ensues.
People still love Prince.
But they arefalling asleep.
2:25 a.m. (FIFTH ENCORE):Prince returns.
(Costume change No.
He is twirling a drum stick like a baton.
And Prince is declaring, yet again, Thank you, goodnight!
2:40 a.m.:Stage goes dark.
The Prince has left the building guy?
Well, hes leaving the building.
Along with a few dozen others who just couldnt make it.
The rest of us rally.
2:41 a.m. (SIXTH ENCORE):They say we got 20 more minutes, Prince shares.
(Costume change No.
And he looks adorable.
So theres that to keep us energized!
gasps Prince as he retreats off stage.
2:56 a.m.:Its over.
2:57 a.m.:Princes band returns to give one final bow.
And Prince himself gets a standing ovation.
Granted, we were already standing for the past six hours.
But after a show that was this high energy, the guy deserves a six-hour standing ovation.
3:02 a.m.:A few true believers remain, changing,Prince!
Prince Prince!Thanks for coming out!
says a voice over the speakers.
Well see you soon!
The lights turn on.
But the true believers keep chanting,One more song!
Hours later:They might still be there now, if no one forces them to go home.
