OMEN
08-02-2007, 09:13 AM
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/44032000/jpg/_44032950_prince_getty203.jpg
Prince opened a 7-week run of shows at London's 02 on 1 August
Prince kicked off a series of 21 shows at London's O2 arena with a string of hits and two scantily-clad dancers.
He started his first performance at the former Millennium Dome with the classic Purple Rain.
"I got more hits than Madonna's got kids", he joked during the two-and-a-half hour set.
After his third encore, the crowd began to leave - only to dash back in when Prince appeared in the middle of the auditorium with six burly bouncers.
He pushed his way through the audience and once back on stage, he treated the crowd to a solo acoustic version of Little Red Corvette, Raspberry Beret and Sometimes It Snows in April.
He covered Come Together by the Beatles and Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.
The diminutive star has said he has prepared 150 songs and will be playing a different selection each night during his reign at the O2 Arena.
Last chance
After completing the 21 Nights in London season, the Jehovah's Witness apparently plans to take time out to study the Bible.
He has claimed the tour will be the last time fans will ever hear him play his greatest hits.
Everyone who attended the gig went home with a copy of Prince's new album Planet Earth, which he previously gave away free with The Mail on Sunday newspaper.
Tickets for the events cost £31.21 - the same figure used by the 48-year-old to name his album, website and perfume.
Prince - who famously changed his name to a squiggle symbol in the 1990s after falling out with his record label - is in residence at the O2 Arena until 21 September.
The O2 arena has undergone a refit to host music, entertainment and sporting events.
Owners of the 20,000-seater arena, AEG Europe, said the acoustics have been designed specifically for modern musicians and every seat will have a clear view.
A smaller venue in the Greenwich complex, Indigo, will host the after-show parties.
BBC
Prince opened a 7-week run of shows at London's 02 on 1 August
Prince kicked off a series of 21 shows at London's O2 arena with a string of hits and two scantily-clad dancers.
He started his first performance at the former Millennium Dome with the classic Purple Rain.
"I got more hits than Madonna's got kids", he joked during the two-and-a-half hour set.
After his third encore, the crowd began to leave - only to dash back in when Prince appeared in the middle of the auditorium with six burly bouncers.
He pushed his way through the audience and once back on stage, he treated the crowd to a solo acoustic version of Little Red Corvette, Raspberry Beret and Sometimes It Snows in April.
He covered Come Together by the Beatles and Gnarls Barkley's Crazy.
The diminutive star has said he has prepared 150 songs and will be playing a different selection each night during his reign at the O2 Arena.
Last chance
After completing the 21 Nights in London season, the Jehovah's Witness apparently plans to take time out to study the Bible.
He has claimed the tour will be the last time fans will ever hear him play his greatest hits.
Everyone who attended the gig went home with a copy of Prince's new album Planet Earth, which he previously gave away free with The Mail on Sunday newspaper.
Tickets for the events cost £31.21 - the same figure used by the 48-year-old to name his album, website and perfume.
Prince - who famously changed his name to a squiggle symbol in the 1990s after falling out with his record label - is in residence at the O2 Arena until 21 September.
The O2 arena has undergone a refit to host music, entertainment and sporting events.
Owners of the 20,000-seater arena, AEG Europe, said the acoustics have been designed specifically for modern musicians and every seat will have a clear view.
A smaller venue in the Greenwich complex, Indigo, will host the after-show parties.
BBC