Wednesday, September 14, 2016

24.  Prince Commemorative Concert

Even though some of the likely performers were announced today, the Prince commemorative concert planned for October 13 is turning out to be a disaster. There is NO signed contract with the stadium, the performers have not been finalized and no tickets have been offered for sale yet.

From what I’m reading, most of the problems and delays are stemming from the family, who apparently is trying to figure out the best way to exploit the event, as it is actually a fund raiser for the family.

Fans around the world are waiting to hear something definitive about concert tickets before buying their airline tickets; but many state-side fans, or “friends” as Prince called them, have already purchased their tickets and made hotel reservations. Many have purchased advance tickets for a tour of the Paisley Park Museum, if that actually materializes. The organizers for the museum have been advertising for tour guides and security staff and a job fair was scheduled for this week to begin the vetting process.

The stadium management is doubtful they can fill the 55,000-seat stadium with less than a month left before the concert date. It would require several really big-name performers to attract that kind of crowd so quickly, and most entertainers of that caliber already have commitments. Even Prince’s ex-fiancé, Sheila-E has a commitment that night and is not willing to drop everything for such a sketchy deal. Many fans are saying, “without Prince, it doesn’t really matter anyway.” Those fans lucky enough to see The Revolution's reunion/tribute concert at First Avenue, said they got what they needed for closer.

There is talk of changing the venue to a smaller stadium, but I certainly wouldn’t make the effort to go. No one can play his music and perform it the way he did. His live concerts were his big draw. I am interested in seeing Paisley Park some day and hope to go there eventually.

Even though the family brought in a professional promoter in the last couple of days, the damage already done may be irreparable. Rumors are circulating that the concert may be cancelled altogether. Prince would be disappointed for his fans if he knew about this fiasco. He was such a perfectionist, and dependable to a fault. Thank goodness none of this matters to him anymore.

I’ll keep you posted on any new developments.

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