Prince (October 27, 1985) – One-Off Performance: Théâtre de Verdure, Nice, France
On October 27, 1985, Prince staged a special one-off performance at the Théâtre de Verdure in Nice, France. The concert took place during a day off from filming Under The Cherry Moon and had a specific additional purpose: filming a promotional video for “America”.
The event was announced by local radio station Radio de la Côte approximately a week beforehand. A total of 2,000 free tickets were made available to local fans on October 22, and the performance was sold out.
Members of The Revolution were brought in for the occasion along with saxophonists Eric Leeds and Eddie M.
EVENT
Date: October 27, 1985
Venue: Théâtre de VerdureCity: Nice
Country: France
Event: One-Off Performance
Advertised Start Time: 19:00
Running Time: 55 minutes
Attendance: 2,000 – Sold Out
Ticket Price: Free
FILMING
The concert was used as the setting for filming material connected with “America”.
Two separate performances of “America” were played and filmed. “Paisley Park” was also filmed during the performance.
Additional interview footage was shot after the concert on the same day and was subsequently used by MTV.
BAND
Prince – vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, drumsWendy Melvoin – guitarLisa Coleman – keyboardsBobby Z. – drumsBrown Mark – bassDr. Fink – keyboardsEric Leeds – saxophone
GUEST
Eddie M. – saxophone
SOUNDCHECK / REHEARSAL
A pre-show soundcheck and rehearsal included:
• Pop Life• Temptation• Paisley Park• ♥ or $• Go• An Honest Man
PERFORMANCE
The 55-minute performance began with two takes of “America”, both incorporating “Spanish Key”. These were followed by “Paisley Park”.
The remainder of the performance drew on Prince's recent and earlier material, including “Let's Go Crazy”, “Delirious”, “Little Red Corvette” and “Purple Rain”. “Delirious” also incorporated an interpolation of “Automatic”.
SETLIST
# | Song | Details |
1 | America | Take 1; includes “Spanish Key” |
2 | America | Take 2; includes “Spanish Key” |
3 | Paisley Park | |
4 | Let's Go Crazy | |
5 | Delirious | Includes “Automatic” |
6 | Little Red Corvette | |
7 | Purple Rain |
NOTES
• The performance took place during a day off from filming Under The Cherry Moon.
• One of the principal purposes of the event was to film a promotional video for “America”.
• Both performances of “America” were filmed.
• “Paisley Park” was also filmed.
• The Revolution's musicians, together with Eric Leeds and guest Eddie M., were flown in for the performance.
• The event was announced on Radio de la Côte approximately a week beforehand.
• The 2,000 free tickets were distributed to local fans on October 22, 1985.
• Interview footage was filmed following the concert and subsequently appeared on MTV.
• No support act is listed.
SOURCES Discogs, 45 World, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts, Prince Vault, Sleeveographia2.
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