Prince (October 3, 2002) – “Pop” Live Preview - Evening Standard

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Oct 3, 2002

2 min read

This Evening Standard feature previews Prince's forthcoming London appearances at the Apollo Hammersmith, presenting him as one of popular music's most influential and enduring performers. The article examines his continued artistic vitality, the impact of Rainbow Children, and expectations for the upcoming One Nite Alone tour.

Publication: Evening Standard

Date: October 3, 2002

Country: United Kingdom

The feature opens by comparing Prince to David Bowie, noting that many of the same descriptions frequently applied to Bowie could equally be used to describe Prince. While acknowledging that Prince was no longer dominating the charts as he had during the 1980s, the article argues that his influence remained visible throughout contemporary music.

The writer notes that artists including Basement Jaxx, Macy Gray and Beck had all drawn inspiration from Prince's work. Following his well-publicised departure from Warner Bros. Records and a brief partnership with Arista, the article suggests that Prince had increasingly turned to the internet as a means of distributing and promoting his music directly to fans.

Particular attention is given to Rainbow Children, released the previous year. The article describes the album as a departure from the funk-based approach of some of Prince's recent recordings, instead embracing a more sophisticated and stripped-back jazz-influenced sound. The lyrical content is also highlighted, with the reviewer noting Prince's continued exploration of spirituality and faith.

The preview examines the One Nite Alone tour, which had already visited theatres across America before arriving in Britain. Reports from the United States suggested that Prince had been performing lengthy sets lasting around three hours, often without a fixed set list. The article notes that the shows relied less on dancers and visual spectacle and instead focused on musicianship.

Performing with the New Power Generation and veteran saxophonist Maceo Parker, Prince was expected to draw heavily from Rainbow Children while also revisiting classic material including "Nothing Compares 2 U" and "Diamonds And Pearls". The article concludes by describing the concerts as a different kind of show from one of pop music's greatest performers.

CONTEXT AND NOTES

Published immediately before Prince's London performances at the Apollo Hammersmith, the article captures a period in which he was reshaping both his music and his relationship with the music industry. Rather than relying on past successes, he was continuing to experiment artistically while embracing direct-to-fan distribution methods.

The feature is notable for recognising Prince's broad influence on contemporary musicians while also highlighting the more intimate and musically focused nature of the One Nite Alone performances. The result is a portrait of an artist who remained creatively ambitious more than two decades into his recording career.

FEATURE HIGHLIGHTS

Event: Preview of Prince's Apollo Hammersmith performances

Era: 2002 The Rainbow Children / One Nite Alone era

Tone: Appreciative and anticipatory

Photography: Large black-and-white promotional portrait of Prince

WHAT THE CLIPPING SHOWS

• Preview of Prince's Apollo Hammersmith concerts

• Discussion of The Rainbow Children album

• References to the One Nite Alone tour and New Power Generation

• Commentary on Prince's continuing influence on contemporary music