Life After Death: Artiste Formerly Known As Prince (Point Depot, Dublin)

As he glided onto the stage on something like a conveyor-belt carpet! The Symbol himself announced that this was a party but not a Prince party. "Rest In Peace Motherfucker" he gleefully bids his former self farewell before delivering two storming hours of mind-blowing, cock-toting, cunt-licking, hip-shooting funk, rap, rhythm 'n' blues and rock 'n' roll of a quality, edge and pace the like of which no one else could probably even imagine attempting let alone executing with such apparent ease.
The artist formerly known as Prince has such a powerful grip on the traditions and genres of popular music that it brooks no argument. It was always blatantly clear with his Squiggleness that this musical heritage is predominantly black. But the concentration on rap and heavy, heavy funk makes this more obvious now than ever before.
Even his between song banter resonates with an awareness of his ways in which black culture has been hijacked by the White Corporate mentality. After a pulsating 'Pussy Control' the man known as Squiggle declares that one day he's going to get control over his music. Cajoling the audience to the left of the stage in his best 'Uncle Tom nigger's' voice the Squiggle elsewhere informs them that if they're not her to party "they can just as well take their bad asses right on outta here."
Again, to wild cheers from everyone he playfully cautions "if there's any parents with their children here tonight who haven't told them about the funk better leave now 'cause they're gonna have a lot of explaining to do after this next one." Wham!
"The symbol stands for peace, love and understanding. For the motherfuckers who don't believe in that and insist on calling me Prince this is for them," he explains during the long encore. The chorus of 'Bitch' snarls back at the cynics.
Forget the facile comparisons and the commercial disclaimers. His Squiggleness is a mighty performer, an unbelievable guitarist, a spectacular mover, frighteningly fit and wildly exciting. If that weren't enough he showed himself tonight to be one of the great, great singers. Whatever he calls himself he's still the undisputed squiggle of rock and roll. As for the exclusion of his hits from the set - when music is this good it doesn't really matter that person called prince and his vast arsenal of songs ever really existed. And that's saying something.
A fucking brilliant concert. Indeed it was a 'Peach'.

- Patrick Brennan

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