Prince showed the kids how it's done

Unlike most of the performers here at Coachella, Prince Roger Nelson has nothing to prove. He's recorded dozens of classic records, won all the important awards, and most importantly raised the bar of what it means to be sexy. Just the announcement of his appearance at Coachella made him arguably the biggest star to rock the main Coachella stage (which is saying something when you consider the likes of Radiohead, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails and Morrissey have all performed on that stage).

Last night Prince laid it out, put it down, smoothed it out, and rocked the desert with attitude, soul, and funk as he rifled through one hit after another.  On a day where scores of fantastic acts put on wild and grooving performances, the Minneapolis superstar, who will turn 50 this summer, took the stage by telling the crowd with all the (earned) arrogance and cockiness one could imagine, "Coachella, I am here."   Completely aware of  what this festival means and what he was there to do, the Artist addressed the sold-out, throbbing crowd dozens of times, but he got his loudest reaction when he declared, "You are the coolest place on Earth right now."

Morris Day of the Time opened the Prince show with his two hits backed with the Purple One on guitar.  Sheila E. was introduced and led the huge band into her only big hit, "The Glamorous Life," and then for over two hours Prince re-established his legend, mostly with his unbelievable ability to shred on his Fender Telecaster guitar.

Digging generously through his wide tapestry of hits, Prince led his band through such pop classics as "1999," "Controversy" and "Cream," but it was the cover of Radiohead's "Creep" that was the most magical. Not only did Prince completely make it his own, but the British band was widely rumored to headline this year's Coachella, so Prince performing their biggest hit -- scorchingly -- was easily the best of both  worlds.

Setlist (via Prince.org)

The Bird (performed by Morris Day)
Jungle Love (performed by Morris Day)
Glamorous Life (performed by Sheila E.)
Instrumental Jam
1999
I Feel For U
Controversy (with snippet of “Housequake”)
Little Red Corvette
Musicology
Cream
U Got the Look
Shh
Anotherloverholeinyourhead
Creep (Radiohead cover)
The Arms of an Angel (Sarah McLachlan cover performed by backup singers)
7
Come Together (Beatles Cover)
Purple Rain
Let's Go Crazy

Associated Press photo by Chris Pizzello

-- Tony Pierce

Comments

[Johhny]

Prince use´s a 70´s Hohner Telecaster (his preferd guitar), and most recently Fender Stratocasters.

[ClintBag]

it was perfect in every single way and truly a stellar, historic performance. no distractions or pointless overproduction - just the ultimate, rockstar genius giving his all.

[Jason Mercer]

Simply the best performance i have ever seen. Prince covering Radiohead at Coachella? Mental, absolutely mental. I am so happy I got a chance to be a part of it. --jason