Prince Hasn't Lost His Charm in London

Thu, 02 August 2007 12:00:00 ET

Prince delivered yet another stunning performance at London's O2 arena that several audience needed to be forced to leave the venue after the show.

Prince wowed thousands of fans at London's The 02 arena last night (01.08.07) with a surprise encore. The pop superstar had exited the stage after two encores, but shortly after the house lights came on, screams began to echo around the massive venue as Prince walked through the crowd flanked by security. Fans already leaving quickly scrambled back inside to hear him play classic songs 'Little Red Corvette', 'Raspberry Beret' and 'Sometimes It Snows In April', accompanied only by an electric guitar.

The diminutive musician teased the crowd as he stopped mid-way through 'Little Red Corvette', saying "I can't do that" before starting it again, then stopping and shouting "You gotta help me sing it". He closed the show with a cover version of Chic's 1978 disco classic 'Le Freak', whipping the crowd into a frenzy with people dancing in the aisles, on their seats or any space available.

Earlier in the evening, Prince opened the spectacular concert - the first of his 21-night residency - with his most famous hit 'Purple Rain', before launching into 'Girls and Boys', which morphed into 'DMSR', 'Satisfied' and 'Cream'.

During 'Musicality' several members of the audience got up on the 'Symbol' -shaped stage which Prince previously changed his name to - to join the star, his band, backing singers and stunning dancers Twinz. When the song had finished, two over-excited fans clearly didn't want to leave the stage and had to be ushered off by security.

Afterwards, Prince said: "What do you think of the stage? I just got it, it's sexy. "I don't know what your used to but we're here to play real music. I couldn't sleep last night, I saw all of you in my dreams. Forgive me if I forget anything. Unfortunately, they were day dreams." The 49-year-old star � who wore his trademark heels and had numerous costume and guitar changes - also couldn't resist taking a swipe at his former 80s chart rival Madonna.

Before playing 'Black Sweat', he said: "I've got so many hits. You can't handle me. I've got more hits than Madonna's got kids!" Prince also thrilled fans with cover versions of The Beatles' classic 'Come Together' and Gnarls Barkley's recent smash 'Crazy'. The set also included 'Nothing Compares 2 U', 'Kiss' and 'If I Was Your Girlfriend'.

Prince also performed a handful of songs from his new album 'Planet Earth' - which he controversially gave away for free with a British newspaper and handed to concert goers for free on the night - including the title track, 'Guitar' and 'The One U Wanna C'. Prince - who has prepared 150 songs for his residency and will be playing a different set list every night - played a further set at the aftershow party held at the arena's IndigO2 club. Fans clamoured to get in, and at one point police were called to stop people from rushing into the venue.

Prince full set list: