Around 18 months ago the other half and I went to the local theatre to see a Prince tribute act, featuring Jimi Love – Read my review here.

We didn’t expect that much from it to be honest, but it was a night out and if I remember correctly about £20 a ticket.

Our local theatre has two section, The Royal and The Derngate.

The Royal is very old, opening back in 1884, small and cosy with the practical capacity being just 460.

The Derngate is much younger by almost 100 years, opening in 1983. There is a lot more space and seats around 1200 people. So a massive difference in size.

The Prince Tribute was held in the Royal and played to a packed out audience. But was was even better was that the band were AMAZING. We literally danced and sang along all night and was one of the best gigs we had been to.

A Celebration in Purple

We enjoyed it that much, that when I saw there was a concert down near where my sister and brother in law live, We purchased two tickets as a Christmas present as she is a huge Prince fan too.

Perfectly Purple

They went in November and the brother in law wasn’t that bothered about going and openly admitted it. However once they had been they could not effuse enough about what a phenomenal night it was. They loved every minute of it and by comparing performances it looked like the band had added some new musicians since we went to see them.

Vivacious Violet

I was really please to find that they were due back to our town in February. Well, I had to get some tickets didn’t I?

Posing in Purple

This time it was being held in the Derngate, as I have already said, a much bigger venue. How would it look and sound in a room three times the size of the first?

Well to be safe I got two front row tickets, right in the middle. Now just to wait for the evening to come around.

I got ready in my Pin Up Girl Clothing Purple Monica dress with a hair flower and complimenting corsage by my friend Janey_67

A Vision in Violet

We set off and arrived at the theatre around 40 minutes before the show started. It was a great idea as when we got there there was a choir singing in the underground area. The NDCC was the Theatres community choir and were pretty damn amazing.

I have to admit when they sang Purple Rain I couldn’t hold back my emotions. A young woman sang it and she was out of this world. His Royal Purpleness would have been proud.

Soon it was time for us to take our seats. And boy, was I excited.

Here we go……

This time we were in the front row!!

The lights went down and the musicians took to the stage. There were definitely more of them this time around, which made for a great dynamic.

Violet Va-Va-Voom

Jimi Love was absolutely perfect. It was a totally different set to last time we saw them, with some new jams and old favourites. As the first bars of the first song rang out, the whole place was on it’s feet.

We literally got up and didn’t sit down again until the interval when we went to get our drinks. It was literally song after song after song that meant you couldn’t stay in your seat. All of the people around us were exactly the same; grooving in the aisles.

It was almost like they didn’t even know the audience was there. It was one huge Jam session, with different musicians coming out and having solo spots. Several of the band played a couple of instruments and there was even one point where Jimi was on the drums, letting everyone else perform.

A Selfie or Two

The night was electric and so was the performance. You could see the lighting and sound guys in the wings were dancing along, having a really great time.

Eventually it came to the end of the concert which finished with Purple Rain. For over 10 minutes the band played and I swear there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. It was a stunning performance and I managed to film the whole thing.

The lights went down and it looked like it was all over.

So excited!!

Or was it???

The band came running back onto the stage and did an encore of around 30 minutes with lots of audience participation.

Sadly, the end eventually came and they thanked the audience for coming and cleared the stage.

I had the best time. It was even better than the first time we saw the band and I know it won’t be the last time I see them. They are just too good NOT to see!

We walked back to our car, tired and achy from all the dancing but ecstatic at seeing such a great event.

Have you been and seen the band? What was your opinion?

Till next time

Txx