Just over two years since the shock death of global superstar Prince, his celebrated band New Power Generation – who ‘the Purple One’ hailed as “the best band ever” – are jetting into the UK for one night only.
An evening of Prince music performed by the legendary backing group that played, toured, wrote & recorded with Prince.
The place: Indigo @ 02 Arena in London. The date: Thursday 2nd August 2018.
It will be the UK’s introduction to the band’s exciting, brand new addition; lead singer MacKenzie.
The show which will be celebrating Prince and the reunion of the most original members of the New Power Generation (NPG), is born out of the exhilarating feedback from the fans after the official Prince Tribute concert in Minnesota in 2016.
The longest-serving member of the NPG, keyboardist Morris Hayes, who also served as Prince’s Musical Director for many years, was asked to do the same job for the official tribute concert two years ago.
Hayes brought the original band members back together to serve as the house band (where they were joined by many other musicians throughout the night) for the epic musical celebration.
The response was overwhelming in favour of bringing a scaled down version of the musical tribute to other cities around the world.
Soon after that historic event, the band reunited and joined forces with other world class musicians, singers and artists to present their own tribute to their legendary mentor and brother, Prince.
MacKenzie, the newest member of the band, joined this year. This is what the media say about him.
“MacKenzie — one word, capital M and K, no last name — is special. His unique way with Prince songs stood out at the New Power Generation show at the Dakota during the Super Bowl. I was not the only one who thought so. After that performance, he was asked to become NPG’s newest member and lead vocalist.” Star Tribune
After touring with several different guest vocalists during their first year out, the band found its official lead singer in the soulful and charismatic MacKenzie – an LA-based singer from a small town in Virginia.
With his “incredible range, commanding stage presence and powerful vocals”, MacKenzie has wowed the audiences and critics alike. MacKenzie’s reverent approach to the songs never strays into an impersonation. The show will also feature co-lead vocals from Kip Blackshire, who was part of the band in 1999.
The full line-up: Musical Director/keyboards: Morris Hayes, Keyboards: Tommy Barbarella (1991), Drums: Kirk Johnson (1990), Bass: Sonny T (1990), Guitar: Homer O’Dell (Grammy nominated Mint Condition), Rap/Guitar/Dance: Tony M (1990), percussion/Dance: Damon D (1990).
Years of touring, recording, rehearsing, playing and performing with Prince helped to shape New Power Generation. Few other artists are known to have the work ethic that was a defining characteristic of Prince. Respecting the music is the philosophical approach that continues to guide the NPG today.
Prince was a consummate live performer and his concerts with the NPG were legendary for the tight arrangements, stellar sound and electrifying pace. And the NPG continue to play as if their infamous boss was front and centre.
Celebrating Prince is a non-stop musical kaleidoscope of the most iconic chart-topping hits from all eras of Prince’s musical back catalogue.
Classic NPG songs like “Diamonds and Pearls” “Get Off,” “Cream,” “7,” and “Sexy MF,” are intermingled with songs from throughout Prince’s illustrious four-decade-long career like “1999,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Pop Life,” “Sign Of The Times,” “Purple Rain,” “U Got The Look,” and “Kiss.”
Prince Rogers Nelson died on the 21st April 2016 at the age of 57, from an accidental overdose of the prescription drug Fentanyl. The outrageous 5’ 2”, funky, physical form may be gone from this world, but his sensational and varied back catalogue of music lives on; his glorious musical legacy in the here and now.
Plus; his gifted former colleagues from NPG continue to tour the planet by Royal Appointment to spead the funky gospel. So no one is ever likely to forget Prince.
London; you have been warned………..
http://www.eventim.co.uk/newpowergeneration
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