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When news of Prince’s untimely death went viral at around noon on Thursday (April 21st), it hit everyone like a ton of bricks. First Avenue immediately rushed to announce a special Prince dance party. Then, hours later, in cooperation with The Current and the City of Minneapolis, they organized what we know as the Prince Block Party. The entire block between Hennepin and 1st Avenue was blocked off by 5pm. The entire event was conceived, organized, executed within a matter of a few hours!
By 6pm, the block was filled with an estimated 8,000 fans. It was just simply incredible.
Fans were leaving flowers, balloons, photos, letters, shirts, etc., over at Prince’s star at First Avenue... which ultimately became a shrine to the late artist.
Chris Coleman (St Paul’s mayor) came on stage to talk about Prince, followed by blaring Prince music over the speakers by DJ Shannon Blowtorch.
Since it only took hours to announce the pop-up event, Tiny Deaths took the stage with her last-minute band (featuring drummer Kenyatta Jackson-Steele and singer Claire de Lune). Without any true soundcheck or prior practice, all the bands on the bill did a fairly good job covering some of Prince’s songs.
Other last-minute addition to the show was local Dem Atlas, followed by PaviElle, Sarah White, Cameron Kinghorn , Chastity Brown, and Lizzo (who said she flew into Minneapolis just to perform for us).
The Block Party ended at 11pm, and thousands of people tried to enter First Avenue’s mainroom - only to be turned away due to maximum occupancy.
DJs listed at the free Prince “All Night Dance Party” were Mike 2600, DJ Jake Rudh, Espada, and Dudley D. They played Prince all night until the morning.
The Party was also extended to Friday and Saturday, and reports from people on the scene was that it was just as successful (selling out at capacity) as Thursday’s night.
BONUS: Listen to our podcast W♥M250: Purple Rain - A Timeline of Prince's Final Days.
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Prince’s Shrine
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Chris Coleman (St Paul’s mayor) came on stage to talk about Prince, followed by blaring Prince music over the speakers by DJ Shannon Blowtorch.
Since it only took hours to announce the pop-up event, Tiny Deaths took the stage with her last-minute band (featuring drummer Kenyatta Jackson-Steele and singer Claire de Lune). Without any true soundcheck or prior practice, all the bands on the bill did a fairly good job covering some of Prince’s songs.
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Dem Atlas |
The Block Party ended at 11pm, and thousands of people tried to enter First Avenue’s mainroom - only to be turned away due to maximum occupancy.
DJs listed at the free Prince “All Night Dance Party” were Mike 2600, DJ Jake Rudh, Espada, and Dudley D. They played Prince all night until the morning.
The Party was also extended to Friday and Saturday, and reports from people on the scene was that it was just as successful (selling out at capacity) as Thursday’s night.
BONUS: Listen to our podcast W♥M250: Purple Rain - A Timeline of Prince's Final Days.
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Tiny Deaths at Prince Block Party, Minneapolis (21 April 2016) |
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