Prince Again Tribute Concert Felt Like Prince Was Here Again

“Everybody’s got a bomb
We could all die any day, oh
But before I’ll let that happen
I’ll dance my life away”

I’d heard these lines from Prince’s grooving-through-the-apocalypse hit “1999” many times before. However, when I listened to the captivating frontman for the Prince Again tribute concert at the Lobero sing these words, they took on a deeper meaning.

This past Saturday night, preparing to head to the show amidst the current state of the world in high distress, I wasn’t sure if it was quite the right time to don a sequined costume and dance, sing, and bop around to a cover band.

However, Prince Again’s ebullient and immersive performance reminded me that when faced with despair, the immersive power of communal musical experience, might just be what we need most. Listening to these songs reminded a rapt audience of our capacity to experience joy; not as ignorance, but as resistance.

Prince Again frontman Bettis Richardson, who is a Top 10 American Idol alum, performed with such commitment, powerful vocals, hypnotizing dance moves, and dynamic crowd interaction, it felt as if we were transported from our cushy Lobero seats to another place and time. With every hip thrust, somersault, split, shimmy, or squeal, Richardson unearthed something inside all of us: a need to express, to communicate, to see and be seen, in all of our beauty and all of our darkness. His stunning performance was pure catharsis, and it felt like his honesty, transparency and embrace of the outrageous gave us the permission to be our full selves as well. 

Their musical chops also didn’t hurt; the band had a beautiful way of building each song for maximum contrast and drama. Highlights included “Little Red Corvette,” where every slower, moody verse heightened the soaring and redemptive chorus.

Prince Again also did not play like a juke-box coverband; they allowed space and time to vamp and jam through each number. I especially enjoyed the funky keyboard-infused instrumental break in “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” They also played a mix of obvious crowd favorites such as “Purple Rain” and peppered in more niche numbers like “Diamonds & Pearls.”

The band’s passion for Prince was undeniable, and they humbly acknowledged the fact that they could never be him. Richardson even gushed before launching into one of my favorites “When Doves Cry,” that it was one of his favorites as well. And he certainly did the song justice with sultry dance moves and emotionally sharp vocals. With multiple costume changes, spellbinding solos, and plenty of call-and-response moments with the enraptured crowd, the band certainly knew how to work a room. By the end of the night, much of the initally politely-seated audience had come out of their shells and were charging towards the front of the stage armed with dance moves and fanatic affection. 

“We need more love, we need more connection, we need more music,” Richardson proclaimed towards the end of the show. I looked around the room at the bright smiles, raspberry berets, and people of all ages moving their bodies with a newfound freedom. I couldn’t help but think; although it’s not a cure-all for the world’s ills, this infusion of optimism and expression is one heck of a motivator.