Purple Rain is forecast for Australia and New Zealand with the arrival of legendary pop-funk master Prince.
The singer-songwriter’s last visit to Australia, in 2012, was for an arena tour but this time Prince is bringing his solo show Down Under, titled the Piano & A Microphone tour, for as-yet undisclosed dates this month. It will also mark the first time Prince has ever toured New Zealand.
The music superstar released the news on Friday via promoters Dainty Group and Kerry O’Brien publicity and in true Prince fashion there has been absolutely no fanfare or build-up to the tour.
Prince released his last album, Hit n Run Phase Two, in a similar fashion last December.
This is the first time Prince has toured solo.
He kicked off the intimate tour in January in his home state of Minnesota, playing the first solo show of his career at his personal recording complex Paisley Park.
The intimate show has been praised with reviews from Rolling Stone and Soulbounce highlighting his virtuosic piano playing on an appropriately purple baby grand.
He reportedly went back and forth through his entire 39-album catalogue including at least one song from each of his first 10 albums, according to Rolling Stone.
He also shared autobiographical moments with the audience about feeling the weight of his father’s jazz piano talents, and finally emerging from under that weight to become a musician in his own right.
Australian fans ha e expressed their delight and shock to Friday’s announcement and desperately searched around for ticketing and venue information, none of which has yet been released.