Stevie Wonder and members of Prince’s inner circle will highlight a family-sanctioned Prince tribute concert in St Paul, Minnesota on 13 October, organisers announced on Thursday.
Prince’s family originally planned to hold the show at the new NFL stadium in his hometown of Minneapolis. However, organisers said that it will be at the smaller, 20,000 capacity Xcel Energy Center in St Paul. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, with some will cost $19.99 in tribute to Prince’s hit song.
The lineup also includes Christina Aguilera, Chaka Khan, John Mayer, Tori Kelly, Anita Baker, Doug E Fresh, Luke James, Bilal and Mint Condition. Prince’s inner circle will be represented by Morris Day and the Time, Judith Hill and Liv Warfield. The New Power Generation, led by Morris Hayes, as well as members of 3rdEyeGirl, also will perform.
“It’s an all-star mix of classic and new artists – Prince-inspired as well as Prince family-type artists,” said organiser L Londell McMillan, a former lawyer for the late musician, now helping to manage his estate’s entertainment assets.
Prince’s family first announced the show in late July, after his death of an accidental painkiller overdose in April. McMillan said it took a lot of work and time to put the details together because so many artists were involved. He also held out the possibility of additional tribute shows at some point.
The change of venue was a “business and creative decision”, McMillan told the Associated Press. He said he thought they could have sold enough seats at the stadium, but the decision wasn’t just about selling tickets. Another factor was that they wanted to stick with the date announced by the family because so many fans had already made travel plans.
“For this kind of show, you want it to be intimate. You want it to be right,” he said.
Prince held the record for most sell-outs at the Xcel at three in 2004 until Taylor Swift tied him last September, according to the arena’s website.