When Prince Took Over The Forum: The Residency Los Angeles Will Never Forget

A Residency Los Angeles Will Never Forget

Twenty-one nights. Twenty-dollar tickets. Six encores. Countless unforgettable memories. Prince’s “Welcome 2 America” residency at the Forum wasn’t just a concert series. It became one of the defining live music experiences in Los Angeles history.

Some concerts entertain us.

Others become part of a city’s identity.

For 21 unforgettable nights in the spring of 2011, Prince transformed the Forum in Inglewood into the epicenter of the music world. At a time when concert tickets were becoming increasingly expensive, he made a decision that reflected the artist he had always been – every ticket cost just $20.

It wasn’t a marketing gimmick. It wasn’t a publicity stunt.

It was Prince reminding the world that music belongs to the people.

Los Angeles responded.

Fans from across Southern California packed the Forum night after night, joined by celebrities, musicians, actors, athletes, and industry executives, all eager to witness one of the greatest live performers of all time. What no one knew when they walked through those doors was that every concert would become a unique experience.

I was fortunate enough to attend 13 of the 21 performances, and I can say without hesitation that no two nights were ever alike.

That was the magic of Prince.

A Residency That Changed the Rules

Most artists announce a tour, perform the same show in city after city, and move on.

Prince did the exact opposite.

Instead of traveling across the country, he invited the country to come to him.

For three remarkable weeks, the Forum became Prince’s home, and Los Angeles became the center of the live music universe.

The residency wasn’t built around elaborate production or expensive visual effects. It was built around musicianship, spontaneity, and the confidence that comes from having one of the deepest catalogs in popular music.

Every night was an opportunity to create something new.

Opening Night Made History

From the moment Prince walked onto the stage on April 14, 2011, it was obvious this residency would be unlike anything Los Angeles had experienced.

The opening performance lasted more than three hours, featured 37 songs, and included an astonishing six encores, making it the longest performance of the entire residency.

The setlist showcased Prince’s extraordinary range.

He performed classics like Little Red Corvette, 1999, Let’s Go Crazy, Delirious, Controversy, Purple Rain, and Kiss, while also rewarding longtime fans with gems including When We’re Dancing Close and Slow, Joy in Repetition, 17 Days, and Shhh.

As always, Prince refused to be confined by genre.

The audience also experienced inspired performances of What Have You Done for Me Lately, Make You Feel My Love, Misty Blue, Play That Funky Music, Fantastic Voyage, and More Than This. He even put his own spin on Kool & the Gang’s classic by transforming Hollywood Swinging into Inglewood Swinging, a fitting tribute to the city hosting one of the most memorable concert residencies in modern music history.

It wasn’t simply a concert.

It was a masterclass in live performance.

The Show Was Never Really Over

The first lesson I learned came after attending opening night.

After nearly two incredible hours, the house lights came on.

Like many first-time attendees, I assumed the concert had ended.

Then something happened that would become a defining part of the residency.

The lights went back down.

The audience erupted.

Prince returned to the stage.

What followed wasn’t a traditional encore lasting a few minutes. It often became another hour, or even longer, of unforgettable performances. It felt less like an encore and more like a second concert.

From that moment forward, I knew one thing.

Never leave a Prince concert when the lights first come on.

Some of the greatest moments were still waiting to happen.

Every Night Was Different

That unpredictability kept fans coming back.

Prince refused to perform on autopilot. Songs appeared and disappeared from the setlist. Arrangements evolved. Guitar solos stretched into breathtaking improvisations. Deep album cuts surfaced unexpectedly, while familiar hits took on entirely new life.

Even after attending 13 performances, I never felt like I was watching the same show twice.

Each evening had its own personality.

Each audience experienced something uniquely their own.

That’s a rare accomplishment for any artist.

Hollywood Came to The Forum

Word quickly spread that Prince was doing something special.

The Forum became one of the hottest tickets in Los Angeles, attracting celebrities from every corner of the entertainment industry.

Among those spotted in the audience were Eva Longoria, George Lopez, Mila Kunis, Whoopi Goldberg, Naomi Campbell, Sherri Shepherd, Leighton Meester, Kim Kardashian, and John Leguizamo, all joining thousands of fans to witness a once-in-a-generation performer at the peak of his powers.

But some of the biggest surprises happened onstage.

Throughout the residency, Prince welcomed an extraordinary lineup of guest performers, including Alicia Keys, Ledisi, Jamie Foxx, Anthony Hamilton, Mint Condition, Lalah Hathaway, Sheila E., CeeLo Green, Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, and Janelle Monáe.

Each appearance created another unforgettable moment, yet Prince always remained the center of gravity. His generosity as a collaborator never overshadowed his brilliance as a performer.

More Than Entertainment

Looking back today, what stands out isn’t just the music. It’s the feeling.

For 21 nights, strangers became a community connected by an artist who challenged expectations every time he stepped onto the stage.

Prince wasn’t interested in delivering the safest performance.

He wanted every audience to leave believing they had witnessed something that would never happen again.

And they had. Long before residencies became common for superstar artists, Prince showed what one could be. He transformed a single venue into a cultural destination where every night felt historic.

A Gift to Los Angeles

Today, concert tickets can easily cost hundreds of dollars before parking, service fees, or merchandise. Prince chose a different path.

For just $20, fans from every walk of life had the opportunity to witness one of the greatest musicians of any generation.

That decision allowed many people to return multiple times, creating a shared experience that few artists have ever offered.

More than a decade later, conversations about those nights still begin the same way. Were you there?

If you were, you understand. If you weren’t, it’s almost impossible to fully explain.

A Legacy That Still Echoes

Some performances are remembered because they broke attendance records.

Others are remembered because they generated enormous profits.

Prince’s Forum residency is remembered because it reminded us why live music matters.

It was about artistry instead of excess.

Connection instead of spectacle.

Music instead of hype.

For those fortunate enough to experience it, the memories remain as vivid today as they were in 2011.

Prince didn’t simply take over the Forum.

For 21 unforgettable nights, he gave Los Angeles a gift that can never be duplicated.

And in doing so, he created one of the greatest chapters in the city’s rich musical history.

By Kevin J. Nelson | Reach LA Angels

Share Your Prince Forum Memories

Prince didn’t just perform — he created a cultural moment Los Angeles will never forget. If reading this brought you back to those legendary nights, I want to hear from you.

Were you in the building. Did you catch one of the encores. Did you witness one of those surprise celebrity appearances.

I’ll never forget the night Whitney Houston and Cedric the Entertainer were there – and somehow I ended up in the Forum Club with them afterward. Pure magic.

Drop your memories in the comments and let’s celebrate one of the greatest eras in live music together.

– Erica “EMissyK” Lindsay

If you love stories that honor Los Angeles culture, music history, and the moments that shaped our city, stay connected with Reach LA Angels. Follow us, share your memories, and join a community that celebrates the people, places, and performances that make LA unforgettable.

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Shop Our Prince‑Inspired Picks

Reliving these iconic Forum nights reminded us why we love music so deeply — and if you’re the same way, we’ve curated a few Amazon favorites inspired by Prince, live performance culture, and LA’s music history.

Check out our hand‑picked selections and support Reach LA Angels through our Amazon Affiliate links. Your support helps us keep LA’s stories alive.