The 12 Best Festival Tributes to Prince of the Past Year

Article by: emily ward|@_drawylime

Fri April 21, 2017 | 12:40 PM

Can you believe it's been a full year since Prince unexpectedly passed away? Just months after the stunning loss of David Bowie, the world was readying for festival season when the news broke of Prince's sudden death on April 21 – and 2016 only continued to more rough for music. Only 57 years old, the legendary, flamboyant, mega-superstar's death sent shockwaves through the world, and tributes have continued to pour in months later. Renditions of Prince classics like "1999," "Let's Go Crazy," "Raspberry Beret" and of course, "Purple Rain" have popped up at festivals all summer, often as the highlight of a set.

Prince wouldn't want us to be sad, right? Prince would want us to go crazy, get a little nuts. We've gathered a few of our favorite festival tributes to Prince below. They're righteous celebrations of a man who contributed profoundly to the music we love today.

LCD Soundsystem: "Controversy" at Coachella 2016

 

Coachella Weekend 2 was the first major festival to happen just days after Prince's death, and naturally, the event was filled with rousing tributes. LCD Soundsystem brought "Controversy" to the table, an early 80s hit from Prince's discography.

Fatboy Slim, "1999" at Glastonbury 2016

Even in a discography spanning more than thirty years, "1999" has remained one of Prince's most popular tunes, Videos of Prince floated in the background as Fatboy Slim played it to an enthralled crowd at Glastonbury 2016. Fatboy Slim is awesome. This was awesome.

Usher + Major Lazer, "I Would Die 4 U" at Coachella 2016

Our other favorite tribute from Coachella, Usher teamed up with Major Lazer for "I Would Die 4 U." Even with less than optimal audio levels on the mic, the purple backdrop pulsated behind the R&B superstar with Prince's "Love Symbol" and what looks to be purple rain.

Beck, "Raspberry Beret" at Governor's Ball 2016

Well isn't this just lovely. A fan favorite since its 1985 release, "Raspberry Beret" got the Beck treatment at Governor's Ball in June.

Governors Ball 2016 Emily Tan Crowd 3 (1)

Prince artwork at Governor's Ball 2016. Photo by: Emily Tan

Janelle Monae, "Let's Go Crazy" at New Orleans Jazz Fest 2016

 

Prince would've loved this. Janelle Monae put on a wild show as she coupled her vocal chops with fervid dancing for "Let's Go Crazy" at the end of her New Orleans JazzFest set back in April. There aren't any shots of the crowd in this video, but it's doubtful anyone was sitting down.

Christina Aguilera, "Purple Rain" at Mawazine Festival 2016

Clad in purple, Aguilera's tribute to Prince was a stirring rendition of one of Prince's most famous, "Purple Rain." She invited the crowd at Mawazine Festival to join her as purple rain streamed down the screen behind her.

The Roots, "Purple Rain" at Sweetwater 420 Fest 2016

 

"Purple Rain" with tubas and Questlove on drums? The only way to describe this audience is "lucky."

Carl Cox, "1999" at Pure Festival Sydney 2016


"When Doves Cry"

The techno king worked multiple tributes to Prince into his set during his first-ever boutique festival Pure, most notably the unmistakable, glittering synths of "1999" and the sexy vocal lines of "When Doves Cry."

2manydjs, "1999" at Coachella 2016


Signaling to the crowd that it was Prince time with a purple video screen background as the first notes and the opening monologue of "Let's Go Crazy" warble to life, 2manydjs then launches into "1999" in a super fun twist to get feet moving and heads bopping.

Nick Jonas, "I Would Die 4 U" and "Purple Rain" at New Orleans Jazz Fest 2016


The angel-voiced singer covers "I Would Die 4 U" but as a gorgeous, emotive ballad that shines the originally synth-laden song under a whole new light. It's wholly captivating – and if that weren't enough, Jonas seamlessly dives into the anthem "Purple Rain," and the audience immediately joins in. Nothing like an entire audience singing together to tug on the old heartstrings.

L.A. Guns, "Purple Rain" at Sweden Rock Festival 2016


Fellow 80s rockers L.A. Guns brought "Purple Rain" to the black-clad masses at Sweden Rock Festival that was surely a welcome departure from the rest of the weekend's heavy riffs. And of course, they do Prince's guitar prowess right by positively shredding through the song's epic guitar solos.

David Guetta,"Let's Go Crazy" & "Kiss" at Tomorrowland Brasil 2016


David Guetta opens this video, of his Tomorrowland Brasil set performed the night Prince passed away, by declaring that Prince is one of the greatest artists ever, and "I would love to play a record for him." Speaking over the iconic intro of "Let's Go Crazy," Guetta makes his heartfelt speech, then unleashes "Kiss," much to the audience's dancing delight.

What have been some of your favorite festival tributes to Prince?