Prince Plays Secret UK Gig Ahead Of 'Tour News'

American singer Prince has played a secret gig at a small London venue in front of less than 300 fans.

The 55-year-old star appeared on stage shortly after 12.30am backed by his new all-female band 3rdeyegirl.

Prince was showcasing new material from his forthcoming album Plectrum Electrum.

Queues began forming outside the Electric Ballroom in Camden late on Tuesday night following mounting speculation of a surprise performance.

He opened with a slowed-down version of the 1987 track I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man.

The northern London gig lasted for around half-an-hour and he told the crowd: "You sound like ten thousands. We love each and every one of you."

Prince and his band left the stage briefly before returning to say: "We'll be back tomorrow."

The performer, who flew to London on Tuesday to promote his new release, is expected to announce a number of concert dates in his first UK tour for seven years.

Prince said he hoped to play "iconic" venues along the lines of music club the Bag o' Nails, where Jimi Hendrix once performed, and Ronnie Scott's jazz club.

Before the start of the gig, he first stopped at the east London home of British soul singer Lianne La Havas, who met Prince last year while she was touring the US.

In her living room in front of a fire, the band played two acoustic tracks of what Prince called their "funky rock 'n' roll," including the newly released single PretzelBodyLogic.

"We'll work our way up, if people like us, to bigger venues," Prince said.

He added that he hoped to record the band live during their stay in London, as well as buying "some clothes - and some tea".

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