Prince announces his Welcome 2 America Tour

Prince playing at Coachella 2008 (photo by Scott Penner)

His Royal Badness held a press conference at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater on October 14 to announce his upcoming Welcome 2 America Tour, which will kick off in December this year. The groundbreaking artist referred to the tour as being "multiple nights of entertainment" but didn't elaborate. So there's a good possibility that it could be a series of concerts at one venue as he did with his Earth Tour at London's 02 Arena in 2007.

Prince assembled an impressive line-up of high-caliber talent to join him on the concert series. Some of the artists who will be part of the tour include Maceo Parker, Larry Graham, Sheila E., Mint Condition, Cassandra Wilson and Janelle Monáe, who Prince called "his favorite new artist."

The Purple One promised that a funky good time will be had by all: “Bring your friends, bring your children, and bring foot spray, because it’s going to be funky."

Update (May 2011): Read my review of Prince at the Los Angeles Forum.