“Coachella! I am here!” So began the 2-hour closing set of the second day of Coachella. This speaker was, of course, Prince. The rock icon was a late addition to the lineup and many are crediting the addition with lifting a mediocre lineup to something more in-line with previous editions’ headliners. And rumor has it, the artist is taking home a paycheck well into the seven figures. Whatever the case, Prince came to party, and party he did. If Coachella had a roof, it would’ve been blown clean off.

It started out strangely, as Prince used his chance to headline a massive event by bringing out some old friends to perform. Morris Day (of the newly reunited The Time) and his sidekick Jerome played two Prince-penned ‘80s hits and offered some “Purple Rain” schtick while Prince playfully hid behind some amps. Former Prince protégé Sheila E. then took to the drums for her hit song “The Glamorous Life” (also a Prince composition) and a short solo. The band consisted of mostly new faces (some of whom played with him at his 2007 shows), including a five-piece horn section and three female backup singers. No Maceo Parker or Wendy and Lisa. Up to this point in the show, the crowd seemed confused, even a little agitated with the supporting role that Prince was playing.

Any fears of a phoned-in performance were allayed as soon as the opening bars to “1999” were heard. Starting with that classic tune, the diminutive pop star burned through a dozen songs, mostly sticking to the hits and all but ignoring his post-millennial work. There were some surprises too, including two leftfield cover choices. For months before the Coachella lineup was solidified, rumors were rampant that Radiohead would play. They aren’t, of course, but in a nod to Tom Yorke and co., Prince did a faithful rendition of the U.K. band’s first hit, “Creep.” Covers of pop songs have never been Prince’s strong suit (he’s covered, among others, Sheryl Crow, Joan Osborne and Led Zeppelin), but “Creep” was suitably royal in this version. Later, worked as a medley with “7,” Prince tackled another sacred rock text -- the Beatles’ “Come Together” (there were many a Beatles cover this weekend).

Never completely comfortable with hip-hop (remember Tony M.?), Prince performed an awkward rap about the evils of corporate record companies during an extended take on “Musicology.” He didn't play any of his custom made guitars, opting instead for a pair of worn Telecasters and two slightly newer-looking Strats.

The 1 a.m. encore included two familiar standbys: "Purple Rain" and "Let's Go Crazy." He left the starstruck crowd with this: "From now on, this is PRINCE'S HOUSE!" No arguments there. Coachella may never be the same.

Prince's complete Coachella Set List:

The Bird (performed by Morris Day) / Jungle Love (performed by Morris Day) /  Glamorous Life (performed by Sheila E.) / Instrumental Jam / 1999 / I Feel For U / Controversy (with snippet of “Housequake”) / Little Red Corvette / Musicology / Cream / U Got the Look / Shh / Anotherloverholeinyourhead / Creep (Radiohead cover) / The Arms of an Angel (Sarah McLachlan cover performed by backup singers) / 7 --> Come Together (Beatles Cover) / Purple Rain / Let's Go Crazy

Check out all of Variety's coverage at www.variety.com/coachella

Posted by David Lewis