Prince [ tickets ] plans to play an astonishing 21 shows in London this summer, with the initial seven appearances taking place at the city's O2 Arena.

The often-controversial singer also announced that he would buck the music-industry trend of soaring ticket prices, with all seats for the London shows (which kick off Aug. 1) going for £31.21 (a reference to the title of his current studio album, last year's "3121"). That translates to about $62 US.

"Last time I was here, a lot of people didn't get to see me, so we are trying to make it affordable for everybody," Prince [ tickets ] said during a London press conference announcing the shows. "That's why we are doing such an extended stay."

Fans who purchase tickets for the shows will also receive copies of "3121." Tickets go on sale May 11.

During the press conference, Prince said that the appearances would be his last in the UK "for a while," and that afterwards he planned to "travel and study the bible." He said he wouldn't be playing any other European dates this summer.

Meanwhile, the Purple One is joining Christina Aguilera and Dave Matthews as featured artists for this year's Citi/AAdvantage Card-sponsored "Traveling Through Life" concert series. The series, which places arena-sized acts in more intimate venues, will find Prince doing a May 19 gig at San Francisco's Orpheum Theater.

The singer continues to support "3121," which was released in March 2006 and scored Prince his first No. 1 debut. He unveiled more new music in October on the "Happy Feet" soundtrack, to which he contributed the Golden Globe-winning tune "The Song of the Heart."