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Police back on duty for first tour since '84
2007-05-29
Legendary rock band The Police on Monday staged their first major public concert since breaking up in 1984, kicking off a reunion tour and drawing fans screams from a bedazzled crowd. The performance in the western Canadian city of Vancouver launched the rock band's 30th-anniversary global tour, and was a much-awaited reunion for British frontman Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland. "Hello Vancouver!" Sting called out to the around 20,000 fans in General Motors Place, who responded with deafening screams. "We chose Vancouver because you're Vancouver." Shouting over hollering and clapping, he thanked the Squamish aboriginal band for letting The Police practice for the last three weeks in their traditional longhouse. Then it was down to business and more than two hours of non-stop music that evoked the raw energy that made The Police a rock icon of the 1970s and 80s. With a packed arena of thousands of fans mouthing or singing the familiar words, The Police ran through their repertoire of hits from the opening tune of "Message in a Bottle" to "Roxanne" and "Don't Stand So Close to Me," wrapping up their second and final encore with "Every Breath You Take." Long-time fans relived their youth, clapping and swaying their arms through most of the concert. "I grew up listening to Sting," said a young woman who gave her name only as Ashley and who said she had 40 dollars (30 euros) for a Police T-shirt because "this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and I want to remember it." The concert was nearly a sell-out, although blackmarket tickets were dropping sharply to as low as 30 dollars in the minutes before the concert. When The Police announced their reunion tour last February in Los Angeles, Sting promised the concerts would be stripped to the basics. "It's going to be three guys on stage, that's all," he said. "The show is going to be simple but spectacular," he told reporters at the time. The raised stage was surrounded on all sides by the audience. Doing without accessories such as massive screens, the trio performed under a kaleidoscope of intricately choreographed lighting that bathed the arena in a multi-colored glow. Sting, 55, was dressed simply for most of the concert in black boots, black pants and a sleeveless white muscle shirt that showed his well-toned biceps, adding a black jacket for the last few songs. Andy Summers, dressed in a buttoned shirt and simple pants, mostly let his guitar take the limelight. It was Stewart Copeland who glittered at centre stage, switching back and forth between two gleaming and elaborate drum ensembles as he beat away with manic energy. After two hours of intense performance, Sting, Summers and Copeland took their bows and hugged each other. Sting blew kisses to the audience. Fans afterwards gave the comeback performance rave reviews. "It was everything I wanted," said Melissa Gibney, 24. Her father, Bob, nodded in agreement. "It was the best concert of my life," he said. Another fan, Gordana Maniquant, said she was moved by the show of affection between the band members who are known for their creative quarrels. "What was most touching was when I saw them hugging at the ending like old friends," Maniquant said, adding that "Every Breath You Take" was the highlight. Police's second concert will take place Wednesday, also in Vancouver. The band then continues on throughout North and South America, Europe and Australia before wrapping up the tour early next year.
Police scrap two Europe gigs, Sting has 'serious voice problems' (2007-10-09)France honours The Police for its 'new sound' (2007-10-01)Police back on duty for first tour since '84 (2007-05-29)Reunited Police thrive on tension (2007-05-25)Police add dates in Oakland, L.A. (2007-02-21)
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