Sting sure looks fifferent with out all that make up he wears on TNA wrestleing

its “Message in A Bottle” Cross

I saw Sting on Soul Cages and the only song that remotely sounded like the record was Message in a Bottle.

I understand some improv, but these guys aren’t exactly Bob Dylan. Finding out I paid 300 dollars for a concert ticket to see a bunch of songs that sound nothing like I remember would piss me off!!! Especially from a “populist” band.

What a great set list! I made an i-tunes mix of this and have been playing it all day.

I’ve seen Sting 4 times (1987, 1991, 1992, 1996)and his reinvented Police songs sound good, but to see the REAL DEAL can’t be beat.

(I still kick myself for missing them on the Amnesty International show at the Omni in Atlanta in 1986?)

Sadly no Atlanta show has been scheduled

I also get upset when bands drastically change their songs on stage. If you grew up listening to Police music, it makes a big deal. I say spend your money on a TOOL concert instead…way more bang for your buck.

Don Vito,

that joke was so bad it was good.

the police should of just keep their original sound in the concert. that’s what make their music unique.

I swear to Christ I don’t know why The Police are so beloved – The Cars are (certainly these days) a cult band and realistically that’s correct, as their songs are great but not hit single great and The Police are in my opinion about the same level as The Cars. I mean really, compare them to other bands that were their peers; The Smiths, The Cure, Van Halen etc., they just don’t measure up, except on the radio hits side

thank abandonedstation I appreciate the feedback

I was at the opening show in Vancouver –and throught the performance was great. I was–after paying a huge ticket price–apprehensive we were either going to get a ‘mailed in’ performance or a bunch of new stuff rammed down our throats. But no, the Police took their best and re-worked them to make them like new, yet familiar. Good on the Police, I think they demonstrated real maturity, confidence and musicianship. And I ahven’t seen a Vancouver audience react like that, being engaged for the whole show, in a long time. Your reveiwer got it right. Are you listening Mick, Keith, et al….?!

If you don’t want to see a LIVE concert – stay at home and play the cd’s. Bands have a right to play what they want and you have a right to stay home. People who bitch like this are usually the people who only buy the Greatest Hits and want to hear “Roxanne.” Go to Vegas, suckers.

Don Vitos joke was no worse than the “witty” replies abandonedstation tries to pass off as jokes.

I saw Sting in recent years and HATED his self indulgent spins on Police songs. (although loved his albums!). His solo Roxanne was waaaay too long and boring. It sounds like he’s talked the others into doing the same with this concert. I hope it’s better than it sounds.

But they do look great, don’t they?

Hey Ghost Mutt, first of all I wouldn’t call The Smiths one of their contemporaries, and Van Halen is of another genre. As for the Cars, that’s a load of crap. The Cars do not match up in any way to the mucisianship of the Police. Stewart Copeland is regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time, while Andy Summers is renowned for his innovation and playing ability. Not to mention Sting’s incredible dub-style basslines, as well as his seemless falsetto transitioning. Ric Ocasek’s goofy, jerky singing style has nothing on Sting’s vox. Are you kidding me? Are you actually joking? The Cars, that deserves a “Christ!” The Cars? As in “Shake it Up” Cars? As in “My Best Friends Girl” Cars? As in “turn off the Best Buy commercial its the Cars again” Cars? While Sting was writting countless hits containing revolutionary pop music subject matter, Ric and the boys were singing about Magic. The Cars…that’s laughable.

Nostalgia bands………another rich,niche category created by hungry record executives. But The Police I’d forgive, just to hear ‘King of Pain’ live.

Tori Amos been doing the slowed down “Wrapped Around Your Finger” for years.

Tori Amos been doing the slowed down “Wrapped Around Your Finger” for years.

I’m going to go ahead and agree with IvoKent here. You want to talk Police peers, you talk Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins (who I can’t stand, btw), maybe some U2, maybe Talking Heads, and I may or may not give you The Smiths (who I do love). Certainly not Van Halen and don’t talk to me about the Cars. That would be like putting Huey Lewis and the News in the list.

The Cars have a much better catalogue than Huey Luis and the News.

I always enjoyed stings solo act but the musical chemistry of the whole band together cant be ignored.

My mom is a filthy little slut.

the Police tour opener exceeded all expectations…nit pick all you want…but the creativity and energy from the band combined with amazing production quality only reinforces that the Police are and always will be one of the most innovative bands music has ever seen; no matter how they play their catalogue. Age and time have done nothing to dull the edge. Stewart Copeland was nearly out of his mind, so excited that the world could see him and his bandmates in their prime. Anyone who misses this tour out of skepticism is selling themselves out of a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Tori Amos ain’t The Police.

how overpriced are these tickets?

Christ almighty. The word is “canon”, not “cannon”.

the Police, the Cars, Van Halen and … The Smiths?!?!

Great bands one and all but The Smiths are not a populist band. The Smiths never enjoyed even remote mainstream popularity in the U.S.

With all that money you’d think Sting could afford a better bass with a decent paint job. Jeez.

All I know is, the MIGHTY VAN HALEN has sold more albums than pretty much all those “artsy” groups combined. People who say crap like VH aren’t “deep” enough are like those losers who will tell you David Lynch is a better director than Steven Spielberg. Being popular doesn’t make you lame or cheesy. I guess The Beatles, Zeppelin and The Stones are all cheese. LAME!!!!

As a musician, I would slit my own throat if I had to play the hits the same way they sound on the record for every live concert since 1978. I certainly understand reworking songs. It, as Sting says, “…gives them new life, a rebirth”.

I have seen Sting in every concert since 1987’s Nothing like the Sun. He has sounded great every tour, especially in 2004’s Sacred Love. As a musician who played live for years, I would slit my own throat if I had to play my hits the same way they sounded on the original recordings. As Sting says, reworking the songs gives them new life, a rebirth.

Question Did the Police open for the Cars in the late 70’s early 80’s on their North American tour?

if off topic comments will be deleted then how did don vitos’ comment who wrote about his mom’s sexual zest for life is related to the story somehow because….she did the band after the show. Can anyone confirm this ? lol

the police are the real deal, putting energy in audio form, and delivering what the fans want to hear. If you want to hear live songs played exactly like the records I suggest buying Brittany Spears tickets instead of real music bands like the cops…

the Police are the real deal, putting energy in audio form, and delivering what the fans want to hear. If you want to hear live songs played exactly like the records I suggest buying Brittany Spears tickets instead of real music bands like the cops…

Just done with the 6/6 Seattle show. It’s really too bad that Sting has settled by reducing himself to this. He is so great with the right musicians and I greatly regret spending $380 for 200 level tix to see this pathetic attempt at reviving an energy that is not there. I had such high hopes and feel bad for the rest of you that were duped as I into such a farse of a show.

Sting has reduced himself to what? “He’s so great with the right musicians..” What?! Copeland & Summers are incredible musicians, and for the music they make with Sting as The Police, none are more right. I hope you didn’t go to The Police concert expecting Sting to sound the way he does as a solo artist. I say this because before last night, at the 2nd Seattle show, I didn’t care much for The Police. They were, at best, just part of the background music of my 80s childhood. I admit I liked Sting’s solo catalog better. Now I’m a new believer in The Police. These are three true musicians who know how to put on a show.

Genevieve, welcome to “cop” land. I went the 2nd performance last night as well. Stu was intense, Andy was tight and Sting was smooth. Worth every penny…especially since they might be broken-up again by the time they get to Chicago knowing their past. Best part was Stu doing his part during King of Pain. Unforgettable!!

Van Halen does not hold a candle to The Police if for no other reason than the literacy of the lead singers. Compare “Jump” to anything in The Police canon. Van Halen’s lyrics are pre-school kindergarten to the Police’s PhD. Musically, of course, due props to the Van Halen brothers’ talents, but they just blew up the chemistry of their rhythm section, and remember that The Police are weaving their aural magic with only three players.

Just got back from the first Denver show. I was a little put off at first because they were putting a different spin on the hits, but in the end it was a fantastic show. Everybody loved it and the band did give a few spot-on renditions of some of the bigger hits. Who can blame them? Just because we have been listening to the recorded versions of these songs for 20 years, doesn’t mean they have to play them exactly the same way. I would have loved some more oldies, but I knew every song they played and there were definitly a few killers that left me breathless and smiling.

Caught the Seattle Police Concert: What a fabulous show! The professionals that they are they were able to rise above “Key Arena’s” HORRIBLE sound system and still sound great. That’s an accomplishment only the very BEST could pull off. Our concert venue is antiquated and pathetic to say the least. Best show I’ve been to in years. I’d pay my tix price and then some for this concert!

Can anyone tell me what time they hit the stage? My tix for the Staples Center in Los Angeles say 7:30. I don’t want to miss anything!

It’s 852 at Staples and they just turned down the lights.

Kristen, thanks, lmao. I got the same start time. Was that amazing or what? I am definitely going to see them at Dodger Stadium now! Especially with the Foo Fighters opening. It will truly be a special event!

Looking for a Sting and Police fan to take to the Tampa concert!?

I have front row seats in Tampa to share with a an excited fan. Contact me at sambaatrockdotcom.

First, Jon, you must be joking. I would have paid $500 to see this concert but you couldn’t pay me that amount to go with a stranger who posted on the rolling stone site!

Second, been a Sting fan since age 11, which unfortunately was post-Police. I have been dreaming of this concert for 23 years and can’t wait to see the show in Cleveland on 7-16.

Third, the Rolling Stone reviewer must not have seen any Sting concerts lately because he’s been doing the long slowed-down call-and-answer jam of Roxanne for years.

Finally, all of you who want/expect to hear The Police play their songs exactly as recorded have absolutely no respect for the incredible talent these men have!

I saw the show in st louis last night. Other than an uninspired version of “don’t stand so close to me”. It was killer. the only time we sat down was for “walking in your footsteps” I did wonder why they passed on “demolition man” and “spirits in the material world”…..

I saw the show in st louis last night. Other than an uninspired version of “don’t stand so close to me”. It was killer. the only time we sat down was for “walking in your footsteps” I did wonder why they passed on “demolition man” and “spirits in the material world”…..

Sting Take some advise from a fellow bass player put that 53 p bass back under the bed she’s a nice old girl but she’s got no balls !!Take out your old J.bass your spector bass your 78 p bass anything but that tone dead thin 53 p bottom end was a huge part of the police sound power sting not ponce sting /phil lynot RIP

Your a Dickhead sting!!

Sting has been crapping on about breathing new life into HIS old songs since 1985 more like farting in a jar rebirth more like a abortion JUST PLAY THE BLOODY SONGS THE WAY THE FANS WANT THEM AND THE WAY THEY WERE MEANT TO BE PLAYED DICKHEAD ! NO JAZZ YOU CLOWN !!

I agree the classic police song were played hard and fast and by three guys who all contributed evenly. Thats how the songs were played then and thats how they should be played today. They are police songs I was at there last ever show in 84 and my ears were bleeding thats how i want to remember the police a power trio.Sting may have wrote the songs but they are still police songs.Sting is not the police!
A slowed down clever jazzy police
no thank you keep it in your solo career sting and let the police do what they do best!

I wonder if sting would have reformed the police if his solo career wasn’t stuffed !!

I have tix for next week in Philly, but will be out of town on business. The tix state 7:30 Pm showtime – no way I can make this. I noticed another comment where they went on closer to 9 pm which I could make. Has this been the norm for the tour, or have they been going on closer to the 7:30 time? Thanks and appreciate the help!!

Saw them from Row 3. They were tight and energetic. Sting struggles with the high notes, but we understand. Andy needs to shed a few lbs. Stewart is simply one of the best percussionists on the planet. FOUR encores in front of 40,000 fans at Churchill Downs. If you missed it….sorry.

I saw the Police in Cleveland last night and Sting seemed very tired -understandably so. He looked great but had a hard time hitting the high notes. Stewart Copeland was amazing; he was the only one who seemed to be enjoying himself.

Saw The Police at Twickenham in London on Saturday and they were rubbish. Started with a classic in ‘Walking on the moon’ and it went doen hill from there. Couldn’t here a word Sting was singing and guitarist Andy Summers was in anouther place. I know i wasn’t on my own with this opinion as the guy sat next to me fell asleep. They came on at 20:30 and were due to finish at 22:30; we left at 21:15. Say no more….

yes i was at the same gig last night and it truely sucked. the acoustics were aweful and there was no connection between the musicians. my friend heard on the radio that evening that the police were arguing backstage that night and were close to calling the gig off. i thought it was radio sensationalism until the gig started.

Rubbish? Twickenham was a riot from start to finish. Brilliant. The sound mix was perfect – loud enough that you couldn’t hear yourself singing but not painful. The song mix was good, the improv solos rocked and the singing from Sting and the crowd was the best I’ve ever heard. We were on our feet dancing and singing the whole time, as were all around. If you didn’t like it you aren’t a fan of the Police, so why blow 70 quid? 49,998 others loved every minute.

I’d have to agree with Turtle….I’ve been a long time Police/Sting fan. I saw them in Austin, Texas over 25 years ago when Joe King Carasco opened for them. It marked the most magical time in my life. The Police performed with the utmost perfection. I caught their show with my daughter, wanting to show off what a “real show” was like…to take her back to capture that time…..It did seem that the songs performed were celebration of renditions. It made me sad, and a bit disappointed. My daughter loved the show none the less, having no reference to draw by since she was watching the Police perform for the first time….I of course would have paid double what I did because to me it was history in the making, and I love the Police/Sting. I can understand, and empathize with a musician having to sing or play a song for the bagillionth time….but performance is for the benefit of the audience. There should be an ethic to give the people what they paid for…..and no offense to Dewey Finn, but David Lynch is a better director than Spielberg…..hands down….

who cares about what you say about the polce