Music for the Masses

My brother Amir and I had a fantastic time at the Police show last night. That, in spite of our nosebleed seats (see photo for an idea of how many time zones stood between us and the band), in spite of the $10 beers (which, being a non-drinker, caused me less distress than Amir), in spite of the guy next to us videotaping half the show as if it were his kid's birthday party, in spite of the mediocre, muffled, bass-heavy (and surprisingly muted) sound system and in spite of the retro-clothed woman beside me, who--as thousands of people waited patiently for the band to take the stage--thought it tolerable to shout over and over "WHERE'S MY STING-I-POO?!"

Luckily, the video screens were large and remarkably clear, so we could not only confirm that we were actually seeing the Police and not some look-alike intruders, but we could see facial expressions, real live guitar strumming and a grey-haired Stewart showing his drum kit who's boss. These guys may be getting on in years, but they are still consummate musicians who play with more skill and agility than today's young non-talents (albeit not as tightly as in days passed).

A set list, for anyone interested:

1 - Message in a Bottle (Amir guessed right!)
2 - Synchronicity II
3- Don't Stand So Close to Me (a version somewhere between the upbeat original and the bland, soft-rock '86 remake)
4 - Voices in My Head
5 - When the World Is Running Down...
6 - Spirits in the Material World
7 - Driven to Tears (a funky, extended version)
8 - Regatta de Blanc
9 - Walking on the Moon
10 - Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
11 - Wrapped Around Your Finger (with images of glowing candelabra, like in the video)
12 - Bed's Too Big Without You
13 - De Do Do Do De Da Da Da
14 - Invisible Sun
15 - Walking in Your Footsteps (one of several songs performed in a lower, less tuneful key--I guess Sting can't hit those high notes anymore)
16 - Truth Hits Everybody
17 - Can't Stand Losing You
18 - Roxanne (with the stage enveloped, predictably, in red light)
19 - King of Pain (beautifully done)
20 - So Lonely (great song that suffered from the key change)
21 - Every Breath You Take (as expected, a HUGE crowd-pleaser)

Being my first big arena concert since the Clinton era, last night's show reminded me of all that is good and bad about rounding up many thousands of people--young and old, preppy and hippie and everything in between--assembling them in one place, plying them with booze and then making them all leave the venue AT THE SAME TIME. As we fought our way through the hordes of hyper, buzzing people marching toward and crowding into the BART station, I was provided indisputible proof that my youth is, indeed, behind me. I'm just glad I enjoyed it as much as I did before beginning the slow crawl toward senility.

Posted by ayelet at June 14, 2007 04:32 PM