May 27, 2007: Police Fan Club Show

Vancouver, BC
GM Place

The first review I posted about this show was the one I sent to my Journey buddies and other friends. It wasn't until I returned home from Vancouver that I shared my full thoughts with the folks on the Police fan club message boards. Managed to dig it up too.

So we're now a good 3 days since the show and I think I can finally add my perspective. Like many here, I just missed being able to see the Police back in their hey day -- I was 15 when the last tour ended, not quite old enough to be allowed to go to shows. I've seen Sting three or four times at least -- pretty much whenever he's come through the Bay Area. Like many, I figured the odds of ever seeing the Police live and in person were beyond zero and that was just one of those things that happen in life. So the news of the reunion and tour came as a huge surprise and thrill.

For me, the trek to Vancouver was just one of those once-in-a-lifetime kind of events that I just couldn't miss, but if the tickets had cost $225 instead of $50, I probably would have stayed home and thought "darn, that would have been cool." But things all work in the way they need to I suppose, and I got to take in a rare show.

Now, as I mentioned to a few people at Ceili's Sunday night I'm not "that way" about the Police. I've always enjoyed their music but don't have that deep emotional connection. I totally get that feeling, it's just a different group for me. Thus one of the things I really enjoyed Sunday night was watching all the other fans with various looks of excitement, shock, anticipation, awe, and all around joy as show time approached. Their excitement increased my own.

When I got to the arena and found my seat, I was just thrilled though with the location. Fourth row, Sting's side of center stage. My concern about having to see over the too-tall Muse and her husband was abated when we discovered they had seats 23 and 24 to my seat 22. Even better, there was NO ONE in seat 22 in front of me. Holy cow a totally clear view of the stage ALL NIGHT. I'm 5' 2" -- I never get a clear view! Woo hoo! Okay, so my excitement built rapidly from there. Especially since cameras were rampantly available and usable -- I pulled mine out of my purse before the show started and shot off about 250 pictures by the time the show ended.

Unfortunately, I was totally unprepared for the guys coming out on stage BEFORE the show started to say "hi." Ah well, can't anticipate everything. The show started and wow... I was just amazed. Many comments have been made already about the different arrangements, but to my ear most songs sounded more or less as I expected them too -- or at least nothing was changed so much that I couldn't identify it within a few notes (something I will admit I was worried about so spent time cramming with Message in a Box.)

My best description of the show was it was very loose and the pace more moderated than I expected -- kind of like they were feeling out the reaction. The thing that truly amazed me though, was just what astounding musicians these guys are. As I said, I've always liked their music, but I've never really paid deep serious attention to it. Don't get me wrong, I knew these guys had the chops, but seeing them live and in person put a WHOLE different perspective on their talents for me. I was beyond impressed.

The set list covered pretty much everything I expected and/or hoped it would, and I couldn't help remembering being 12 and hearing "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" for the first time when that popped up. Between shooting off the camera I danced and sung along and had a great ole time. The show was over much too fast, but two days driving home gave me plenty of time to reflect on the evening. I'm so glad I went and what a way to get to see the Police for the first time.

I've spent the better part of today putting the pictures I took together. I've got to say, I really impressed myself this time and got a lot of really good shots. (Usually, I figure I'm lucky if 25% of the shots are quality -- this time only about 25% were total crap!) There's always the microphones, cymbals, heads, and arms that get in the way, but I think I got a pretty good collection this time.