Miami is Burning and the Faithful stand Proud!

[PunkRockPoo]

OMFG!!!! is the first thing that comes to mind, as is should because I screamed it at the top of my lungs plenty last night. Either this was one of the best shows so far, or the nay-sayers are on crack. The haters and doubt mongerers have been proven so wrong, it's laughable.

The best I can do is try to pass on The Police Experience as I saw it. I'm not a musician and can't speak their language. I've barely glimpsed at the recent bootlegs and can't make comparisons to what others have seen or heard, nor do I want to. Simply put, this is what I saw, felt, kept and hopefully shared. Grab some something to drink, this may get lengthy so I apologize in advance.

The Flag - I never saw it, not once. Not tailgaiting, not in the stadium or leaving the stadium...and trust me, I looked. Yeah, I'm disappointed, but it's OK. It's not my Flag, it's Stewart's. And I know he saw it.

Location - We were seated on the floor towards the back, left side right next to the lighting/sound/whatever rig. Great seats for a shorty. Not only do I always stand during concerts, I stand on the seats. Nothing was behind us but the beer stand! Nice. One order of showing the crazy with a side of still being considerate coming up.

Crowd - The crowd in Miami was way better than I expected. Not judging, I live here and I see them frequently. Very high concentration of attendees who value the bragging rights more than the experience. What do you expect? There's a hot tub section in our stadium...sigh. Given that though, I did hear a lot of people singing song versions from other Live recordings rather than the studio recordings. I thought that was way cool and am happily surprised.

Fiction Plane - FP was starting their set as we were coming into the stadium. We were getting to our seats as Two Sisters came on which was cool, as that was the only song I had previously heard. The sound mix during the set was off, there wasn't much of a crowd and it was eight million degrees but the band still put on a good energetic set. I dug it. Joe was very gracious and appreciative to the crowd which I thought was really sweet. Concert rule #1 - Beer runs were only allowed during opening bands...and I reluctanly made one during the FP set. In the middle of my purchase Joe lets out a high keening wail of a note so familiar that I instantly turn around to the stage and see 20 years into the past. This happens twice and during my transaction and now I'm the beer stand asshat for holding everyone up. Joe sounded so much like Sting it was shocking and I couldn't understand why I was the only one around who was stopped in her tracks by it.

Sting - I thought that Sting was fantastic last night and that he really liked the Miami crowd. If he wasn't having a great time he hid it well. Not much chit chat, he did comment on the humidity saying the crowd in Miami looks like they just had sex. Cute. It's true though, we were one sweaty bunch last night but wait until you get to Tampa. Sting's voice was amazing. Yes, many of the new song arrangements skip some of the high notes and I think that topic has become way overblown. There were so many other occasions last night where Sting tore it wide open and I was awestruck. Although I think his voice may have missed the mark a few times, It's hard to tell when you're being so loud yourself. He was all over the place on stage and spent a lot of time jamming next to Andy. Sting was definitely playing in a band and not in front of one. "Police" Sting...I forgot how much I loved him. Nice to have you back.

Andy - Andy ripped a hole in the ozone last night. Period. He was amazing. Sublime as always he didn't move around much on stage, he didn't have to. Andy's playing is presence enough. We had some scissor kicks and handwork so flash I swore at one point he was going to lift the guitar higher and play with his teeth. I absolutely loved the intro to Invisible Sun. Blue stage...slow playing burn...one spot light...Andy. I'm not sure when it actually appeared and I didn't notice it until ELTSDIM, but there it was...The Telecaster. I cheered for the Tele like it was another member of the band until it disappeared into the mist. Andy played burning solo jams during most songs, some new and some more familiar. But each of them had the definitive Andy mark on them and I loved every one.

Stewart - Stewart, did you hear someone holler your name everytime you were on screen? That was me. This summary is the toughest one because how do you describe a force of nature? I can't honestly say he stole the entire show, but he took the majority back in his pocket. I just couldn't keep my eyes off him. Legs, arms, sticks, drums, percussion, gongs, and cymbals all moving at a 100mph. It's almost a shame that the view of his work is partly obscured by his own drum kit. I think I sprained one of my eyes trying to watch everything (wink). Stew kept the concentration game face on through the first part of the set, that's OK, we know you were busy. The happy and more animated face appeared about mid-set, when Sting and Andy started to kibbitz more with each other on stage. They were having a great time together and it was unmistakable. Stewart was undeniably having the most fun last night. There were a few moments that stand out for me so in case you missed them... Funniest Moment: after one of the encores (CSLY?) enroute from his kit to backstage Stewart kisses the video camera. On the lens. 20 foot video screen. Copeland lips. Hysterical. Heartbreaking Moment: prior to one of the encores, Stewart sits at the kit, needs new sticks, and flings the ones in his hand to the back of the stage. This is the only time last night that I wished we were still back in the day so the concert underwriters couldn't prevent bands from throwing projectiles into the audience. What would you give to have the the sticks you just saw Stewart play with? Damn. Flag Moment: I didn't see the nod during MIAB, but in between encores, Stewart pointed, very animatedly, down to the first few rows of seats. He did this a few times. I couldn't see that far, but I know it was the because of the FLAG. I JUST KNOW.

Set List - No surprises obviously. Every song worked. I mean really worked. Not one dud in the entire set. Slow or fast every song burned and I didn't even think about what was missing or left out because all of the songs the band did give us were so phenomenal. Voices...it's slow and it works because you know that When the World is going to come crashing in at any moment and it did. Truth Hits...slow but still fab and still The Police. Sting was also kind enough to sing my favorite ending for MIAB, where the "sending out" is repeatedly wailed. I haven't heard that for awhile. Honestly, I loved the slower breaks, Police music is loaded with them and even PunkRockPoo needs a break from the mosh pit once in awhile. Whew! The new arrangements are fantastic. If you know The Police, just like Andy's guitar playing, you will hear that unique stamp. I cannot wait until new live recordings are available so I can know these song versions by heart as well.

Ignore the haters and bashers. If you have doubts that arise from unequal comparisons and gossip let them go. Faithful ones, follow the music with your hearts. What you see and hear may be different from what you remember, but your hearts will feel the same if only for a few hours. I was even able to convert a husband who has been teasing me non-stop since February. Nice.

[neonhunter]

You had such a great time! My experience at Dodger Stadium in L.A. was similarly fulfilling. Considering what the Police mean to me and how well they're playing, I wish I could see the tour at least 2 or 3 more times! All 3 guys really came to the party for this one, didn't they?

[Kalypso]

Great review! Thanks for sharing with us high and dry here...
They are ripping as they go, it seems!!
A kiss from Stew on megascreen...(swoon)
Al Gore should reprimand Andy for causing more Ozone layers...
And Can Sting Keep His Mind From Being the Sex God for 5 minutes (duration of his amorous prowess according to Trudie)?

[Hannaha]

Wow! How the hell am I going to manage the next 58 days???! I can't maintain this level of anticipation - my blood pressure must be through the roof.

[Jose]

cool...great you was there and bet most of the audience were latins who usually live in Miami, that's why the atmosphera is more hottest than previews ones 8)

My cousin "Vitto"was there yesterday, he is a drummer and of course is a super fan of Stewart Copeland and Neil Peart ( by the way he is one of the few drummers sounds like Stew when he played covers of THE POLICE with me on bass and my brother on guitar - also my brother played exactly like Andy)... some weeks ago he was on "Rush" concert at Miami so Imagine what could be at a POLICE concert...he told me by email that the concert was fantastic and felt he was on the sky... he promise me some pics and video shots from the concert... and me here waiting a miracle of a POLICE concert in LIMA - PERU

[Jennythenipper]

Lovely review, Punkrockpoo. I agree with you about so much of it, I had a similar experience in St. Paul

This was my favorite line in the review,""Police" Sting...I forgot how much I loved him. Nice to have you back. "

Amen to that sister.

I too was stopped dead in my tracks by Fiction Plane, for a second, I was like "have the Police started?" Not only does Sting's son sound like him the band have a deliberately Police-y vibe. I thought they were great and I wish our baby-sitting parking fiascoes hadn't made us late for their set.

I also agreed that the slower arrangement sections were a welcome break for my tired legs. I couldn't pogo the entire 2.5 hours.

[BongoBoy]

Now THAT's a review from a fan who is simply there to enjoy the show.

no pre-conceived notions...just listen and enjoy.

Sounds flippin Wicked Great !

Thanks !!!

Now we need a FLAG story update !

Cheers - BongoStingo.

[Rusty James]

[quote="PunkRockPoo"]...Either this was one of the best shows so far, or the nay-sayers are on crack. The haters and doubt mongerers have been proven so wrong, it's laughable.
...Stewart - This summary is the toughest one because how do you describe a force of nature?

Yep, the nay-sayers are indeed on crack or should be and we're all laughing in their faces...........Ha Ha! (say like Nelson from The Simpsons)
This has got to be one of the most comprehensive, positive reviews I have read to date and there have been more than a few thus far.
I don't know what kind of force of nature would best describe the man...perhaps a tsunami coupled with a hurricane?
Wish I was there.

[sandy]

great review PRP! everything you said about the concert was so dead on! have to agree with you about Fiction Plane-really interested in seeing where they will go-
most of all loved what you said: Ignore the haters and bashers. If you have doubts that arise from unequal comparisons and gossip let them go. Faithful ones, follow the music with your hearts. What you see and hear may be different from what you remember, but your hearts will feel the same if only for a few hours.- -excellent way to put it! thanks for sharing!

[Voices Inside My Head?]

What a review! I wrote my Tampa review before I saw yours from Miami. If I had read yours first, I would have been hesitant to even try. I agree that Joe sounds just like his father in voice and in bass lines. I joked that he should have to pay Sting royalties.

[Three over Four]

It's nice to see the fans here have been consistantly happy with this tour.....most naysaying I've seen has been from the press....and on tpt.com forums though I *do* avoid it like the plague. I've heard there's been plenty of naysaying there too!

[DirtyMartini]

Thanks for the great report, PRP!

[BongoBoy]

I don't even go to TPT forums at all. I mean we are Asshats in a good way.

They can be really crazy...and not in a good way.

I like it here...it's nice an cozy.


BongoBiasedBoy !

[sandy]

totally agree w/BongoBoy!!!

[policerule]

WOW! what a great feeling i get reading that review!

man, i'm a shorty and i'm a little worried about seeing on the floor, but we'll see. sounds like you didn't have a problem!

yeah BB, i just registered at TPT a few weeks ago for some reason, i forget why, but i've never posted there even once. i came directly here and it stuck! i see no reason to go there at all... this place is great! asshats unite!

hannah... i feel for you. i wasn't thinking when i bought my tickets and i've had to sit here and listen to all the reviews and sweat it out waiting and waiting until my first show on 7/28... now, it's approaching and i am totally FREAKING OUT. i can't imagine how you feel having to wait any longer. my sympathies honey... you'll get there soon enough though! i just think of is as "what am i going to look forward to when it's all over?" - i mean seriously, what am i going to do when there is no police anticipation? that reminds me... i have to make an appointment for some meds....