This was my first Police concert, and I was blown away.
Stewart is an animal! He still plays with the exact same intensity he had 24 years ago. Finally seeing and hearing him play live was amazing.
Not that my opinion actually matters, but in case Stewart actually checks in to read this , I only have a few (hopefully) constructive suggestions:
- I would move "Don't Stand" a little further back into the setlist as I felt that the newer subdued arrangement brought the energy down a little too quickly after the awesome opening tracks.
- Stew and Andy really need to be more "camera aware" and crack a smile every now and then ( while playing). The big screens are amazing, but when Andy and Stew are "zoning out" and the camera is zoomed on their face, it's hard to tell if they are just concentrating or having a seizure.
Other than those 2 minor things, I thought the show was perfect. Obviously there were little mistakes, but the show is everything I had hoped it would be, and a little more actually. I loved the new arrangements and extended improvisational sections. The little bits of sequencing sounded great, and the sampled backing vocals were just the right level. There was a good amount of contrast and energy throughout the show overall, and the song selection was great. Stewart's trips back into the percussion cage are definitely highlights.
I'm sure there will be some fans that will want to hear all the songs exactly the way they did them 24 years ago, but I think the new arrangements are a perfect reflection of who they are right now. Yes there were a lot of Stingified arrangements, but when they rocked, they ROCKED!
I can't wait to see them again tomorrow night, and I'm dying to get my hands on a DVD version of this tour when its over.
I honestly felt I had gotten my money's worth by the end of the first song!
Thanks again Stewart!