THE POLICE Vancouver / May 28 show

[Dietmar]

hi

same setlist / only DON'T and SPIRITS changed places.
full arena
all the better for it

let the others speak their praise

Dietmar

[garyq]

My forth police show...shakey start but great show. guit sound needs work still. get on it
everybody on there feet. lots of good vibes and even some movie stars
looking for some soul.
GQ

[DirtyMartini]

Phenomenal.

I have a wake-up call in two hours (yeah) and therefore I have to pack this baby up, so just some quick notes as they hit me in the head:

Stewart didn't trip! Andy stumbled a little at one moment that I saw (while walking backwards), but no major accidents!

Stewart broke a stick or two but mostly just seems to enjoy pitching them when the mood strikes at random moments mid-song. Though he did have a nice theatrical moment of finishing the opener (Message), then triumphantly throwing both sticks.

(Also, I would put real money up that says before the tour ends, Andy is going to get hit with a pitched mallet.)

"DDDD" still a bit awkard at the top, but much improved. The lower notes of it don't quite work to me -- the song seemed to come together after the key change.

Loved "Footsteps" even more. (N.B. I was never much of a fan of the recorded song except as a percussion piece.) Of all the derangements (if you will), this has to be my absolute favorite. Incredible reinterpretation.

"Murder by Numbers" is going to be a tough row to hoe. I love that song, but most people just don't -- the band lost the audience during that one. As much as I enjoyed it, I don't know if it has much of a future if the hold on the crowd is to be maintained.

Andy seemed much happier and livelier today, as did Sting. Having a huge audience (plus the officialness of the show) absolutely made a difference overall. I had a hell of a time last night, but the energy and the pace were much much greater tonight. Transitions were tighter and faster (less casual event, so there was less banter), but really the most notable thing was that Stewart blew the roof off.

Yeah, I'm biased and enjoy being SC's cheerleader (Rah, Stewart!), but I'm fairly sure I'm not a sycophant. Yet I must say honestly that at times I was simply in awe.

There were some moments of just sheer power, on the snare and toms especially -- bullet-hits that cut through the whole arena. The crashes got a beat-down as well. (Some serious wailing on the kit). Plus he noticeably picked up the tempo tonight. (The word "jackrabbit" comes to mind.)

Last night Stewart owned, but tonight -- there are not enough expletives in the English language. The crowd reaction for "on the drums, Mr. Stewart Copeland" sounded like it might start a riot.

Performance-wise, "welcome to Stewart Copeland's show" really isn't far from the truth.

I can see where some folks who want the old band/the old sound may have some troubles; I don't feel that way or agree, but I can understand. Overall, though, I think the vast majority of you folks are going to be blown away.

(Damn, I am seriously incapable of brevity. Jeesh. Good thing I type fast.)

I think I managed a couple of pics, but I really do suck with keeping a digital steady, so other folks are going to have way better photos than me. But when I can get 'em online, I'll pass 'em along.

See you kids when I've returned to the east.

[carlosveloce]

hi dietmar,
blöde frage: gab es ein konzert - intro wie bei syn - tour mit "voices"? kann es nicht erwarten: werde hh, münchen und in ddorf dabei sein!
gruss, tim.

[howardhughes]

Im impressed with what ive seen on u tube so far.

Absolutely love the clip of the end of every little thing she does....fantastic.

Stewart seems to be rocking!!

hmmm ..now......wheres that receipe for humble pie i needed ?

HH

[DirtyMartini]

PS --

I'm logged onto a hotel computer cuz my laptop is packed (and cuz I'm a geek) cuz I realized that earlier I completely failed to say,

Thank you, Stewart.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[visions]

Great to hear.

Just remember it has been twenty three years and I'm not expecting them to played as they did then and of course Stewart would rock. Practice up boys you will be rocking perfectly when you come to Australia.

Even years ago they even said sometimes they were brilliant sometimes they were terrible, because who they were and didn't they always get better and find music and songs just by jamming on stage.

Keep reporting because it sound awesome to me and Stewart I couldn't be happier for you since you wanted this for years. You didn't think this would happen and look dreams do come true not just for you but also for us.

Thanks Stewart and thanks guys for passing your thoughts and feeling. Stewart understands because of his comments.

I might be on the other side of the world but I feel such a part of it. Thank you so much.

HH I will send you a some humble pie. Only joking.

Keeping rocking everyone another concert on the 30th.

[JMRL]

Thanks a lot for the review DM. And thanks to dietmar for the fast post with the setlist. As visions said, we may be at the other side of the world but we feel like being there thanks to you all that share your emotions with us. Can´t wait to july 5th to arrive!!!!

Joe from Argentina

[blueseattle]

Hmm... I need to watch the videos, but I was expecting stellar, out of this world performances and from the reviews, it seems like they've been decent and trying more to convince that it's been great.

I'm excited for the show, no doubt.

But is the set list the same every night, do you think?

[razorboy]

i agree... as much as i wanted to be blown away by the videos, something felt lacking... namely, tempos and energy. it almost seems like they slow bits down, like the some of the verses on synch II, and then go back to normal (still slower) tempo to give the illusion of energy. i don't know... i can't put my finger on it. i am still grateful to hold tickets to three shows, and i love seeing them together again, but the new "arrangements" reek of too much sting. i think i said it in another post, but they need to step on the gas.

[Dietmar]

to answer the German question in this thread:

the intro is GET UP, STAND UP by Bob Marley

the newspapers here in Vancouver are full of POLICE stuff every day. that's heaven for me!

:D

Dietmar

[Midori]

I'm so happy to read awesome reports with vivid description--

cos that makes me feel I am also there in Vancouver--

Dietmar, DirtyMartini, thank you so much for sharing your outstanding adventure with Stewart, Andy and Stingo.

As their tour goes on , they will play more tight, more rock'n' roll,
I think.

By the way, here is a report (you can see it on the link section) from

'Canadian news press'

http://www.cp.org/english/online/Online ... nguageid=1

>Dietmar Cloes flew from Germany to catch all three of the Police's Vancouver shows - including a private concert for fan club members on Sunday, fulfilling a lifetime dream.

Is it YOU, Dietmar ?:?:

[itsalrightforstew]

Fantastic, Dietmar. Now you are famous.

Did anyone notice if Andy used the Tele a little more for the second show?

I'm a little surprised neither "Bring on the Night," "Demo Man," nor "One World" have made appearances, but the tour's just beginning.

[adam1516]

I agree with most of the comments so far. I never got the impression that anyone was really blown away. I hope - really, really hope - that the energy and tempo levels increase as the tour goes on. The clips I have seen so far on YouTube were less than flattering, apart from ELTSDIM part 2. This is the problem when expectations exceed reality.

One question - Murder by Numbers?? Why?? Of all the tracks they could have chosen, this is the least suited to stadium rock - more like lounge pop.

As Stewart once famously said "C'mon guys!!!!"

[Grace]

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/index.html#

Vancouver Sun has a review and some video & photos. (Scroll down to "Editor's Picks")