Hershey PA. . .7/20

[JL]

It's hard to think of anything original to say about my first Police concert. My friend and I trekked 7.5 hrs from NC to the Hershey show, passing the scenic Shenandoah valley along the way. Nothing but apple orchards and cow pastures as far as the eye could see.

After a nice dinner at the Outback, we left early to get in some tailgating before the show. However, the 'Hershey Highway' coming from Harrisburg was constipated with traffic. This shortened the pre-game festivities a bit.

A word about Hershey Stadium. I've never seen a venue who's parking lot was nicer than the venue itself. The place is a dump. Crowded and dirty. Hasn't been updated since the Carter administration. That said, it didn't spoil a good concert, but I won't be coming back.

Random thoughts on the show:
No gym shorts and tube socks for SC.
Very little banter with the audience (not like the 1st shows)
Only brief and periodic chances for audience participation
No banter among the band.
The 4 bar limit on Andy's solos is out the window.
The show had a scripted, formulaic feel to it. Not very warm or endearing.
Stewart was consistently the last one to the stage at the beginning and during the encores. Making an entrance, eh Stew?

Clearly, the guys haven't lost their edge after the long layoff. For me, the most enjoyable part was when the guys went 'off-script' and just jammed. (This is how only 20 songs gets stretched to 2 hrs.) There were a few times where they seemed to get completely off time and it was fun to watch how they reigned it back in. The musicianship, individually and collectively, was incredible. I had to remind myself that there was only 3 guys making such a full, rich, tight sound. Best songs for me were Voices/When the world. . . and double helping of Regatta.

Great job with song selection. What are the chances of adding Murder by Numbers, Born in the 50's and Be My Girl/Sally?

Stewart,
Throw your sticks to the audience not behind the stage!
I never thought 'Wrapped. . ' would end up being your showcase. It seems ironic that you would work that hard on a love song, which usually features vocals only. Great job.

[bella]

Thanks for the review, JL. Check out my pics in my signature below.

[samburusunset]

Thanks for your review. Gotta be devoted to drive up from NC!!

There are people behind Stewart in the arena shows for the sticks. In the stadium shows it probably a case of "Gotta get this broken stick outta my hand fast and grab another," more than "Let me toss a stick for a cool souvenir." Unless, of course, he playfully tosses both over his shoulders (which I've seen). Which, in a stadium, would be silly.

[Kalypso]

..Not to mention, dangerous, especially if the stick is broken...OUCH!