24 Years Later...

It was June 9th, 1983. A week after high school graduation that two of my best friends and I saw the Police at Hollywood Park. The 3 of us along with 75,000 more fans, including many from our high school that we would either run in to or compare notes with later on, saw the Police on what would be their final tour in support of the Synchronicity album. At the time no one knew that this would be the last time that they would play together in Los Angeles. We were fresh out of high school and thrilled to see them along with 80's bands, the Thompson Twins, the Fixx and Berlin. It was easily one of the best and longest concerts I had ever been to. We stood on the dirt track the entire day and after 9 or 10 hours my back was done. But it was a great experience, one that we would equal 4 days later when the same trio rolled down to Angels Stadium to see David Bowie with the Go-Gos and Madness. 7 killer bands in 4 days. Those were some great moments and memories.

Fast forward 24 short...long...incredible...years later...24 years...a lifetime. And the Police have reunited to tour again. And last night, not with the same trio, but with current concert buddy Larry, I saw the Police at Staples Center with 20,000 other adoring fans. The show was very good, but not as great as that night in 1983. How could it be? We are all older, have more mileage and probably all lost a step. But it was still a remarkable performance as the Police played all of their classics and absolutely none of Sting's solo music or any new Police recordings (because I assume there are none yet). This was definitely a blast from the past show and it lived up to my expectations, despite Sting's voice cracking on some high notes, and the band getting a bit lost during Synchronicity II. As I said to Larry last night, if they continue to play for the next few years I expect them to get tighter and more comfortable playing together, but it has been a 24 year layoff and this was only their 13th show on the tour. I hope that they will keep touring and recapture more of that magic from 1983 and maybe even record a new album. Either way, it was a nice flashback to a great era of music and memories for me.

Here is the set list from last night:

"Message In A Bottle"
"Synchronicity II"
"Walking on the Moon"
"Voices Inside My Head"
"Don't Stand So Close"
"Driven to Tears"
"The Bed Is Too Big"
"Truth Hits Everybody"
"Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"
"Wrapped Around Your Finger"
"De Do Do Do De Da Da Da"
"Invisible Sun"
"Walking In Your Footsteps"
"Can't Stand Losing You"
"Roxanne"

Encores:

"King of Pain"
"So Lonely"
"Every Breath You Take"
"Next To You"