THE POLICE Final Concert - Review, Set List - Aug 7, 2008 NYC

  The world renowned rock band, THE POLICE, wrapped up their final concert August 7, 2008 at NYC's Madison Square Garden.  They ended one of rock n roll's most successful reigns and reunions with a tribute to other famous rock trios, and with an assist from some real cops and some goofiness. Will we see a dvd of this show, hopefully.  But at least they filmed the Buenos Aires gig on this, their final tour for video release.  This NYC show, their 150th gig of their comeback tour that started fouteen months ago was sold-out and fittingly, a benefit for WNET and WLIW, two New York area public tv stations.  It's was great way for the band to thank the NYC area.  Bassist/vocalist Sting, guitarist Andy Summers and percussionist Stewart Copeland added some welcomed "end of the road" silliness;

walking off to cartoon signature line, "That's all, folks."  But heart was also there, four songs into the night, Sting thanked his band mates for "your musicianship, your companionship, your friendship and your understanding." "The real triumph of this tour is that we haven't strangled each other," he said. "Not to say it hasn't crossed my mind — or Andy's or Stewart's." It's been well reported thru the years that Sting and Copeland both have volatile personalities and nearly drove each other crazy before the band finally broke up 1984. 

But time heals most wounds, and the tour's phenomenal business was so attractive, the band kept adding concert dates well beyond their original plans.  The last concert marked the end of their reunion tour, which has seen them play 150 gigs to nearly 3.7million people around the world.  Appropriately, they filled the gig with a set that included hits, including 'Roxanne', 'So Lonely' and 'Message in a Bottle', and fittingly were joined at one point by the New York City police band.   Sting also had his recent reunion-tour beard in full form until the first encore (encores were simulcast on the web), the crowd roared when he appeared clean shaven. A camera had followed Sting backstage  as he had the scraggly beard shaved off by attractive female stylists (note he never put his shirt back on). The laughing audience watched the unexpected showe on big screens, upon Sting return, Copeland  and Summers came over to kiss the clean-shaven singer.  Sting still had s spot of leftover shaving cream in the corner of his mouth as he came out to sing "Roxanne."

This comeback tour puts the Police standing alongside USA's the Eagles as the two most successful reformations in rock history. The Eagles are an active touring and recording unit again; the Police claim they're done (time will tell). 

They opened with bits of Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" and later played the Jimi Hendrix Experience's "Purple Haze," the covers a nod to two other famous rock trios. And, unlike many bands in later years, The Police remain a true trio; other than Stewart's drum tech (Jeff Seitz ?- who once subbed for Copeland at a Police gig in Paris unannounced) who took a swing at the gong and the 18-piece marching band from the NYPD were the only other musicians allowed onstage Thursday, no tributes or sinagalongs with guest artists either. Summers performed a majestic solo during So Lonely and the mindless brilliance of the De do do do, De da da da had the MSG audience singing along. Roxanne and Every Breath You Take were a thrill and a cover, Sunshine of Your Love, showed the band's rock abilities.

They can still bring a drive to their songs that Sting's solo calmer work does not possess. Sting, nearly 57, can still rock hard on material - "Demolition Man" for example and the years rocking haven't worn down his voice significantly. Early tunes like "Can't Stand Losing You," "So Lonely" and "Next to You" were accurate to the group's original sound which was refreshing at the time and garnered them legions of fans, and the lesser-known songs were on par with their biggest hits.

The New York tour finale was not by accident; they wanted to call it quits in the same city of their first U.S. gig over 30 years ago.  Their intial visit to NYC back then was in the much smaller; though a little  less famous venue, the new shuttered CBGB's club.

The other lighthearted moments was seeing Sting's daughters onstage to dance beside him during "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic."  And, at the show's end, a member of the road crea,  dressed outrageously as a fat opera singer lip-synched an aria. The band ended their performance, and their career together, with 'Next To You'.

We look forward to a dvd and blu ray of the event and more solo work from the three.

Final concert ever set list as follows;

Set List
Recorded Intro Song - Get Up, Stand Up (Bob Marley & the Wailers)
Sunshine of Your Love
Message in a Bottle
Walking on the Moon
Demolition Man
Voices Inside My Head/ When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around
Don't Stand So Close to Me
Driven to Tears
Hole in My Life
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
Wrapped Around Your Finger
De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
Invisible Sun
Can't Stand Losing You"/"Reggatta de Blanc

Encore one:
Purple Haze
Roxanne
King of Pain
So Lonely
Every Breath You Take

Encore two:
Next to You

We'd love to hear your POLICE memories, thoughts  - especially if you were at the final show !!  Please Comment below...

Comments

[Alison Woo]

I was there and it was the second time I'd seen them in concert, the first was during their stop in Charlotte in Nov. 2007. It seemed like it took the crowd quite a bit of time to warm up. The crowd was pleasant but not effusive. The tone of the concert was much more laid-back and relaxed, appearing more like this was a small bar than MSG. But when Sting called for "Raising the ****ing roof off" the crowd was tepid. What's wrong with you New Yorkers??? Stand up and cheer!

Loved the kids on stage. I believe Andy's two sons were there too. Sting said, "Between the three of us we have something like 21 kids. I don't know how that happened because we were on the road for four years."

The interpretation of his songs were great too. I'm always amazed at how they find freshness in some songs that are almost 30 years old. Classic!

It was definitely a memorable moment. The B-52s were awesome as the opening band too!

[Karin Rosner]

as for Walking In Your Footsteps, they used part of the melody as an intro to the next song.

[NooYawka]

I was there in the front row, and the performance was flawless. (Not sure what prior poster meant by a subdued NY audience. The place was rocking, and the upper concrete tiers of MSG were literally undulating with the force of thousands of people on their feet!)

You could tell the fellas really had fun with the set, and it was great to see them end their tour (permanently?) in perfect form. Don't Stand So Close to Me was a highlight, as were his daughters on stage. It was a genuine moment, you can tell he's a proud father.

Excellent rendition of Purple Haze,

[Linc]

Granted, many in the crowd appeared to be older, wealthy PBS donors, but the large group of 60 yr old ladies near me were screaming and dancing the whole night!

I think the crowd was slightly confused by the opening song by Cream...I'm sure we all expected a monster Police hit, but that happened next...
for me it was a unique event, never to be repeated, and ranks in my top favorite shows ever. B-52's had the crowd rocking too, I can't believe I saw all that and Sting getting shaved for $55....