The Police live!
The Police
Allstate Arena, Rosemont
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Funny thing about victory laps – if left unchecked, they can go on longer than the race. This could be an apt description of The Police at Allstate Arena.
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After having been perched atop the music world for six years in the early ’80s, inner turmoils and creative unrest made the guys pack it up and call it a day. Could they have kept it going and maintained the level of quality they had achieved? History says probably not (see: Stones, Rolling). However, it most likely would have saved us from one or two dreadful Sting projects. As it is, The Police were gone at the pinnacle of success and at the top of their game, assuming the mantle of rock ‘n’ roll’s Sandy Koufax.
A year ago, succumbing to that nagging itch of unfinished business, the band buried the hatchet and took to the road for their 30th anniversary. More than a year into it, Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland found their way back to Chicago. For those who missed last year’s two-night stand at Wrigley Field, Allstate Arena afforded fans one last chance to catch them before they’re gone forever. At least that’s what they say now.
Armed with a hefty supply of tea and throat spray, Sting sounded in good voice for the most part. Tasty runs through “Bring On The Night” and “Message In A Bottle” opened the show, and “Hole In My Life” saw a playful call-and-response with the audience.
Yet the stars of the night were Summers and Copeland. Summers’ mastery has never been in question, and his work on “Driven To Tears” was simply jaw-dropping. Copeland, meanwhile, flexed his percussion muscles during “Wrapped Around Your Finger” by manning an array of cymbals and timpani. Despite the technical brilliance, the show never kicked into overdrive. Interaction between the three was limited, and the group seemed to rely a little too much on stage lighting to create excitement. But hey, at least no punches were thrown.
After saving up to hit the high notes on “Roxanne,” Sting’s voice was gone and the remaining versions of “King Of Pain” and “So Lonely” relied heavily on audience participation. A year-plus on the road seems to have taken a toll, and — while Saturday’s show certainly won’t tarnish the Police’s legacy — it did nothing to add to the legend.
Elvis Costello opened with a good mix of hits and new material from his latest, Momofuku. An early appearance by Sting for a duet on “Alison” highlighted the set.
— Timothy Hiatt
Category: Live Reviews, Weekly
