Police Reunion: 2007/08

The Police performed hits...

The Police performed Tuesday at the National Stadium in Oeiras, 27 years after their first performance in Portugal.

Sting, Stewart Copeland, and Andy Summers revisited the classics that kept the British trio at the top for 30 years. Right at the opening, "Message In A Bottle" sent the crowd into a frenzy. "How's it going, Lisbon? I'm so happy to be here with you," Sting said, in his laboured Portuguese, to the fans who gave the trio a warm welcome.

At that time, a large number of people were still entering the venue, which was well short of selling out.

The program was a best-of format, starting with "Message In A Bottle" and ending with "Next To You," followed by "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," "Roxanne," and "Every Breath You Take."

"Can't Stand Losing You," "Walking On The Moon," "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da," and "Voices Inside My Head" were some of the many songs that received standing ovations.

At the end, Sting (56), Summers (64), and Copeland (55) embraced and thanked the audience together.

The first part of the show featured Fiction Plane, a band led by Joe Sumner, Sting's son, whose voice resembles his father's.

(c) Jornal da Madeira

The Police relive legendary songs...

Almost 30 years after their performance at Restelo, The Police appeared at the National Stadium, reliving the band's legendary songs. A show anticipated by thousands, but one that didn't live up to the expectations of the fans who attended.

On a colder-than-usual night, traffic made access to the National Stadium difficult, where Sting's band would perform after 27 years without shows in Brazil. At 9:45 p.m., the legendary band appeared with "Message in a Bottle," which thrilled the 30,000 people who braved the cold, traffic, and ticket prices last Tuesday to see the band.

Although the side stands were empty, the audience on the field applauded enthusiastically and participated in the show, but without noticing much movement. Aside from a few young people, most of the spectators were middle-aged, some seeing The Police live for the second time. These were perhaps the ones who sang and had the most fun at the show.

The show continued with "Synchronicity II," after a jump by Sting, previously arranged with the photographers. Before playing "Walking On The Moon," the charismatic musician said in clear Portuguese: "I'm very happy to be here with you." After "Voices Inside My Head," the audience screamed, applauded, and then danced to "Don't Stand So Close To Me." These songs were the ones that heated up the National Stadium.

Margarida Ferreira, 42, while dancing and singing, told JANEIRO that she "likes all the songs" and that despite having seen the vigorous 1980 Police, she prefers them now because "they play better together and are more mature." However, this isn't the general opinion. Mário Reis, 50, says that the "1980 show was much better," as the English musicians "had a greater ability to enchant crowds." Madalena Cambezes, 40, also states: "The show is bad." She emphasized that it wasn't even close to sold out and the 1970 singers were already "voiceless." Rui Pedro, 41, a fan of The Police, wearing a headscarf, confessed to "loving the rock show." Others said they enjoyed it but that it was "lukewarm" or simply "didn't live up to expectations."

Sting, along with Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, resurfaced in Lisbon for a show that thrilled the younger crowd, commemorating the pop rock of the 1970s.

Since the trio announced their reunion in February 2007, the Police have embarked on a world tour, kicking off on May 28 in Vancouver, Canada.

The program for Tuesday's show was the same as the previous international shows: 'Message In A Bottle', 'Synchronicity II', 'Walking On The Moon', 'Voices / When The World', 'Don't Stand So Close', 'Driven To Tears', 'Hole in My Life', 'Truth Hits', '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', 'King of Pain', 'So Lonely', 'Every Breath You Take', and finally, 'Next To You'.

(c) O Primeiro de Janeiro by Bárbara Gouveia

The Police brought the National Stadium to a frenzy...

The first sight of the National Stadium, during the performance of Fiction Plane (Sting's son's band), was heartbreaking. It almost seemed like a concert with a smaller band, but as the minutes ticked away, the venue filled to near capacity (excluding the stands). And it was only natural to hear a huge chorus when the lights went down. The stage was ready, and so was the audience. It was 17 minutes past the Police's originally scheduled start time (9:30 PM).

They began by attacking "Message in a Bottle," with a "Boa Noite Lisboa" in the middle. As expected, the Police didn't change the line-up chosen for this tour, which was soon proven true with "Synchronicity II" and "Walking on the Moon," now featuring a popular chorus. Sting had practiced his Portuguese during Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland's performance, then asked if "everything was okay."

The wait had been worth it. The terrible lines at the National Stadium hadn't slowed down a band that, despite a long hiatus, was celebrating 30 years with a unique and unrepeatable tour. Many complained about the ticket prices, ending up going to the field when the bleachers were the preferred seating. Perhaps that's why this was the most laid-back area of the National Stadium on a very cold night.

For much of the audience, it was a reliving of their adolescence. Therefore, old hits were passed from mouth to mouth, creating a feeling of generational sharing. Unlike festivals and most concerts, the youth had stayed home, and this time, parents also had the right to have fun. For the women, Sting's presence on such a large stage was also a source of great excitement. On top of that, the band's lead singer had a screen all to himself, with direction that didn't hide how emaciated he is.

Without being a grand visual production - the Police have always been more valuable for their music - no detail was overlooked. The band's excellent form, a remarkable fact for those who hadn't played together since 1985, was complemented by a beautiful natural amphitheatre capable of making this night unlike any other. In tune and coordinated, Sting, Andy Summers, and Stewart Copeland showed no signs of aging.

It was a two-hour show with plenty of rock 'n' roll in the mix, which meant there was plenty of room for solos. The three screens that individualized each of the musicians didn't hide the wrinkles, but they proved that this is a band and not just Sting's group.

In the first set, Fiction Plane didn't deny those who classify them as Sting's son's band. Their timbre is so similar that comparisons are inevitable. Competent without being dazzling, they warmed up a night that would only later prove memorable.

(c) Diário de Notícias by Davide Pinheiro