Reggatta de Blanc: 1979/80

Police on the beat...

John Rockwell, rock music critic for the “New York Times,” compared the British based rock group The Police, with the Who, and a “Melody Maker” critic, John Pidgeon, considered the band to be the best three piece group since Cream. 

Last week those privileged enough to go to the Theatre Royal to catch the Split Enz 'show saw one of the best concerts put on by a New Zealand band in recent years. Those who attended the Police concert last evening at the Town Hall auditorium saw one of the best shows put on by an overseas rock band for some time. 

The concert was late starting because of delays getting the band’s equipment through Customs and setting it up in the hall. However, The Police, more than made up for lost time, and the audience lapped up some surprisingly energetic music from the three member group, considering it had to endure a flight from Hong Kong, via Sydney, to Christchurch with little time for sleep before the show.

The Police sounded even better live than they did on record. 'Walking on the Moon' was full of reggae rhythms and bright lights were turned on the audience, making the whole scene look like the crowd gathering before the giant in the film, 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' - a deliberate effect. 

The concert really picked up when the band played 'Hole In My Life', an extremely strong, driving song, and then into the next number, with Andy Summers’s guitar playing sounding like Pete Townshend of the Who on 'Magic Bus', and Sting’s vocals reminiscent of Roger Daltrey. In contrast to the earlier numbers, 'Bring On The Night', sounded like a heavy-metal band, much in the vein of Led Zeppelin. Stewart Copeland seemed particularly energetic, beating away before each song got under way. 

In a three-piece band no member can afford to slacken because it shows in the music, but in no way did any member of the Police fade. Surprisingly, it was Sting on bass who did most of the jiving. The lead guitarist, Andy Summers, seemed to be content to do a few splits, although his guitar solos flowed beautifully. 

Sting’s voice stood up well to the strain of air conditioned air travel and hotel rooms, although it had the gravelly touches of Rod Stewart on a catchy 'Roxanne' and 'The Bed’s Too Big Without You'.

Tn terms of time the Police’s act was quite short, but with so much quality ere was no need to worry.

(c) The Press by Nevin Topp