Zenyatta Mondatta: 1980/81

Over the Moon with the Police...

They fell like flies well before Sting and his swarm made their grand entrance.

But as the chart-topping trio leapt into the cauldron, the 8,000 or so who managed to survive the crush bounced enthusiastically into action at Stafford.

Everyone raised the roof as Britain's supergroup Police had a ball at Bingley Hall last night.

The fans made it painfully obvious to the support band (called Rico or something like that, no-one really cared) that there was only one thing they would settle for.

In fact the 10-man band might have sounded more popular if they had renamed themselves 'Off' that's how cruelly anxious the audience really were.

And once Police answered their call, they immediately burst into 'Don't Stand So Close To Me', which was a bit of an understatement as the crowd surged forward to get nearer their idols.

'Walking On The Moon' was next as the massive hall swayed backwards, forwards and sideways into life.

They did everything superbly, although even if they had been below par, no- one would have noticed. 

They left with 'So Lonely' but it couldn't have been further from the truth as the cry went out for more.

(c) The Evening Sentinel

Police pull 'em in...

Thousands of the faithful flocked to Stafford last night to pay homage to the Police. 

And as with The Three Wise Men, their stars led them to an unlikely place.

In what amounts to little more than an enormous barn, the Police displayed their slick professionalism.

Sting worked that bit harder to overcome the lack of atmosphere in the hall and the band didn't keep the crowd waiting too long for the hits.

'Message in the Bottle', 'Walking on the Moon', and all the other classics finally warmed things up with everyone singing along.

One of the best moments was when they played 'Don't stand so close to me' which is even better live than on record. It was good to see them actually play and improvise in the flesh now that their concerts are few and far between these days.

They made us wait long enough for 'Roxanne' - the song which first brought them attention-but when it came, it was the de-luxe extended version.

All in all, a good thorough concert from Britain's band of the moment. It will be interesting to see where they go from here.

It is surprising that such a business-like trio couldn't have found a better support band than they had last night. UB40 look-alikes, who play mediocre reggae don't go down well with crowds and put them off rather than warm them up.

(c) Coventry Evening Telegraph by Elaine Gear

Rocking to the Police beat...

Eight thousand rock fans packed Stafford's Bingley Hall to pay homage to rock supergroup The Police. 

Tickets for last night's concert had been snapped up within hours of going on sale and the touts appeared to be doing good business as youngsters converged on the County showground.

A fleet of buses and coaches had been laid on and there was a big traffic control operation laid on by the real police.

The group launched in with 'Don't Stand So Close To Me' an impossible request amid the wildly cheering congregation. Sting and Co reeled off the hits - 'Message in a Bottle', 'Walking on the Moon', 'Roxanne' and the rest all of which the audience knew by heart.

By popular demand, Police were called back for two encores including 'Can't Stand Losing You'. And those 8,000 ecstatic fans just couldn't stand losing them. 

The Stafford date could expect to gross around £40,000 but the trio themselves won't be touching a penny of it. Their slice is going to charity because of the group's income tax situation.

(c) Wolverhampton Express and Star by P.D.

I was 15 years old and I had never been to a concert before, so to go to see the Police Live, well can you imagine how excited I was. We had queued for the tickets at a small music shop in Birmingham city centre, we queued from 4am but people had been there all night with sleeping bags!

We managed to get tickets for Stafford Bingley Hall and as Stafford is quite a distance from Birmingham we had to pursuade my dad to take my friend and I, it was so cold in the queue, and luckily my dad had taken a small heater and a warm flask of tea to keep him warm whilst he waited in his van, bless him, my friend and I queued (without coats! couldn't do it now mind) and when we got there we were so shocked at how many people were already inside, and because it was a standing gig we thought there was no chance of us getting to the front. We then queued for teeshirts, I bought quite a few with my early Christmas money, I even still have the carrier bag with the Police emblem on the back.

The show began, I believe with Jools Holland and his Wealthy Tarts, he was great but when The Police came on stage the place went into a frenzy, it was a little scarey as you can imagine as I was only a child still, the crowd pushed and pushed and somehow by some miracle we were pushed in a semi circle to the front!! about 2 or 3 people away from the stage, people finally settled down after that so we had prime position, they were absolutely awesome, I think this is when I fell in love with them to be honest.

Andy's solo in 'So Lonely' will always be something I will remember as he actually had eye contact with us and seemed to be playing just for us!! Sting was mesmerising and Stewart was electric. It was all over too quickly though and I think I fell asleep on the way home I was worn out. For the next 2 or 3 days all I could here was a high pitched tone in my ears the gig had been so loud. I wore my teeshirts all the time (in between washes of course, lol) even underneath my school uniform.

It was another year before we saw them again, this time on the 19th December 1981 at the NEC Birmingham and then again 4 days later, again at Stafford and the rest is history, I don't think there has been a tour I have missed of theirs or Sting's.

I only wish I could still fit into those damn teeshirts...

(c) ''rameses''

Policing The Police at Bingley...

It is two days before. Christmas and Stafford's Bingley Hall is full-to-bursting with young rock fans.

Throughout the Continent Bingley Hall is renowned as one of Europe's leading rock venues and last week the Police played their last concert of the year there.

The demand for tickets was phenomenal, but for security guard Roger Cruto and his organisation Stafford Security, preparations began long before the box offices opened.

Policing the Police is not easy.

As head of SS Roger is responsible for the safety of both the group and the audience.

The security group was formed nearly a year ago and has taken care of every concert at Bingley Hall and Hanley's Victoria Hall since.

For the Police concert there were additional headaches. During the past year the group's popularity has soared and cars and coaches came from all over the Midlands.

There were 82 security guards at the concert each assigned a specific task.

The day began early and peacefully with some guards setting up crash barriers outside the hall. The next step was to check all fire doors. Throughout the concert a guard sat by each door in case of emergency.

Three hours to go and the first of the fans arrive. The car park crew starts directing vehicles. Parking the cars is easy, the trouble starts after the concert when hundreds of cars try to get out of one small exit.

"Bingley Hall always creates difficulties because the cars have to park on grass," said Roger, a former police sergeant. "If it starts to rain the car park crew is really in for a bad time because a lot of cars will get stuck."

Two hours to go. The queue begins to stretch. It is bitterly cold and the hot dog salesmen do a roaring trade.

Inside the SS's backstage men are briefed. Their job is to stop fans sneaking in without a ticket. There are even guards posted in the toilets to stop people climbing though the windows.

"No one is allowed backstage without a pass. The concert promoters issue the passes and are very strict about who receives them," said Roger.

An hour to go. The fans outside, many of whom had camped overnight, are cold, hungry and restless. Any aggravation could spark a riot. The security guards have to keep on their toes and look out for any trouble that may break out and calm it as diplomatically as possible.

The doors open. There is a loud cheer and excited fans jostle to get inside. There is a lot of pushing but the crowd control crew are on hand and soon there is an orderly queue making its way through the doors.

Everyone is searched. All cameras, tape recorders and alcohol are confiscated until after the concert.

Inside the atmosphere is electric with anticipation. As the tension mounts so does the temperature with 8,000 people standing shoulder to shoulder it is hardly surprising and the St. John Ambulance soon gets its first casualties.

"If anyone faints they are passed to the front and our men give them some water before passing them on to the St. John ambulance people," said Roger.

"When there are 8,000 people pushing towards the stage there can be some casualties and we are there to make sure nothing serious happens."

And Roger's men did a good job. About half a dozen people fainted before support group Rico took to the stage and fans were being passed to the front of the stage like rag dolls. But no serious injuries were reported.

Suddenly the house lights went out and the hall was in darkness, with everyone's eyes focussed on the dimly lit stage. Three blond musicians leap onto the stage and blast into one of their number one hits.

The crowd was in a fervour, but despite the heat and the stuffy atmosphere the security guards work was kept to a minimum.

The concert was a huge success and there were no signs of any of the violence associated with many pop groups. There was a general sense of goodwill and to add to the festive spirit the Police gave all proceeds to charity to help young musicians.

The fans left the hall well satisfied after the concert, but the night's work wasn't over for Roger's men they still had to direct traffic from the showground, an operation which took a good two hours.

"Everything went quite smoothly this evening," said Roger after the concert.

"There were a few minor problems but that's only to be expected. Both our people and the fans acted sensibly and I'm sure everyone enjoyed themselves."

(c) The Staffordshire Newsletter