The Police at the Hollywood Bowl 5/27: Once More Gentlemen Please, But This Time With Bad Feeling

Blogs

Previous: Von Bondies, Safari Sam's, 5/23

Next: New Free Gobbledigook (and Naked People) from Sigur Ros

by LA Weekly

May 28, 2008 8:26 AM

The Police at Hollywood Bowl, May 27, 2008
By Paul Rogers

Sting’s ego alone could fill the Hollywood Bowl, but on Tuesday night his band’s performance mitigated any bloated self-esteem. Almost a year to the day since The Police launched their 30th anniversary reunion tour, the trio was a svelte -- rather safe -- machine. There’s no mystery to their crowd connection: cultured musicians, a lived-in, yet lithe, voice, and other-worldly songwriting will always fill seats.

The black-clad, bearded Sting evoked both a sun-weathered sea captain and well-to-do mogul as he steered a genial hour-long “best of” set (plus inevitable double encores). No new material was offered (or requested), and the rumored muso re-toolings of the band’s classics -– “Roxanne”, “Every Breath You Take”, “Don’t Stand So Close To Me”, “So Lonely” etc. –- amounted to little more than 30-second bluesy/proggy workouts. Sting studiously offered props to his cohorts (“legendary” guitarist Andy Summers and “extraordinary” drummer Stewart Copeland), clearly conscious of the enduring “band rift” mutterings. There was little of the punk-lite adrenaline of old (Summers’ signature leap is now all of six inches), and the once racing tempos have been tamed, though “Can’t Stand Losing You” strained at its taught urgency amidst an otherwise well-mannered set (“Next To You” being particularly blunted).

The Police, who perform again tonight at the Bow (also with Elvis Costello opening), shunned the crutch of a major stage production, instead performing with basically a (very wealthy) bar band’s stage set-up and limiting their instrumental adventure to Sting’s acoustic guitar treatment of opener “Bring on the Night” and Copeland’s marimba and gong forays. Pedestrian humor flecked the set, and musty stage banter (“Raise your hands!”; “Let’s make some noise!”) triggered smiley sing-alongs. The wide-open spaces of “Walking On The Moon” personified The Police’s ultra-efficient yet artsy grace ‘n groove: around reggae-inflected vocals, guitar and bass communicated like lifelong confidants – pausing to listen to one another and responding in timely, thoughtful fashion – while Copeland’s super-articulate rhythmic chatter bonded the conversation.

Their deliciously lean songcraft and arrangements mean The Police can re-ignite their legend at will. Yet at the Bowl they over-relied on the in-built resonance of the tunes and seldom upped the emotional stakes with the tension-fueled delivery of their tantrum-tainted past. Once more gentlemen please, with bad feeling.

Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Trackbacks

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://mt.laweekly.com/mt-tb.cgi/63083

Comments

There are 2 comments posted for this article.

I'd generally agree with the assessment of last night's show except want to add that Elvis Costello's set was one of actual vivacity. Try not to miss it if you're headed to the Bowl tonight.

Posted on May 28, 2008 4:02 PM by artie

Well, this review is too smug for me. I was at the show and had a really good time re-visiting two of my favorite bands since I was a teenager. The Police sounded great. Some of the arrangements were a bit more polite and understated than the original recordings, but some, like "When the World Is Running Down" really rocked and gave Andy Summers room to stretch out and explore with his solos. I've seen Sting on solo tours and enjoyed him much more with the Police- he seemed to be having a great time and seemed less chilly and detached than when I've seen him before. Great song selections, except for the reprise of "Every Breath You Take" which felt a little "Vegas-y" and didn't fit the overall lean new wave theme of the set. They reappoached the vocal arrangements deftly with subtle backup vocals (I could not see the singers) and Sting re-phrased melodies very skillfully. Hey folks, he used to scream at the top of his range- how many years can a mortal really do that? His voice was warm and weathered, in tune, and he still sings like he means it. LOVED hearing Stewart Copeland play those drums again! I really hope they re-consider their plans, record more records, and tour again. Maybe the egos have mellowed with age! Elvis was wonderful as he always is, but now I know that opening bands have it rough, no matter who they are. The sound was not dialed in enough, and it just seemed like too short of a set for such a legend. I'm glad I went and splurged on a box seat. It's a concert I would have enjoyed now or when I was 15.

Posted on May 29, 2008 4:23 PM by Lori Lynner

Slideshows

Cobrasnake from 90210 to the Sunset Junction
Beverly Hills princesses and Silver Lake leather daddies looking for parking
Seeking the Rage: Among the Protesters at the DNC
The group Recreate '68 tries to ignite the passion of another generation
Crazy 4 Cult 2 at Gallery 1988
More artwork and photos from the Friday, 8/22 opening in Hollywood.