We may have jealously watched Glastonbury on TV, but that was forgotten tonight when we witnessed the last ever UK performance by The Police.
Headlining Sunday's Hard Rock Calling, Sting, Andy Summers and Stuart Copeland took to the stage and rocked out on a high. Sticking to the setlist which they've played since reuniting last year, they delighted us in the blissful Sunday sun, opening with 'Message In A Bottle' & turning the 35,000 strong crowd into one big choir. We're embarrassed to report that Sting looked very much like someone we'll be adding to our list of 'hot old men', sporting some tasty stubble, while Stuart instead wore a very odd looking headset!
Banging out the hits, this wasn't the time to play obscure tracks, or Sting solo numbers. While we may have craved the plinky 'Englishman in New York', it was the classic songs of The Police that took precedence with particular fondness reserved for 'Don't Stand So Close To Me', the shimmering 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and the lyrical excellence of 'De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da'. OK so a couple of songs provided us with toilet breaks but that's all for the better because it allowed us to approve of the large number of toilets and bars selling Tuborg and Gaymers for a decent £3.50 a bottle.
After the initial closer of 'Can't Stand Losing You', we were treated with a stage swathed in red for 'Roxanne', surely leaving most of the crowd voiceless tomorrow. 'King of Pain' and 'Sue Lawley' (ahem) filled the gap before finally reached the greatest song about stalking 'Every Breath You Take'. Old school debut album track 'Next To You' put the final kick into the show, and just a 'Goodnight London' left us thanking the old codgers for the memories and wishing them all the best for the Police-free future.
Photo of Sting taken from Bill Janis' flickr stream.
