BLOG BATTLE! The Police Show -- Go or No?

"Another industrial ugly morning / Steve Spears belches filth into the sky / He walks pantsless through a blog battle today / He doesn't think to wonder why."

My resoundingly hirsute '80s apologist is sweatin' and gamblin' in Las Vegas this week, but instead of enjoying the 117-degree heat and comped mai tais, Steve Spears has sequestered himself in a hotel room in order to throw down a blog battle: The Police Concert -- Worth the Money or a Waste of Cash? Enraged, incensed, engorged, Steve, a noted Police hater, says his money would be better spent on slot machines and/or hookers ("theoretically," he adds). I say the Police show, coming this Wednesday to the St. Pete Times Forum, is the must-see event of the summer, a pop-cultural moment to be savored by all. Truth be told, I'm not even a rabid Police fan. But you gotta be there, right?

So as Steve lines up for another round at the All-Nude Buffet ("99-cent shrimp cocktail and lap dances!!!"), let us commence blog-battling: The Police Concert: Go or No?

Sean's 3 Reasons to See the Police Show
1. Sting's sweat. Seriously, the man's perspiration is obviously infused with supernatural healing powers. Have you seen him lately? He's hunkier now than he was in 1985. Get spritzed by Sting's sweat, and you're looking at an extra 10 years. I'd say that's worth $226.75. (As a bonus, it also has the power to make you relevant again -- just ask Stew and Andy.)
2. Synchronicity II. I've seen the setlist, and it's packed with crowd-pleasers 25 deep. Let's just say the boys aren't dicking around with obscure album cuts a la Miss Gradenko. And I'm happy to report that Synchronicity II, a ferocious condemnation of suburban malaise (not to mention the interconnectedness of something or other), and arguably the trio's artistic height, should come early in the show, giving the gig unstoppable momentum. Am I the only music geek getting chills?
3. There's great, life-affirming bragging rights in saying YOU WERE THERE. It's as simple as that. Regrets are for people like Steve Spears, the walking cautionary tale, clutching his belly at 3 a.m. Vegas time after all-you-can-eating the prime rib at Bob's Casino.

If you want to read Steve's reasons to skip the Police how -- or offer your condolences to his colon -- go here.

Comments

[Guy]

Definitely worth the $ - even if you spring for the most expensive seats.

Despite being more folically (Sting's receding hairline; Stewart's grey) and fashion challenged (note to Copeland - Seger called: he wants his headband back), the band sounds as vibrant as they did in the early 80s. Plus, you get to hear them play ALL the hits (unlike before, when they would skip over Every Little Thing She Does is Magic" for some inexplicable reason).

Sting's pipes are great, as does Stewart's and Andy's playing.

[sparky]

I gotta go with Steve on this one. Sting definitely has a severe case of LSS. I guess if your a Police fan, you got to go, because it may be a one and done deal. But what happens if they plop out another album after the tour and then tour next year in support of the album. Can you say The Eagles.

[chase]

"I was there?" Now? ... I WAS there, back when they could sing, stand being on the same stage as each other, and produce new music.

Sorry, this smacks of The Who "farewell" tours every few months. They stunk up the joint at the Grammys (as bad as the Pink Floyd reunion at Live 8) and they're too old to hold that cool young vibe they gave off in the day ... To me, this'd be like watching a "Touch of Gray" skeleton puppet version of the boys I remember from their throne atop Foxboro Stadium, 1983.

Vinyl, man. Vinyl.

[Mike]

I saw the police from the front row at the Bonnaroo music festival last month. The great thing about that show was that all it took to get to the front row was to wait in line for a few hours. The show was absolutely great. The set-list was full of hits and plenty of surprises came in the segues, additions to songs, and a few lesser-known songs. You can always check Youtube for some concert video to see for youself. Andy did look a bit winded towards the end of the show, making me think this really is the only chance to see The Police live in this century.

[topcad]

I was there 2 weeks ago in Dallas and may I say the Police rule! I am staring at my $10 concert poster that's hung up in my office, right now. And I might just take out my phone and watch a tiny video of King of Pain that I recorded while sitting in the "cheap" seats. Worth every penny, my man, every penny.

[zzyzx]

Reason #4 to see the concert: you don't live on the west coast. Seriously. From the sound of it, there probably wasn't enough rehearsing before the tour started, some of the early dates were flat, and the reviews show it. But by now, whatever cylinders they've got left, they're probably firing on all of them.

Just don't expect the massively mastered radio edits that you're used to. There's no prerecorded backing vocals or music. Every Little Thing is going to sound different with no piano. Realize things like that are the nature of the beast, adjust expectations accordingly, and you're on your way to a heluva fun evening.

Cheers