Had to share my dream of a lifetime concert experience last night at The Police/Elvis Costello and the Imposters show. Did'nt get many good concert shots because I am not in professional photographer league by any stretch, but will share the decent ones I got. Sting mentioned there were 12,000 people at the show last night!

Definitely one of the most amazing concert experiences of my life. I will let a review from another show in Texas summarize what I experienced since this person describes what I experienced in words better than I could.

Quote:

May 22, 2008 The Police/Elvis Costello: Every little thing they do is magic by Robert Philpot rphilpot@star-telegram.com DALLAS _ Near the reviewers' seats during the Police concert at Superpages.com Center on Wednesday were several young people dancing giddily throughout the show, including one guy who seemed to have learned all his moves from the Don't Stand So Close to Me video, which he replicated with abandon. It was a little distracting, but why complain? After all, isn't this supposed to be part of what concerts are all about -- losing yourself to the music, letting it possess you a little? And it's hard not to get caught up when Stewart Copeland hits that drumbeat that signals the big tempo change in Wrapped Around Your Finger or Andy Summers launches a screaming guitar-solo blitz during When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around or Sting exhorts you to sing along with his "yeahs" and "ee-yos" or when the whole band punches into overdrive on Can't Stand Losing You. Given the receptive crowd, Sting probably could have sung the ingredients on a candy-bar wrapper and had complete audience control, but he and his bandmates weren't about to coast. Seeming relaxed and loose, they took a (mostly) straightforward approach to big hits like Every Little Thing She Does is Magic and Every Breath You Take (although Roxanne got a nice stretched-out treatment), saving the change-ups for deeper cuts such as Demolition Man and World is Running Down. As always, Copeland was a combination of power and finesse, while Summers let loose several machine-gun solos. Sting's voice was, if anything, richer than it was when these songs were in the prime more than 25 years ago. It's a neat trick to take a reunion tour on its second stop through Dallas and not make it feel like a nostalgia act. Speaking of rich voices, Elvis Costello's was in fine form for his nearly hour-long opening set with the Imposters, which was highlighted by Sting coming out to help Costello sing Alison, a surprisingly good meshing of disparate voices. Costello and his band -- the ever-versatile keyboardist Steve Nieve, muscular drummer Pete Thomas and reliable vocalist/bassist Davey Faragher -- followed their usual recipe of combining new stuff (unfailingly picking the best cuts from the brand-new Momofuku) with Costello war horses (Alison, Watching the Detectives) and the occasional surprise (the 1983 hit Every Day I Write the Book; Clubland, the lead track from 1981's Trust). But it must be a little frustrating for Costello, who has headlined North Texas shows many times, to be an opener, even if it does get his songs in front of a larger crowd than he usually plays to. By the end of his set, as he did extended versions of Watching the Detectives and (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding, you got the feeling that he didn't want to leave. Wonder if he went and jammed somewhere after the show? Robert Philpot, 817-390-7872

Now I will proceed with my photos.
We got to the Gorge Amphitheater about 3 hours before the show started to get a good seat, and man did we score in that department! This is my gloating and elated look despite the 90+ degree heat!


My man Elvis hit the stage rocking it with some of his classic stuff from his early years. His voice was was so beautiful it really blew me away. Especially when he played "Every Day I write the Book". One of my fav Elvis tunes of all time...Yes, it did bring a tear to my eye.



Sting and Elvis did a duet on "Allison". It really does'nt get any better than that IMO! They sounded amazing needless to say, but Sting sounded different because he was singing in a lower register than he usually does...I was curious how he would sound solo.


Honestly, I fully expected to enjoy the Police, but to be slightly underwhelmed because I thought they would not have the same energy they did in their heyday...Oh how wrong I was. Sting is one of the most talented singers and songwriters of our time. His voice is better live than on recordings... He looks great for his age. He is so charismatic and has so much emotion in his singing. His eyes are electric blue, this photo really does'nt capture how intense they are, but you get the idea.
The screen imagery and light show was phenomenal as well. They did a really beautiful segment with the most beautiful photos of children from all over the world laughing that was really moving.


We got a few shots of Stewart Copeland in action..but he was always moving so made it really difficult. The video work/quality of the performance for the Police was the best I have ever seen in a concert.
Stewart had the full percussionist set-up with giant gong and the works...so entertaining to watch!



I will end my story with a shot of Sting's ass...not very clear, but the man has the most incredible body!
Oy, the entire experience goes down as one of the top ten experiences of my life! Hubby and I danced the entire time the Police were jperforming...and we don't usually do that at concerts. The music was that infectious and most of the crowd were on their feet for the entire Police set!

It sounds like you had an incredible time!!! Good for you, Luca! I can only imagine how great the music was at such a great venue!

Thanks Sky! The acoustics were beyond outstanding and you can imagine the caliber of the sound equipment and mixing that the Police had! Just the ultimate!

Great pix!! Glad you had such an awesome time! You are brave - I would not sit out 3 extra hours in the 90 degree hot sun for ANYBODY! You are a devoted fan!

I saw The Police in the 80's and I thought they were amazing! Especially Sting! Still love Sting!

Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I hope you get to see Elvis again someday!

Thanks my laydee! Yes, I am a devoted fan and nut! I bet you would sit out in the heat for Clay or David!!! I will bet you money on that!

I would love to get more than an hour of Elvis someday! But, I am so grateful and happy with seeing him for the time I did!

Are you kidding? My make-up would be down around my toes and my hair would look like Don King's Now I could never let DC or Clay see me looking like that!!!

I wouldn't intentionally sit out in that heat..........but if I had a ticket...I would be there!

What was great is that around this area, most people don't wear much make-up anyway and everyone was pretty grunged out in the most comfortable, no fuss clothes available-so I fit right in with my funky hat and sweat dripping everywhere!

I like the funky hat!

No make-up? I'd scare the crap out of the kids!

Luca, I think you looked great!!!

I got that true live outdoor concert THRILL from you pics and descriptions.

I think you are fabulous looking, exactly how I think a person aiming to thrill with a concert description should be.

Ahhhh shucks! Thanks Sky,Frazzle, and FC! You are all so sweet and kind.

Glad you are here to share my concert experience with! Only true music lovers understand a fellow fanatic!

Oh some other tidbits I forgot to mention...
You will notice that many of the assigned seats were not filled when Elvis was performing. It seems a lot of people did not come until later right before the Police went on. I felt sort of bad for Elvis, but he did get a warm, but not rousing reception. I guess he probably isn't crying himself to sleep over it, I'm sure he is being very well compensated for this tour.

Another gossipy tidbit I remember. As Sting, Andy, and Stuart were doing their final bows and were leaving the stage, some woman/girl got Sting's attention and he actually stopped and went over to the edge of the stage and bent down and talked to her for a quick moment. She had something like a small sign in her hand...Interesting and weird-

That is a very unique and fabulous looking venue. Luca, your pics of the jumbotron came out very well as I know they are difficult to capture well. Glad you had a wonderful time.

Thanks Lau! It is a truely fab venue! One of the best in the world I think, almost as good as Red Rocks in Boulder! Very well set up and well organized deal. We are going back in a month to see Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Steve Winwood. It was my husband's first time there and my second.