KEY ARENA, SEATTLE, WA :: Kristie and I initially didn't have high expectations for The Police concert. We thought it would be a relatively quiet night, with us having a good time singing along to familiar tunes from the early 80s. Our expectations sank lower after Copeland's well-publicized criticism of the rehearsals in Vancouver... But wow! What a difference a week apparently makes! The Police put on a great show in Seattle tonight!

The band kicked it off with a recording of Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up," a salute to the reggae sound that influences so many of their songs. Copeland walked out first and rang an enormous gong. The crowd was roaring and on their feet for most the show as the band played renewed versions of the following songs:

Message in a Bottle, Synchronicity II, Don't Stand So Close to Me, Voices Inside My Head, When the World Is Running Down You Make the Best of What's Still Around, Spirits in the Material World, Driven to Tears, Walking on the Moon, Truth Hits Everybody, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Wrapped Around Your Finger, The Bed's Too Big Without You, Regatta De Blanc, De Do Do Do De Da Da Da, Invisible Sun, Walking in Your Footsteps, Can't Stand Losing You, Roxanne, King of Pain, So Lonely, Every Breath You Take, and Next to You.

There was a lot of energy in the crowd and the band was smiling, joking, and having fun as if the break-up never occured. Really though, how can you not be having the time of your life as a legendary rockstar playing some of the greatest hits of an era to sold-out arenas, especially after a 20 year lapse? Sting looks and sounds incredible at 55 (fifty-five!). He sang through many high notes and "ee-yo-yo-yos" without falter. Likewise, Stewart and Andy are still amazing. The band rocked! And I'm guessing Kristie and I will be humming Police songs for at least a month now.

Here's a great YouTube video of "So Lonely" from the concert:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaOwOahoh7Q