The Police at Hollywood Park...

I can remember thinking that Hollywood Park was a strange place to stage a concert, as its primary purpose is for horse racing. This may have been the first concert event ever staged there - certainly of its size and not as part of between-race entertainment. The L.A. Forum sat right across the street, making the choice of venue seem even more unusual.

The stage was constructed on the infield, and the seating areas were straight across (as the race track is a long oval) creating some very poor sight lines to the stage for the poor chaps on the ends. However, for a 15-year old boy who won the tickets from the local cable television company by photocopying 200 contest entry forms, then hand-delivering them 5 miles away on my bike, I was just happy to be there! The opening acts were a who's-who of nu-wave superstars, all of whom I was already a big fan.

Sting was very chatty and cheeky, and there were a few exchanges between band members that did nothing to soften rumors of their implosion (I think Andy ev called Sting "Adolf" at one point). Anyway, the show was great fun. My wife, who is an even bigger Police/Sting fan that I am, never got to see them. So, I'll always have this to hold over her head ;) Sting's music and performances have always played an important part in our 17-year relationship, and the tour page has brought back some wonderful memories. Thanks!

Set list: Voices Inside My Head / Synchronicity I / Synchronicity II / Walking In Your Footsteps / Message In A Bottle / Walking On The Moon / O My God / De Do Do Do De Da Da Da / Wrapped Around Your Finger / Tea In The Sahara / Spirits In The Material World / Hole In My Life / Invisible Sun / One World / King Of Pain / Don't Stand So Close To Me / Murder By Numbers / Every Breath You Take / Roxanne / Can't Stand Losing You / So Lonely

Support acts: Thompson Twins, The Fixx, Berlin.

© Michael Thompson for Sting.com

Other Recent items