It was simply a great concert- everytime I see him on tour, I'm always impressed with the energy and enthusiasm he brings to each show. If he hasn't yet stopped in your locality, rest assured that those of us who have posted reactions are not exagerating - your expectations won't be let down.
It was a fairly rainy night, but it cleared up in time for Sting's set. This brought about the expected hello to the people on the lawn from Sting, but no real one-liners (he also didn't give us his July 4th joke- I guess he didn't feel like it). Cowboy Junkies were a bit of a disappointment, I just don't think they're that good. I'll spare you the details of the set-list, it was the same one he's been sticking to for most of his American leg of the tour. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Some highlights:
A woman ran down the aisle during "I Hung My Head" and chucked a card at him (It really flew, too- landed right at his feet). Of course she got a stern speaking-to from security and could have been escourted out, although I didn't really pay attention. He picked up the card at the end of the song and said, "Someone sent me a Hallmark" (but I didn't see him check the back ;) then proceed to read it to himself. He muttered something like "that's sweet", then tossed it to the side, so my best guess is that it was a love letter or a psycho message (or both, who knows?
In the MIDDLE of the intro to "I Was Brought To My Senses" Sting stopped, and pointed out that the ceiling of GSAC looks just like the space ship in "Independence Day" (which, BTW, it does, but the lead singer for Cowboy Junkies had pointed out the same thing about half an hour before, so it didn't bring out as much laughs as it could have. Guess he doesn't pay much attention to the opening act).
In case you were wondering how the "Sing Along With Sting" theme got started (after the first time in Philadelphia), this is the story: Apparently word had gotten out about the first time, so at the begining of the concert, two guys were holding up a sign that read something like "Since Scott got to sing in Philly, could John and (?) sing, too?". After Sting was able to make out what the sign said (It's got to be hard to see out into the audience with all those lights), He invited the two guys up to join him on ISHICSC. He asked if either was divorced, but one said he was happily married, and the other was only 18. They did just fine. They were certainly able to hold the tune, and did a little dance behind Sting during the verses (not unlike the horn section:) that brought some laughs.
That's about it. It was just a great night- an energetic crowd, people standing and dancing (even if it did take them a while), and Sting's voice was fine after some initial roughness (this seems to be the regular pattern for him).
"HEAVY CLOUDS BUT NO RAIN"
The threat of severe downpours early in the evening did not dampen the spirits of concertgoers who came out in full force as Sting rocked the capacity crowd at the (formerly) Garden State Arts Center. The severe whether never came however, and Sting took the stage at 9:15 PM.
Sting showed a lot of confidence in his new material (he performed all but three songs from "Mercury Falling")beginning the set with "The Hounds of Winter," "I Hung My Head","I was Brought To My Senses", and "Let your Soul be Your Pilot". His howl towards the end of "Hounds" got everyone going! He stopped after that number and picked up a card a fan had placed on stage and read a few lines from it.sort of stuff. Dominic Miller and Kenny Kirkland received ample applause as Sting introduced his band members. After four tracks from the new CD, Sting went into some of his earlier favorites and Police staples, starting with "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free". The tempo of the show picked up a bit with lively "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic",which was appropriately followed by "Seven Days" (both songs end with the line : "It's a big enough umbrella, but it's always me that ends up getting wet".
Two fans managed to steal the show for a few minutes. Holding a sign that read "Since Scott got to sing in Philly, let me sing with you too", they were invited up on stage to sing the chorus parts to "I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying". When asked if either met the pre-requisite for singing that song (no..not singing lessons but being divorced),one replied that he was happily married and the other replied that he was only 18. They realy got into the act, dancing around the stage between choruses, reminding us all how much fun this music really is. Their showmanship was almost matched by their singing - they weren't awful.
The high point of the show was the energetic "Synchronicity II" (Enen though a change in tempo and melody during the latter verses slightly threw off the fans who were screaming along). From there right into "Roxanne" to keep everyone pumped up.
Other high points in the Sting show included "Bring on the Night / When the World is Running Down" which featured an incredible keyboard solo by Kenny Kirkland. Musically, "Englishman in New York" was the evening's best moment. Other songs in the set included "Mad About You","You Still Touch Me", and "Demolition Man".
"If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and "Every Breath You Take" kicked off the encore which finished up with a highly charged ending to "Lithium Sunset". For the second Encore, Sting broke out the acoustic guitar to perform the melodic "Fragile", giving closure to a sensational show.
I saw your review yesterday of the holmdel, NJ show. i was actually one of the guys on stage with sting. I had gone to the philly show and thought i would try the sign bit, and luckily it worked. Also, do you know if a recording of the show exists? If you know of someone who might have it or any info about the show would be greatly appreciated. I have to say thank you for the write up because i have been looking all over for things about the show. Thank you!
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