The Police Gateshead Stadium 1982
Support Acts: U2, The Beat, Gang Of Four, Lords Of The New Church.
Sting: “Seven years ago I left this town and I said I would make it. It’s nice to come back and make you part of the success.”
Another one day event headlined by The Police. This one was local to me (no three hour drive home; great 🙂 ). The weather was ok, dull but no major rain problems. Attendance was estimated at around 12,000; well below the capacity, and there was lots of empty space in the stadium. The Police were good, but for me and most of he crowd, the revelation of the day was U2. I had seen U2 a few times before this gig, and thought they were good, but it was at this Gateshead gig that I realised just how powerful a U2 performance could be. Bono was simply sensational; his singing, passion, energy and performance were amazing. He climbed all over the lighting towers and had the entire crowd on his side by the end of their set. The Police found it hard to follow U2, and Sting wasn’t in a particularly good mood; but after a slow start, all those hits got the crowd singing along. The standard Police three piece line-up was augmented by a brass section for this show.
From reviews of the time:
“U2 took advantage of the day’s upswing to reinforce the numerous claims made on their behalf to be ‘the next big thing’. Currently cooped up in the country getting their third album together, they exploded with a barrage of pent-up energy that no amount of pastoral activity can fulfil. “(Sounds)
“The Police were totally predictable. Coming on over a tape to ecstatic applause from the half empty stadium, Sting yodelled and changed basses for every other song in sight …. I can’t say that they played badly – they’re much too professional and slick for that – but their many hits were trotted out with a lack of excitement which suggests that their days as a group may be numbered [interesting comment in hindsight]….The audience loved it – but then at £8.30 a time they could hardly afford not to could they? ” (Record Mirror)
U2 setlist: Gloria; I Threw A Brick; A Day Without Me; An Cat Dubh; Into The Heart; Rejoice; Electric Co; I Will Follow; Out Of Control. Encore(s): A Celebration; 11 O’Clock Tick Tock; The Ocean
The Police setlist: Message In A Bottle; Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic; Walking On The Moon; Spirits In The Material World; Hungry For You; When The World Is Running Down; The Bed’s Too Big Without You; De do do do, De da da da; Demolition Man; Shadows In The Rain; Driven To Tears; Bring On The Night; One World (Not Three); Invisible Sun (with Bono); Roxanne; Don’t Stand So Close To Me; Can’t Stand Losing You; Regatta de Blanc; Be My Girl; Can’t Stand Losing You; So Lonely
20 Feb
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by dawn on February 24, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Have never gone to see The Police i did like them i used to see Gordon Sumner quite a bit i used to live opposite his sister. U2 ive seen a few times always put on a good show though a bit political.
Posted by TrevorSAnderson on August 9, 2024 at 11:45 pm
Yeah the Police were massively dissapointing, blustery and diluted by the horn section; U2 were sensational, I saw them the following year at the City Hall on the back of the huge top ten success of New Years Day, and by which time they were clearly superstars in the making; I’ve seen them lots over the years, Celtic Park on the Zoo TV tour in 93 stands out as an amazing show, one of the best I’ve ever seen actually; the Police were far far better when I saw them at Wembley Arena on their comeback tour in 2007, it was just the 3 of them, no extra musicians, and they seriously rocked; also, I was in South Shields a few years back in Colemans restaurant with my extended family, cut a long story short, the waitress politely asked us if wed mind switching tables, being amenable types we said no probs, and as we were switching over who passes us but Sting with his family, Trudie Styler and David Miliband MP, she mouthed ‘thank you’ at us and we took our table nearer the front of the restaurant, the owner said later its so they could shut off the back room and give them some privacy; anyway, when it came time to pay, they said that’s all taken care of, Mr Sumner insisted of paying for being gracious enough to give up your table! & apparently he left a huge tip for the waiting staff as well. He gets a rep for being something of a tight arse but speak as you find! If only I’d known, I’d have ordered the langoustine scampi lol.
Posted by vintagerock on August 10, 2024 at 10:52 am
Lovely story and great memories for you Trevor
Posted by Jayne PEDERSON on September 7, 2024 at 10:35 pm
I was there. Aged 15. I remember everything.. saw Andy Summers looking from behind watching U2 ., and this is where I discovered my love for u2! Another of my favourite bands The Beat .. The my hero’s The Police., Andy was my favourite back then ., just watching Sting now playing BB2 radio in park reminiscing with all the Police songs ending with Roxanne.. class!
jayne Pederson
Posted by vintagerock on September 8, 2024 at 11:17 am
A great concert Jayne. Thanks for sharing. Happy days Peter
Posted by Mark Watson on June 29, 2025 at 11:23 pm
When i go to see a band that peters seen id leave a comment so here it is. I went to see Gang Of Four at the 02 in London recently. Its there farewell tour and they were superb. Id seen them support the Police in 1982 but only remember the Police. two original members, singer and drummer. Sadly the guitarist and bass guitarist are no longer with us. Peter would have enjoyed it.