Caught in the act!...

The old adage, too many cooks spoil the broth, took on new meaning at The Police Picnic. Billed as Canada's only appearance by The Police - with the addition of a couple of bands - the event would have been a major success had the organisers stuck to that original idea.

However, those few friends turned into eight acts, and with the show starting 90 minutes late, the 25,000 spectators had to wait almost 11 hours before the peroxide trio hit the stage. For most the wait was wothwhile as The Police turned in a passable set (not as good as Massey Hall), rattling off their standard hits and previewing some of the tracks from their forthcoming 'Ghost In The Machine' album. The wait had taken its toll on a number of people though and the energy level had wained dramatically by the time The Police rolled into action.

Of the remaining groups, The Specials, Iggy Pop and The Payolas were enjoyable. Nash The Slash and Oingo Boingo were a waste of time, Go Go's were passable, John Otway was hysterical and David Bendeth was wasted in his opening spot, he deserved a better fate.

The ninety-minute delay meant each set had to be shortened which also meant that bands were finished just as the crowd started to respond. An effort was made to slip The Police on stage mid-way through the bill but group manager Miles Copeland wouldn't go for it. He felt that everyone would go home right afterwards thus spoiling things for The Specials and The Go Go's.

One postive aspect of The Police Picnic was that barring the opening delay, the show ran like clockwork. There was a minimum amount of problems both on and off the site and the promoters made a little money. All of which shows promise for future concerts at The Grove, the next one possibly set for next May with heavy metal bands providing the entertainment.

© Music Express by Keith Sharp
Ticket image courtesy of Dietmar

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