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Sting and Phantom Planet present evening of crossovers in Nampa
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A rock icon and what used to be an underground jam band graced the Idaho Center Saturday night. Former Police frontman Sting and Los Angeles based rockers Phantom Planet were the headliners. In a drastic demographic crossover, the evening was highlighted by great music and by professional showmen.
Opening for nearly a sold out crowd, Phantom Planet paved the way for an elaborate display of funk and fusion. Crossed with hard rock overtones, the band wasn’t in the shadow of Sting’s limelight as much as they complemented the world superstar.
Said Phantom Planet bassist Sam Farrar, “It’s quite the honor to be on tour with Sting. For someone like me who has listened to the Police their whole lives, it’s pretty cool.”
With three major studio albums and a collection of b-sides and outtakes for the diehard fans, the band was at the forefront of success Saturday night. Once known as the breeding ground for current actor Jason Schwartzman, the band has progressed in the past few years and played with inventiveness and perfection. Since Schwartzman’s departure, the band has concentrated on new music and is currently working on a follow-up to their latest album.
Now on tour with Sting, the band spends the day playing Halo and taking music lessons taught by Sting during the acts’ down time.
Being mentored by a rock legend is a definite perk. Said Farrar, “How cool is that? I’m pissed I missed the class today, but he teaches them all the time.”
Well composed, Sting was amply backed at the Idaho Center by his own band for the night. Joining the stadium at the height of the crowds cheering, Sting was greeted by a warm welcome from nearly 4,000 fans. Dominated by mid-aged housewives, the crowd’s enthusiasm level surpassed that of the most recent Harry Connick, Jr. show.
A superior wail for a superior song, the crowd didn’t die down after the first Police hit. Even with the always-romantic tune “Fields of Gold,” a Sting solo ballad, the masses sang along with the utmost respect.Where the concert was loud enough to rock out to, Sting played timidly enough to carry serenity and a few conversations with the crowd in between songs.
Asking the audience if foxes were native to the Idaho area, Sting lead into a song just about foxes. A lesser-known tune, many still sang along.
With the house lights on full red, the band played the opening bars of “Roxanne” to a subtle vibe of recognition. The up-tempo dub echoed through the facility and the reggae theme of past times was brought back to 2005.
Still, the highlight of the show was the ever-popular and everlasting smash “Every Breath You Take.” Once pawned off to a sampled rap remix, the tune stood impressively in the hands of the originator. As the second song of the encore, no one doubted the classic would be forgotten. With the ring of reverb bass, hearts melted and couples crooned.
The sub-stalker melody has become Americana as well as world-renowned and in its extended version for the Boise show, the set was almost complete. Though some Police songs were missed, the finale was of Sting’s own liking and the audience fell in love with Sting for one last song.
The impression the concert left was of joy, as everyone walked away with a sense of satisfaction. Though many know Sting as adult-contemporary, the concert uprooted Sting’s upbringing. Everyone was reminded of the dub/punk origins that made the man who he is today, and though nowhere near present, the Police were remembered as relevant in the heart of rock ‘n’ roll history.
Dan McNeese
Culture Writer
