Nostalgia reigns during Police Experience concert
LANCASTER – The Police Experience hit the Wendel outdoor stage for the Lancaster Festival on Wednesday night, but only after a little lightning shut down the concert for about an hour.
The California band, hitting many of the 1980s rock band's big hits, brought back the memories of decades past.
The Gearheads, who opened for the Police Experience, had just started revving up the crowd but had only been able to get about a half dozen numbers in before the rain and lightning hit the area around 8 p.m.
Ami Williams, of Lancaster, was one of the people who had come out for the concert and had moved to the OUL buildings for cover when the storm came through.
"It was OK. They did what they needed to for our safety, and I think everyone understood," Williams said.
For the new Lancaster Festival executive director, Joe Piccolo, the storm was an unwanted surprise.
"We were really surprised by the turnout yesterday and today at the ticket office with phone calls and people coming in to buy their tickets today for the concert," Piccolo said. "We had people lined up out the ticket office at one point."
He said he was appreciative and impressed by the way everyone acted during the storm.
"But we have a great site and safety committee who was watching the storm as it came in and looking at the lightning," Piccolo said. "Everyone did what they were supposed to, and we were able to get people off the grounds and into the buildings for their own safety. Security did a great job, and the people were great about it."
Piccolo said no one was hurt during the evacuation of the people from the concert area to the OUL buildings. About an hour later, around 9 p.m., the concert resumed.
"Everything went very smooth," Piccolo said.
Even the food trucks, such as the Burrito Buggy, Pitabilities, Pizza by the Slice and Bob's Backyard BBQ decided to stay and were open after the storm came through and the concert got back underway.
When the crowds returned, the Police Experience took the stage and started playing with a "Message in a Bottle." A crowd jammed the area in front of the stage, and some were dancing.
By the time the Police Experience got into its third number, most of the tables in front of the stage was occupied again and many people were out in the grass. If anything, the crowd looked as if it was as large or a little larger than it was before the storm.
The band played many hits before it was over, including "Every Breath you Take" and "Synchronicity."
Piccolo said he liked the pairing of a well-known local band with a more national-type band, something he make look to do again next year.
Along with photographer Matt Berry, The Eagle-Gazette presented people in the crowd with two prompts:
•Name a Police song and explain what it means to you, and;
•If the Festival Committee brings another cover band to the festival, who would you like to see featured next year?
Their responses were:
" 'Walking on the Moon' is one of my favorites. We had some friends who were huge Police fans and got me to listen to it. I always associated The Police with MTV. I would love to see the B-52s or a cover band for them to come here. It would take me right back to my high school days."
Becky McCandlish, 47, Lancaster
" 'Message in a Bottle, is one of the songs that comes right to my mind. To me, it's kind of like there's someone out there for everyone. Id like to see cover bands playing Hall & Oates or maybe Pink Floyd come here."
Stacy Quinn, 44, Lancaster
"I can't really pick out one of their songs, but I like their music, and it is really nostalgic to hear them. Takes you right back to when you were a young person. As for a cover band, it's got to be the Beatles. The Fab 4 is the group I would like to see."
Bruce Johnson, 66, Lancaster
"I remember 'Every Breath you Take.' I like their music because it is upbeat and you can dance to it. As for a cover band, I'd like to see the Rolling Stones. Their music is also upbeat and a lot different than the music you hear today."
Claire Kilbarger, 16, Lancaster
"It has to be 'Every Breath You Take.' Been through a divorce, you know, so it really touches me right now. Also 'Wrapped Around your Finger' has some meaning to me. As for future cover bands, I think we could use ZZ Top, the Moody Blues or The Cars."
Daddio "Ron" Hill, 64, Lancaster
cburnett@lancastereaglegazette.com
740-681-4346
Twitter: @CarlBurnettJr
Interact
If you are a child of the 1970s and '80s and have fond memories of The Police or other cover bands, go to the comments to answer the two questions and let us know what you would like to see.
Coming Saturday
This Saturday, the Lancaster Festival Orchestra and Blues Traveler will be performing at Ohio University Lancaster's Branch Wendel Concert Stage starting at 8:15 p.m. The grand finale will open with Lancaster Festival Orchestra performing hits by Journey, Aerosmith, and Radiohead during the first half of the concert followed after the intermission by Blues Traveler.