So unbeknownst to the folks in the pit, Sting is finally shaving the beard -- and then, out of nowhere, Stewart appears on stage with a ridiculous green object in hand. Of course, Stewart first appears on stage *in the dark* with a ridiculous green object in hand (come on, Stewart -- how many years have you been performing, man?), but lights come up to find him showing this ridiculous green object to various parts of the audience.
Because no one -- not even I -- knew that it was about to happen, no one catches the first couple of seconds, but a few fine folks have caught a bit of video of the moment:
Beata:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdtmJ5mVsM8
Maud:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsQwdQyHzmw (tune in around 3:10)
Mo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar4ngBoOT6s&fmt=18
and every photo that I've seen of Stewart actually holding the Flag looks a lot like Susan's:
http://images.kodakgallery.com/servlet/ ... 8_0_BG.jpg
I think it speaks volumes to how excited and flipped-out people were about this that so many photos and videos of Stewart and the Flag on stage are jumping all over the damn place. Just listen to Maud and Tama and Ska Man yelling "Stewart's got the Flag!" on Maud's video. 99% of the audience had no idea what the hell the damn thing was -- but that 1% in-the-know went ballistic.
Awesome.
Mad props to the tall lanky dude who hits shit with sticks.
(I must say that I had to laugh a bit when I first saw the flag's perch: I had actually pictured something more L-shaped/right-angled rather than something quite so crucifixish, but what the hell. In the name of the Stewart, Sting, Holy Summers, amen.)
So Stewart showed the Flag, he pointed, he saluted, he pointed again, while Andy noodled. A few nutters in the audience burst into tears. Some folks swear that Stewart said something -- but I didn't hear that. He got on the mic and introduced Sting sans beard, but if he said anything before that, I missed it over the screaming (my own included).
Again, I probably should have cried. But the whole thing was just too unreal. The whole thing is still too unreal. For the last six songs of The Police's last gig of their last tour, that manky, mangled, stinky green flag that was created on my and Mo's kitchen table and has since seen 5 continents and 91 concerts -- plus a pretty long Elvis taping, so screw it, we're gonna call that 92 -- hung next to Stewart's drumkit. I've seen the videos; I've seen the photos. I was there. I know how the story ends. But I still don't believe it.
And the band played on. It was during "King of Pain" that I got a bit choked up, staring at that flagpole rag on stage and witnessing the wind about to stop and all. And somewhere in the encores, Stewart looked at me and cocked his head toward the Flag with a kind of "check this shit out" smile.
Indeed.
Mad props to the tall lanky dude who hits shit with sticks.
During "Every Breath You Take," the "Thank You" flags appeared. I think I first noticed Pecos next to me with her flag turned Thank-You-side out, and I'm really glad that she did that. I had had mine in my hand so long that I had nearly forgotten about it. But gradually Thank Yous appeared throughout the audience, glowing bright green in front of the stage, at stage-left, at stage-right every time the light hit them. At one point I turned around to see the audience behind me, and I saw a line of Thank Yous spread throughout the floor. It was a sight to behold.
And when the lights came up toward the end of the song and you could see the band really see the message -- it was just as enormous and as heartrending as seeing the Flag on stage.
We may not have made Stewart Copeland cry, but I think we did pretty good nonetheless.
Finally, eventually, the show ends, the fat lady sings, Stewart points, Stewart strips -- general mass hysteria -- lights come up, and Brad appears with the Flag.
Er, wot?
I can't remember what Brad asks me; I'm pretty sure I remember answering a question with a confused "Well, it's up to him, but . . ." It's loud; it's emotional; I'm tired and perplexed. But luckily Pecos has her brain on and tells Brad that now Stewart keeps the Flag. (Thank you, Pecos. Apologies for the confusion, Brad -- that all was just weird.)
And the Flag disappears backstage.
Again, no pomp. No circumstance. It just is.
So where is the Flag now? . . .
[Sorry, but I gotta write a post-script.]
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