In a May 31 blog posting on his website (stewartcopeland.net), the Police drummer wrote about the band's first "disaster gig" — the second show of the tour, in Vancouver. Their timing was off, their tuning was off, and Sting didn't "quite achieve lift-off" for one of his flashy leaps. "The mighty Sting momentarily looks like a petulant pansy instead of the god of rock," Copeland wrote. That The Police screwed up on stage isn't really the point. Copeland continued: "When we meet up backstage for the first time after the set and before the encores, we fall into each other's arms laughing hysterically." Laughing? Instead of screaming at each other or throwing punches? It looks as if the trio's 25-year reunion tour is a relatively harmonious affair. And that bodes well for the music, I suspect. As far as the set itself, I won't give a lot away. Considerable info is available online. Suffice to say that the band plays almost all of its major hits, and some of them have been notably reworked. If you're a fan of Sting's post-New Age noodlings and are counting on hearing some pan flute or djembe drum, dump those tix. The Police are performing as a trio — and, by most accounts, rocking it pretty hard. Opening the show are Fiction Plane, who are fronted by Sting's son Joe Sumner; after a quick online listen to their music, I'd say that Fiction Plane is a worthy band — with a Police-ish kind of sound.
The Police w/Fiction Plane, Wed., July 11, 7:30 p.m. SOLD OUT, although VIP packages remain. Call 813-301-6900. —Eric Snider
Twang Rock
WMNF's Second Annual Americana Fest showcases a bevy of skilled local artists who cite the likes of The Band, Byrds and Bob Dylan as influences — as well as more current acts working under the alt-country banner. Rebekah Pulley, who was on the cover of our "Chicks Rock" Music Issue in April, is a whip-smart, romantic scribe who couches her songs in balmy folk-rock melodies; Hangtown, on the other hand, add a shot of punk and danger to their twangy tales. The Diviners are Will Quinlan and company bringing the Uncle Tupelo vibe. The Urbane Cowboys (pictured) mine a similar vein but with more of a pop flair à la The Old 97's. Bradenton's Matt Burke has put together an ace band for his acoustic project Have Gun Will Travel — he recently posted a couple of choice new tunes online (see Spins p. 68). Also on the roster is Zen Recordings producer, in-demand session man and former Headlights co-leader Steve Connelly and the Lesser Pilots (see music feature p. 61).
WMNF's Second Annual Americana Fest w/Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets/Steve Connelly and the Lesser Gods/Hangtown/Urbane Cowboys/Diviners/Memphis Train Union/Jukebox Graduate/Experimental Pilot/Holidaysburg/Truckstop Coffee/Have Gun Will Travel/Human Condition, Sat., July 7, 3 p.m. to midnight, Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa. $10. —Wade Tatangelo
Northbound
Going away to school hasn't torn this talented young band apart — not yet, anyway. Traveling North's four students attend colleges across the state and in Georgia. The members originally formed in Safety Harbor and started as a blues band. Their sound has expanded in recent years, culminating with their new debut LP For That World. It's a dynamic blend of folk, blues and pop that finds lead guitarist/vocalist Bryan Foutch working the same ground John Mayer has tilled in recent years. Joining Foutch are rhythm guitarist Collin Ryan, drummer Bryan Baker and bassist Stefan Scheuermann. Traveling North are much more song-oriented than the mostly jam bands booked to play Dunedin Brewery, but that hasn't stopped the quartet from cultivating a strong following there.
Traveling North, Sat., July 7, Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin, $5. —WT
This article appears in Jul 4-10, 2007.