I first saw The Police in 1981 during the "Ghost In The Machine" tour at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse. At this point the band was transitioning from the post-punk-textured reggae pop of its first three albums and getting more technical, more orchestral, more arena. It was my first big concert, and though I've grown to enjoy things more on the sweatier, in-your-face, up-your-butt level that smaller clubs deliver, it was an amazing show.

Flash forward 27 years to Saturday night and I was back in front of The Police at HSBC Arena in Buffalo. On a simple stage with no backing musicians, no pyrotechnics, or assorted bullshit older bands use to spackle the cracks, The Police delivered a magnificent set. Opening with a quasi-acoustic rendition of "Bring On The Night," it was the music that did the talking while the packed house did the screaming - though it was seated for the most part, well behaved, and a little khaki. I guess charging upward of $250 a ticket weeds my kind of element out.

Known more for his sonic wash, atmospheric chording, and reggae vamps, guitarist Andy Summers opted to wail on the guitar with aggressive glee. Sting seems to have misplaced his razor for at least a week, but still looked amazing. His voice still occupies that upper register unchallenged. And Stewart Copeland? Simply put, he is one of the best drummers of all time. This trio's synchronicity is still magic.

And by breaking up while on top of its game, The Police have nothing to live down (some of Sting's solo stuff may be another story). So the band picked up where it left off. And I hope it doesn't stop here.

Yeah, opener Elvis Costello doesn't have the hits that The Police do. But for a music fan who grew up in the 80's, having this cat on the bill was amazing. If they'd added The Jam I would've come in my pants. Costello and his band were rough and raw, delivering a stack of tunes off his new vinyl-only release "Momofuku" and classics like "I Don't Want To Go To Chelsea" and "Allison" as the Arena slowly filled. It didn't seem to faze Elvis; all these years later and his aim is still true.