June 15, 2008 23:15

The Police close Isle Wight Festival 2008

Trio play one of their last ever gigs on the island

The Police have closed the final night of the Isle Of Wight Festival 2008 this evening (June 15).

Playing one of their final UK appearances as their reunion tour comes to an end – the band only have a handful of shows remaining – Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland played a set that showcased their entire career.

Heralding their arrival onstage with a giant gong, the trio launched into 'Message In A Bottle' before one of the biggest crowds of the weekend.

Playing extended versions of classics including 'Walking On The Moon', 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and 'Driven To Tears', a bearded Sting revealed he had attended the festival once before.

"When I came in 1969 - I was five years old - to see Bob Dylan I got a lift with a mate from Newcastle," joked the frontman, actually born in 1951. "Here I am now with The Police."

Later on, he asked the audience "are you going to sing?" ensuring the band got one of the loudest sing-alongs of the weekend throughout their set.

Having wrapped their set up with 'Can't Stand Losing You', the trio returned to close the festival with an encore that included 'Roxanne' and 'Every Breath You Take'.

The Police played:

'Message In A Bottle'
'Walking On The Moon'
'Demolition Man'
'Voices' / 'When The World...'
'Don't Stand So Close To Me'
'Driven To Tears'
'Hole In My Life'
'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic'
'Wrapped Around Your Finger'
'De DoDoDo De DaDaDaDa'
'Invisible Sun'
'Can't Stand Losing You'
'Roxanne'
'King Of Pain'
'So Lonely'
'Every Breath You Take'
'Next To You'

Live highlights of the band's set are being broadcast at Virginradio.co.uk.

Keep up with this weekend's (June 13-15) festival action as it happens on NME.COM. For news, pictures and blogs keep checking the NME.COM's Isle Of Wight Festival page and NME.COM's Download Festival page for live coverage from both sites.