Police still out in force...

''The last time we played in Melbourne we broke up,'' observed Sting at last night's Police show at the MCG.

There certainly seemed to be no hard feelings from the band making a triumphant return to the city they last played 24 years ago as the biggest band in the world.

By the time they called it quits the band had left behind five albums and hits including 'Walking On The Moon', 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' and the classic 'Every Breath You Take' - mostly faithful renditions of which found their way into the set last night.

Sting, 55, looked fit and tanned in a tight-fitting black outfit.

He was a consummate frontman, driving the band on his well-worn bass and with amazing vocal powers.

Andy Summers' guitar wizardry remained a joy, especially on tracks such as 'Synchronicity II' - even if his formerly frenzied stage antics were scaled back to befit a man of 65 years.

The third vital cog, drummer Stewart Copeland, 55, arrived grandly from beneath the stage and mesmerised with his complex skittering rhythms, displaying an impressive energy and athleticism.

It was always going to be a big ask for a three-piece to fill a cabinet space such as the MCG. While the vast spaces and lots of empty seats robbed the show of intimacy, the spare guitar, bass and drums attack proved surprisingly potent.

When the three virtuoso musicians connected on songs such as 'When The World Is Falling Down' and 'Driven To Tears' the results were electrifying. The highlight was an epic version of 'Wrapped Around Your Finger', with Copeland giving his percussion set a good workout.

Earlier, Fergie, arguably the hottest female solo star in the world, played a set of hits including 'Glamorous', 'Fergalicous' and 'Big Girls Don't Cry'.

(c) Sunday Herald Sun by James Wigney