Ghost in the Machine Tour
The Ghost in the Machine Tour was a world concert tour by the English rock band the Police, held from October 1, 1981, to September 6, 1982, to promote their fourth studio album, Ghost in the Machine.[1] Spanning 11 months, the tour featured 100 performances across three continents, beginning in Europe with an opening show at Sporthalle in Böblingen, Germany, and concluding at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. Key stops included multiple nights at major venues such as Wembley Arena in London (December 14–16, 1981) and Madison Square Garden in New York City (January 22, 1982), alongside dates in cities like Paris, Los Angeles, and East Rutherford.[1] The tour marked a period of rising global fame for the Police, following the album's release on October 2, 1981, which incorporated influences from reggae, jazz, and new wave while experimenting with horn sections and synthesizers.[2] Live performances highlighted tracks from Ghost in the Machine—including hits like "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Invisible Sun"—alongside staples from prior albums such as Reggatta de Blanc and Zenyatta Mondatta.[3] Support acts varied by region, with the Go-Go's opening several U.S. dates starting in January 1982.[3][4] Notable for its energetic trio format without additional musicians on stage for most shows, the tour showcased the band's tight musicianship amid growing internal tensions, which would foreshadow their eventual breakup after the subsequent *Synchronicity* Tour.[5] By its end, the Police had solidified their status as one of the world's biggest rock acts, with the tour contributing to the album's commercial success, including multiple platinum certifications in the U.S. and U.K.[6]Background
Album context
The Police released their fourth studio album, Ghost in the Machine, on October 2, 1981, through A&M Records.[7] The album marked a significant evolution in the band's sound, incorporating horn sections, synthesizers, and deeper reggae influences, which expanded beyond their earlier punk-reggae fusion style heard on previous releases like Outlandos d'Amour and Reggatta de Blanc.[8] This musical shift introduced more layered arrangements, including saxophone and piano elements, setting the foundation for live adaptations that would highlight these new textures during subsequent performances. Commercially, Ghost in the Machine achieved substantial success, reaching number one on the UK Albums Chart and number two on the US Billboard 200.[9] It was certified triple platinum by the RIAA in the United States, reflecting sales of over three million copies and underscoring the band's growing international appeal.[10] Following the success of their 1980 album Zenyatta Mondatta and its accompanying world tour, which established The Police as international superstars, the band faced heightened demand to promote their latest material through extensive live shows.[11] This rising fame, built on hits like "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" from the prior release, necessitated a tour that could showcase the innovative elements of Ghost in the Machine while capitalizing on their momentum.[12]Tour preparation
The Ghost in the Machine Tour commenced on October 1, 1981, at the Sporthalle in Böblingen, West Germany, marking the beginning of a major world tour to support the band's fourth studio album.[1] In preparation, the band hired the horn section The Chops—consisting of Darryl Dixon, David Watson, and Marvin Daniels—to faithfully reproduce the prominent brass arrangements that defined several tracks on Ghost in the Machine, such as "Driven to Tears" and "When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around." This addition represented a significant departure for The Police, as it was the first time the trio had augmented their live lineup with supplementary musicians to enhance the album's layered sound without diminishing their signature rhythmic interplay.[13][14][15] Rehearsals occurred during the summer of 1981, immediately following the album's recording sessions in Montserrat, with a focus on seamlessly incorporating the horns into the set while maintaining the group's tight, dynamic core. The band's rising global profile, bolstered by the chart success of prior releases like Zenyatta Mondatta, necessitated logistical adjustments, including a shift to larger arenas and stadiums capable of accommodating increased demand and production scale.[7][8]Overview
Itinerary and scale
The Ghost in the Machine Tour comprised 100 performances across six legs, spanning from October 1981 to September 1982.[16] This ambitious schedule included approximately 28 shows in Europe, 13 in Asia and Oceania, 68 in North America, and 4 in South America, marking the band's expanding global footprint across five continents following the success of their fourth studio album.[17][1] The tour's duration of nearly one year incorporated strategic breaks to allow the band members rest and time for individual side projects. Prior to the tour's start, Sting participated in The Secret Policeman's Other Ball benefit concert in September 1981. Pacing varied across legs, with intensive periods of consecutive dates interspersed by pauses, enabling the group to maintain energy amid their rising popularity. The integration of a horn section during preparation necessitated adjustments to the itinerary, favoring routes that supported the expanded ensemble's logistical needs.[18] Reflecting The Police's transition to major-act status, the tour predominantly utilized large-scale venues, including arenas like Madison Square Garden and stadiums such as the C.N.E. Stadium, accommodating tens of thousands of fans per show and underscoring the band's commercial ascent.[1]Musical features
The Ghost in the Machine Tour incorporated a live horn section, The Chops, to faithfully reproduce the album's prominent brass arrangements during performances. This addition enriched the band's core reggae-rock sound, particularly on tracks like "Spirits in the Material World" and "Invisible Sun," where the horns provided layered textures and dynamic accents that mirrored the studio production's sophisticated blend of synthesizers and wind instruments.[19] The performances emphasized the trio's signature interplay between drums, bass, and guitar, now augmented by the brass ensemble, which allowed for extended improvisations drawing from jazz and reggae roots. This approach created a fluid, organic live experience that expanded upon the album's structured songs, highlighting the musicians' ability to navigate loose structures while maintaining tight rhythmic precision.[20] Set design featured minimalist lighting and abstract projections that reflected the album's exploration of technology and human alienation, using stark visuals to enhance the thematic depth without overwhelming the musical focus. Technical aspects included upgraded sound systems tailored for arena-scale venues, a step up from the smaller halls of previous tours, ensuring clarity for the expanded instrumentation across larger audiences.Live performances
Setlist
The setlist for the Ghost in the Machine Tour typically featured approximately 18 songs, combining new material from the album with established hits from The Police's earlier works such as Outlandos d'Amour, Reggatta de Blanc, and Zenyatta Mondatta.[21] Roughly 40% of the songs were drawn from Ghost in the Machine, emphasizing tracks like "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Spirits in the Material World," while the rest highlighted fan favorites including "Message in a Bottle" and "Roxanne."[21] A representative setlist from the March 20, 1982, concert at The Summit in Houston, Texas, illustrates the structure, opening with "Voices Inside My Head" and incorporating key songs such as "Message in a Bottle," "Roxanne," and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," before closing with "So Lonely."[22] The full sequence was:- Voices Inside My Head
- Message in a Bottle
- Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
- Spirits in the Material World
- Hungry for You (J'aurais toujours faim de toi)
- When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around
- The Bed's Too Big Without You
- De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da
- Demolition Man
- Shadows in the Rain
- Walking on the Moon
- Bring On the Night
- One World (Not Three)
- Invisible Sun
- Roxanne
- Don't Stand So Close to Me
- Can't Stand Losing You
- Be My Girl – Sally
- So Lonely [22]
Stage production
The stage production for the Ghost in the Machine Tour was designed to complement the album's futuristic and introspective themes, emphasizing simplicity and integration of the expanded lineup while avoiding over-the-top spectacle. The stage layout centered on a raised platform for the core trio—Sting on bass and vocals, Andy Summers on guitar, and Stewart Copeland on drums—allowing for tight, visible interplay among the members. The three-piece horn section, a new addition to support the album's brass-heavy arrangements, was positioned off to the side, ensuring seamless transitions during songs without disrupting the band's central focus or requiring constant repositioning. Lighting design played a key role in evoking the album's machine-like, otherworldly atmosphere, featuring monochromatic elements, including dominant yellow highlights in some shows, added to the clinical, futuristic vibe, though the overall approach remained restrained to keep attention on the performance. These cues were timed to heighten tension during tracks like "Driven to Tears" and "Invisible Sun," using high-contrast beams to silhouette the performers against a dark backdrop rather than flooding the stage with color.[23] Special effects were kept minimal to maintain the tour's raw energy, with no extensive pyrotechnics or elaborate props; this understated approach extended to acoustics, where the production prioritized clear sound reinforcement over visual bombast. As the tour progressed to larger North American arenas, the setup was scaled up with additional rigging for better sightlines and enhanced audio systems, improving resonance in bigger venues while preserving the intimate feel of the European theater dates.[24]Personnel
Band members
The core lineup of The Police during the Ghost in the Machine Tour consisted of the band's founding trio, who performed as a stripped-down rock unit augmented by occasional additional players for larger venues.[25] Sting, born Gordon Sumner, served as lead vocalist, bassist, and primary songwriter, delivering the tour's melodic and thematic core drawn from the album's introspective tracks like "Spirits in the Material World" and "Invisible Sun."[26][25] His commanding stage presence and songwriting dominance shaped the setlists, emphasizing new material while incorporating reggae-inflected rhythms and philosophical lyrics inspired by Arthur Koestler's writings.[25][27] Stewart Copeland handled drums and percussion, providing the propulsive, space-filled beats that defined the band's new wave sound, including innovative gated reverb effects carried over from the album sessions.[26][27] He occasionally contributed backing vocals and his sole album composition, "Darkness," though his role focused on rhythmic drive during live performances.[25][28] Andy Summers played lead guitar and provided backing vocals, employing experimental techniques such as volume swells, synthesizers, and arpeggiated patterns to add atmospheric texture to songs like "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic."[26][25] His contributions included the track "Omegaman" and a preference for the trio's raw guitar-bass-drums interplay, which he highlighted in live renditions to counterbalance the album's horn and synth elements.[25][27] Despite their collaborative peak in delivering high-energy shows across Europe and North America, underlying tensions emerged due to Sting's increasing creative control, with sessions marked by "healthy bickering" and occasional physical scuffles that foreshadowed later conflicts.[27][28] Copeland later described the era's recording atmosphere as "very dark," with Sting's exceptional songs often overshadowing others' input, though the band's onstage chemistry remained strong.[28][27]Additional musicians
The Ghost in the Machine Tour marked the first time The Police incorporated additional live musicians beyond their core trio, hiring a three-piece horn section called The Chops to replicate the album's prominent brass arrangements. Comprised of Darryl Dixon on saxophone, David Watson on saxophone and flute, and Marvin Daniels on trumpet, this New Jersey-based group added melodic fills, harmonic support, and solo accents to tracks like "Driven to Tears" and "When the World Is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around."[29] The Chops were selected for their versatility in R&B and funk sessions, having previously contributed to Sugarhill Records releases, which aligned with the tour's need for a tight, dynamic brass presence that enhanced the band's reggae-rock sound without overpowering it.[19] Their integration provided essential texture to the live performances, mirroring the studio overdubs on the album while allowing for improvisational flair during extended instrumental sections.[30] The horn section toured with the band across the 100+ dates spanning 1981–1982.[15]Tour itinerary
European leg
The European leg of the Ghost in the Machine Tour launched on October 1, 1981, at the Sporthalle in Böblingen, West Germany, and extended through July 1982, with shows throughout West Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, France, and Italy.[1] This portion of the tour opened with seven consecutive performances across West Germany in October 1981, paused for North American commitments, and resumed with a high-profile UK arena run in December 1981, followed by five dates in northern Europe and France during January 1982, and additional shows in Italy and the UK in July 1982.[1] Key venues highlighted the band's rising arena status, including the Sporthalle in Böblingen as the starting point and London's Wembley Arena, where The Police performed three nights from December 14 to 16, 1981.[1] Attendance reflected strong fan enthusiasm, especially in the UK home market, with sold-out shows at major arenas like Wembley and averages exceeding 10,000 per night across the leg.[31]| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 1, 1981 | Böblingen | West Germany | Sporthalle[1] |
| October 2, 1981 | Essen | West Germany | Grugahalle[1] |
| October 3, 1981 | Kassel | West Germany | Eissporthalle[1] |
| October 5, 1981 | Freiburg | West Germany | Stadthalle[1] |
| October 6, 1981 | Rüsselsheim | West Germany | Walter-Köbel-Halle[1] |
| October 8, 1981 | Heidelberg | West Germany | Rhein-Neckar-Halle[1] |
| October 9, 1981 | Munich | West Germany | Olympiahalle[1] |
| December 12, 1981 | London | United Kingdom | Marquee Club[1] |
| December 14, 1981 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena[1] |
| December 15, 1981 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena[1] |
| December 16, 1981 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena[1] |
| December 18, 1981 | Brighton | United Kingdom | Brighton Centre[1] |
| December 19, 1981 | Birmingham | United Kingdom | National Exhibition Centre[1] |
| December 21, 1981 | Deeside | United Kingdom | Deeside Leisure Centre[1] |
| December 22, 1981 | Leeds | United Kingdom | Queen's Hall[1] |
| December 23, 1981 | Stafford | United Kingdom | Bingley Hall[1] |
| December 31, 1981 | Edinburgh | United Kingdom | Ingliston Showground[1] |
| January 3, 1982 | Stockholm | Sweden | Isstadion[1] |
| January 4, 1982 | Gothenburg | Sweden | Scandinavium[1] |
| January 5, 1982 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Brøndbyhallen[1] |
| January 7, 1982 | Hamburg | West Germany | Ernst-Merck-Halle[1] |
| January 9, 1982 | Leiden | Netherlands | Groenoordhallen[1] |
| January 10, 1982 | Paris | France | Parc des Expositions, Le Bourget[1] |
| January 11, 1982 | Paris | France | Parc des Expositions, Le Bourget[1] |
| July 2, 1982 | Bologna | Italy | Quartiere Fieristico[1] |
| July 4, 1982 | Milan | Italy | Parco Lago Redecesio[1] |
| July 28, 1982 | Aylesbury | United Kingdom | Friars[1] |
| July 29, 1982 | Southampton | United Kingdom | Gaumont Theatre[1] |
| July 31, 1982 | Newcastle | United Kingdom | Gateshead International Stadium[1] |
North American leg
The North American leg of the Ghost in the Machine Tour began on January 15, 1982, at Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, launching a comprehensive 68-show itinerary spanning the United States and Canada that concluded on September 6, 1982.[18] This phase underscored The Police's surging dominance in the continent's market, with performances in prominent arenas and outdoor venues that captured the band's height of commercial appeal following the album's success.[1] Key stops included multi-night residencies at the Inglewood Forum in Los Angeles, California, and the Brendan Byrne Arena (now Meadowlands Arena) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as well as the CNE Grandstand Stadium in Toronto, Ontario, during the second annual Police Picnic festival on August 13.[18] The leg featured record-setting attendance, particularly at large-scale events like the US Festival in San Bernardino, California, where The Police headlined New Wave Day on September 3 before over 100,000 fans.[32] Overall, the tour's North American segment solidified the band's status as one of the era's top live acts, drawing massive crowds amid their rising global fame.[18]| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 15, 1982 | Boston, MA | USA | Boston Garden |
| January 16, 1982 | Landover, MD | USA | Capital Center |
| January 18, 1982 | Philadelphia, PA | USA | The Spectrum |
| January 19, 1982 | Uniondale, NY | USA | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| January 20, 1982 | Springfield, MA | USA | Grand Arena, Springfield Civic Center |
| January 22, 1982 | New York City, NY | USA | Madison Square Garden |
| January 23, 1982 | New Haven, CT | USA | Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| January 25, 1982 | Williamsburg, VA | USA | William & Mary Hall |
| January 26, 1982 | Greensboro, NC | USA | Greensboro Coliseum |
| January 27, 1982 | Atlanta, GA | USA | The Omni |
| January 29, 1982 | Cleveland, OH | USA | Richfield Coliseum |
| January 30, 1982 | Detroit, MI | USA | Cobo Arena |
| February 1, 1982 | Chicago, IL | USA | Rosemont Horizon |
| February 2, 1982 | Minneapolis, MN | USA | Met Center |
| February 4, 1982 | Denver, CO | USA | McNichols Sports Arena |
| February 6, 1982 | Phoenix, AZ | USA | Compton Terrace |
| February 8, 1982 | Los Angeles, CA | USA | Inglewood Forum |
| February 9, 1982 | Los Angeles, CA | USA | Inglewood Forum |
| February 10, 1982 | Los Angeles, CA | USA | Inglewood Forum |
| February 12, 1982 | San Francisco, CA | USA | Cow Palace |
| February 13, 1982 | San Francisco, CA | USA | Cow Palace |
| March 12, 1982 | Miami, FL | USA | Hollywood Sportatorium |
| March 13, 1982 | Jacksonville, FL | USA | Memorial Coliseum |
| March 14, 1982 | Lakeland, FL | USA | Coliseum |
| March 16, 1982 | Birmingham, AL | USA | Jefferson Civic Center |
| March 17, 1982 | Memphis, TN | USA | Mid-South Coliseum |
| March 19, 1982 | Baton Rouge, LA | USA | Riverside Centroplex |
| March 20, 1982 | Houston, TX | USA | The Summit |
| March 22, 1982 | Austin, TX | USA | Frank Erwin Center |
| March 23, 1982 | Dallas, TX | USA | Reunion Arena |
| March 25, 1982 | Kansas City, MO | USA | Kemper Arena |
| March 26, 1982 | Oklahoma City, OK | USA | Lloyd Noble Arena |
| March 28, 1982 | Chicago, IL | USA | Rosemont Horizon |
| March 29, 1982 | Indianapolis, IN | USA | Market Square Arena |
| March 31, 1982 | Champaign, IL | USA | Assembly Hall, University of Illinois |
| April 1, 1982 | St. Louis, MO | USA | Checkerdome |
| April 3, 1982 | Charlotte, NC | USA | Charlotte Coliseum |
| April 4, 1982 | Lexington, KY | USA | Rupp Arena |
| April 6, 1982 | Cincinnati, OH | USA | Riverfront Coliseum |
| April 7, 1982 | Ann Arbor, MI | USA | Crisler Arena, University of Michigan |
| April 9, 1982 | Pittsburgh, PA | USA | Civic Arena |
| April 10, 1982 | Hartford, CT | USA | Civic Center |
| April 12, 1982 | Boston, MA | USA | Boston Garden |
| April 13, 1982 | Providence, RI | USA | Civic Center |
| April 15, 1982 | Portland, ME | USA | Cumberland County Civic Center |
| April 16, 1982 | Syracuse, NY | USA | Carrier Dome |
| April 18, 1982 | East Rutherford, NJ | USA | Meadowlands Arena |
| April 19, 1982 | East Rutherford, NJ | USA | Meadowlands Arena |
| April 21, 1982 | East Rutherford, NJ | USA | Meadowlands Arena |
| April 22, 1982 | Uniondale, NY | USA | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| August 9, 1982 | Norfolk, VA | USA | The Scope |
| August 11, 1982 | Montreal, QC | Canada | Percival-Molson Stadium |
| August 13, 1982 | Toronto, ON | Canada | C.N.E. Grandstand Stadium |
| August 15, 1982 | Charlevoix, MI | USA | Castlefarms Music Theatre |
| August 17, 1982 | Nashville, TN | USA | Municipal Auditorium |
| August 18, 1982 | Peoria, IL | USA | Civic Center |
| August 20, 1982 | East Troy, WI | USA | Alpine Valley Music Theatre |
| August 21, 1982 | Cedar Rapids, IA | USA | Five Seasons Center |
| August 23, 1982 | Denver, CO | USA | Red Rocks Amphitheatre |
| August 24, 1982 | Omaha, NE | USA | Rosenblatt Stadium |
| August 26, 1982 | Salt Lake City, UT | USA | Salt Palace |
| August 28, 1982 | Sacramento, CA | USA | California Exposition Grandstands |
| August 29, 1982 | Portland, OR | USA | Memorial Coliseum |
| August 31, 1982 | Vancouver, BC | Canada | PNE Coliseum |
| September 1, 1982 | Seattle, WA | USA | Coliseum |
| September 3, 1982 | San Bernardino, CA | USA | Glen Helen Regional Park |
| September 5, 1982 | Tucson, AZ | USA | Convention Center |
| September 6, 1982 | Las Cruces, NM | USA | Pan American Center |
South American leg
The South American leg of the Ghost in the Machine Tour occurred in February 1982, consisting of four shows that marked the band's debut concerts in Brazil and their first appearance at the renowned Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar in Chile, extending their reach into new Latin American markets amid rising global popularity.[1] The leg began with back-to-back shows at the Ginásio do Maracanãzinho (also known as Ginásio Gilberto Cardoso) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a prominent indoor arena. The band then traveled to Viña del Mar, Chile, for two nights headlining the international song festival at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheatre, a key cultural event drawing tens of thousands of attendees annually.[33][34]| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 16, 1982 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | Ginásio do Maracanãzinho |
| February 17, 1982 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | Ginásio do Maracanãzinho |
| February 19, 1982 | Viña del Mar | Chile | Quinta Vergara Amphitheatre (Festival Internacional de la Canción) |
| February 20, 1982 | Viña del Mar | Chile | Quinta Vergara Amphitheatre (Festival Internacional de la Canción) |