The Police’s greatest hits are getting a symphonic makeover when Stewart Copeland returns to Australia next year.
The legendary drummer has announced a five-city run of ‘Police Deranged for Orchestra’, visiting Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in 2027.
The show takes songs including “Roxanne”, “Message in a Bottle”, “Don’t Stand So Close to Me”, “Every Breath You Take”, and “Walking on the Moon” beyond their original rock arrangements, with a 28-piece orchestra joined by a driving rock trio and three singers.
The result is a symphonic take on the catalogue Copeland helped create alongside Sting and Andy Summers.
Formed in 1977, The Police became one of the defining bands of the late 1970s and 1980s, collecting Grammy Awards and international hits before disbanding.
Copeland’s propulsive, reggae-influenced playing was central to their sound, earning him a place amongst rock’s most celebrated drummers. Rolling Stone ranked him No. 10 on its list of the 100 Greatest Drummers of All Time in 2016.
Beyond The Police, Copeland has established an acclaimed career composing for film, television, opera, ballet and orchestras. ‘Police Deranged for Orchestra’ draws on those experiences, allowing him to revisit the band’s catalogue through arrangements shaped by his decades of work beyond rock.
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The concept combines the precision of a scored concert with the energy of a live rock performance.
For the Australian shows, Copeland will collaborate with local ensembles including The Met Orchestra, Perth Symphony, Adelaide Symphony, Australian Pops Orchestra, and Brisbane Symphony.
Conductor Sarah-Grace Williams will lead all five performances, while the touring band will features Mike Mills of Toehider, Nick Delaney and three international vocalists.
The concerts will mark Copeland’s first live music performances in Australia in almost 20 years, following The Police’s 2007-08 reunion tour.
Artist pre-sales begin Wednesday, November 11th, with venue, ticketing and promoter pre-sales following on Thursday, November 12th. General tickets go on sale Friday, November 13th, at 10am local time. Further information is available through David Roy Williams and Bird’s Robe.
‘Police Deranged for Orchestra’ Australia Tour 2027
Saturday, August 28th
Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Monday, August 30th
Sydney Opera House, Sydney
Wednesday, September 1st
QPAC, Brisbane
Friday, September 3rd
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide
Sunday, September 5th
Regal Theatre, Perth
