57th & 9th: World Tour

Superstar Sting without any fanfare or fuss...

English singer and bassist Sting performed at the sold-out Samsung Hall in Dübendorf on Thursday evening. It was a pleasantly simple performance with a classic rock line-up. And yet something was missing.

It's understandable. The desire for simplicity. The wish to put all the fuss aside and focus on the essentials. Back to the concert, back to the music. So, English singer Sting stands with his bass at the Samsung Hall in Dübendorf, accompanied by a classic rock band. Two guitars, a drum kit – that's it. No video screen, no confetti, no fireworks – nothing. The focus is on Sting and his band. He only allows himself the luxury of three backing singers.

This could certainly be regretted. Sting's most layered, complex compositions require a larger band. And the performances with Branford Marsalis (sax), the sadly deceased Kenny Kirkland (keys), and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta are still fondly remembered. But on his current tour, Sting offers a welcome counterpoint to the general tedium of today's concert business. He has replaced Colaiuta, the world champion of odd rhythms (he plays in Herbie Hancock's current band and comes to Montreux on July 2nd), with a straight-rock drummer and has assigned a typical rock rhythm guitarist to long-time guitarist Dominic Miller.

This works perfectly for the songs from the current album "57th & 9th," such as "One Fine Day," "Can't Stop Thinkin' About You," "Down Down Down," and "50,000," which he has integrated into his current live program. But of course, Sting's big Police hits "Message In The Bottle" and "Every Breath You Take" couldn't be missed. That's no problem. With a piece like "Englishman In New York," the challenge is much greater. Sting therefore doesn't even try to stay as close to the original as possible and even changes the song rhythmically. That's clever. The howler "Roxanne" becomes an excursion with audience animation and a detour to Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine." 

The live concept is coherent and appealingly simple. And yet, something is missing. His long-time companion, the French guitarist Dominic Miller, who has just released his highly recommended solo debut "Silent Light" on the renowned jazz label ECM, is a superb sonic wizard, an introverted guitarist with impeccable taste, who puts himself entirely at the service of the band and its sound. But he's certainly not a rock guitarist who lets things rip, and certainly not an ecstatic soloist. But that's precisely what's missing. And one wonders: Did Miller even break a sweat at the concert?

At least Sting's son Joe Sumner provided some variety in the opening act and during the concert with a brief tribute to David Bowie ("Ashes To Ashes"). This is especially true for the "Last Bandoleros" from Texas, who created a great atmosphere with their energetic Tex-Mex country rock, their magnificent polyphonic vocals, and the accordionist's solo performances. A discovery.

Finally, the new Samsung Hall in Dübendorf is also a discovery. In terms of its capacity (around 5,000 spectators), layout, and acoustics, it is reminiscent of the Auditorium Stravinski in Montreux and is a pleasant alternative to the Hallenstadion. No, even more: one wishes that the large indoor concerts would only take place here.

(c) bz Basel by Stefan Künzli