57th & 9th: World Tour

Sting puts on a grand show in São Paulo...

The performance can be considered one of the best of all his visits to Brazil.

It was one of Sting's finest visits to Brazil. The Englishman's show, Saturday at Allianz Parque, was rounded off, well-rounded, and impeccably dynamic. He took the stage right after an emotional performance by his son, Joe Summer, and the Texas band The Last Bandoleros, who remained on stage for much of Sting's show. The young rockers, a group with immense power and charisma, were so strong that they sold their records, announcing that they were doing so over the microphone, for the same price, R$60, as Sting's own album. 57th & 9th is the foundation that puts the 65-year-old musician back on the road.

There was a balance between what he did last and the songs everyone was expecting, from his Police era. The audience, seated in comfortable seats in the VIP area, remained seated for a short time. Englishman in New York, the third song, already had people on their feet.

Sting is in vibrant physical and artistic shape. He sings beautifully, plays elegant bass lines, and weaves songs together with inspiring professionalism. He weaves them together. "I Can't Stop Thinking About You," from his most recent album, "One Fine Day," "Fields of Gold," "Shape of My Heart." "She's Too Good for Me" delivered a grandiose sound, a rock that in other hands would have sounded conventional. Its finale was a sequence of "Next to You" and "Every Breath You Take," a slightly faster one. He also returned to recall his friendship with Brazilian chieftain Raoni and dedicate "Fragile" to him. The show ended, and immediately, a light rain began to fall at Allianz Parque.

Father and son. A strange and moving scene marked the opening moments of the show. His son, Joe Sumner, appeared alone, with a blue acoustic guitar, to perform the session with just voice and guitar. After playing three songs, he began showing signs of unwellness. He stopped playing a song in the middle and walked to the back of the stage, visibly feeling ill.

He returned to the microphone and resumed the song, but continued with a kind of anxiety. Just as he was about to give up, Sting emerged from backstage and finished the song with him. The still-small audience, which was settling in, applauded and cheered.

The show's press office reported that Sting's appearance on stage was planned, but could not explain what happened to Sumner. Joe Sumner and Sting left the stage together for the performance of the Texas band The Last Bandoleros. Sting was the next performer.

(c) Estadao by Julio Maria