57th & 9th: World Tour

Sting is back: at a concert in Kaunas...

Lithuanian phrases, the musician's son on stage and timeless hits Although the streets of Kaunas were drenched in autumn rain on Tuesday evening, all the rain dispersed when the doors of the "Žalgiris" arena opened. 

A real celebration was held here for fans of Sting's work - after a five-year break, the British music superstar returned to Lithuania, and in the country's largest arena he presented the latest program of his world tour. 

Sting, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, did not arrive in Lithuania by chance. This tour is dedicated to his twelfth studio album "57th & 9th", released in November last year. 

Fans were eagerly awaiting his presentation in Lithuania for another reason – after almost a 13-year break, Sting once again sounded with rocker rhythms.  

It is obvious that Sting, who celebrated his 66th birthday a week ago, is not losing popularity in the country – every time he comes here, it seems, he captivates more and more fans with his music. 

This time was no exception – a crowd of thousands gathered here to hear new songs from his latest album, as well as to listen to well-known hits – seated tickets in the arena were sold out as soon as their sales were announced. However, even before the main star of the evening took the stage, another important guest was entrusted with “warming up” the audience – Sting’s son Joe Sumner captivated the audience with lyrical ballads, introducing his father’s show, which fans had been waiting for a long time. 

J.Sumner is also no newcomer to Lithuania, he had the same duty at his father’s concert a few years ago, when Sting performed in Vilnius with the “Symphonicities” program. Then J.Sumner, together with his band “Fiction Plane”, also warmed up the audience. This time, the elder son of Sting, who is soon to celebrate his 41st birthday, also presented his debut solo single "Jellybean" here, and at the urging of his father, he greeted his fans in Lithuanian several times. 

True, even before the first song, his father introduced him - the two of them waved to the enthusiastic audience, and finally performed one song together. After J. Sumner's program, the audience was treated to a short break, and finally, the main star of the evening appeared - Sting, who was greeted with thunderous ovations from the audience.

At the same time, his band members, including the well-known guitarist Dominic Miller, drummer Josh Freese and guitarist Rufus Miller, stormed onto the stage. And also – J. Sumner, who joined them. 

“Good evening, Kaunas!” – Sting greeted his fans in traditional Lithuanian and after a moment’s thought, added, – It’s nice to be back here after… five years.”

True, almost exactly five years later. However, many who have come here probably remember almost every Sting performance since he first performed at the then Žalgiris stadium in 2001 with the program “The Brand New Day Tour”.

The show, which started before 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening, featured both new Sting songs and songs known to fans by heart. The songs “Spirits In The Material World”, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic”, “Mad About You” were soon replaced by the main trump cards of Sting’s work. 

Here, within the first half hour of the concert, “Englishman In New York”, “Fields Of Gold”, “Shape of My Heart”, “Message In A Bottle” and many others were also performed – the ones that the audience wanted to hear the most.

The musician also paid tribute to David Bowie, who passed away last year in Anapilin. For a moment, he introduced J. Sumner in Lithuanian again, saying, "here is my son." He soon left the stage and handed the microphone to his offspring. Then J. Sumner performed the hit "Ashes to Ashes," which the entire crowd sang along to. 

Meanwhile, when the chords of "All This Time" were heard, white spotlights pierced the arena, and while playing "So Lonely," Sting set off a real rock and roll scene. 

As the concert moved into the second half, the arena was literally in motion, and Sting himself did not let the audience take a breather and enjoyed varying one song with another.

The musician did not forget his old songs, recorded with the band "The Police". Therefore, for dessert, he presented his fans not only with the much-awaited, slightly differently interpreted and unimpressed "Desert Rose", but also with the band's "Next To You", recorded almost 40 years ago. 

"Can't Stop Thinking About You", "Roxanne" and the emotional "Every Breath You Take" - Sting tried to end the concert with these songs, but the audience called for an encore. And then, smiling, he returned to the stage and, taking his guitar in his hands, performed one of his most beautiful ballads, "Fragile". 

Warmly welcomed by the audience, Sting thanked them in both English and Lithuanian, and finally helped them return once again. When? It is not yet known, but there is no doubt that he is welcomed here with open arms by the fans.

(c) 15min.lt by Monika Svėrytė