57th & 9th: World Tour

Sting presents himself as an indestructible superstar at the SAP Arena in Mannheim...

Sting impresses his fans at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, which is far from sold out, with a confident mix of a solo showcase, excerpts from his new album, and numerous classics by The Police.

Just over nine years ago, The Police's reunion tour at the same venue brought the organizers a packed house of 13,500. In 2017, the arrival and admission process are much more relaxed.

This time, there's still plenty of room in the hall as Sting takes the stage with his son Joe, introduces him as support, and performs a duet with him. Afterwards, the son shows that he not only looks a lot like his father, but can also give you goosebumps solo on the guitar. "Two Sisters" isn't the only song that has the same style as the young Sting, and the audience is more than impressed.

After a brief break, Gordon Sumner, aka Sting, begins his ninety-minute set. The band, featuring the two guitarists Dominic and Rufus Miller (father and son – again!), and Josh Freese on drums, faces its baptism of fire right from the start with the opener, "Synchronicity II."

The ambitious title track of the Police's last album from 1983, which led to the band's breakup not only due to differences between Sting and drummer Copeland, is a musical tour de force that the band masters perfectly. A wonderful, powerful introduction.

"If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" from the 1993 album "Ten Summoner's Tales" then shows the more serene and mature artist that Sting steadily developed into from 1985 onwards, before the band tackled one of the most underrated Police singles of all time, "Spirits In The Material World."

Here, too, it's wonderful to see how, after an almost punk-like beginning in the late 1970s, the Police's style increasingly opened up to world music influences. Later, he will also play the bouncy, dub-influenced "Walking On The Moon" again. It's precisely this musical blend that still fully unfolds its fascination 35 to 40 years later.

Sting and his band string together solo classics alongside Police hits, and the fans in Mannheim hang on their idol's every word. Even at almost 66, he still exudes a calm and cool demeanour that not many superstars can maintain for so long. The worn Fender bass he picks up also lends him the necessary authenticity as an integral part of his band.

Whether it's the sly 80s classic "Englishman In New York," the sublime "Fields Of Gold," or the arabesques of "Desert Rose," Sting can also draw on his full potential with his solo hits, and the audience thanks him with sustained applause.

He still looks dazzling, speaks a lot of German during the announcements, and unpretentiously leaves some of the vocals to his son. He is perhaps the discovery of the evening, supporting his father in every way. He even takes centre stage again during a very accomplished version of "Ashes To Ashes."

Last year's album "57th & 9th," which marked a return to conventional pop albums after numerous projects, isn't particularly prominent. While critics mildly described it as a successful comeback, the strong single "I Can't Stop Thinking About," the wildly rocking "Petrol Head," and "50,000 Voices," the outro to the Bowie cover "Ashes To Ashes," are certainly convincing in the overall context. 

Towards the end of the set, the density of Police songs increases. The hall roars during "Message In A Bottle," "Next To You," and, of course, "Every Breath You Take." "Roxanne" is used for improvisation and an audience sing-along. Verdict: absolutely indestructible! The tempestuously love-struck "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" also demonstrates how unique this singles band was and how sorely we miss such three-minute soul-soothing comforters these days.

At the very end, Sting takes the spotlight alone and plays "Fragile," perhaps his most beautiful solo piece. It deals with the fragility of civilization and was just as relevant in 1987 as it is in today's cruel times. Ecology and the unity of humanity and nature were always important themes for him, and thus the evening comes to a fitting conclusion. A remarkable concert by a superstar who transcends generations and still fully deserves this status.

(c) Regioactive by Sascha Kilian