Back to Bass Tour: 2011/12

Sting goes Back to Bass-ics...

It's been over a decade since his last tour to the country, but that didn't stop audiences from flocking to see Gordon Matthew Sumner aka Sting. The star, who has sixteen Grammys and millions of album sales to his name, kicked off his Back To Bass Tour at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg at the weekend.

This is part of his world tour in celebration of his twenty five years as a solo artist in the music business.

He got going shortly after 20:00 with the 1991 hit single 'All This Time'. The 61 year-old then told the audience it was good to be back in the country, jokingly adding that the venue reminded him of something out of District 9. He then introduced his band to the crowd before playing more hits from his long and illustrious career including 'Englishman in New York', 'I Hung My Head' and 'Seven Days'. He took the songs back to bass-ics, playing stripped down, raw versions incorporating the bass guitar sound that made him the artist he is today.

The seated show provided a very intimate setting for a man whose timeless music has extended across four generations, and has remained relevant throughout. Looking suave in jeans and a simple grey t-shirt the star, with his wise and witty nature provided fans with a great musical experience, and his charming anecdotes added warmth to the set list.

He told the Johannesburg crowd how, growing up in Newcastle, he dreamt of owning a house with a garden one day. He continued with the story adding that when he'd finally earned a bit of money he managed to buy a little house, or as he joked ''it was more of a f**king castle''. This was followed by a great version of the song 'Fields of Gold'. Before singing his 'Sacred Love' song, Sting told the crowd how two things fascinated him; one being sex and the other, religion. He said that while he isn't the most religious person, he finds the subject interesting.

Shortly afterwards DStv.com caught up with radio and TV personality Darren ''Whackhead'' Simpson, who mentioned he was enjoying the show.

''He's a legend. I love his music and I've played his songs on radio for years. It's awesome to see him in concert,'' he gushed.

All Access Mzansi's Pabi Moloi echoed these sentiments when she said tweeted, ''If you are a musician or a true lover of music, you HAVE to see Sting. Delicate, intricate, sensual and special. Do the right thing.''

Sting's Back To Bass tour heads to Cape Town this week. If you're in the Mother City, be sure to get your tickets now.

(c) DSTV by Jason Von Berg