Sting 3.0

Sting showed his muscles in the Botanical Garden...

Sting was in top form in the Botanical Garden, and not just on the outside. His vocal cords and lung capacity also proved to be intact.

Short interludes and lots of hits – Sting let the music do the talking during his 95-minute concert in the Botanical Garden in Uppsala.

Since last year, Sting has been touring the world with guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas with the concert format "Sting 3.0".

Last year, Dalhalla outside Rättvik and Brottet in Halmstad were visited. This summer, the Botanical Garden in Uppsala was the only stop in Sweden. This is of course a big deal and a feather in the cap for local organiser Kaliber.

The Baroque Garden between the Orangery and Uppsala Castle was sold out (which means about 10,000 spectators) and those who chose to skip the band Girlband had to make do with a seat a good distance from the stage.

Shortly before nine, Sting enters the stage and begins a massive hit cavalcade. As expected, it will be a mix of songs from the early years with The Police and his over 40-year solo career.

"Message in a bottle", "If I ever lose my faith in you", "Every little thing she does is magic" - the opening is magnificent and sets the tone for the evening. Few artists can boast a stronger set list.

In every other number, the trio leaves the groomed slope. The songs are stretched out and not least bassist Sting and guitarist Miller get to show what skilled musicians they are off-piste. The excursions into unpaved terrain usually, but perhaps not always, give the songs extra oxygen and new life.

The soon-to-be 75-year-old Sting also shows that he has not only managed to keep his appearance in shape. His vocal cords and lung capacity are also intact. The man's voice - as bright, powerful and stretchable as during his heyday.

The audience contact then? He certainly makes us sing along and howl at the evening sky, but not much more than the occasional "Oppsala" is said between songs. It's a shame, it would have been nice to have some longer reflections and maybe an anecdote.

On the other hand, Sting and his trio manage to perform more than 20 songs during the evening.

Sting also manages to organise a rescue operation when a person in the audience needs medical attention. "Make some space," he pleads and everything on stage stops for a minute or so. Respectfully.

When the regular set is over and almost all the well-known songs have been checked off, there are only two "given" encores left: "Roxanne" and the very last song of the evening - "Fragile".

Before the final number, Sting hangs up his worn-out bass and puts on his acoustic guitar for the quietest and most heartfelt performance of the evening. Then even the murmur of those who have come to Botan to chat rather than listen to one of the music world's greatest will fall silent.

(c) Upsala Nya Tidning