Sting 3.0

Sting: A legend right at home...

The famous 74-year-old singer and bassist - who has sold 100 million albums - once again electrified a packed Nîmes arena.

One only had to stroll around the arena yesterday evening around 7 pm - seeing the crowds on the esplanade and seated at terrace tables - to realize that the night's concert was something special. One of the major headliners of this 29th edition of the Nîmes Festival was taking the stage: Sting! The British singer and bassist, nearing the 50-year mark in his career, has sold over 100 million albums. The audience knew exactly what to expect.

It must be said that the relationship between Sting and the arena is a love story spanning decades. "This is my ninth time in Nîmes since World War II," the artist joked, returning to what feels like home four years after his last appearance - a concert that left a lasting impression. Following the fresh sound of the Irish rock band Deo Matrona, who served as the opening act, Sting took the stage around 9:30 p.m., performing "Message in a Bottle" - a signature song by The Police, the iconic band he belonged to from 1977 to 1984.

It was the perfect way to quickly set the mood. With twenty studio albums under his belt - including fifteen as a solo artist - he had plenty of material to draw from. Above all, he delighted the sold-out crowd with his greatest hits, including "Englishman in New York" and "Fields of Gold" early in the set. Naturally, at 74, Gordon Sumner - his real name - has a bit less energy than in his early days, but his passion remains undimmed. Sting remains the embodiment of chill, cool pop-rock, always happy to be on stage and having a blast with his audience.

Sting - a nickname he earned thanks to a black-and-yellow striped sweater that made him look like a wasp - is a legend. No one can deny it. True to his British gentleman persona, he addressed his fans in French all evening: "We are very happy to be in Nîmes!" He didn't hesitate to crack jokes or explain his need for a drink: "It's hot!" Pure class.

The Nîmes audience loved it - especially in the seated area, where the crowd stayed on their feet all night, leaving one to wonder why chairs were even placed in a space that could have accommodated more standing fans. As the hits kept coming, he dazzled the crowd, bass in hand. Sting can do it all - singing beautifully and playing multiple instruments - though the bass remains his favourite toy. After his famous "Shape of My Heart," he kept the concert momentum going.

At 10:50pm the crowd was in a frenzy, swept up by the masterpiece "Every Breath You Take," which they sang along to in unison. The artist and his musicians took a bow and slipped off stage before the encore, amidst thunderous applause. After all, one essential Police track was still missing: "Roxanne." The audience was won over one last time, bringing the 90-minute show to a spectacular climax before a final guitar-led song. "Thank you all very much - goodbye, and see you soon!" concluded Sting, before perhaps returning one day for a tenth time to secure his place in the history of the Nîmes Arena once and for all.

(c) Objectifgard

British singer Sting - a regular at the arena - delivers a spellbinding moment to an audience completely won over...

A seasoned veteran of the arena, global icon Sting treated his audience to an intimate concert. Blending emotional highs with nostalgic interludes, the former Police frontman once again demonstrated the power of a voice that has spanned decades.

Anticipation was palpable in the packed amphitheater on the evening of Monday, July 6th. After decades of success, global icon Sting remains as captivating as ever. But the crowd had to wait a little while first. Irish rock duo Dea Matrona kicked off the festivities; their guitar riffs and vocal harmonies immersed the audience in a soundscape reminiscent of 1970s rock.

Yet, the audience was waiting for just one thing - and they weren't disappointed. Shortly after 9 p.m., the opening notes of "Message in a Bottle" rang out. The crowd rose instantly, giving Sting a rousing welcome. Accompanied by guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas, he returned to the Nîmes arena for his "Sting 3.0" tour. "We are very happy to be in Nîmes," he said, speaking in French.

As for the stage design, one word sums it up: understated. And that was more than enough. The British singer’s vocal power, bolstered by the technical prowess of his musicians, stood on its own merits - proof that at 74, the artist - like his talent - hasn't aged a bit.

For over ninety minutes, the audience was immersed in an intimate atmosphere, momentarily forgetting the thousands of people gathered in the amphitheater. Then came "Englishman in New York," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," and "Every Breath You Take." With every major hit, the audience rises and sings in unison. The hours slip by, just like the years. Yet the love story between Sting and his audience seems as timeless as ever.

(c) Midi Libre by Emeline Andreani