Sting 3.0

Sting Enchants the Audience...

"Stars in Town" got off to a spectacular start on Wednesday with global star Sting. Thousands made the journey from Zurich to the Herrenacker in Schaffhausen.

On Wednesday evening, Schaffhausen was all about a global superstar: beneath the light of a rising full moon, Sting opened this year's edition of "Stars in Town" - transforming the Herrenacker into one vast, open-air stage filled with emotion.

Visitors flocked to the Old Town hours before the concert began. Notably, a large number of fans had travelled from Zurich. Whether by special train, car, or in small groups via rail, people were happy to make the trip to the "Munot City" to see the former frontman of The Police.

Frenzied applause erupted when Sting took the stage following performances by Paula Dalla Corte and Dagny. The 74-year-old Briton proved once again why he has belonged to the top tier of the international music scene for decades. Classic followed classic; by the time "Englishman in New York" and "Fields of Gold" were played, the audience was singing along to every line.

"You’d travel to Schaffhausen on a Wednesday evening for Sting," said Chiara Vollmer from Zurich with a laugh. "The atmosphere is magical," her companion enthused. Meanwhile, the glowing full moon presided over the Herrenacker, lending the evening an almost fairytale-like backdrop. Amidst historic facades, balmy summer temperatures, and thousands of glowing mobile phones, it became clear once again why "Stars in Town" ranks among Switzerland's most atmospheric festivals.

In Sting, the organisers presented a truly exceptional artist as the headline act for the opening night. The festival could hardly have gotten off to a better start.

For the English icon, it was another triumphant evening, following recent performances in Spain and France and his massive success in Montreux. The musician appeared in high spirits, actively engaged with the audience, and took his leave amidst minutes of thunderous applause.

With this opening concert, the bar has been set high for the days of the festival ahead. Yet one thing is already clear: Schaffhausen experienced a historic, goosebump-inducing musical moment - and Zurich was right in the thick of it.

(c) Weinfelden24 by Ursula Litmanowitsch

A spectacular start to the anniversary edition of Stars in Town - Sting came, sang, and won the hearts of the festival-goers...

Paula Dalla Corte, Dagny, and Sting took to the stage in quick succession on the opening day of Stars in Town 2026. Each artist turned the evening into a memorable highlight.

Trucks and minibuses were still driving across the Herrenacker square, and organizers and volunteers were bustling about the site. And then - "whoom" - the first note rang out, the bass vibrated, and the heat rounded off the atmosphere. It was time for another round of top-class music in Schaffhausen’s Old Town.

Free of diva-like airs but possessing a powerful aura, Paula Dalla Corte - originally from Tägerwilen - stepped onto the stage, kicking off the anniversary edition of Stars in Town. The sun beat down mercilessly on the asphalt of the Herrenacker. Her performance was "mercilessly" good - passionate and emotionally charged - and she delivered a stellar set despite the oven-like temperatures. The Thurgau-based singer opened with the unreleased song "Wild Daughters." She then invited the crowd to step out of the shade and move closer to the stage. The resulting packed crowd transformed the atmosphere from a casual street scene into a genuine festival concert experience. Next came two classics from her repertoire, "Bite Me" and "Blue Eyes," which she performed with great passion and power, bringing them to full artistic bloom. Dalla Corte also included German-language songs in her musical line-up. The first of these was as yet untitled; the artist remarked, "We can chat about a possible title over a drink after my set." After hearing that song, one had to wonder if her style might actually suit German lyrics even better than English ones. At the very least, this new song simply had to feature German lyrics. With "Heavy Heart," she returned to her familiar territory - accompanied by the words: "I hope none of you end up with a heavy heart."

Whether her songs feature indie-pop, glam-rock, or elements of other genres, one thing is clear: they possess depth. No matter how good Paula Dalla Corta’s songs are, the finishing touch comes from her stage presence, charisma, facial expressions, and the emotional commitment she brings to every sonic world she creates. A truly successful start to SIT 2026.

No, she is definitely not a copy of the US superstar. She occupies her own unique space and has a highly personal style. And she has the potential to go far. By the time she performed her second song, "C'est la vie," Dagny had the entire Herrenacker crowd on her side. Her melodies are catchy, light, and poppy, yet can shift to a rockier, groovier sound the very next moment. It is not just the genres that change from song to song; the tracks themselves offer a rollercoaster of emotions, moods, and musical styles.

The performer from Tromsø certainly didn't come to Schaffhausen to take it easy. She delivered one song after another on the Stars in Town stage. The audience was electrified; the guitarist was fully immersed in his riffs, while Dagny was completely in her element. Night was slowly displacing the day, yet the heat wasn't ready to yield to a cool breeze just yet. Sweat trickled down the musician. In perfect sync, the beats poured from the speakers while emotions flowed from the Norwegian artist - born in 1990. She took a sip of water and encouraged the audience to do the same. Then, straight into the next songs: "Same Again (For Love)" and "Strawberry Dream." The concert ended just as powerfully as it had begun - an energetic journey through cool, breezy, rock-infused pop songs that left everyone wanting more. 

Three men, two guitars, a drum kit, and a microphone. That is all it takes to heat up the ground - even without the sun - and make the surrounding buildings vibrate. Focused and composed - like the music business veteran he is - he worked his way through his hits, including those from his "The Police" days. Indeed, he is a workhorse; this is evident from his packed concert schedule alone. Despite being well over 70, he skilfully and tirelessly works his bass while performing world-famous anthems out across the Herrenacker square.

Those who didn't secure a standing spot early enough paid the price. By the time Sting - born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner - took the stage, music fans were packed together like sardines. Whether during "Message in a Bottle," "Englishman in New York," or "Fields of Gold," those not singing along had their smartphones at the ready or were clapping with their hands raised high. He stirred the crowd one last time at the end of the show with the classic "Every Breath You Take."

(c)  Schaffhausen24 by Sandro Zoller

Schaffhausen fans sing along to every line of Sting's songs!

Sting kicks off "Stars in Town" with a magical show. The global star transforms the Herrenacker in Schaffhausen into a sea of music and emotion.

Sting performed and sang for 90 minutes, and every song was a hit. 

Sting opens the "Stars in Town" festival in Schaffhausen. 

The Herrenacker venue is sold out, and the weather is cooperating. 

It is a dream start for the organizers.

On Wednesday evening, Schaffhausen is all about global star Sting. Visitors of all ages, from near and far, give the 74-year-old Brit a rapturous reception.

With "Message in a Bottle" and other global hits, the former frontman of The Police immediately captivates the audience.

Whether it’s "Englishman in New York," "Shape of My Heart," or "Fields of Gold," fans sing along to every line and celebrate the superstar for minutes on end.

"You don't experience an atmosphere like this every day. Sting is simply timeless," raves a fan from Zurich.

"I saw Sting 20 years ago, and he still sounds just as good today," says a fan who travelled from Oerlikon.

For well-known physician and medical journalist Thomas Ferber, the evening is a trip down memory lane: "Every song represents a part of my life."

As if the heavens themselves were directing the show, a magnificent full moon shines over the festival grounds. The setting could hardly have been more beautiful: a music legend stands on stage against the historic backdrop of Schaffhausen’s Old Town, while thousands gaze spellbound into the summer night.

Things get emotional, especially during "Fields of Gold." Mobile phone lights twinkle in the crowd, couples embrace -and for a moment, time seems to stand still.

"When I saw the full moon over the Herrenacker while Sting was singing, I got real goosebumps," says concertgoer Boris Bortolusso, who particularly enjoyed the quieter songs. "The melodies took me right back to my youth," adds an enthusiastic Janine Graf.

Before Sting even took the stage, Dagny and Paula Dalla Corte had already done a great job warming up the audience. But when the global star stepped out, the excitement knew no bounds. Waves of applause erupted again and again, with the audience showing their appreciation through thunderous cheers.

For the organisers of "Stars in Town," the anniversary kick-off could not have gone better. The Herrenacker venue is sold out, and the weather is cooperating perfectly.

"You could hardly wish for a better gift for the 15th anniversary," is the sentiment heard around the festival grounds.

As Sting leaves the stage to thunderous applause after his final song, the full moon remains hanging over Schaffhausen - almost as if it, too, wants to keep celebrating this magical evening.

(c) Nau by Ursula Litmanowitsch