Sting: My Songs Tour: 2021 - 2023

No experiments, just hits, hits, hits...

Forty-five years ago, Sting began his career with The Police; his songs are now world-famous. "My Songs" is also the name of his current album and the tour that brought Sting to the Spandau Citadel. Simon Brauer actually got to hear a lot of hits – too many, actually.

It starts off promisingly: Sting takes the stage with a seven-piece band and, without comment, blasts the Berlin audience with three smash hits: "Message in a Bottle," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police, and his solo hit from the 80s: "Englishman in New York."

The audience in the sold-out Spandau Citadel sings, dances, and claps along euphorically. The older the songs, the greater the enthusiasm at this Thursday evening concert in Berlin. And indeed: In keeping with the name of the tour – "My Songs" – Sting delivers a pure greatest hits show, without experiments, without jazz or classical excursions, which the now 70-year-old Brit has already dared to do in the course of his long career.

What's irritating is that Sting doesn't have a regular microphone on stage, on a regular microphone stand, but sings into a headset microphone, the kind used by musical performers, solo entertainers, or pop stars who have to dance an elaborate choreography. Sting, on the other hand, moves his bass a maximum of three steps forward, backward, right, or left – and apparently hasn't realized that headset microphones are pretty uncool.

The disappointment of the evening: Sting has absolutely nothing to say between his songs – the activist, who has been fighting for human rights for years, among other things, doesn't say a word about climate change, the coronavirus, or Ukraine – he doesn't even have a short Berlin anecdote to offer. Only the occasional "Thank you!" and a quick return to the greatest hits comfort zone.

Everyone in the band is allowed to step to the edge of the stage for a solo, into the spotlight, but then quickly back and just don't disturb anyone. During the Police songs, Sting simply ironed out the wild drum breaks of original drummer Stewart Copeland.

After just under 90 minutes, the fun, including the encores, was already over. This concert was too clean, too tame, too rehearsed – it's a good thing that even an uncool Sting can't completely ruin The Police's great songs.

(c) rbb24 by Simon Brauer

Sting at Spandau Citadel: Mega-Hits to Tap Your Foot To...

Berlin. “My Songs” – the name of the tour says it all. Sting thrilled his fans with favourite songs at the sold-out Spandau Citadel.

The characteristic harmonica intro was followed by cheers. The melody heralded one of Sting's biggest hits: "Brand New Day." Just one of many. With hits like "If I Ever Lose My Faith," "Everything She Does Is Magic," and the dreamily beautiful "Shape of My Heart," the 70-year-old performs his greatest hits one after the other.

Fans had to wait a long time for the superstar. The concert was originally planned for June 2020 and had to be postponed twice due to the pandemic. But now the Brit is finally gracing us with his presence, making a stop at the Spandau Citadel on his "My Songs" tour. The title says it all: it's a best-of selection of Sting and Police classics.

The audience loves it. They can sway gently to the music and sing along. Most have grown old alongside their idol. But time seems to have passed Sting by almost without leaving a trace. Lean and fit, in a yellow jacket with a black T-shirt and jeans, he looks as sexy as ever, even at 70. Others can be retirees; he is and always will be a rock star.

He greets the audience in German at the completely sold-out open-air concert, jokes about his limited vocabulary, and charmingly stumbles over his "favourite word," drums. While Sting couldn't play bass at his last Berlin concert in October 2019 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena due to injury, this time he provides a pleasant groove with the instrument.

Born in 1951 as Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, Sting is one of the most successful musicians in the world. He has sold over 100 million records. The evening is a musical journey through his work, beginning with the magnificent Police classic "Message in a Bottle," the trio's definitive breakthrough in the late seventies. This is followed by the timeless "Englishman in New York."

As is typical of Sting, he performs his hits live with his band differently than on the albums. Everything sounds fresher and more contemporary, in arrangements that blend rock, funk, soul, and reggae. And then there's Sting's unmistakable voice, which initially sounds a bit rough around the edges. But that doesn't matter. His compositions are simply irresistible. Like "Walking On The Moon," "So Lonely," the fabulous song "Desert Rose" with its distinctive throat singing, and of course, the mega-hit "Every Breath You Take." An evening full of highlights and favourite songs.

(c) Berliner Morgenpost by Ulrike Borowczyk