Sting at Bergenhus Festning - Sting delivered an unusually warm concert in the pouring rain...
Roxanne, you don't have to put on the red light. You don't have to sell your body to the night! Roxanne! sings Sting with a glowing voice. The 71-year-old artist from Wallsend in Northern England sings as strongly as a 30-year-old and has no problem reaching the high notes of the song. After the chorus, an improvised part with "call and response" from the band comes on stage. The live version lasts for almost 6-7 minutes, and the audience cheers enthusiastically after the performance.
Not only does Sting have a fantastic voice, but also a strong band. The concert is a review of his entire career (from 1978 to 2021), and he starts with some of the most famous songs. Message in a bottle, Englishman in New York, If you love somebody set them free, Every little thing she does is magic come on a continuous basis. It's especially wonderful to have the old Police hits delivered with such a talented and well-coordinated backing band. The main character himself plays bass. The live versions of the songs are also enhanced with harmonica (played by Shane Sager).
The last time Sting played in Bergen was in 2017 and it was sunny, but strangely enough this concert is a lot better. Every breath you take, King of Pain, So lonely, Wrapped around my finger and Walking on the Moon are played so powerfully that you have to pinch yourself. It strikes me how much reggae beats there are in some of the old Police songs, while there is more of a jazz feel to some other Sting songs.
Midway through, Sting serves songs from his more recent solo career that are not among the most well-known. Here are four from his latest album, The Bridge, which was released in November 2021. The best of these is If it's love, where he whistles on the chorus. Before the song, he asks if the audience can tell him what "plistre" is in Norwegian, he doesn't get an answer, but it's a polite gesture to ask.
It's pouring down on the stage at Bergenhus Fortress in Bergen, but the 5,000 or so who have made the trip to see Sting live this wet Wednesday evening don't seem to be bothered by the weather gods. The audience cheers and waves their arms and does everything to keep the atmosphere in top shape. Unfortunately, due to the rain, Sting cannot be seen on the big screen. There is a bit too much treble in the mix and sometimes it sounds like there is a bit of an echo in the soundscape.
You are a beautiful audience! I see you again, Sting brags to the audience at the end. - Here is a song about the rain for you, he says and starts the beautiful Fragile: Drying in the colour of the evening sun. Tomorrow's rain will wash the stains away. But something in our minds will always stay.
Yes, this was a truly memorable performance.
(c) Muiskknyheter by Nils Vermund Gjerstad
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