Sting & Shaggy: The 44/876 Tour

Sting and Shaggy, a concert to satisfy the curious...

Sting and Shaggy's concert, part of their world tour for their album 44/876, took place on the evening of October 19th at the Amador Convention Centre.

The unlikely duo was preceded by the Panamanian band Pair A Dice, whose vocalist Gaby Gnazzo performed rock hits such as Queen's "We Will Rock You," an anthem that awakened the audience, who trickled in from their slumber.

At 9:30 p.m., the seats were filling up with fans, mostly adult audiences, mature couples, and young fans.

When Sting and Shaggy came on stage, they high-fived each other: the party had begun. The seats were 80% occupied. Shaggy sported a Caribbean look, a floral-print shirt, and a white hat, while Sting maintained his understated style: a black shirt and his bass.

In the first part of the concert, Shaggy seemed to provide the energy and movement. He encouraged the audience to clap, shout, and jump. A more focused Sting did his thing on the bass. 

Among the songs sung were "Oh Carolina" and "We'll Be Together." Two special moments where the synergy flowed were during the performance of "Fields of Gold," when Shaggy lit up the cell phone lights of everyone in the audience. They also performed "Don't Make Me Wait," the latter derived from a new two-part version included on the album 44/876, described as "a moving song based on intense rhythms, warm harmonies, and elegant guitar work."

Soon, Sting and Shaggy were no longer two separate concepts; their fusion resonated in the air, in the blend of the latter's husky voice and the former's melodious voice, along with an infallible chorus. They alternated roles, Sting joining in Shaggy's songs and vice versa; they had a good time. Shaggy was no longer an attendee; he was the host of the party.

"They Dance Alone," Sting's song, on which Panamanian salsa singer Rubén Blades collaborated, was reduced to a catchy chorus, just as Sting had warned the day before the show. While Shaggy flattered the women of Panama with his shout of "Ladyyys!" 

For Sting, “success lies in curiosity,” the same curiosity that led his audience to take a seat in one of the seats, hoping to be surprised. For Shaggy, success lies in studying how others have achieved it, drawing inspiration from the best. However, the artist, who won a Grammy in 1996 for Boombastic, declares himself a fan of The Police and Sting himself. “The Police were like the gateway to reggae music; it was the opportunity for many Jamaican artists to break into stardom. They were the band that opened the doors. In Jamaica, when I was young, I was starting to listen to this rhythm, and even when Sting began his solo career, I continued to be a fan of his magic,” Shaggy had argued the night before, explaining why this fusion is like a dream come true.

Songs like Boombastic, Hey Sexy Lady, and Angel were also present. As were The Police's legendary hits: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Walking on the Moon, So Lonely, Message in the Bottle, and Every Breath You Take.

The duo bid farewell to the crowd at 12:30 a.m. with a medley of songs, but not before performing "It Wasn't Me."

(c) La Prensa