Summer: 2015

Sting sells out, enchants everyone, and closes the Festival...

Pistoia, fathers and sons gather in Piazza Duomo to listen to the English star whose music unites young and old alike and makes them sing along.

The first notes of "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" are enough for Piazza Duomo to explode. At 9:30 PM sharp, and for the first time in the history of Pistoia Blues, Sting enters the Pistoia stage. The quintessential musical expression of English charm immediately captivates the audience.

A succession of legendary songs, from "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" to "Englishman in New York," quickly follows. Handclaps erupt, and the entire square sings along with Sting. A rousing succession of solo songs alternates with those he played with the celebrated The Police: from "Fields of Gold" to "So Lonely."

"We're happy to be here tonight in Pistoia": Sting, sporting a full beard and a tight T-shirt, introduced his band. The Pistoia Blues Festival closed in style, with one of this year's most anticipated international artists, which sold out last night in Piazza Duomo.

Sting was opened by former Starsailor frontman James Walsh, who performed songs from his latest album as well as old hits like "Alcoholic."

Sting is an artist who connects generations. The faces of those queuing before the concert demonstrate this. There are long-time fans, less die-hard ones seeing him for the first time, sycophants, young and very young performers.

One long-time fan is Carmen Spagnolo, who travelled from Taranto to see Sting, dragging her friend Iole with her: "I came here to accompany her, and we've been in Piazza Duomo since 9:00 in the morning, first under the stage, then here in line, under the sun!" explains Iole. "I'm a huge fan," confirms Carmen Spagnolo. "I've been listening to him since I was little; he has an unmistakable voice and excellent technique."

Some people even gave their mother a ticket for her birthday: "My son gave me a ticket for my 51st birthday," explains Roberta Scarfì, from Florence, accompanied by her son Giulio. "I've been following Sting since 1988; I've seen three of his concerts in Florence and one in Verona. He has a great charm that he manages to convey through his music and lyrics."

"My husband and I were too young at the time to go to see The Police concerts," explains Maria Casale, from Bologna. "Then in, I think, 2007, we went to the band's reunion. Sting's music is inspiring." 

Many young musicians are also queuing up in Via degli Orafi, between the barriers that mark the entrance to Piazza Duomo, in the sultry afternoon heat. Emilio Spinozzi, 21, from Chieti, Abruzzo, has even formed a Sting tribute band: "I love him. I sing in a Sting tribute band. We play Police songs covered by Sting and his band," Emilio explains, "and one of my favourite songs is 'Moon over Bourbon Street': my father made me listen to it when I was little, he sings it too."

But Emilio isn't the only one making music. In the front row, leaning against the barrier waiting to enter the square, are three young men from Bologna, Francesco, Giacomo, and Jacopo, all 21, friends and bandmates. "I've been listening to Sting since I was little. My parents always made me listen to him, and in fact, they're also at the concert tonight," explains Francesco Stoppa. "It's music that awakens the soul."

"I've been listening to him for a little longer, a couple of years. I really liked the Police's approach to punk, Sting alone has fantastic lyrics and arrangements, he's very good musically – explains Giacomo Foschini – My favourite piece is also the one with which I discovered him, Message in a Bottle.

Now the dismantling begins in Piazza Duomo. One month, nine concerts, and many international artists have graced the streets of Pistoia. Thus concludes the 36th edition of the Pistoia Blues Festival.

(c) Il Tirreno by Eleonora Ferri