STING 3.0 LIVE (Digital)

Review from Spin by David Harris

Sting Retraces Past Glories on Stripped-Down ‘Sting 3.0 LIVE’ - We’re all the King of Pain with this bizarre release plan.

Sting returned to his rock roots last year on his back-to-basics 3.0 Tour. Though former comrades Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland didn’t join the erstwhile King of Pain on the road, Police songs made up more than half of the 20-plus song setlists, evened out with solo favorites and deep cuts. 

Backed by guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas, Sting used these concerts to reclaim a rock ‘n roll legacy that has been somewhat marred by frustrating sidetracks into adult contemporary material, ill-conceived reggae collaborations, and bloated orchestral interpretations of past glories. Hearing Gordon Sumner strap on the bass and play the hits without additional ornamentation was a dream come true for fans tired of such digressions.

Sting 3.0 LIVE is an opportunity to hear this revived version of Sting—but with a catch. The folks behind this release have rolled out four different versions of the album which presents a maddening challenge for those who just want to hear the music or experience a concert they witnessed or missed out on.  

Those who purchase the standard CD or LP versions will own a nine-song sampler, featuring mainly the biggest hits. Those who opt for the digital version will also get solo favorite “Fragile” as a bonus track. Additionally, a 2-LP limited version released on Record Store Day appends an extra platter of eight tracks, many of which have never been released before on a live set. But copies of that edition start at around $70 on Discogs and that’s before shipping. Those hoping to hear “Fortress Around Your Heart” or “Be Still My Beating Heart” must be prepared to shell out extra for the privilege.

This muddled release roll-out mars what could have been a cherished keepsake for Sting fans. Does anyone really need live versions of “Message in a Bottle,” “Every Breath You Take,” and “Roxanne” circa 2025? You can buy the comprehensive {Live!} (1995) album which features two complete Police concerts from 1979 and 1983, respectively. And Sting played some true rare cuts on this tour, including “I Burn for You,” but that song isn’t available on any version of the album. 

As for the recording itself, it is a fine collection if you are interested in how Sting interprets his old favorites now. His voice is placed high in the mix, dominating Miller and Maas, whose playing is lean and mean. Sting is also now 73 years old, and his voice is more weathered, unable to hit some of the higher registers familiar to his early material. While the 3.0 Tour seemed designed to reward longtime fans, this strange release strategy is good for no one as even those who buy the deluxe edition don’t get the full experience.