Sting
Aware Super Theatre
Sydney, Australia
15 February 2023
Overplayed rock ballads notwithstanding, I have always found it difficult way to resist the magnetic pull of the way Sting channeled his alchemy into a mélange of subtlety which is delicately substantiated by his immensely visceral song-writing abilities.
Merging elements from seemingly unrelated cultures and widely agnostic of musical genres, the way he has been serenading audiences over the last forty-five years with his earnest vocals backed by his rich linguistic devices and, of course, his light, idiosyncratic way of strumming the bass has cemented the unique place he occupies in the world of music.
Having not only spearheaded an immensely successful, groundbreaking band but forging a solo career in his own right, nurturing both the adulation of fans as well as critical acclaim, it was fantastic to finally witness the man in a live environment.
Cutting a lean figure and agile in nature due to being equipped with a headset mic, Sting free flowingly commanded the stage with a solid presence. Framing his extensive arsenal of hits with engaging anecdotes and a well-calibrated setlist, his presence and delivery resonated with the audience from the get-go.
What accentuated Sting’s performance and made it even more memorable than a mere one-man focused show were the moments when he genuinely allowed for constituents of his impressive backing band to shine and take the limelight - be it via soaring, dualling vocal performances or with e.g., harmonica parts replicating what Stevie Wonder had initially incepted.
Summa summarum: A spirited, effortless, and transcending performance that not only did justice to Sting’s varied musical legacy – the tour is not for nothing aptly named “My Songs” - but one that solidified the unique place he occupies in the pop cultural canon.
