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The Hype: Rocking stadiums around the world during the Police reunion with only Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers behind you must be a lonely proposition. This time around, Sting drafted the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for what's been dubbed as the “Symphonicity” tour. It made for some inventive reworking of songs that showcase Sting's most famous attribute: his voice.
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The Show: A swell of symphonic strings tipped
off the opening of “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You,” which was greeted
by a raucous ovation by the enthusiastic fans in front of the stage.
Sting seemed at home in front of his microphone admiring the 40-plus
musicians behind him. In order to keep his hands busy, Sting pulled out
a harmonica to solo on top of the song.
off the opening of “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You,” which was greeted
by a raucous ovation by the enthusiastic fans in front of the stage.
Sting seemed at home in front of his microphone admiring the 40-plus
musicians behind him. In order to keep his hands busy, Sting pulled out
a harmonica to solo on top of the song.
“Englishman
In New York” had an uplifting swing vibe that continued to engage the
crowd. While the strings and arrangements were impressive, Sting's voice
definitely was the centerpiece of the evening. Dipping into the Police
catalog, “Everything Little Thing She Does is Magic” was magical on the
fairly brisk evening with the quarter moon perched in the sky. The stage
lights turned red and Sting outfitted himself with a nylon stringed
guitar to strum out the guitar parts for “Roxanne.”
In New York” had an uplifting swing vibe that continued to engage the
crowd. While the strings and arrangements were impressive, Sting's voice
definitely was the centerpiece of the evening. Dipping into the Police
catalog, “Everything Little Thing She Does is Magic” was magical on the
fairly brisk evening with the quarter moon perched in the sky. The stage
lights turned red and Sting outfitted himself with a nylon stringed
guitar to strum out the guitar parts for “Roxanne.”
The
harmonica would make another appearance for “I Hung My Head” with its
smoky gunslinger appeal. Steven Mercurio brilliantly led the orchestra
throughout the evening and often leaped in the air to punctuate his
conducting. Sting courteously introduced the members of his
main band a couple of times during the evening, but gave special
attention to Dominic Miller who has played guitar with Sting for nearly
twenty years.
harmonica would make another appearance for “I Hung My Head” with its
smoky gunslinger appeal. Steven Mercurio brilliantly led the orchestra
throughout the evening and often leaped in the air to punctuate his
conducting. Sting courteously introduced the members of his
main band a couple of times during the evening, but gave special
attention to Dominic Miller who has played guitar with Sting for nearly
twenty years.
Before playing “Shape of My
Heart”, Sting quipped that he and Miller wrote the song nearly fifteen
years ago, “when we were 10.” Throughout the evening, Sting was in a VH1
Storytellers mode, offering tidbits and stories that appeared as well
rehearsed as the orchestra. “Fields of Gold” inspired a couple at the
front of the stage to get up and slow dance but were quickly shot down
by security. Miller expertly pulled off the guitar solo on his classical
guitar.
Heart”, Sting quipped that he and Miller wrote the song nearly fifteen
years ago, “when we were 10.” Throughout the evening, Sting was in a VH1
Storytellers mode, offering tidbits and stories that appeared as well
rehearsed as the orchestra. “Fields of Gold” inspired a couple at the
front of the stage to get up and slow dance but were quickly shot down
by security. Miller expertly pulled off the guitar solo on his classical
guitar.
“Next To You” closed the first set
with fire as Sting grabbed a guitar again and danced around the stage to
get people off their feet. My highlight of the evening was when Sting
added some theremin for some spooky vibes of “Moon Over Bourbon Street.”
The orchestra really shined for the cinematic sheen of “One True Love”
with a vocal assist from Jo Lawry.
with fire as Sting grabbed a guitar again and danced around the stage to
get people off their feet. My highlight of the evening was when Sting
added some theremin for some spooky vibes of “Moon Over Bourbon Street.”
The orchestra really shined for the cinematic sheen of “One True Love”
with a vocal assist from Jo Lawry.
Shifting mid-song from symphonic to fast tempo rocker, “King of Pain” slowly brought
people to their feet to dance along. Everyone down in the front got up
though for “Every Breath You Take.” For the encore, “Desert Rose” and
“She's Too Good For Me” were adjusted as uptempo rockers with Dominic
Miller getting out of his seat and using an electric guitar for the
final tunes with Sting emphatically singing along. Wednesday nights
usually aren't this special.
people to their feet to dance along. Everyone down in the front got up
though for “Every Breath You Take.” For the encore, “Desert Rose” and
“She's Too Good For Me” were adjusted as uptempo rockers with Dominic
Miller getting out of his seat and using an electric guitar for the
final tunes with Sting emphatically singing along. Wednesday nights
usually aren't this special.
The Crowd:
The audience definitely skewed from the 40 to 50's, compared to the all-encompassing age range during the Police reunion shows. Unfortunately, I
was seated next to one of those couples who rarely go out–they decided to
give each other running commentary on the whole show. Another reason why
I bring earplugs to shows.
The audience definitely skewed from the 40 to 50's, compared to the all-encompassing age range during the Police reunion shows. Unfortunately, I
was seated next to one of those couples who rarely go out–they decided to
give each other running commentary on the whole show. Another reason why
I bring earplugs to shows.
By The Way:
It was extremely creepy to see some of the front row people walk right
up to the stage in front of Sting and take cell phone pictures. I know
you paid a lot for the seat, but seriously it was uncomfortable to watch
and distracting at the same time.
It was extremely creepy to see some of the front row people walk right
up to the stage in front of Sting and take cell phone pictures. I know
you paid a lot for the seat, but seriously it was uncomfortable to watch
and distracting at the same time.
