Sting
November 29, 2011
The Wiltern Theatre
After arresting fans across the world with a stellar reunion of The Police and a symphonic summer tour in 2010, Sting has returned for a “Back To The Bass” tour for a more stripped down affair selling out three nights at the Wiltern Theatre.
]
A barren stage and lone white spotlight amplified
the stripped down feel of the evening and gave the show a sense of
intimacy along with placing a greater emphasis on the individual songs.
Emerging from the shadows clad in a white t-shirt and jeans, Sting
looked and sounded better than ever opening with “All This Time.”
the stripped down feel of the evening and gave the show a sense of
intimacy along with placing a greater emphasis on the individual songs.
Emerging from the shadows clad in a white t-shirt and jeans, Sting
looked and sounded better than ever opening with “All This Time.”
Sting
assembled an outstanding band to back him up. Longtime collaborator and
guitarist Dominic Miller was phenomenal, utilizing an assortment of
Fender guitars to accurately recreate the various tones of the songs
throughout the evening. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” sent a
jolt of energy through the crowd as drummer Vinne Colaiuta was snapping
his snare drum, emulating Stewart Copeland's complex drumming with ease
while putting his on unique spin on the song.
assembled an outstanding band to back him up. Longtime collaborator and
guitarist Dominic Miller was phenomenal, utilizing an assortment of
Fender guitars to accurately recreate the various tones of the songs
throughout the evening. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” sent a
jolt of energy through the crowd as drummer Vinne Colaiuta was snapping
his snare drum, emulating Stewart Copeland's complex drumming with ease
while putting his on unique spin on the song.
“Seven
Days” was massaged into a unique odd time signature rhythm highlighted
by a trumpet and a wah-wah pedal drenched splash of guitar. Sting
throughout the evening discussed his love of country music and exhibited
this affection by putting a country spin on “I'm So Happy I Can't Stop
Crying” with violins and smooth guitar finger picking by Dominic Miller.
Days” was massaged into a unique odd time signature rhythm highlighted
by a trumpet and a wah-wah pedal drenched splash of guitar. Sting
throughout the evening discussed his love of country music and exhibited
this affection by putting a country spin on “I'm So Happy I Can't Stop
Crying” with violins and smooth guitar finger picking by Dominic Miller.
Sting
expressed how he felt vindicated when Johnny Cash covered “Hung My
Head” as Sting rolled out his own countrified rendition of the song.
Adding a VH1 storytellers vibe to the evening, Sting explained how
“Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)” was about a psychic car thief.
expressed how he felt vindicated when Johnny Cash covered “Hung My
Head” as Sting rolled out his own countrified rendition of the song.
Adding a VH1 storytellers vibe to the evening, Sting explained how
“Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)” was about a psychic car thief.
The
set list was strategically assembled giving the evening a nice flowing
rhythm. Hearing “Fortress Around Your Heart and “Fields of Gold” back to
back melted your heart as you could see couples embracing and slow
dancing during both songs. “Sacred Love” was spiced up with a dancer in a
red dress provocatively keeping the audience entertained.
set list was strategically assembled giving the evening a nice flowing
rhythm. Hearing “Fortress Around Your Heart and “Fields of Gold” back to
back melted your heart as you could see couples embracing and slow
dancing during both songs. “Sacred Love” was spiced up with a dancer in a
red dress provocatively keeping the audience entertained.
Crowd
participation occurred during “Heavy Cloud No Rain” with Sting guiding
the audience to chant the “No Rain” parts of the song. Elaborating more
on his songwriting process, Sting explained that “Love Is Stronger Than
Justice (The Munificent Seven)” was a mash up of his love for the movie The Magnificent Seven and the play Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
participation occurred during “Heavy Cloud No Rain” with Sting guiding
the audience to chant the “No Rain” parts of the song. Elaborating more
on his songwriting process, Sting explained that “Love Is Stronger Than
Justice (The Munificent Seven)” was a mash up of his love for the movie The Magnificent Seven and the play Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
“Never
Coming Home” had Sting momentarily step out of the spotlight to
highlight his hard working band as the violin solo would have made the
Charlie Daniels Band proud. Finishing out the evening on a high note,
“Desert Rose” packed a punch with its tinge of Middle Eastern influence
embedded into the song enhanced by the shuffle of bongos.
Coming Home” had Sting momentarily step out of the spotlight to
highlight his hard working band as the violin solo would have made the
Charlie Daniels Band proud. Finishing out the evening on a high note,
“Desert Rose” packed a punch with its tinge of Middle Eastern influence
embedded into the song enhanced by the shuffle of bongos.
The
crowd stayed on their feet after giving a standing ovation to all sing
along en masse to a triple shot of the Police songs including “Every
Breath You Take,” “Next To You” and a stunning acoustic version of
“Message In A Bottle.” Sting continues to entertain his fervent fanbase
all the while artistically stretching out with his unique vision.
crowd stayed on their feet after giving a standing ovation to all sing
along en masse to a triple shot of the Police songs including “Every
Breath You Take,” “Next To You” and a stunning acoustic version of
“Message In A Bottle.” Sting continues to entertain his fervent fanbase
all the while artistically stretching out with his unique vision.
Set list:
“All This Time”
“Everything Little Thing She Does is Magic”
“Seven Days”
“Demolition Man”
“I'm So Happy I Can't Stop Crying”
“I Hung My Head”
“Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing)”
“Driven To Tears”
“Fortress Around Your Heart”
“Fields of Gold”
“Sacred Love”
“Ghost Story”
“Heavy Cloud, No Rain”
“Inside”
“Love Is Stronger Than Justice (The Munificent Seven)
“The Hounds of Winter”
“The End Of The Game”
“Never Coming Home”
“Desert Rose”
“Every Breath You Take”
“Next To You”
“Message In A Bottle”
