Selected Miscellaneous Shows

Sting: An Englishman in Santiago...

The British singer showcased his talent before a packed Movistar Arena.

He played at Shea Stadium in August of '83 with The Police, the biggest band on Earth at the time, and knew then that he would be a solo artist. That's Gordon Sumner for you; he's proactive, shedding what he deems unnecessary. Four years ago, he was at the Viña del Mar Festival revisiting his classics in symphonic versions, and this Thursday night at the Movistar Arena, he returned to the band format, to the experience of an ensemble of virtuosos without the theatrics that, incidentally, defined The Police.

Bearded, with a broad forehead, a model of aging as always, he delivered the first three songs without pause: "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You," with his voice impeccable, full, the original flourishes of the chorus, carrying his well-worn Fender Precision bass, molded in the 1950s. There are no giant screens behind him; the lighting is understated. He continues with "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" in a softer version, with that jazzy sheen he's brought to his solo career. He encourages the audience to sing along, and everyone heeds the former teacher's call. He segues into "Englishman in New York," which is met with cheers. Vinnie Colaiuta shines during the break, recreating the powerful drums of the original, while the audience sings in unison, "Be yourself, no matter what they say."

Pause. Sting briefly greets the audience in Spanish, introduces the band, which includes David Sancious (a veteran of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band), Dominic Miller (a staple in his lineup), and backing vocalist Jo Lawry. He launches into "So Lonely," one of the few songs he doesn't perform in the original key, from The Police's first album. It starts off with a powerful opening, but in the middle section, the band slows down to give prominence to the keyboards. Next up is one of the longest-titled songs in rock and pop history: "When the world is running down, you make the best of what's still around." Another moment for Sancious to shine. He earns a standing ovation as Sting joins him, weaving intricate scales.

Then comes "Seven Days" from the album *Ten Summoner's Tales* (1993). It's less well-known, and the audience reacts by sitting down for the first time in almost half an hour of this intense concert. From the same album, he slows things down with the gentle "Fields of Gold." The mood of the night shifts with a powerful version of "Driven to Tears," one of his early songs with The Police that showcased his jazz leanings, as memories fill in those unique Stewart Copeland fills that Colaiuta doesn't use. Then he asks the audience to respond with "no rain" during "Heavy Cloud No Rain" (also from *Ten Summoner's Tales*), and the command is obeyed immediately. More classics like "Wrapped Around Your Finger" follow, making it a perfect night. With Sting, all we can expect is class and never be disappointed by his performance.

(c) La Tercera by Marcelo Contreras