Sting 3.0

Sting wows at the Jazz Open: These are the hits the legend played in Stuttgart...

It was arguably the highlight of this year's Jazz Open in Stuttgart: Singer and musician Sting performed on Schlossplatz on Sunday evening (July 28th). The Englishman was visiting the state capital for the second time, and over 7,000 fans celebrated the world-famous star's performance. Which hits did Sting play in Stuttgart? We recap the 72-year-old's concert.

Even before the Sting concert began, the anticipation on Schlossplatz was palpable. Several hundred people refreshed themselves with cold drinks in the concert area or ate a pinsa (snack) or grilled food. The music of Jarle Bernhoft, who played in the opening act from 7:30 p.m., echoed all the way to the food stalls. Sting was being talked about almost everywhere, with words like "legend," "unique," and "sensational." It was undoubtedly an honor for many Jazz Open attendees to see Sting live.

Although his performance was announced as 9 p.m., the 72-year-old started his program a little earlier. Sting came on stage around 8:40 p.m. Not all of the audience had yet taken their seats; people gradually filed into the standing area or the stands. Accompanying the singer and bassist were his congenial partner and guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas. Three people – that's all it takes to make good music.

Right at the beginning, Sting played a classic from his time with The Police: "Message in a Bottle." Background: The 72-year-old presented the Stuttgart audience with all the well-known hits from his career – both as a solo artist and with the English band. Further hits followed, such as "Englishman in New York," "Fields of Gold," and "Every Breathe You Take." In between, he repeatedly interspersed songs that are probably less familiar to the average music listener: "Desert Rose," "Seven Days," and "When We Dance."

Also striking was how Sting repeatedly put his guitarist Dominic Miller in the spotlight. The two have been playing together for decades, accompanied by a close friendship. Miller was able to showcase his skills on several occasions, including one of the most frequently played guitar riffs on "Shape of My Heart." Several artists have already covered this melody, including American rapper Juice Wrld with "Lucid Dreams."

The songwriter's fans also got their money's worth at the end. As the penultimate song, Sting performed the Police classic "Roxanne," with the 72-year-old engaging the Stuttgart audience. For the grand finale, the music legend himself picked up the guitar and performed the ballad "Fragile." The concert ended at around 10:25 p.m., and many happy faces left the Schlossplatz with broad grins.

(c) Zeitungsverlag Waiblingen by Simeon Kramer