Sting 3.0

"Englishmen" in Zwickau: The global star enchants the audience with timeless hits...

Sting's concert at Platz der Völkerfreundschaft in Zwickau wasn't just heard by paying guests. The performance on stage reverberated far and wide, allowing numerous fans outside the barriers to experience the concert both acoustically and visually.

Many of the attendees traveled long distances to hear Sting. The organizers had 11,000 tickets available for the concert. But before the former frontman of the band "The Police" took the stage, Sophie Grey set the mood and got the audience pumped up.

One of Sting's songs is called "Englishman in New York," and now the global star has performed in Zwickau. Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, Sting's real name, leads a three-piece band with drummer Chris Maas and longtime guitarist Dominic Miller.

The trio plays hits from his Police days as well as the most popular tracks from his solo years. The "Sting 3.0" show has a lot to offer. The British musician, composer, and actor Sting is 73 years old and still has plenty of energy to bring to the stage.

Fans are thrilled. Ina Philipp traveled all the way from Berlin: "I've been a fan for many years, but this is the first time I'm seeing Sting live. The long journey was worth it. It's a fantastic concert, and being able to experience the musician up close is something special that you don't get to experience every day."

The evening in Zwickau will be remembered for a long time. Sting doesn't need an elaborate show – his performances focus on the music: handcrafted rock, honest and authentic. Fans appreciate this, and it's also what makes the global star and 17-time Grammy winner so likeable.

(c) Blick by Ralf Wendland

Concert Highlight in Zwickau: Sting Brings Police Sound...

For many people at the Golden Circle, Thursday evening at the Platz der Völkerfreundschaft was a musically emotional experience. They would probably say the concert was "riveting and intimate" – an apt description for the stripped-back, yet all the more haunting performance of the British superstar. "We're happy to be here in Zwickau for the first time," Sting had trained himself to say in German.

The rather understated stage setting brought the music to the fore. It wasn't a pyrotechnic spectacle. The lighting effects were more effective from a distance. In contrast to large stage shows, this performance thrived on the musical precision and authenticity of three artists who are perfectly attuned to one another.

Sting relies on a minimalist trio line-up with Dominic Miller on guitar and Chris Maas on drums.

Instead of studio versions, there were extended versions of numerous songs such as "Message in a Bottle," "Englishman in New York," "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," and "Fields of Gold." Sting confidently played his original 1950s Fender Precision Bass. Even though his voice became noticeably scratchier from the third song onward, the frontman's 73 years were not noticeable.

The evening was also characterized by spontaneous improvisations that at times seemed almost too extended. Yet these playful elements also revealed enormous virtuosity. And in the end, it's not often that you get the chance to experience hand-crafted medley-like transitions and solos of this kind.

While the atmosphere in the inner stage area was characterized by great attention, the outer area was more relaxed. For those far away from the stage, there was a bit more background music. There, people also chatted, danced a bit, or simply relaxed – a reflection of a warm summer evening.

Even without a ticket, the concert experience was possible. Hundreds of people gathered around the square, enjoying the event from a distance. Visibility was surprisingly good. Some spectators even watched from the rooftops of their homes – overlooking thousands of people who are still influenced by the influence of the Police era.

The feared traffic chaos did not materialize. The organizers had clearly thought ahead. Sufficient food stands, smooth entry controls, and efficient traffic management ensured a completely relaxed event.

(c) Vogtlandstreicher