Photogrpahy: Darren Chan – Words: Chris Brooks
Support act ‘Joe Sumner’ treated the packed Rod Laver crowd to a solo performance with just his acoustic guitar and his beautiful, soulfull voice. Melbourne’s super star ‘Paul Dempsey’ of ‘Something for Kate’ joined Joe on stage to accompany one of Joe’s latest singles ‘Hope’.
71 year old living legend and Police frontman Sting hit the Rod Laver Arena stage with more energy, charisma and youth than most men half his age. This tour aptly called ‘My Songs’ was exactly that, the night opened with crowd favourites ‘Message in a Bottle’, ‘Englishman in New York’ and a very danceable version of ‘Every Little Things She Does is Magic’. Sting paid homage to Michael Gudinski, mentioning the the multi decade friendship between the two men.
Sting’s voice is still very much powerful and full of emotion, sounding as good as any studio quality version that you may have heard. After opening with Police hits, the show took on a slower pace with the introduction of new material ‘The Bridge’, ‘So Lonely’ and a lovely cover of Bob Marley’s ‘No Woman No Cry’. Sting’s band are all extremely talented with the backing vocalists proving to be as entertaining as Sting. A spectacular version of ‘Fields of Gold’ and super hit ‘Roxanne’ were performed beautifully and with electrifying energy, the crowd singing every word, inturn giving off a classic nostalgic feeling in the air.
Sting and his amazing band filled Rod Laver Arena with the magic and whole hearted goodness that only such a well accomplished and unique entertainer is capable of. Thankyou Sting for such a truly special and memorable expereince.
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