STING @ AccorHotels Arena...

Sting was at the AccorHotels Arena as part of his long international tour, "My Songs Tour," which began last May at... La Seine Musicale. The crowd was once again there. A look back at a rock-and-roll show!

French singer Antoine Elie had the honour of opening Sting's French tour. A wonderful gift for the young man, whose debut album was released earlier this year. He offered an already packed house a set with a rock feel, tinged with pop, hip-hop, and electro. The audience was attentive to his poetic phrases and rhythmic music. Accompanied by his two musicians, his guitar, and his nuanced voice, the artist delivered a performance worthy of the event. Mission accomplished for Antoine, who received a warm round of appetizers.

After the appetizers, it was time for the main course. Having come to perform iconic hits from his solo career and with The Police, Sting simply arrived on a small stage set up at the back of the room, wearing a long black coat. We were surprised to see his left arm in a sling.

In near-perfect French, he explained that following an accident the day before, he would not be able to play bass tonight. Encouraged by his loyal fans, the singer began an acoustic cover of "Roxanne," not without telling the story of how this 1978 hit by The Police was inspired. A reimagined acoustic version, enhanced by the presence of a dancer at his side.

The rest of the concert took place on the main stage of the AccorHotels Arena. It began with "Message In A Bottle," sung in unison by the audience.

Sting is imposing, needing only a few rows of lights and a large black curtain drawn behind him to captivate the crowd. Blessed with extraordinary charisma, the sixty-year-old is at ease. He cracks jokes and entertains his audience, aided by an undeniable presence.

While he's left his bass backstage, his voice is not absent. Armed with a tambourine, the Briton seems to masterfully control the situation. He is accompanied by no fewer than six musicians and two backing singers, whom he doesn't forget to introduce. Each one gets their own special moment.

The band offers songs masterfully rearranged and adapted to the singer's aging voice, as in "My Songs." A voice that doesn't soar as high as in his heyday. It still remains powerful and in tune.

For nearly two hours, the hits follow one another, very rhythmic. However, the performance of "Shape of My Heart" suspends time. The audience, initially absorbed in the moment, ends up cheering their idol to thank him for this gift.

After a succession of calmer, lesser-known songs such as "Whenever I Say Your Name," the band brings the audience to their feet with a rendition of the hit "Walking on the Moon." The pleasure continues for four songs, including the intense "Russians," which transforms the AccorHotels Arena into a starry night.

Between power and gentleness, it's clear that Sting was, is, and will remain a unique musical icon!

(c) Rock Ur Life by Albane Toulouse

STING - ACCORHOTELS ARENA - OCTOBER 18, 2019

Barely five months after his visit to the Paris region (La Seine Musicale – Boulogne Billancourt), Sting is back in Paris, this time at the immense Accordhotels Arena at Porte de Bercy. The date is almost sold out, which demonstrates the popularity of the former bassist and singer of the band Police in France.

This concert is the first of a long series in France (Orléans, Nantes, Lille, Lyon, Nice, etc.) and is part of the "My Songs" world tour, which began at the end of April. There are few surprises to be expected, as this concert promises to be a Best Of and a great, choice recap of Sting's career.

When the lights go out in the hall, around 9 p.m., after Antoine Elie's opening performance, the audience is champing at the bit. The room is ready to welcome the Newcastle (GB) native and his band to a triumphant performance. All eyes are directed toward the main stage as Sting appears on a small stage located at the back of the pit behind the console, accompanied by one of his guitarists. Once the surprise dissipates, the audience is overcome with shock. Indeed, Sting appears with his left arm in a sling.

Stage play? No way! An accident the day before in his bathtub prevents him from using his arm, and therefore his bass guitar... Sting explains this in excellent French and goes on to recount (still in French) some memories of his early days as an artist and the genesis of the song "Roxanne," somewhere in a seedy Paris hotel, long before he became the global star he is today.

With that, he continues with an acoustic version of the song that will certainly leave many fans wanting more. The song, thus stripped down to its bare essentials, has lost the wild and energetic edge of the original version of the hit that made the Police famous.

This "unplanned" interlude over, String finally takes over the main stage for a set (including an encore) of twenty songs that will transport the audience through time and emotions.

The set list (the same, with three exceptions, as five months earlier) obviously features the Police's hits (10) ('Walking On The Moon', 'Every Breath', 'So Lonely', 'Message', etc.) and major tracks (11) from his solo career ('English Man', 'If You Love Somebody', 'Russians', etc.).

The band at his side delivers an impeccable performance.

The sound is crisp, clean, and full of energy. A special mention goes to Nicolas Fiszman, who quickly replaced Sting on bass.

The show moves at breakneck speed, yet it doesn't fail to stir strong emotions. The audience is spellbound and mesmerized by the English artist. Everything is perfect, and the audience forgets that Sting isn't playing his favourite instrument tonight. The 1 hour and 50 minutes of the show are pure bliss. Let's wish Sting a speedy recovery, and hopefully, he'll be able to captivate us again, and as soon as possible, to thrill us to the sound of his legendary bass guitar, with his characteristically stripped-down yet powerful playing.

(c) Musicwaves by Christophe MENG