Wow! What a concert! Where do I start? First of all, I've read all your concert review comments regarding the lack of energy from the audience and it was also true of this concert. WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? Sting isn't THAT OLD!! He's only 48!! I'm in a different age group than most of the people there--I'm 21 years old. I've been a huge Sting fan for many years.
Anyway, here's the scenario...... 99% of the audience remained seated throughout most of the concert up until Brand New Day, the 13TH SONG. I came to the conclusion that people only stood up because Sting and the backup singers were singing the verse "Stand up! All you lovers in the world.....stand up and be counted..." Ummmm, just for future reference to the idiots out there..... you don't have to have Sting's permission to stand up during his concert!! I was fortunate enough to be at the top of the balcony where I could stand as long as I wanted without being harrassed. None of the tunes lacked any energy, it was totally the audience. Sting was rockin' out and I thought he sounded amazing live.
The set list was basically the same as the other shows but Sting changed the order around a bit. I thought it was weird that he played Brand New Day in-between Tomorrow We'll See and Roxanne, but he did. Anyway, here's the set list and a few short comments.....
Encore # 1:
Encore # 2:
Sting gave a very energetic performance! He did the usual jokes but they were still pretty funny..... Willy Porter opened for him, and he was rather funny also.
Sting, I can't wait for the next album and the upcoming DVD release of Brand New Day! Thanks for the great memories!
First of all, I have to say that I am a huge Sting fan, and therefore may be extremely critical. I didn't want to have to be, but I just got home from the show downtown Indy at the Murat Temple, and I am sooo disappointed. There is so much I want to say, but for those who jock the show and say it was the best they've ever been to, how could they possibly think that after witnessing Sting obviously just going through the motions and pandering to his yuppie audience, most of whom didn't know almost anything new. All they knew is that they had $75.00 and didn't care other than that. Well, I want my freaking money back.
I have been following this page to see the set for other shows, which I probably shouldn't have done, because every one was the same. I'm not even going to bother listing it, but there were no surprises, and I heard it all before on his last tour. It's like he knows he's only got one more show left on this leg of the tour, and he doesn't care. I feel used. Sting, although his voice was in top form, had the charisma of a basketball. His opening act had twice the charisma he did, and at least made an attempt to acknowledge the existence of the audience. Sting's jokes were obviously scripted and old. I knew exactly what he was going to say before he uttered it.
Sting needs to crap or get off the pot. His emotionless, sped up versions were rushed and his phrasing became monotonous. I understand he does not remember the words to many of his songs and must use the music, but you would think at least, as an actor, he would try to put on a smile. He calls himself a performer, but he's forgotten the most important rule, the element of surprise. He even dropped Mad about You from his set. If he doesn't start showing some effort and becoming less lazy, he may as well change the title of the work he teased us with on his new album from "Prelude to the end of the Game" to "Prelude to the end of the Career." Stop teasing us and play some obscure songs (especially in such a small venue where only die hard fans should be), or at least act like you care about the proverbial ones you do play.
He even left out the second verse of "Moon over Bourbon Street", which was overrated anyway. I looked forward to the somewhat obscure number, but the song had no emotion and the hat was not used at all. All I can say is...why? His medley of police tunes that he has played for years could easily have been replaced by "Fortress Around Your Heart" , but heaven forbid he go back and relearn something.
I have to see Sting whenever he is in concert, because I love his music and I feel obligated as a fan to witness the aging bugger before he loses all drive and performance appeal. I'll probably see him next time, providing he doesn't charge $300.00, but I am so frustrated at this show (except for the lovely Lawrence Welk set) that I'll need time to cool down. At least the millennium is around the corner, so we can put the past behind us and all look forward to a Brand New Day.
Both Sting and Neil Diamond played in concert here last night. I never thought it would come to this, but Neil Diamond probably had the more exciting show. He could not have been any more bored than Sting was at the Murat. Sting's band seemed to have set their playing abilities on cruise control while they let their personalities take a nap. Sting's "backup singers" contributed nothing vocally to any of the tunes, but should be commended for having to do the same gyrations throughout every song of the evening. As for Sting himself, the robots at Chuckie Cheese have more energy (and stage moves) than he displayed last night. It's pretty sad when the opening act (whom I'd never heard of) runs circles around the headliner, performance-wise... especially when the headliner is a living legend. I've heard past posts complain about people sitting down during most of the show- however, an entertainer has to inspire people if he wants them to participate. Sting is not going through a "fat Elvis' phase right now. He was in great shape physically and vocally- that's what makes it so frustrating to see him perform in such a souless, bored manner. As for the song selections, I find it hard to believe that an entertainer who's been recording since 1978 has to play the exact same set list every night. My favorite song of the evening was "All This Time", but even the unplugged version had more of a kick than the one he played last night. "Englishman in New York" could have been moving, considering its inspiration, Quentin Crisp, recently passed away. Instead, it was tired paint-by-numbers filler. The old war horses, "Roxanne" and "When the World is Running Down..." need to be given a long needed rest. I've heard far better karaoke versions of the former. As for the latter, do we really need to hear it on EVERY tour, in the place of such classics as "Why Should I Cry For You", "So Lonely", or "Be Still My Beating Heart"? I understand that a performer, ultimately, has the right to pick their own set list. However, that set list should sufficiently engage the performer enough for him to deliver a show that's at least half way inspired. Sting's final encore of "Fragile" was played in as breakneck a speed as possible, as if he couldn't wait to get the heck out of Dodge. His jokes (the exact same ones he tells every night) were just cringe inducing. "He was better when he was with the Police"?- Hell, he was better when he was with Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart on that lame "Three Muskateers" song than he was last night. I especially find it condescending that Sting has charged ridiculously high ticket prices to play in an "intimate setting" only to give a zombie-like performance on stage. I've felt more of a connection with performers in football stadiums than I did with Sting in the 2,000 seat Murat. As for the cost, I saw David Bowie on his last tour in a 1,500 seater for the flat price of $35 (when he was listed as the highest paid entertainer in Britain). What's more, Bowie actually challenged the audience and really got into his songs. Please understand, I truly love Sting and his music. There was a time when he actually made an effort to connect with the audience and perform his songs with soul and passion. When I saw him on the Mercury Falling Tour, he gave a perforance that, while not one of the all time greats, was certainly energetic. That is why I am concerned with what I saw last night- I know he can do a hell of a lot better. Of course, many people were just there because they think Sting is sexy or because they had money to throw around. He could have played ELO covers all night and they would have been happy. I was there because I love his music, and I know that it deserves better treatment than what he gave it, and the hardcore fans who shelled out 72-88 bucks for tickets, last night.
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