Sting delivers a thrilling show with a great performance to an enthusiastic crowd in Rio...

British singer and bassist Sting, known worldwide for his time with the famous band The Police, is returning to Brazil (8 years after his most recent visit) for his Sting 3.0 tour, where he will perform songs that blend his solo career with past hits with his former band, in a power trio format, recalling the sound of yesteryear. The cities chosen for the show were Rio de Janeiro (14), São Paulo (16), and Curitiba (18).

As expected from an English artist, the three of them were on stage at 9 p.m. sharp, ready for one of the best shows of the decade. Yes, at 73 years old, Sting delivers everything expected and more. In addition to a well-chosen setlist (varied and cohesive), there are no fuss, no over-the-top productions to disguise any kind of live flaws; no playback, no samples, and almost no microphone effects. Cool lighting, a creative screen, and traditional music. That's what a true musician is all about. And Sting proves he's truly a living legend, in great shape, respecting his age and maintaining excellent quality from start to finish.

With the audience in his hands during interactions, occasionally speaking good Portuguese, and showing admiration for the other two members who completed the well-coordinated ensemble: the excellent Dominic Miller (guitar and backing vocals, Sting's sideman since the 1990s) and the versatile Chris Maas (drums; joined last year). It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask for a show from him every two years in Brazil. The joy of the audience was evident on their faces, always smiling, even tearing up at such striking melodies, jumping up and down and shouting "Sting, Sting!", singing along. It was truly beautiful to see. In fact, there were people of all ages, proving that good music transcends generations.

Of course, most of those in attendance were there to hear The Police classics, but many were also familiar with Sting's spectacular solo discography, which is truly impressive in terms of awards and overall sales. And those who had never heard one or two songs performed in this celebration of the singer/bassist's sensational career were surprised by the power of each one. It's worth noting that the musician, despite being best known for his iconic voice, is a master bassist, not only in technique but in the art of composing such brilliant lines that they are the perfect blend of simplicity and good taste, which reminds me a lot of his fellow countryman Paul McCartney (formerly of The Beatles) for the same reason. There's not a single note left out; everything is perfectly thought out to suit the song's needs. No less, no more, just the right amount. Genius!

The opening track, "Message in a Bottle," warms everyone up for what's to come, "driving the crowd wild," as the cliché goes. He then pulls out two gems from his solo career, "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and "Englishman in New York," from the acclaimed albums Ten Summoner's Tales (1993) and ...Nothing Like the Sun (1987), respectively. Just listening to these, you can see why he was always the main songwriter during The Police's time. The ballad "Fields of Gold," considered a true anthem of the era, is truly timeless and couldn't be left out, as it's one of his best. "Never Coming Home" showcases Sting's eclectic taste, powerful new wave with a danceable rhythm, while "Mad About You" is top-notch world music with arrangements featuring a variety of classical instruments. "Seven Days" flirts with jazz fusion and has a simply sensational harmony in its chorus.

A truly eighties song in every way (which, curiously, is part of 1991's The Soul Cages) is "Why Should I Cry For You?", generating a very mellow and relaxing vibe for the thousands of lucky people who had the honour of being there. The hit "All This Time," from the same album, is pure joy and ecstasy from the helm to the tail. When Sting sensed the audience was going to start asking for something by The Police, he launched into the fabulous sequence of "Wrapped Around Your Finger," "Driven to Tears," and "Can't Stand Losing You/Reggatta de Blanc," which left no fan wanting more. By this point, he had already won everyone over, and the performance was only halfway through.

And then came one of the most beautiful songs in the history of contemporary music, probably a top 10 song of the 90s: "Shape of My Heart." If there's a right time for loving couples to embrace, this is it. If you need to shed a tear, rest assured, the right moment has arrived. Excited about the reciprocity of his new tour, Sting introduced us to his newest song, the country/blues rock "I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart)," a very good one, by the way. Accompanied by a backdrop reminiscent of the starry sky and the space theme, yes, that's right, "Walking on the Moon," sung in unison by everyone in its very reggae chorus, which coincidentally (or not?) was placed next to "So Lonely," which Sting himself stated in an interview was heavily influenced by the king of reggae Bob Marley when devising the rhythmic tempo of the aforementioned song. In it, the singer significantly lowered the original tuning to be able to sing in a lower tone the extremely complicated high notes he recorded over 40 years ago. It's okay, we understand; after all, it was beautiful just the same!

We even had room for oriental music (in a vibrant Egyptian-inspired atmosphere) with "Desert Rose," prompting humorous belly dancing from the audience. The delightful "King of Pain" heralds perhaps the most anticipated song of the night: the smash hit "Every Breath You Take," a song that made The Police a household name worldwide and remained on the charts in several countries for a long time. After a quick encore, came the genuine masterpiece, the one many consider the band's best. Yes, we're talking about "Roxanne," which had the entire audience on their feet and screaming nonstop, showing how passionate we are about true music. To close, the moving "Fragile," with Sting playing guitar, exiting the stage and forever leaving one of the best shows ever in the Marvelous City in Brazilian memories. Now we just have to wait for his return, even if it's at a festival—who knows? May you have an even longer life and career!

Our thanks to everyone responsible for making the event possible and, in particular, to Live Nation and Motisuki PR for the partnership, trust and credibility given once again to the Universo do Rock team.

(c) Universo Do Rock by Gustavo Franchini

Sting in Rio: Great vocal form and a repertoire packed with classics...

The last time Sting came to Brazil solo was over two decades ago. At the time, the eternal frontman of The Police performed at the third edition of Rock in Rio. But the best was yet to come. Six years later, he gave one of the most iconic shows in the history of Maracanã, with The Police, and it was actually his last time here. Now, Sting returns to Brazil for a tour dubbed 3.0, as a trio, and perhaps for this reason, the repertoire is largely based on his career alongside Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland.

The opening number, "Message in a Bottle," a faithful version of the original opening track of Blanc's Reggatta, moves anyone with a heartbeat. For this rawer, power trio-focused show, Sting is joined by the excellent Dominic Miller—who has been with him since The Soul Cages, a tribute album to his father, released in 1991—and drummer Chris Maas, best known for playing with Mumford & Sons.

As everyone already knows, blending rock with other musical styles isn't just reserved for his former band. Sting has always had that rare ability to bring in sonic trends, largely due to his versatility as a bassist, as evidenced by songs like "Englishman in New York" (with a more reggae feel) or one of his biggest solo hits, "Fields of God." "Wrapped Around Your Finger," featuring candles on the screen, just like the original music video, showcased Sting's exceptional vocal prowess.

His voice, in fact, deserves a special mention. It sounds strong, in tune, and crystal clear at 73 years old. Compared to singers of his age, Sting seems to have been preserved by time. Both in his voice (completely preserved) and physically. On this tour, he adopted a headset microphone, in the style of contemporary pop artists, but not to display flashy choreography, but rather to strut around the stage in a relaxed and less tense manner. This made him appear light, relaxed, and with genuine happiness in his expression.

Although some of The Police's songs were toned down a bit to fit the more intimate and less wild Sting we knew at the beginning of his career, they haven't lost their sonic power. "Roxanne," one of the last songs of the night, proved the timelessness of this band, which remains one of the most influential of all time to this day. Also worth noting is Miller's agility on the guitar, delivering highly effective solos and a groove that ranges from soft to jazz, but also ventures into blues rock at various points in the performance.

Another key factor in the show's functionality was the tour's setlist. It spans Sting's entire career, from the Police's early hits to his latest single, "I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart)," which, incidentally, provided the show's most rocking moment. And the fact that the repertoire focused on more straightforward songs, with an exclusive focus on something more physical and intense, managed to please all types of people (from the most diverse tribes) present at Farmasi Arena—from long-time fans to occasional fans.

The truth is, even though it wasn't a Police show, the trio's approach to the legendary band's 10 songs was entirely worthy—with flawless performances of classics like "Can't Stand Losing You" (with the inclusion of "Reggatta The Blanc" or "Every Breath You Take," for example). Okay, it wasn't The Police live, but it was good nonetheless. Even more so without the presence of Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland by his side, Sting was able to give us the pleasure of seeing him live in a more intimate setting, away from the big stadiums. Awesome!

(c) Rock On Board by Bruno Eduardo

Sting brings generations together for a nostalgic night in Rio de Janeiro...

Former lead singer of The Police performed at Farmasi Arena in Jacarepaguá last Friday.

Accompanied by guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas, singer Sting performed this past Friday (14) at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, opening his three-date tour in Brazil.

Entitled Sting 3.0, the world tour mixes classics from The Police's career with hits by the English artist, including, for example, "Fields of Gold" and "Shape of my Heart."

Before the show began at 9 pm, it was clear that Sting had gathered not only fans who have been with him since the beginning of The Police, but also teenagers and even children, who were likely influenced by their elders.

In this generational melting pot, the musician, in excellent physical shape at 73 and with an impeccable voice, opened the setlist with a Police hit: "Message in a Bottle." With the crowd buzzing, the singer, armed with his inseparable bass, followed up with "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You" and "Englishman in New York," great tracks from his solo career.

Exchanging few words with the audience, but remaining friendly, Sting continued with "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," getting everyone dancing.

Later, there was no shortage of hits from his former group, such as "Wrapped Around Your Finger," "Driven to Tears," "Can't Stand Losing You," and "So Lonely," as well as singles from Sting's solo career, such as "Why Should I Cry for You?", "All This Time," and "Desert Rose."

Before the encore, the veteran artist got the audience singing along with "King of Pain" and "Every Breath You Take." After a brief intermission, Sting and his two stage partners returned to deliver a powerful rendition of "Roxanne" and the tranquil "Fragile," which closed the performance in a more intimate atmosphere.

At ease, the former member of The Police proved that his relationship with the Brazilian audience is still strong, not just because of the heat in the city.

It is worth remembering that the singer also performed in São Paulo on Sunday (16) and ends his stay in Brazil this Tuesday (18) with a performance in Curitiba, Paraná.

(c) TMDQA! by Gabriel von Borell