Sting Delivers Nostalgic Performance at Kentish Town Forum
This relatively intimate night at Kentish Town Forum – the first of four scaled down shows across London this week – was something of a homecoming for Sting, reports BritPanorama.
Sting, who resided in nearby Highgate during the 1990s, reminisced about his time there before moving to a “small house in the countryside… well actually it was more of a castle.” He performed “Fields of Gold,” a ballad he explained was inspired by those surroundings, which has been so well-regarded that Paul McCartney once remarked it was the one song he wished he’d written. This encapsulated the essence of Sting: a blend of self-awareness with considerable musical credence.
However, this concert was not about indulgence. This version of the man born Gordon Sumner – dubbed Sting 3.0 – showcased him in a crowd-pleasing mode. There was no grandstanding on global affairs, no songs from his more eclectic projects, and little of the excessive improvisation he sometimes indulges in. Instead, Sting returned to his roots, leading a three-piece band through an array of expertly crafted reggae-influenced pop-rock that echoed his early career.
With a Madonna-style head mic, Sting moved confidently across the stage, effortlessly engaging the audience in a tight t-shirt that hinted at a wellness guru persona. At 74, he exhibited an impressive vitality as he launched into “Message in a Bottle,” which marked the beginning of a robust set that included ten songs from The Police. Accompanied by drummer Chris Maas and long-term guitarist Dominic Miller, they energised tracks like “Can’t Stand Losing You” and “So Lonely.” The arrangement of “Driven to Tears” delivered an impressive sonic experience, while the iconic “Every Breath You Take” was executed with a laid-back flair.
A mid-section featuring deeper cuts offered a slight reprieve but was quickly overshadowed by a flood of hits surrounding it. His soulful solo hits resonated well, particularly “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,” which elicited a significant reaction from the audience, particularly the line concerning faith in politicians. “Shape of My Heart” showcased Sting’s matured voice beautifully, while a somewhat extended “Roxanne” ventured into an unusual reggae breakdown before the evening closed on a more sombre note with “Fragile.” By stripping back the excess, Sting successfully updated his musical legacy for a contemporary audience.
Sting is set to perform at Hammersmith Apollo on Sunday as he continues his tour.
