Written By Sason Bishope Parry
Many artists have recently taken an orchestral approach to their music by sitting in with the San Francisco’s SF Symphony, arguably the best orchestra in the country. However, no name comes to mind bigger than one of my musical heroes, British superstar singer/songwriter Sting. I was beyond delighted to hear Sting was next in line, playing two capacity-filled nights at Davies Symphony Hall. There were lots of people already buzzing about the 1st night, which happened to fall on Valentine’s Day, and had Sting’s wife, Trudie Styler, in attendance.
So, you can imagine my excitement at being able to hear this legendary artist perform many of his classic hits re-imagined with the symphony. Davie’s Symphony Hall was packed early on Thursday, February 15, for night two, and you could feel the vibrant energy throughout the reception halls from the moment you walked through the entrance. The crowd was mixed, with young and old fans decked put in their best fits, and by the look of the long lines at the bar, most were looking to loosen up before the concert.
As conductor Edwin Outwater took to the stage, fans were eerily silent in anticipation of the night’s performance, and he wasted no time getting started. As Sting entered the stage, the roar of applause was deafening but well-suited for such an iconic and loved performer. He took a seat on the stage, front and centre, where he stayed the entire night, blending in with the fantastic musicians accompanying him and welcoming everyone to the show. The orchestra had its usual suspects of musicians and instruments, but of course, for a Sting concert, several guitars had to be added. Sting looked young beyond his years and went on to deliver a mesmerizing and intimate set that included hits from his solo career and his years with The Police.
There were many highlights throughout the evening, but none were more significant than his opening song, where he sang and spoke about his inspiration for his breakthrough classic, “Roxanne.” He explained that the song was inspired by many encounters with the Parisian underworld, where Sting spoke of a French prostitute named Roxanne whose nightlife endeavours struck a chord with him. Ultimately, he said he picked up his guitar and played a G minor chord while in his hotel room, and the rest is history. Sting originally sang this Police classic with notes so high that even many female vocalists have struggled to pull off a good rendition through the years since its release. However, tonight, he sang in a lower register, almost with a jazz feel, bringing new life and meaning to each lyric.
The evening was an epic and breathtaking journey through his life’s work and music catalogue. Sting is not only a brilliant performer but also an incredible storyteller, as he eloquently spoke about the inspiration and tale of each song he performed in detail, giving us a more profound and heartfelt view of his excellent compositions. Hearing the inspirational stories behind each rendition elevated the night’s mood. None more felt than when he sang, “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” and fans chimed in with a massive sing-along.
Sting channelled memories of his hometown and the home he bought with his longtime wife of more than 30 years, Trudie Styler. As he spoke of his house, he talked about the Barley Fields, the inspiration for “Fields of Gold,” then went on to perform a mesmerizing version of this beautiful song.
“We bought a small house near a barley field. Actually, it was more like a castle, haha. For weeks, I would gaze out amongst the beautiful barley fields that sometimes looked like gold from the sunlight. I knew there was a song there.” – Sting
Other highlights came when he spoke of his time in New York and how we came to write “Englishman in New York,” once again inviting fans to sing along. His renditions of “Why Should I Cry for You” and “When We Dance” were nothing short of magical, as he also chimed in on how love can be a big inspiration for writing when it’s viewed from one person loving and the other not. His voice was just pure perfection and impossible not to recognize, holding out long-winded notes for “I Had a Dream Last Night.”
Sting joked about wanting to dabble in country music as he recalled his childhood dream of being a cowboy and a musician. He spoke highly of artists like Johnny Cash, doing amazing covers of his songs just before diving into “I Hung My Head.” He then talked about how his own father gave him one piece of advice, “Go to sea, see the world, and make something of yourself,” bringing new meaning to “Why Should I Cry for You?” He continued his storytelling about a fox encounter before singing “The End of the Game,” which he stated was his wife’s favourite song.
After the intermission, he returned without missing a beat and right into “The Shape of My Heart,’ then he played a few songs from his cancelled play, including a beautiful acoustic version of “The Last Ship.” He joked about his political views, leaning heavily against Trump before rolling into more magical moments with “What Could Have Been” and “Russians.” Just as you thought the night couldn’t get any better, more highlights came as he played two of my favourite Police songs of all time, “Every Breathe You Take” and the dark and haunting “King of Pain.” Of course, the night would not be complete without fans expressing their approval and shouting for encores. Sting graciously accommodated with lovely renditions of “Desert Rose,” another fan favourite, and finally, “Fragile.”
The night was filled with one incredible moment and song after another. Most artists wish they could achieve one hit song in their lifetime, whereas Sting’s entire performance was like a best hits album from start to finish. We were reminded of his star power and musical gifts, which have won Sting an astonishing seventeen Grammys and countless other awards and accolades. A career and life reserved for kings and queens but bestowed on a simple, kind, and humble Englishman from the Northeast end of Wallsend, England. And for one night, we were his lucky students as he once again took up his old teaching job, educating us on his life’s journey alongside our beloved SF Symphony. Nothing short of magical!
For more info on SF Symphony go to: www.sfsymphony.org
For more info on STING go to: www.sting.com
Russians
Every Breathe You Take
