Sting @ Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie, TX

If I told you I was going to see Gordon Sumner in concert, you would probably say, "Oh cool, he is a new artist?"  But if I told you I was going to see Sting at Verizon Theatre, you would most definitely say, "That's awesome!" or "I'm jealous!"  The 65-years young Englishman was touring the States alongside the release of his latest effort, 57th & 9th.  This was his first stop in the DFW area since his headlining set for the College Football Playoffs Playlist Live! at the American Airlines Center.  That set was chock-full of The Police songs, only performing three solo songs (three out of thirteen, to be exact).  While the show at Verizon was more Sting-centric, it was an absolute clinic on how to put on an excellent show without all the glitz and glam of modern-day production and rely solely on musicianship.

Many in attendance had not made it to their seats by time eight o'clock rolled around and the early crowd got a nice treat when Sting grace the Verizon stage solo to acoustically perform, "Heading South of the Great North Road".  He returned no less than an hour later with his full band and jumped into "Synchronicity II".  Even at 65, Sting is the consummate performer.  His voice was smooth yet powerful and he never missed a note on bass.  Sting and company performed seven songs from 57th & 9th, but the crowd responded emphatically to the classic Police songs.  "Message in a Bottle" and "Roxanne" brought the crowd to their feet, singing in unison to two of the most recognized and beloved songs of the last century.  Sting even infused some lyrics from Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" into set-closing "Roxanne", only to come full-circle and end the song with the repetitive lyrics of "Roxanne!  (...put on the red light)".  Not to be outdone, Sting finished the first encore with my personal favorite, "Every Breath You Take".  One more song was in store as the band came out for a second encore and performed 59th & 7th's concluding song, "The Empty Chair".  I can't overstate how lively, yet punctual this show was.  Photos of the show are below:


enjoy.
Sting @ Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie, TX Sting @ Verizon Theatre, Grand Prairie, TX Reviewed by Scott Rowe, Editor on February 27, 2017 Rating: 5
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