STING

Sting needs no introduction; but what the heck let’s do it anyways. The Police were different from the punk bands crawling through the streets of London in the late 70’s. They were a little older, smarter and more savvy than the safety pinned punters looking to cause chaos and act out against a society that had shunned them. The Sting fronted band mixed the energy of punk with the grooves of ska, but, you know, played by white guys. However, these white guys are jazz aficionados whose ability influenced their sound. Anyone who has the seen the documentary on the band knows how contentious being in the Police could be.

By 1984, the band was done and everyone went on to do other things. This is generally when some folks fall off and others succeed, however in the case of the Police everyone went on to be successful in their own right. Andy Summers and Stuart Copeland have scored movies and continued playing on and off in bands. Only Sting went on to be in front of the movie camera, make music AND become a sexual super hero due to his interest in yoga and transcendental meditation. He is, apparently, the whole package and has been making hits ever since the Police disbanded.

57th and 9th, is Sting’s new album and his first rock album in thirteen years. He’s been playing more intimate shows in New York and recently in Paris at the Bataclan Theater; the sight of the shooting in November of 2015 that killed several audience members during an Eagles of Death Metal concert. The tour for 57th and 9th, has him touring with his son in his band Joe Sumner and The Last Bandoleros. This excursion has the bands playing not only arenas, but club and theater dates; which should prove to be very exciting for many people who have longed for the blonde, new-wave, yogi’s return to the stage. Appropriately, Sting is playing the Fillmore, which is probably the most intimate setting he is able to perform without keeping the dates a secret. The new album has more than a touch of alt-rock radio friendliness, which should prove to make some new fans out of people who were showing up to hear old hits.

Sting plays Fillmore Miami Beach on February 25, Doors are 8pm.
~ Tim Moffatt