Sting [News]

Sting Played at the Olimpiyski Sports Center in Moscow

On June 4 night, Sting played at the Olimpiysky Sports Center in the only Moscow show of his World Tour 2001.

The show was a success; there can be no doubt about it. Despite the dense touring schedule, Sting was in excellent form, again doing justice to all rapturous opinions of his talent. Immaculate vocal performance was followed by his bass guitar ad-libs that gave the new fresh sound to his old hits. Every detail of the concert was a delight, starting with a sudden imitation of burning torches when he sang Desert Rose, to the Russian “spasibo” the British guest cheered up the public.

It is worth noting that the playlist was very well planned. The songs from his latest album Brand New Day were interspersed with earlier hits from his and The Police’s repertoire. The thankful public’s delight grew with each number. The show opened with A Thousand Years, and there could never be a better starter. Sting picked up Fragile as the final song, for which he soloed at the acoustic guitar.

The venue was also selected very well. After his first gig in Moscow in March 1996 Sting admitted that he had been somewhat disappointed with the public’s reservation in the Kremlin Palace. That was the reason why this time he chose to play at the Olimpiysky, and he didn’t go wrong. Sincere vivacity of the dancing pit, just a couple of steps from the stage, and the stands crowded to the top with no vacant seats added to the show’s inspiration.

The entire event had only one annoyance, the duration of the show itself. The 90-minute set flew in one go, and it was sad to realize that the show was over. And even when the final echoes of the encored Fragile ceased, and Sting and his band took his final bows, the public was reluctant to leave. The applause went on and on. It took the public some time to adjust, and the people finally left, keeping their impressions and warm reminiscences.

Well, we can only hope that Sting’s next visit to Russia will not have to wait for the long five years, and we’ll soon be lucky to see the legendary singer at the Moscow stage again.

01.06.2001