As I began writing about the Sting concert that saw this past Sunday, I started to reflect on how I really need to appreciate how fortunate to get these opportunities

The show took place at the newly renamed  Rebel.  (aka The Sound Academy, but really The Docks to most people)

It was a beautiful Sunday in March in Toronto and it was hard to believe that Sting was playing such a small venue.

A beautiful Sunday afternoon in Toronto

One of many great thing from working the VIP events is that I get to spent time with some great people (shout out to you Corser) and see things that most  concerts don’t get to see. In the case of Sting, it was a private sound check for less than 100 people.

Sting came out in very casual jeans and hoddie and performed for over 30 min with songs and conversation to the very intimate crowd. Think the old Muchmusic show   Intimate and Interactive.

He sounded incredible and gave little stories about how his songs came to be. He looked like someone who loved what he was doing and was enjoying his time on stage with the small crowd.

For this tour Sting was supported on this show his son, Joe Sumner and the band Last Bandoleros  Both openers joined Sting during his set as well. I should also say that during the  Last Bandoleros set, Sting joined them onstage to play some tambourine and sing backup. I am pretty sure that at 70% of the crowd didn’t even notice.

This show was very different, then the one he co-headlined with Peter Gabriel this summer. No grand entrance or arena type lighting or visuals.

Although when you walk out to Synchroniciy ll, do you really need anything else.   Even though he has played stadiums and arenas  around the world, Sting seemed completely comfortable playing a venue of about 3000 people.

My favourite  song from the night, had to be the classic Fields of Gold, which he never played at the summer show. It fit perfectly with the feel of the venue.

Now I will admit, I did leave early, being the only reason that Rebel is in the middle of nowhere, with almost zero transit and minimal cab service. So to avoid a hour plus wait, I headed out a bit early. I figured I saw the soundcheck so really I was seeing 2 Sting concerts that night

This was a great show to start what looks like is going to be a very busy and enjoyable year of concerts.

Sting at Rebel, Toronto, March 5 2017

4/5

Below is the Set List from the Toronto Show (even if I left before it finished)

Synchronicity II

Play Video

Spirits in the Material World

Englishman in New York

She’s Too Good for Me

I Can’t Stop Thinking About You

I Hung My Head

Fields of Gold

Down, Down, Down

Petrol Head

Shape of My Heart

Pretty Young Soldier

Message in a Bottle

Ashes to Ashes

(David Bowie cover) (with Joe Sumner)

50,000

Walking on the Moon

Play Video

So Lonely

Desert Rose

Roxanne

Encore:

Next to You

Every Breath You Take

Encore 2:

The Empty Chair