Riaan Wolmarans Every little thing he did was magic. Or at least a crafty illusion, but it really appeared as if he didn’t mind singing Every Breath You Take for the umpteenth time. The audience certainly didn’t mind – Sting’s performance at the MTN Sundome on September 24 was anything but tedious. It makes a world of difference when an artist obviously loves and enjoys every single song he performs. This was already the case with Vusi Mahlasela who performed as the opening act, apparently by personal decree of Sting himself. Maybe the (mostly white) audience didn’t know all his songs – reacting most favourably to his cover of Bright Blue’s Weeping – but it’s hard not to enjoy The Voice of Soweto’s sublimely smooth yet funky music and his almost avuncular stage personality. And then Sting came on and, for the next two hours or so, Johannesburg was treated to a world-class performance. Backed by a six-piece band, he performed tracks off his latest album, Brand New Day, as well as the full array of his old hits, both from his own career and from his Police days. He is fascinating to watch on stage. He puts all his energy into every single track, and combined with the sexiness he exudes with every move, it had the audience captivated. Even though one knew all the songs he performed, it was never a case of hearing the song you’ve heard on the top 20. Reinvention is, after all, what saves an artist from the discount CD shelf.
A few crafty alterations and a handful of musical surprises made old songs sound new and exciting. His drummer popped out from behind his drum kit and turns out to be a lively French rapper, too. He injected a deep, resounding beat into Bourbon Street and transforms it from a sweet song into a solid, in-your-face effort; added a trumpet to give songs a fresh, jazzy edge. And he didn’t hog the spotlight either, allowing his talented band members, such as the proficient guitarist, to step forward and show their worth. While Sting does not need fireworks, flashy dancers and fancy lights to keep an audience interested, the stage was still impressive, with strips of linen hanging from the back and patterned lighting playing on these – until, just after halfway through the show, these strips dropped away, leaving a rather big and bland white rectangle for the remainder of the show. He might not have the rage of Skunk Anansie or the sheer on-stage power of Prodigy, but this is one Englishman worth seeing every time he comes to visit.