May 19:20:22: Sting

May 19:20:22: Sting

Alright, Tony Price is here to talk about a true legend gracing the Red Rocks stage for a multi-night run! We're talking about Sting, and he had a rare three-night stand at Red Rocks from Monday, May 19th, to Tuesday, May 20th, and then again on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025. That's a lot of Sting, and apparently, demand was so high they even added that third show!

The weather for mid-to-late May in Colorado can be a bit variable, but for a seasoned pro like Sting, a little chill or even a bit of a breeze wouldn't deter the show. He's played Red Rocks before – in fact, he reportedly mentioned it was his fourteenth appearance on that very stage during the May 20th show!

Sting was on his "STING 3.0" tour, which is a unique format: just him, longtime guitarist Dominic Miller, and dynamic drummer Chris Maas (who apparently is an absolute beast!). This stripped-down, power-trio lineup was designed to evoke the raw energy reminiscent of The Police's early days, bringing new life to both Police classics and his solo hits.

Reviews for these shows, particularly the May 20th performance, highlight a strong sense of nostalgia and a master at work. Sting, at 73, was clad in an all-black cargo jumpsuit (collar popped, of course!) and effortlessly feathered the strings of his bass.

The shows reportedly kicked off with "Message in a Bottle," setting the stage for a night of hits. Fans were immediately enthralled, clapping along and singing the "sending out an S.O.S." refrain. It was described as having a vibe "akin to a Dead show populated by salesmen and stay-at-home moms from the 1980s." This tour was all about the hits, and the audience happily sang along, participating in call and response with the legendary artist.

He delved into his solo work like "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" and "Englishman in New York," which apparently really hyped the largely Boomer crowd. Police hits like "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" had fans on their feet dancing. There were even charming, personal anecdotes, like Sting telling the audience about his "little house in the English countryside" (more like a castle!) and inviting them for tea if they were ever near Stonehenge. How cool is that?

Now, if I have to put on my "Tony's Nuance Detector" hat, there were a few common threads in the online chatter. While the overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive about Sting's performance itself – his voice was described as "impeccable" and "spot on," his playing "beautiful," and the band "flawless" and "spot on" – there were some audience etiquette concerns that popped up. A few folks on Reddit complained about excessive talking and cell phone usage (FaceTiming, endless selfies) during the show, which apparently detracted from the experience for those trying to truly immerse themselves in the music. Some theorized that many attendees were "collecting experiences" rather than being pure "music fans," which is a shame.

Also, for the Monday, May 19th show, it was noted that it was quite cold, with Sting even shaking out and rubbing his hands – proving even legends feel the chill at Red Rocks! Some online comments also mentioned that while his voice was great, the overall "vibe" or "qi" of the music felt a bit "sluggish" or "plodding" to some, although others found it "more mellow" and still great. It seems perception of the tempo might have varied by individual taste.

Overall, Sting's three-night residency at Red Rocks in May 2025 was a massive success, a testament to his timeless catalog and enduring talent. He delivered a powerful, hit-filled set with his tight power trio, reminding everyone why he's a true icon. Despite some audience distractions for a few folks, the majority seemed to have a fantastic and nostalgic experience in that iconic setting. Tony Price, signing off – "Every little thing he does is magic!" (Even if some people won't stop talking through it!)