Sting cancels Suikerrock performance due to thunderstorms...

On the third day of the Tienen city festival Suikerrock, a thunderstorm broke out over Tienen during Sting's closing concert last night, accompanied by heavy rain and wind. Sting was forced to cancel his performance just before midnight—about twenty minutes earlier than scheduled. According to organizer Walter Kestens, the festival infrastructure sustained minimal damage. There were no injuries.

It looked like the perfect evening, with performances before a nearly packed Grote Markt by Opposites, James Morrison, Kaiser Chiefs, and finally Sting, who opened with a strong performance of "If I ever lose my faith in you" and Police songs like "Every little thing she does is magic."

When the first drops started to fall after five songs, Sting tried in vain to avert the storm with "Heavy cloud no rain," "Message in a bottle," and other songs that, despite the rain, continued to create a great atmosphere. After "Roxanne," however, Sting was forced to cancel due to the heavy rain and wind. Many spectators had already sought shelter for themselves by then.

The Kaiser Chiefs also delivered a highly acclaimed performance just before Sting. Hits like "Never Miss a Beat" and "Ruby" were belted out loud. Singer Ricky Wilson delivered a special moment during the closing number, "Oh My God," when he suddenly walked offstage and climbed onto a three-meter-high sales stand at the side of the festival grounds. From there, he listed his top five favorite bands, going from 5th to 1st: Pink Floyd, Oasis, The Beatles, Sting - he urged everyone waiting in the wings to chant Sting's name - and finally, of course, the Kaiser Chiefs.

(c) DEmorgen