A near-perfect performance...

Sting kicked things off with "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You". It was full steam ahead from the start, and the band clearly showed what capacities they have.

"Englishman In New York" got the sing-along going. From there on out, there were well-known hits from both the Police and his solo career. Sting also found room for a cover as a nod to his colleague Paul Simon.

Although the songs were initially familiar, the band dressed them up in interesting arrangements. We were often just as much at a jazz club as at a pop concert.

Sting gave his musicians a lot of leeway. Drum guru Vinnie Colaiuta in particular made a boundless effort with his sticks. Rocking versions of "Message In A Bottle" and other classics made a nice contrast to softer songs like "Fields Of Gold".

There aren't many veterans who still show such joy in playing and a willingness to explore new angles on their own song material. Sting took the difficult path. Helped by a band that is one of the most musically educated to have visited the south of Norway in a while.

The main character himself sang convincingly, and clearly showed his indisputable qualities as a bass player. This could have been a boring jousting match, but instead became a music festival like no other.

(c) KRS24 by Trond Marius Martinsen