In Berlin, Sting chats in German between songs...

On the "My Songs" tour at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, Sting leads a tour of his work. The title says it all.

From the very first bars, it's clear: This concert has the potential to storm the top ten in this year's live event charts. This is certainly confirmed by the mega-hit "An Englishman in New York," fuelled by cascades of drums. It's just the fourth track on the evening's setlist.

Global star Sting does us the honour of stopping by the sold-out Mercedes-Benz Arena on his "My Songs" tour. The title says it all: A best-of Sting and Police classics, none of which are younger than twenty years old.

After all, Sting himself is now 68 years old. Although time seems to have passed him by without a trace. Wiry and fit in a T-shirt and jeans, he looks as sexy as ever. Retirees can do other things; he is and remains a rock star.

Sting takes the audience on a journey through time. He chats in German. He begins by telling the stories behind the songs. But first, there's a "Good evening." And that he injured his shoulder and can't play guitar and bass, but can sing.

He then tells how he was inspired to sing "Roxanne" in Paris, back at the beginning of his career with the Police. And the evening begins with a rocking, contemporary version of the hit. Followed by the as grand as it is indestructible "Message in a Bottle," the trio's ultimate breakthrough in the late 1970s.

Born as Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in the northeast of England, he has been in the business for over five decades. As a solo artist since the mid-1980s. Long since a living legend.

Fortunately, Sting doesn't overdo it with the anecdotes. But he's also a musician, not a chatterbox. That's a good thing. The performance focuses entirely on the music and is understated. With stunning lighting and two rather modest screens.

As is typical of Sting, he doesn't simply play his hits live as they appear on the albums, but with a new sound. This time, he interprets his songs with a typical rock line-up: guitars, bass, and drums. Plus keyboards, background vocals, and harmonica. This creates powerful yet delicate arrangements that combine rock, funk, soul, reggae, and jazzy, even world music influences.

Often used indiscriminately, the term "exceptional artist" applies to Sting like few others. Over 100 million records are eloquent proof. Musically, Sting has repeatedly reinvented himself over the years. Yet he has remained a rock musician. He has ventured into jazz and Renaissance music, written the musical "The Last Ship," and toured with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Hardly anyone is as diverse as he is, and has won as many awards. Sting is, among other things, a 17-time Grammy winner. He won six of the coveted trophies with the Police and eleven as a solo artist.

Given his illustrious career, it's clear that the evening is also rich in highlights and favourite songs. In fact, there are no others by him anyway. The gentle version of "Fields of Gold" is exquisite. As is the hopeful "Brand New Day."

With his unmistakable voice, Sting refines his dreamy melodies, which are impossible to resist. "Shape of My Heart" is one of those songs that lingers in your heart for a long time. As is the fabulous song "Desert Rose," with its oriental throat-singing intro. The hall is absolutely captivated.

The Police classics are especially rocking. Like "Walking on the Moon," which Sting seamlessly transitions into Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up." Or "So Lonely." Then the entire arena sings along.

There wasn't a single hit that Sting didn't perform that evening. The concert ended, as always, with "Fragile." Being in the top ten wasn't enough.

(c) Berliner Morgenpost by Ulrike Borowczyk