Sting routine...

Almost six months after his original visit to Ahoy, Sting finally returned to the Netherlands this week for two concerts. The former singer and bassist of The Police made up for lost time (a throat infection sidelined him for several weeks at the time) in a routine and solid manner, without any real excitement in Rotterdam.

Sting's (53) latest album is already over a year old and largely inspired by life, feelings, and thoughts after September 11, 2001. On 'Sacred Love,' Gordon Sumner, Sting's real name, addresses fear, hope, and above all, love. A large part of his performance at Ahoy was dedicated to Sting's latest (and tenth) solo album.

'Send Your Love' and 'Inside,' both from that album, were the opening tracks, followed immediately by 'Synchronicity II,' an oldie by The Police. Accompanied by his seven-piece, well-oiled band, Sting delivered what was expected of him, but unfortunately, there was just that little something extra missing that can sometimes give concerts that magical added value.

The connection with the audience was certainly there at times. During "Fragile," for example, which couldn't have been more fitting on the day Theo van Gogh was murdered. But especially during the newer works, the sold-out Ahoy' remained rather aloof. Perhaps to let the message of a song like "Dead Man's Rope," with its theme of death, sink in, but it's more likely that people had simply come to Rotterdam for the hits. Like "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," Sting's only number one hit in the Netherlands (with The Police, admittedly) from 1981, which played early in the evening. Or "Englishman In New York," where Sting actually put on a bit of a show and encouraged the audience to sing along. For the duet "Whenever I Say Your Name," one of his backup singers stepped into the role of Mary J. Blige, who sang the track for the CD, and Sting and she performed the song hand in hand.

There were moments when there was a bit of a stir in Ahoy, which is always welcome at a concert. All in all, it was a solid performance by the British pop star, who was in excellent voice and did what he was supposed to. Perhaps understandable for an artist who has been touring for almost a year straight, but as a fan, you always hope for that little bit extra.

(c) De Telegraaf