Sting didn't really rock...

Is it really bad for a musician when his fans prefer to hear only the big hits at concerts? Probably. But professionals can handle it, and superstar Sting didn't let it bother him in the slightest on Friday night in the arena. He started by playing quite a few songs from his latest album, "Sacred Love" – which aren't yet classics of pop history (and probably won't be) – before giving the approximately 11,000 people in the sold-out arena what they clearly really wanted: the magnificent songs from his decades-long career.

Perhaps the fact that practically no one moved to the music for almost an hour, and that even among those who had fought their way to the front row, only a handful clapped along, is also misleading: Perhaps the audience listened not only politely, but with interest and attention to songs like 'Send Your Love,' 'Inside,' 'Dead Man's Rope,' or 'Sacred Love.' That would have at least been worthwhile, because it goes without saying that an exceptional musician of Sting's stature only plays with other great musicians.

Perhaps it's also because the fans have naturally grown older with the 'Englishman' in his early 50s – and their enthusiasm simply doesn't manifest itself so easily in the body anymore. But at some point, it did: During the particularly long version of 'Roxanne,' during 'Every Breath You Take,' or 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,' most people were dancing in a "remember those days?" mood.

Perhaps shows choreographed down to the last lighting effect aren't particularly conducive to a lively concert experience: When songs are accompanied by videos of strangely styled women playing with hula hoops or hot strippers, there's certainly something to see even for those sitting far away from the stage – but the spontaneity that live music is supposed to be all about is lost, after all, everything is meticulously coordinated. And you wonder if the man in the chic black suit needs such sleek designer shows – and if the audience, after paying €50.60 for the tickets, really wants to see something like that.

Most of them certainly didn't seem dissatisfied as they left the venue after almost two hours. But a concert that rocks is something else entirely.

(c) NRZ Online by Monika Idems