ARCHIVE/Madrid 2023

Sting

Date: 15 DecVenue: Madrid

Sting played Starlite Occident Madrid on Friday, December 15, 2023, the second night of the first edition. He was the first artist confirmed for the line-up and his tickets sold out within hours.

The first name on the bill

Sting’s concert was announced in June 2023, when the first edition of Starlite Occident Madrid was presented. It was the first confirmation of the line-up: a stop on the My Songs world tour, the show that revisits the British musician’s best-known songs, both with The Police and as a solo artist, backed by an electric rock band. That announcement already named Joe Sumner as the guest artist. Sandra García-Sanjuán, president of the festival and of Fundación Starlite, explained at the time why the festival was making the move to the capital: “We have wanted to bring the DNA of Starlite Occident to Madrid for many years.” The night of December 15 was rounded off by Juan Magán’s session in the lounge area after the concert.

From “Message in a Bottle” to “Roxanne”

At 72, in a plain short-sleeved T-shirt and in top shape, Sting opened with “Message in a Bottle” and went through his most emblematic songs: “Englishman in New York”, “Every Breath You Take”, “Desert Rose” and “Fields of Gold”, closing with “Roxanne”. His son Joe Sumner was the opening act. The singer, winner of 17 Grammy Awards, showed he remains one of the best-loved artists in Spain: the Starlite Occident Madrid auditorium, with room for more than 7,000 people, was sold out just hours after tickets went on sale. The organisers also recalled the origin of the former teacher’s stage name: a black-and-yellow striped jumper that reminded a bandmate of a bee.

In the audience

The second night of the edition brought together musicians, actors and sports figures. Among those attending were David Summers, José María Cano, Alejo Stivel, Vicky Larraz, Marilia, Alfred García and David Otero; actors Paula Echevarría, Adrián Lastra, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Pastora Vega, Miriam Giovanelli and Pablo Carbonell; Esther Cañadas and Laura Escanes; former rider Fonsi Nieto and model Juan Betancourt, as well as Anne Igartiburu, Marta Flich, Pepe Navarro, Tony Aguilar, Dani Moreno “El Gallo”, businessman José Manuel Entrecanales and Chris Gardner. With Sting, Starlite Occident Madrid chalked up its second consecutive sell-out in a week that kept the same format every night: a concert in the auditorium, a food offering and an after party into the early hours.

Sting was the first artist to say yes to Starlite Occident Madrid and the first to sell out: his December 15, 2023 concert set the tone for the edition.

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