Sting, the screams, and the velvet...

A two-hour stroll through a repertoire that borrows from both the Police and his solo albums, a packed Zenith: a successful concert for Sting Friday night at the Zenith.

In the same way that we will always demand 'Satisfaction' from the Rolling Stones, we demand from Sting the saws from the Police period. Fifteen, or even twenty (soon) years of age for the most precious nuggets of the repertoire. A few years ago, the English schoolmaster would eye his audience with an annoyed air when anyone dared ask him for rehash of his trio exploits.

The artist's temperament has softened as his hair thinned: Friday night at the Zenith, Sting opted for a succulent salad composed of excerpts from an (already) long career. There were the usual howls at the opening thick chords of 'Roxanne' and the bouncy rhythms of 'Every Breath You Take', the jumps of the crowd at 'If You Love Somebody Set Them Free', and the lighters lit for 'Fragile'.

Highlighted by a brilliant and understated ensemble (a constant since the Englishman's solo debut), fond of arrangements bordering on improvisation, the former blondie delivered a balanced performance. As an appetizer, the quiet subtleties of the last album, 'Let Your Mind Free Your Soul' and all that. Then the build-up to the syncopated Police, a best-of from which we'll also extract 'Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic' before the farewell 'Fragile'.

Speaking in a French that the fairer sex invariably finds delightful, the star even indulged in the ritual of inviting three of his fans from the front row onto the stage for a hesitant but good-natured chorus. Professional to the tips of his nails, handsome and also friendly: what more could the crowd have asked for? Perhaps a duet with Noa at the end, a luxurious opening act that received a warm welcome like never before.

(c) Sud Ouest