Sting Returns to Cardiff Castle with a Stripped-Back, Soulful Set...
    

Two years after his last visit, Sting returned to Cardiff Castle with his Sting 3.0 tour a tighter, stripped-back setup that put the focus firmly on the music. And with a warm summer night, a packed-out crowd, and a setlist full of hits, the 73-year-old proved once again that he’s still got it.

Opening the evening was Sophie Grey, whose futuristic, cyber-pop solo set brought something a little different to the castle stage. With quirky outfits, and space traveling energy from the first note, she had the early crowd on their feet and set the tone for a genre-hopping evening.

Next up were The Lilacs, fresh from the Isle of Wight Festival. The Hull-based indie band brought a big, northern energy and weren’t afraid to laugh at themselves, joking that the older crowd might not know who they were but that they were there to put on a show.

Sound-wise, they sit somewhere between early Arctic Monkeys and The Stone Roses, punchy, nostalgic, and full of swagger. Frontman Ollie Anglesea even shared a moment involving a bee sting while talking to Sting himself, which got a good laugh from the crowd. They closed their set with Vicarage Road, leaving the crowd buzzing ahead of the main act and we’ll definitely keep our eye and ears open when they return to Cardiff again.

Sting took to the stage slightly ahead of schedule, launching straight into Message in a Bottle and If You Love Somebody Set Them Free, getting the crowd singing along from the off. Backed only by long-time guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas, this three-piece setup gave the show a more intimate, live-band feel — less production, more musicianship.

Looking relaxed and sounding as smooth as ever, Sting’s voice was in top form — soulful, sharp, and completely effortless. Between songs, he shared stories and observations, including a moment where he pointed out the seagulls circling above the castle, joking that they reminded him of home.

The setlist spanned his solo work and Police classics, with highlights including Englishman in New York, Desert Rose, Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, and a powerful singalong to Fields of Gold. He closed the night with Roxanne and a beautifully stripped-back Fragile, lit by soft stage lights against the castle backdrop.

For a man who’s been performing for over four decades, Sting still plays with purpose and passion. The audience a mix of lifelong fans and younger listeners were with him every step of the way. A timeless voice, a timeless setting, and a show that proves age is absolutely no barrier when you’ve still got this much class.

(c) It's On Cardiff

Sting at Cardiff Castle: Rocker's touching tribute to father as he returns to land of song...

The 73-year-old rocker played some of his biggest career hits in the capital on Saturday night

Sting paid a touching tribute to his late father as he rolled back the years with a performance full of his career’s biggest hits in front of a packed Cardiff Castle crowd.

Walking onto the stage about 15 minutes ahead of schedule, wearing skinny black jeans, a printed t-shirt and sparkling bracelets, the former The Police frontman proved that, even at the age of 73, he had not slowed down at all, opening with a rousing rendition of Message In A Bottle that set the tone for the evening.

Addressing the crowd, the Wallsend rocker, whose real name is Gordon Sumner, recalled how he had performed at the historic venue two years ago in 2023, describing Wales as the “land of song”.

This time, returning with his Sting 3.0 tour, he came armed with a set full of classics, including the much-loved Englishman In New York, Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, Fields of Gold and Every Breath You Take.

But it was his performance of his 1978 The Police hit Can’t Stand Losing You which received the most passionate response by the rocker’s Welsh following, which he acknowledged: 'You probably know this one better than me'.

His engagement with the crowd was great throughout, at one point joking: “We are in Cardiff. You guys can sing, I know that.”

The most poignant moment of the evening was when Sting dedicated Why Should I Cry For You? to his late father, recalling how he would tell him “son, go see the world”.

“This is a song for my daddy,” he told the crowd.

The star also made sure to recognise the work of those behind him, stating “a band is only as good as the drummer”. He described one drum solo from Chris Maas as his favourite part of the set as he just “gets to listen to the drummer playing the songs.”

Saving one of his best until last, he sent the crowd home happy by performing Roxanne during his encore, before finishing on Fragile.

Sting's performance in Cardiff proved what a timeless performer he is, now four decades into his music career. He has a timeless classic voice which is undeniable, and the mix of young and old in the crowd shows that despite his advancing years, his performances and songs have transcended generations.

Sting heads to Luxembourg on Tuesday and will then perform around Europe, but he will be back in the UK at Latitude Festival on Friday, July 25. 

(c) Wales Online by Robert Dalling