Live Review: Paul Simon & Sting

Tonight we experienced two legendary musicians that have moved from their collaborative groups to become solo musicians with enormous success. The diminutive and charismatic Paul Simon matched with the yoga-fit and perennially young Sting are an inspirational pairing. Once living as neighbours in New York, they now share their music and comradery with the world. Starting with a trio of tunes, Brand New Day, The Boy in the Bubble and Fields Of Gold, sung by both, we were then treated to a tag team of sets from each artist.

Sting’s sets combined The Police classics, such as Driven To Tears, Roxanne and Walking On The Moon with his solo work, Seven Days, Hounds Of Winter and Desert Rose. With an on-trend scruffy beard and simple T-shirt, Sting had the ladies swooning as he performed a truly memorable version of Message In A Bottle. Needless to say there were some people (this reviewer included) overwhelmed by the performance.

In comparison to Sting’s rocking sets, Paul Simon went about touching the hearts of the crowd, giving us beautiful versions of Dazzling Blue, That Was Your Mother and Hearts And Bones. His boppier numbers, Graceland, Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard and You Can Call Me Al inspired the sold out arena to stand and hand dance in time.

The collaborative songs of Fragile, Mrs Robinson and The Boxer were the highlights of the sho. Sting’s voice carried strongly as the pair finished the main set with Bridge Over Troubled Water. Special mention must be made to the incredibly talented 15-piece band with instruments ranging from tuba to triangle, bongos to violin all adding stunning solos.

This was truly a show for the ages and a rare opportunity to see two artists together that have helped shape music on this planet.