Sting 3.0 Shines at Cardiff Castle A Masterclass in Timeless Talent

Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, 28th July 2025

IMAGES / WORDS DAVID BROOME

Sting

I have heard that getting into Cardiff on the day of a big event can be a bit tricky - so I left early. No such problem this evening though, happily the drive was a breeze, and I found myself getting on site just as the gates opened. The event in question was Sting at Cardiff Castle. There is a series of events at the castle throughout the summer. It’s a beautiful setting for the any outdoor concert but for Sting’s 3.0 offering, it’s just about perfect. The weather wasn’t quite the wall-to-wall sunshine we have had recently in the UK but it was at least dry and warm.

Including Sting, there are three acts to enjoy. Sophie Grey kicks off the proceedings around 6:45,and makes quite an appearance. She strolls on stage and plants a sign next to the mic stand which says “Sophie Grey Live in the United Kingdom”. Sophie has the appearance of a digitally generated pop star. She has created an electro persona to accompany her electro-pop sound. The communication mode is mostly electronic too via a digi-pad that announces to the crowd pre-recorded messages. She is the perfect popstar for the AI era. The songs are strong and radio-friendly. There’s also a cover of Georg Michael’s Fast Love which goes down well with those that were keen enough to arrive early.

Next up are The Lilacs. “We’ve travelled from Wigan”, frontman Olie Anglesea says to the crowd. I think it’s more a statement of identity than a request for sympathy for the distance they’ve travelled. Think The Libertines brand of guitar-pop. Cheeky-Chappy, energetic and upbeat. They deliver a set of strong indie-pop songs. Anglesea is a great frontman, throughout the set there’s plenty of interaction with the crowd. This is a band enjoying every second of doing what they’re doing. “We have the best job in the world”, they said after recently playing the Isle of Wight festival. And it shows.

By the time Sting comes on (15 minutes early), the sun has started to drop, it’s not quite dark but it’s getting there. Sting 3.0 flashes across the giant screens and the drums kick in, then the unmistakable riff of Message in a Bottle booms, the great man strides on to the stage and starts to sing. He doesn’t really need to; everyone knows every word. My guess this is a crowd for whom Sting has written their life soundtrack. For me, this is a pretty special moment too. I never saw The Police, even though I loved them as a teenager. I missed them first time round and even missed the reunion tour in 2007. Neither have I seen him solo, before this evening.

This is a bit shallow (given his incredible musical talent) but he looks incredible. Sting is 73 but looks no different to when he was 40! He has such a stage presence; a lifetime of performing has created someone who truly “owns” a stage. He has abandoned a static mic and mic stand combo, instead preferring an over-the-ear roaming mic. This gives him the freedom to strut around and interact with all the crowd more freely. The other thing that has gone is a large backing band. This is a three-piece Sting show. Intentional or not, it’s a throwback to The Police. Guitarist Dominic Miller even looks like a morph of Andy Summers and Stuart Copeland. Obviously, they’re incredible musicians in their own right. Sting could have the pick of any session player, so he picks the best. “There’s nowhere to hide for a three-piece” he has recently said, and he’s right.

The setlist has a bit of everything, old and new, Police tracks and solo ones. There are crowd pleasers galore, enough to keep everyone engaged and more than satisfied. Every Little Thing She Does is Magic, Englishman in New York, Every Breath you Take, If I ever Lose my Faith in You. Fields of Gold is especially good. The stunning guitar work to play the riff and most of the background instruments all at once. Sting isn’t afraid to throw in a lesser-known track too. Mad About You gets played together with a lengthy introduction, explaining the song is inspired by the biblical story of David and Bathsheba.

Some aging rock stars struggle with vocals. Sting doesn’t. Maybe it’s his healthy lifestyle but his voice sounds as good today as it ever has. He is an amazing bass player too, something I have never really appreciated before. Effortlessly singing while playing complex basslines. How do you do that?

As the evening comes to an end, the sun has properly set and the castle is lit up a bluey-purple. The shows concludes with Roxanne and a stripped back version of Fragile. It’s a beautiful way to end the gig. Sting, a musician, a rock star, a songwriter, a campaigner, dare I say a National Treasure? Surely a knighthood is just around the corner .. arise Sir Sting and please, please keeping doing what you do best for many years to come.

SET LIST

1/ Message in a Bottle

(The Police song)

2/ Englishman in New York

3/ Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

(The Police song)

4/ If You Love Somebody Set Them Free

5/ If I Ever Lose My Faith in You

6/ Fields of Gold

7/ Brand New Day

8/ Heavy Cloud No Rain

9/ Shape of My Heart

(including part of Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD)

10/ Why Should I Cry for You?

11/ All This Time

12/ Walking on the Moon

(The Police song)

13/ So Lonely

(The Police song) (With snippet from No Woman No Cry)

14/ Desert Rose

15/ King of Pain

(The Police song) (with Joe Sumner)

16/ Every Breath You Take

(The Police song) (with Joe Sumner)

Encore:

17/ Roxanne

(The Police song)

18/ Fragile

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