"Englishman" in Kiel: Sting's big performance in front of 20,000 fans at the SHMF...

The Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival offers more than just classical music. It invited British rock star Sting to Kiel on Saturday for the pre-opening concert. The 73-year-old played classics and new songs in front of 20,000 fans.

In perfect weather, the audience in front of the Nordmarksportfeld (North Mark Sports Field) waited for many hours before the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival concert. Finally, the "Englishman" greeted the Kiel audience with "Moin Kiel," immediately captivating many of the 20,000 fans, as well as all those who had made themselves comfortable in their camping chairs outside the venue.

After opening with the classic "Message in a Bottle" by his band "The Police," he played the new song "I wrote your name." This somewhat lost the rather reserved North German audience. Even though the 73-year-old musician played bass and sang live, it was only the old hits that really got the crowd going. Especially in the back of the concert hall, the good mood doesn't spill over during the first 45 minutes. But with "Englishman in New York" and "Fields of Gold," Sting finally wins everyone's hearts. You can see the effort he puts into it.

He has received 17 Grammys for his music throughout his career. Sting, as a member of the band "The Police," is inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame with the song "Roxanne." This is one of the reasons why the concert evening couldn't end without this song. In the end, the 20,000 attendees were reconciled with their "English Man" in Kiel. On Sunday, the Fantastischen Vier will play at the SHMF at Kiel's Nordmarksportfeld.

(c) NDR by Doreen Pelz

Sting in Kiel: Global Star on Autopilot...

He's one of the greats. Expectations for STING's concert at the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival were accordingly high – and yet, Sting's concert at the Nordmarksportfeld ultimately left mixed feelings.

Expectations were huge, the weather perfect, 20,000 people full of anticipation. And yet something was missing. First and foremost: proper accreditation. Because I wasn't out and about on behalf of KIELerleben that evening. No accreditation, no camera, no obligation – just the desire for music, for a live experience with a global star. The Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (SHMF) kindly offered me a spot on the guest list after STING's management canceled my ticket. So, I was able to experience the concert as a regular guest, along with friends and 20,000 other enthusiastic STING fans (some of them from the very beginning).

My anticipation grew. A concert I'd been looking forward to for months – in perfect summer weather, sold out, 20,000 people, Kiel in a state of emergency.

When Sting steps on stage, it's clear: This man is 73 – but fitter than many at 43. Upright, focused, precise. The sound is crystal clear, his band rehearsed down to the last detail. And then it starts: "Message in a Bottle," "If I Ever Lose My Faith in You," "So Lonely." My friends and I keep looking at each other: "Oh, that's his too?!"

The list of global hits seems endless. And indeed – whether with The Police or as a solo artist – Sting has co-written the soundtrack of several decades.

Musically, there's hardly anything to criticize: small rearrangements, powerful guitar licks, funky grooves – all world-class. But after a while, a feeling I hadn't expected began to creep in: Sting is here, but not really there. Hardly any interaction, no personal words, no stories. Just a "Moin Kiel!" at the beginning. No "Nice to be here," no anecdote, no moment where you feel close to him. A global star who performs flawlessly – but leaves the audience emotionally out of it?

I'm glad I was there. Honestly. It was big, loud, sunny, professional—and ultimately a bit detached. Perhaps too tightly scheduled, perhaps too routine. Maybe it was just one of many appointments in the calendar of a man who's long since experienced it all.

But: I saw STING live. I sang along to "Roxanne." And now I know how many of those songs belong to my own soundtrack.

(c) Kielerleben by Sebastian Schulten