The superstar headlining residency shows of the modern era of Las Vegas entertainment are known as well-built spectacles, with artists and venues collaborating to create major productions with all the high-tech bells and whistles imaginable. Still, it always come down to the music, and that’s especially true of Sting’s aptly titled My Songs residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, returning for six concerts in April.
The 17-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter crafted an utterly satisfying setlist for his Vegas show, pulling hits from his days in The Police and as a genre-jumping solo artist. His veteran band and the regal environment at the Colosseum ensures every note resonates as crisply as the first time you heard “Fields of Gold” or “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.”
“I think people come to Vegas to hear the songs they know and love. That’s comforting for everyone,” Sting said in an interview with me for Las Vegas Weekly after debuting the show in 2021. “But I also demand people listen to something that’s new, so I tried two songs last night from the new album, just to test the water. As the (show) progresses, I will introduce more and more. It’s hard to introduce new material, but you have to take the plunge.”
When you’re a star of Sting’s magnitude with one of the most recognizable and beloved catalogs in pop music, it’s not difficult to take that plunge. The Ivors Academy, the United Kingdom’s professional association for songwriters and composers, recently announced Sting will be the latest songwriter to receive its highest honor of Academy Fellow at a ceremony in London in May. He will be the 23rd Fellow inducted in the group’s 79-year history, joining the likes of Paul McCartney, Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush.
Even more recently, Sting has released a digital-only expanded edition of his fourth solo album, Ten Summoner’s Tales, the 1993 release that gave the world “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,” “Fields of Gold” and “Shape of My Heart.” The 27-track edition features the dozen originals plus bonus tracks, b-sides, remixes and live versions.
“Shape Of My Heart” gets a particular intimate treatment at Caesars Palace, to which fans can compare the album version, recorded live in Codroipo, Italy, 30 years ago. Few artists have this kind of longevity; Sting’s music truly qualifies as timeless.
It’s just one of the qualities that make him an ideal headliner. He has as many unforgettable hits as any other artist who has graced this stage, but even dedicated fans might not expect the vigor and passion with which their favorite songs are performed. And Sting’s soulful voice is well complemented by dynamic visual effects that somehow add to the emotional pull already attached to the music.
“I wanted the show to be authentic to me and who I am, but the way the show is presented, it’s a spectacular,” he said. “The state-of-the-art visuals are something Vegas audiences will love, but it’s also me, and they hear the story of my life through these songs. Having that visual context changes them slightly, it makes them grow a little bit.”
Caesars Palace, 8 p.m. April 1-2, 5 & 7-9, starting at $56. ticketmaster.com
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