Sting performs twice at the National Auditorium...

British musician Sting performed for the second time last night at the National Auditorium, once again filling the venue with 10,000 fans who rallied around him in just over an hour and a half.

Fans, mostly from the "old guard," welcomed the charismatic Sting on his return to Mexico for a concert that covered his hits throughout a four-decade career, as well as his album 57th & 9th, which kicked off his tour.

At around 8:30 p.m., the show began with a solo set by his son, Joe Sumner, with guitar in hand. The band The Last Bandoleros joined in later, warming up the crowd and joining the band that supported Sting.

The idol emerged at 9:25 p.m. and was seen without much fanfare, having shown his support for the missing Ayotzinapa student teachers on the debut show; but for the second performance, he delivered a pure, heavy dose of rock. 

Dressed in black jeans and a dark gray T-shirt, he emerged with his inseparable, worn bass guitar, which bore the marks of time and wear, immediately playing "Synchronicity II" and "Spirits in the Material World" to revive the nostalgia of The Police.

The production was highlighted by a powerful light show that crossed the entire auditorium, focusing especially on the front of the proscenium, with the audience standing and the rest in their regular seats.

"I Can't Stop Thinking About You" and "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" were the first to captivate the audience, followed by "One Fine Day" and "She's Too Good for Me."

The ensemble, comprised of Sumner and The Last Bandoleros, excelled in their instrumental accompaniment, also featuring “Fields of Gold,” “Down, Down, Down,” and “Shape of My Heart,” one of the most beloved of the evening, while some accordion meowing thrilled the skin.

With spirits high, “Message in a Bottle” continued, while the audience jumped and applauded. There was a moving moment when his son sang “Ashes to Ashes” by the late rocker David Bowie, before giving way to his father with the endearing “So Lonely” by his ancestral trio. 

The masterclass in sound seemed set to culminate with the hit "Roxanne" and "Ain't no Sunshine"; but as the British vocalist and his band said their goodbyes, they shared a few more songs: "Next to You" and (of course!) "Every Breath You Take," provoking unison screams in a general ecstasy, and closing with "Fragile."

The audience left satisfied, leaving a melancholy aura; they looked at the faithful fans of yesteryear as well as some young new wave fans, who were recharged by Sting's magic on stage just after 11:00 PM. Mission accomplished!

(c) Procesco