Fans at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium got an extra treat during Sting’s set at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium when he brought Billy Joel out for a duet later on. Below are fan-shot clips from their performance!
This year, both musicians are performing one-night-only shows at Alamodome in San Antonio and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. CBS interrupted its live broadcast to present local news during their second duet together, prompting outrage on social media.
Opening Acts
On Saturday night at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium, Sting and Billy Joel began co-headlining shows together. Each legend performed solo before joining forces onstage for some duets.
At 72, Sting is still singing with strength and his signature tenor can still cut through a crowd roar. He modified keys and tempos of popular songs like Roxanne, “Message in a Bottle”, and “So Lonely”, making them sound vibrant and modern.
Halfway through his set, Sting invited Joel back out for a duet on “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” a song they first performed together at Madison Square Garden in 2014. Joel will likely join Sting again when they travel to Petco Park next Saturday for one-night-only concerts; further stops will include Alamodome in San Antonio and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas this October and November respectively.
Sting & Shaggy
Co-headliners Sting and Robert Plant make for an irresistibly perfect musical duo. Sting is a rock icon who boasts 17 Grammys. As one of the world’s best-selling artists, former Police frontman Sting topped charts with songs such as Every Breath You Take before receiving honorary CBE from Queen Elizabeth herself.
This pair melded their distinctive styles to create an album with roots in Jamaican genres, featuring 12 tracks featuring Sting’s crooned verses contrasting with Shaggy’s patois rapping, as well as shifting from rocksteady to bass heavy one taut drop reggae tempos.
44/876 features more than just its collaboration, however. Dancehall artist Aidonia delivers an energetic welcoming verse while sibling reggae band Morgan Heritage lends support on “Ain’t No Doubt”. Additionally, rapper Ice Cube joined in a Miami-themed crime drama song as they seek out a potentially dangerous woman on South Beach.
Sting & Joel
Tickets for both shows are on sale now. On Saturday in Tampa and later this year at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Sting infused classic songs such as “Roxanne,” “Message in a Bottle” and “Fields of Gold” with newfound energy and vibrancy, strategically extending tempos, key changes and arrangements on tracks like “Walking on the Moon” to create dynamic tension before providing relief through songs like “Waves”.
His outstanding bass playing was a stunning display of taste, precision and musicality that added another dimension to each song he performed – and remains one of the most engaging and popular live performers today.
Sting was in terrific voice, as ever, with his sharp sense of humor evident as soon as the opening chords of “Every Breath You Take” hit Petco Park and sang along to it with great enthusiasm – as Sting, ever the showman, added something extra: “San Diego, I’ll be watching you.” (You can watch fan-shot clips below.)
Sting & Jerry Seinfeld
Sting and Seinfeld joined forces for an amazing performance at Agua Caliente Resort and Spa near Palm Springs’ The Show theater with over 2,000 seats for their two-artist double bill, including R&B singer Toni Braxton.
Sting and Seinfeld made appearances at the casino showroom as part of a multi-show celebration to mark the 10-year anniversary of this 2,000-seat theater and entertainment venue. They entertained sold out audiences with performances of The Bridge’s “Big Man on Mulberry Street” as well as Police classic “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic.”
Sting and Kidjo both donned white attire and appeared to enjoy their time at The Show, known for attracting A-list celebrity guests. It marked his first performance at the venue since attending a benefit concert for David Lynch Foundation’s MEDITATE NEW YORK initiative back in October, featuring Katy Perry and Angelique Kidjo among others.