Attending high school in London in the early 80s, it was difficult not to be a fan of The Police (and hundreds of other great and influential bands), although I did not see Sting perform until 1988, when I was living in New York City after college.

So, when you are a Sting fan who has not seen him since 1991, and a colleague and friend invites you to his Miami concert, you jump for joy.

The story is that John was going with another colleague, but at the last minute, Sting had to cancel due to illness. Gentleman that he is, he rescheduled. Unfortunately, that other colleague could not make it, so I was invited instead!

The concert was at Miami’s Seminole Hard Rock Casino, which has a huge theater with crystal-clear sound.

Sting performed with his trusty sidekick, guitarist Dominic Miller, and the amazing drummer Chris Maas (who also played with Mumford & Sons)

The concert was a review of all his classic hits, with some lesser-known songs:

1. Message in a Bottle
2. I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart)
3. If I Ever Lose My Faith in You
4. Englishman in New York
5. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
6. Fields of Gold
7. Never Coming Home
8. Mad About You
9. Wrapped Around Your Finger
10. Driven to Tears
11. When We Dance
12. A Thousand Years
13. Can’t Stand Losing You
14. Shape of My Heart
15. Walking on the Moon
16. So Lonely
17. Desert Rose
18. King of Pain
19. Every Breath You Take
20. Roxanne
21. Fragile

Readers of this blog know that I now listen more to classical music than to pop, with the occasional exception of Van Morrison. So when the band played “Driven to Tears” as an instrumental (which was amazing), I mistook it for “When the World is Running Down (You Make the Most of What’s Still Around).” My bad. Am I ashamed? Yes, a little, but then again, I have not listened to these songs in decades!!

So, if you get a chance to see Sting on this tour, go for it; he will not disappoint. You are welcome.