Back to Bass Tour

Dec
15
2012
Jakarta, ID
Mata Elang International Stadium
19
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Sting: Legendary cool...

You may be a lost man in a lost world. You may lose your faith in the people on TV and your belief in your politicians. But if you ever lose your faith in Sting, there may be nothing left for you to do.

While that last bit might sound a tad much, it perfectly summed up the atmosphere at Mata Elang International Stadium in Ancol, North Jakarta, where English rock legend Sting rocked the stage and mesmerized thousands of fans with 22 songs on Saturday night.

The night’s repertoire did not consist merely of his own hit singles but also several tracks from his years as the front man of The Police.

While his hair may be graying and his face may be showing signs of aging, one thing is for sure: Sting’s voice is still as heavenly as ever.

However, despite fans showering the show with praise, some were left dissatisfied when Sting did not fulfill their request to sing his 1987 single 'They Dance Alone' and dedicate it to murdered human rights defender Munir Said Thalib.

The show itself began at 8:45 p.m. after almost a one-hour delay from its scheduled start. Sting finally graced the stage and, just like that, the crowd went wild.

Hands were clapping all throughout the stadium as the audience shouted their hearts out in euphoric joy, welcoming the rock star to the stage for the second time in Indonesia, after his Ten Summoner’s Tales tour in 1994.

As his five-piece band revved things up, Sting picked up his guitar, walked up to the microphone and greeted his Indonesian fans.

"Selamat malam [Good evening], Jakarta!" he shouted, which drove the crowd into overwhelming rapture.

The night was off to a great start with Sting belting out his 1993 single 'If I Ever Lose My Faith in You' followed by The Police’s 1981 hit 'Every Little Thing She Does is Magic'.

He shouted "Terima kasih! [Thank you!]" to the audience after he finished and said that he was glad to be back in Jakarta.

“It’s good to be back here. It’s been 18 years. I think I was just 10 when I visited here last time,” said the 61-year-old singer, who was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner in Wallsend, England, on Oct. 2, 1951.

The audience then formed a massive choir once the first few notes were played on the third song, 1987’s 'Englishman in New York'.

Even before he started singing, the crowd was already singing the famous chorus. "I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien. I’m an Englishman in New York."

Witnessing that, Sting temporarily stopped plucking his guitar and just stood there on the stage with his jaw resting on one hand, as if he was amazed by the overwhelming response. He even clapped his hands as a small token of appreciation for his loyal fans.

The massive choir was heard a few more times throughout the two-hour concert, particularly on perennial fan favorites 'Roxanne' and 'Every Breath You Take'.

Other songs in the night’s repertoire included 'Seven Days', 'Fields of Gold', 'Message in a Bottle', 'The Hounds of Winter', 'Desert Rose' and 'Fragile', which served as the grand finale in the show’s third and last encore.

The show was the last stop on his "Back to Bass" global tour, which started in October 2011, storming stages across the world.

In the concert, Sting was accompanied by three of his long-time collaborators: drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (who, according to Sting, is "the best drummer in the world"), keyboardist David Sancious and guitarist Dominic Miller, as well as backing singer Jo Lawry and violinist Peter Tickell.

Among the thousands of audience members were Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo, prominent human rights activist Usman Hamid, singer Oppie Andaresta and business tycoon Setiawan Djodi. 

"I’ve wanted to watch Sting for a long time. He is truly a singer with extraordinary talents. He can sing on a high octave and yet he still sounds great," Djodi said, as quoted by Antara news agency.

He added that he was most impressed with Sting’s performance of 'Desert Rose'.

While many local fans had a great time during the show, it was a bittersweet event for some, as Sting did not perform his song 'They Dance Alone' and dedicate it to the memory of murdered human rights defender Munir.

Earlier this month, several local Sting fans started online campaigns via Twitter and petition website change.org to send a message to Sting to dedicate 'They Dance Alone' to Munir.

Fans signed an online petition on website page www.change.org/StingMunir and messaged Sting on his official Twitter account @officialSting, particularly on Dec. 8, the date Munir was born in Malang, East Java, in 1965.

More than 1,300 people have signed the petition.

Sting was an active member of Amnesty International and was globally renowned for his human rights campaigns.

Last month, he switched concert venues in Manila after he was petitioned by an environmental group. It turned out that the venue’s owner is a business tycoon with a record of destroying green areas to develop malls and parking lots.

During the Jakarta concert, there were even several fans who wore jackets emblazoned with the words "They Dance Alone for Munir".

Sadly, though, their wish did not come true.

"I have to admit I was a little bit saddened," Usman told The Jakarta Post after the show.

"Each time Sting took a bow and left the stage, I kept hoping that he would come back just one more time and sing 'They Dance Alone' for Indonesia," he said. "Even after his final song, 'Fragile', I was still hoping that he would come back out and just surprise us with that song. Oh well, I guess it was not meant to be."

"But the concert was still cool. Sting is awesome, as always," he added.

(c) The Jakarta Post by Iman Mahditama
Comments
19
posted by evertpo
Superb!!
The first concert in the country i was too far from Jakarta. The second one finally had my chance to experience this great opportunity. The third time you'll come here, yes, I certainly would be there!!
posted by cehade24
Than you! Amazing performance!
Dear Sting, Thank you so much for visiting and performing your music again in Indonesia. I was among people who have been your huge fans for years and waiting for your concert for 18 years. It was amazing, beyond words! To be able to see your performance live and to sing my heart out. Definitely, one of the most unforgettable events in my life. Thank you!!!
posted by sinta
Terima Kasih from Jakarta
What a GREAT and EXTRA ORDINARY Concert last Saturday in Jakarta! Such incredible, remarkable and nonstop able performance, since the first till the last song, fragile, we all sang together. Till now, I’m still having “ Sting Fever”, can’t get you out off my head. . We hope that we don’t have to wait for another 18 years for you to come and rock Jakarta. Mr. Sting you are genius, the BEST and the GREATEST, an icon living legend! You are my idol and I have been listening your songs since I was still in elementary school. And, your gifted voice hasn’t changed a bit!, Seeing and watching you is a dream come true! Now, I have one of my “bucket list” checked! All the best and success for you. God bless you.
posted by Trekindo
Brilliant
VIP Seats in Jakarta. A fantastic show and clearly just a brilliant concert. Thanks for coming to Jakarta - an absolute highlight. Stripped back band full if talent.
posted by sb57
LAST LEG OF THE TOUR
All the best for this last evening on your Back to Bass Tour in Jakarta. I had the pleasure to be at the Hong Kong concert last Sunday and it was a wonderful evening. Roselyn Chan did a good opening act and her music worked quite well in this unlikely hall for classical music. And the 2 hours of the best Sting songs performed with heart and professionalism was really a treat. A 1st class band at the top of their game. Looking forward to seing you again soon in some form
posted by dianparamita
Buy The Ticket
Hello fellow fans of Sting. If you want to buy tickets just log on myticket(dot)co(dot)id. I already but 3 tickets and it worked. Sometimes the website doesn't work, so maybe you guys should be patient and continue to try. I use Safari on iPhone. Very easy, all you need is a credit card. Halo para sesama fans Sting. Kalo mau beli tiket bisa di myticket(dot)co(dot)id. Saya baru saja pesan dan berhasil. Kadang sedikit error webnya, jadi mungkin dicoba terus. Tadi saya berhasil karena menggunakan Safari di iPhone. Sangat mudah asal punya credit card. Goodluck and let's celebrate our fave singer together! :)
posted by budiiskandar11
I've Got The Ticket !!
can't wait to enjoy your great great great music, hope you'll enjoy Indonesia. see you soon
posted by AgungKalis
I'll Come from Borneo!!!
I will come to this extraordinary concert...
posted by eki_prawira
ga sabar lagi
Saya akan terbang dari Padang, the best Musician in my Soul.nothing at all terakhir saya nonton konsr @ JHCC kira2 thn 1994, dan relameninggalkan ujian kuliah smester. Dan yg menonton wkt itu juga dari yg muda sampai yg berumur juga.. STING : I will wait for u. kawan2 di sini mohon bantu pemesanan tiket yah, pls Call me di 0817 620 690.
posted by Raja
presale
Ow.. it's only for paid members. Noted then. Thanks
posted by stingcom
Presale
YOU MUST BE A PAID MEMBER TO TAKE PART IN THE PRESALE.

If you are and log in to the website first then visit the tour page you will find the details including the passcode underneath the tour map near the top of the page...
posted by IRAWAN
No instructions
I don't see any instructions for presale on the tour page, even after I re-login. Am I missing something ? the only details are : STING BACK TO BASS TOUR PRE-SALE INFO Pre-sale this week for the performance in Jakarta, Indonesia on December 15 at the Mata Elang International Stadium.The pre-sale is from Wednesday, September 26 at 10AM to Thursday, September 27, 3PM (local time). To participate in this week's pre-sales as a member of the Sting.com you will need to log in and instructions will be displayed on this Tour page. If you are not a member of Sting.com but would like to join and participate in the pre-sales and other Sting.com membership benefits, here are the membership details . FAN COMMENTS Click on the dates below to access individual pages for each show where you can read reviews of past shows, leave your own thoughts and comments on a show will attend or have attended and post your best photographs from the show. If you have any ticket scans or images of memorabilia related to any of the shows we'd love you to post these too - either directly to the site or you can email them to us at daveandwendy@sting.com. Enjoy the shows!
posted by black_ivy
where is it
I ve been trying hard to find the presale ticket..so where is the details? please help
posted by stingcom
Presale
There IS a presale for sting.com members. If you log in to the website first then visit the tour page you will find the details underneath the tour map near the top of the page...
posted by Rainier
Sting.Com Ticket
Hi there, why there is no ticket exclusively sold to sting.com Fan Club as stated in the web?
posted by Raja
Presale
Hi, Tried to buy the presale tickets but the referred link (miyticket.co.id) doesn't sell the tickets. Is the presale cancelled?
posted by Staryani
A CONCERT WORTH WAITING FOR!
I have been a BIG fan of STING ever since I was just a small kid. His songs have been filling up my life with joy, happiness, even sadness and sorrow. This only shows that his songs are so rich that they can immerse into someone’s life undeniably. My naïve obsession a few years back was to see him singing in front of me, to hear that exquisite voice coming out of his mouth and to let it put a spell on me. THAT is what a divine contentment to me.(Aryani Amir, Jakarta, Indonesia)
posted by asmoroputra
Correction Please
Jakarta is in Indonesia (ID) not Malaysia (MY).. Thx for your attention
posted by endahwidiastuti
Can't wait for the show! One of my inspi
Dear Sting, management,and promotor, I am so excited to hear this wonderful news. I was in elementary school when Sting held a concert in Jakarta. And I was very upset because i couldn't watch Sting at that time. I only could read all the reviews from magazines about the successful concert. I listen to Sting's music, albums, storytelling Peter and the Wolf.. so inspiring. I believe all those beautiful works inspired me a lot to become musician. Thank you for great music. I can't wait for the show.. All the best. Endah Widiastuti
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