It took less than a full song for us to realize this is the Vegas residency show we’ve been craving. Nothing against Usher or Bruno or Gaga, but Sting has the stuff. He’s the perfect artist with the ideal performance style and body of work for the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. That’s why opening night of My Songs on October 29 felt so comfortable and familiar, from the moment he strolled onstage in a yellow suit with an acoustic guitar to play “Roxanne.” The next day, we returned to Caesars Palace to speak with Sting about the show and his upcoming album, The Bridge (out November 19), written and recorded during the pandemic, in one of the resort’s majestic villas. It was his last interview of the day. He’d been out on the patio recording for TV but came inside for our chat, first sitting at a piano to dabble a bit before settling on a sofa. Our first impression was the same as during his exuberant performance the night before: There’s no way this guy is 70 years old.
How did it feel to finally play this show that was announced more than two years ago and was supposed to open last spring? It’s still the first time I’ve done a Vegas residency, so the first night was hugely important for me and the band, and the audience. Excitement was an understatement. It felt like release. I consider the stage my living room; this is where I know where all the furniture is, where I feel very comfortable, and it was lovely to get back to that.
You had some pretty epic comeback concerts before coming to Vegas, at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens.Yes, I had my birthday at the Acropolis in Athens. We were looking for a venue older than me, so I guess 3,000 years probably does it. That was a lovely way to begin my 70th year. They brought a cake on that was so heavy with candles, they could hardly lift it. But it feels good. I’m proud of my age, and I enjoy my life. I have no complaints.
Did your plans for the Vegas show change over the pandemic? I think people come to Vegas to hear the songs they know and love. That’s comforting for everyone, and I would never argue with that or not comply with that. 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 year progresses, I will introduce more and more. It’s hard to introduce new material, but you have to take the plunge.
How did the pandemic impact the process of creating the new album? It shifted my usual cycle. I write, I record, I tour. [The pandemic] cut me off in the middle of my touring schedule, so I went home—I have a studio at home—and I just moved the cycle forward. I had no idea what I was going to write—I certainly didn’t want to write about the pandemic—but I just put the work in. I turned up at 10 in the morning and worked through until dinner, and some days you get nothing, like fishing. A few days later you might catch a fish, and you cook it and see what happens. After a year I had about 12 or 14 fish, I strung them together, and we have an album.
A lot of artists struggled to be creative when we were all stuck at home. Not everyone can summon it when they need it. Nor do I. It’s the most difficult thing to do, to summon creativity. It’s a mysterious process, and some days it doesn’t happen. But you have to put the hours in; you have to be there. I think Jack Nicklaus said, “The harder I practice, the luckier I get.” That’s a great philosophy.
You’ve been making the rounds since you arrived in Las Vegas. I’ve used my time here very well. I’ve seen a lot of shows. I wanted to check out the competition. I saw Lionel Richie, [and] it was fantastic. I saw Absinthe, which I adored. It’s very rude, very sexy and funny. Then I was blown away by Lady Gaga the other night; she really did it. That girl can do anything—such a fantastic singer, a great artist and a great actor. I was so thrilled. I’ve known her a long time, but this is another level. So I was ready to compete.
STING: MY SONGS November 12-13, 8 p.m., $60-$350. The Colosseum, 866-227-5938.
