Inside the Sting Concert with HOT 1027 Breakfast
Music legend Sting returned to South Africa as part of his highly anticipated “STING Concert”, performing live at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria to a sold-out crowd that was left in awe.
Before taking to the stage, Sting joined the HOT 1027 Breakfast team — Parky, Bunny, and Simon — for a candid and entertaining conversation. True to form, the British icon was relaxed, witty and reflective as he spoke about touring, songwriting and collaborating with some of the world’s greatest musicians.
He shared that while the Sting concert setlist stays mostly the same, there’s always room for surprise. “There’s a section in the middle where I ask Dominic, my guitarist, what he wants to play — and I have no idea what he’s going to come up with!” he laughed. On choosing a favourite song? Not a chance. “You know, I’ve got six kids. If you said to me, who’s your favourite kid, I’d say I’m not telling you. It’s the same with my songs — they’re all part of my story.”
Unforgettable Moments and Fan Reactions
That sentiment was on full display during the concert later that evening, as thousands of fans packed the arena, ready to experience Sting’s storytelling through music. The atmosphere was electric as he delivered hit after hit — from “Message in a Bottle” and “Englishman in New York” to “Roxanne” and “Fields of Gold”.
“That voice was just unbelievable,” one fan told HOT 1027’s Tara Penny.
“It was amazing,” said another.
“We’ve been waiting for years to see something like this.”
Even a pair of broken toes didn’t stop one concertgoer from making it to the Sting concert. “We weren’t going to miss this for anything,” he said, proudly standing beside his equally determined wife.
A New Dimension to the Sting. Concert Experience
At 73, Sting’s energy, presence, and sheer vocal power defied his age. The stripped-back trio performance — a contrast to the full band from previous tours — brought a new level of intimacy and clarity to the Sting concert experience.
“There’s a clarity between the instruments that is breathtaking,” Sting told us. “People are responding to the bare bones of the song — and they’re sturdy enough to withstand all that stripping away.”
Looking ahead, Sting revealed he’ll be reprising his role in The Last Ship, with upcoming performances planned for Amsterdam, Paris and potentially the New York Met Opera House. “It’s not an opera,” he noted, “but it has the scale of one.”
Quick-Fire Five with Sting
Before wrapping things up, Simon Hill hit Sting with a rapid round of quirky, quick-fire questions. His answers? Unexpected, honest and hilarious.
Watch the full clip to see how he handled the pressure.
Photos: Doh Uk – Mido Photography
Have a listen to the HOT 1027 News report from the night:
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