Seeing Paul Simon & Sting together is a one in a lifetime must see event.
The performance of classic songs by the two legends who created them done solo, together, some Simon by Sting, some Sting by Simon, is a rare opportunity to see and hear unique arrangements for the first and possibly last time ever.
The conception of Sting & Paul Simon On Stage Together Tour was conceived through Live Nation in Australia initially as an event for Paul Kelly & Neil Finn. That combination created such a distinctive event that the format was presented to Sting and Paul Simon who ran with the idea and took the concept to an international level. Now this Australian-born idea has returned to Australia.
Music fans in Victoria were presented to this historic musical pairing in the exceptional environment of the My Duneed Estate near Geelong as part of the A Day On The Green summer series of 2015. 15,000 fans at this outdoor event were treated to some of the greatest songs ever written to a backdrop of a regional Victorian sunset.
Both Sting and Paul Simon not only delivered their solo greatest hits but also their hits with The Police and Simon & Garfunkel. Fans were treated to a glimpse of the influence these two people had on each other with Sting performing Simon & Garfunkel’s ‘America’ and Paul Simon doing most of the lead vocal on Sting’s ‘Fragile’.
Serious fans were treated to deeper cuts like ‘The Hounds of Winter’ and ‘The End of the Game’ by Sting and ‘That Was Your Mother’ and ‘The Cool Cool River’ by Simon.
Both Sting and Simon had their full bands with at most times a full 15 piece rock orchestra being created from the combined musicians with special mention to Sting’s backing singer Jo Lawry from Adelaide.
The test came with the last song ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’. Simon does do the song on his solo shows by it never achieves the passion of the Garfunkel vocal. Sting’s high register generated the second best version of the song ever. No-one will ever improve Art Garfunkel’s original but Sting came close.
Sting & Paul Simon Together On Stage is one of those special tours that comes around once a decade or so. Treat yourself while you have the chance. You will be talking about this show for years to come. Sting & Paul Simon Together setlist
Sting & Paul Simon Brand New Day (from Brand New Day, 1999) Boy In The Bubble (from Graceland, 1986) Fields Of Gold (from Ten Summoners Tales, 1992)
Sting So Lonely (from Outlandos D’Amour, 1978) When The World Is Running Down (from Zenyatta Mondatta, 1980) Seven Days (from Ten Summoners Tales, 1992) Driven To Tears (from Zenyatta Mondatta, 1980) Walking On The Moon (from Regatta D’Blanc, 1979)
Paul Simon & Sting Mother and Child Reunion (from Paul Simon, 1972)
Paul Simon 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover (from Still Crazy After All These Years, 1975) Dazzling Blue (from So Beautiful Or So What, 2011) Graceland (from Graceland, 1986) Pretty Thing (Bo Diddly cover) Still Crazy After All These Years (from Still Crazy After All These Years, 1975) Me And Julio Down By The School Yard (from Paul Simon, 1972)
Sting and Paul Simon Fragile (from Nothing Like The Sun, 1987)
Sting America (from Bookends, 1968) Message In A Bottle (from Regatta D’Blanc, 1979) The Hounds Of Winter (from Mercury Falling, 1996) The End Of The Game (from Brand New Day) Roxanne (from Outlandos D’Amour, 1978) Desert Rose (from Brand New Day, 1999)
Paul Simon and Sting The Boxer (from Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970)
Paul Simon That Was Your Mother (from Graceland, 1986) The Cool Cool River (from The Rhythm of the Saints, 1990) Hearts and Bones (from Hearts and Bones, 1983) Mystery Train/Wheels (Junior Parker/The String A Longs covers) Diamonds On The Soles of Her Shoes (from Graceland, 1986) You Can Call Me Al (from Graceland, 1986)
Encore: Sting and Paul Simon Cecilia (from Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970) Every Breath You Take (from Synchronicity, 1983) Bridge Over Troubled Water (from Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1970)
Sting & Paul Simon Together remaining dates
February 8, Adelaide, Coopers Brewery February 10, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena February 13, Sydney, QCU Arena February 14, Hunter Valley, Hope Estate Winery February 21 and 22, Perth, Sir James Mitchell Park A Day On The Green
