13 November 2016
VVN Music
One year ago tomorrow, ISIS terrorists invaded the Bataclan Theatre in Paris in part of a multi-location attack on the city, killing 89 people that were attending a concert by Eagles of Death Metal.
At the time, the management of the Bataclan announced that the venue was closed indefinitely while police investigated the incident. Later, it as said that they would be renovating the theater before reopening later in 2016.
That reopening came on Saturday night as Sting took the stage for an eighteen song set that mixed music from his days with the Police and his solo career, including seven of the ten songs from his latest album, 57th and 9th.
Instead of opening with an uptempo rocker, Sting started with the very delicate and heartfelt Fragile before launching into the Police song Message in a Bottle.
Two members of Eagles of Death Metal were refused entry by staff after they had suggested that muslim staff at the venue had been responsible, the Bataclan director said "there are things you cannot forgive".
The Bataclan will be closed this evening as a mark of respect and a plaque will be unveiled outside inmemory of those who lost their lives.
Prior to the show, Sting posted on his Facebook page:
In re-opening the Bataclan, we have two important tasks to reconcile. First, to remember and honour those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago, and second to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents. In doing so we hope to respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them.
The Sting set list:
Main Set
Fragile (from …Nothing Like the Sun, 1987)
Message in a Bottle (from the Police’ Reggatta de Blanc, 1979)
I Can’t Stop Thinking About You (from 57th & 9th, 2016)
One Fine Day (from 57th & 9th, 2016)
50,000 (from 57th & 9th, 2016)
Inshallah (from 57th & 9th, 2016) (with Ibrahim Maalouf)
Petrol Head (from 57th & 9th, 2016)
Down, Down, Down (from 57th & 9th, 2016)
Driven to Tears (from The Police’ Zenyatta Mondatta, 1980)
Englishman in New York (from …Nothing Like the Sun, 1987)
Desert Rose (from Brand New Day, 1999)
Every Breath You Take (from the Police’ Synchronicity, 1983)
Encore
So Lonely (from the Police’ Outlandos d’Amour, 1978)
Walking on the Moon (from the Police’ Reggatta de Blanc, 1979)
Roxanne (from the Police’ Outlandos d’Amour, 1978)
Ain’t No Sunshine (Bill Withers cover)
Encore 2
Next to You (from the Police’ Outlandos d’Amour, 1978)
The Empty Chair (from 57th & 9th, 2016)
