2004-10-05 Annie Lennox - Sacred Love Tour With Sting - Sleep Train Amph - Marysville - The USA
Information
Artist : Annie Lennox
Date : 2004-10-05
Tour Name : Sacred Love Tour With Sting
Country : The USA
Town : Marysville
Venue : Sleep Train Amph
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SETLIST
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Review
The Orion
Annie Lennox, Sting deliver polished performances
Annie Lennox's career rose like a phoenix when she opened for Sting for a capacity crowd at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre in Marysville Oct. 5.
Lennox joined Sting's "Sacred Love" tour over the summer to the delight of fans all over the country who were having Lennox withdrawals. She has participated in only two tours in the last 13 years. Lennox dazzled the crowd with an amazing hour-long set showcasing her beautiful, soulful voice and elegant stage presence.
The night of music began with Dominic Miller, Sting's guitar player. His instrumental set revved up the crowd, especially when Sting came out for a one-song preview. Miller and Sting performed "Shape of My Heart," and then he announced with ease, "We'll see you later."
Sting came back out to introduce the talented and exceptional Lennox.
The light show on stage was captivating. Vibrant colors of blue and purple bathed the stage and extended out into the screaming audience. Lennox walked out in fashionable ripped jeans and a gray tank top. She topped the outfit with an elegant diamond necklace and trademark rock-star shades. Her voice and stage presence were almost regal.
Female pop stars could learn more than a few things from an artist like Lennox. She embodies the women in rock who aspire to be unusual, rather than those who conform to the Pepsi-ad-pop-rock-diva mold who have become interchangeable and predictable.
Lennox performed songs from her solo albums "Diva" and "Medusa." Her slow, moving performance of "No More I Love Yous" made the audience weep. She performed some old Eurythmics tunes like "Missionary Man." A piano was placed on stage for Lennox to play and sing a mellow and nostalgic rendition of "Here Comes the Rain Again." The new arrangement gave the song a fresh feeling. She followed up a 50-minute set with a three-song encore including "Why" from her 1992 album "Diva" and a stellar performance of "Sweet Dreams" leaving the audience wanting more and chanting "Annie, Annie."
It was hard to believe she wasn't the headliner for the evening. However, if anyone could follow her act, it was Sting.
Opening with "Send Your Love" from his 2003 "Sacred Love" album, Sting sent on-stage love to Lennox, affirming more than once how lucky we all were to have her on tour.
Mixing a long-lived body of music, Sting gave crowd-pleasing performances of old favorites from the Police years along with his past solo albums. He jazzed up the song "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and danced around on stage with ease, enjoying the breezy fall evening and the responsive, loving crowd.
The artists' styles complemented each other well. There were similar messages and arrangements between the two artists. Lennox had the usual bass, drums and guitar backing her up on stage with three keyboard players to provide the alternative far-away sound that is trademark Lennox.
Sting had more of a jazz band backing up his singing and bass playing. Pianist Jason Rebello gave the band a groovy jazz and blues sound.
Both seasoned performers smoothly mixed hits from their celebrated early bands -- Lennox from Eurythmics and Sting from the Police -- with selections from their solo careers. Each was also energetic, gracious and in excellent voice, offering ample evidence of why they continue to reign supreme at the top of the pops.
