Sting's new power trio makes their New York City debut

For the first time in over 15 years since Police played their last show at Madison Square Garden, Sting returned to the Big Apple on Monday, once again performing as part of a power trio. Instead of reuniting with former Police bandmates Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers, Sting's new group included his longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas – which is why the legendary singer and bassist's latest North American tour is aptly titled Sting 3.0.

The start of Sting's three nights at the Brooklyn Paramount on Monday (which resumes on Wednesday) was very successful, as he and his bandmates played a focused and spare series of solo and police songs, evoking the minimalism for which Sting's previous band became famous (even the stage setup didn't distract from the music).

Opening with the classic “Message in a Bottle,” the British musician offered a balanced selection of his greatest hits (including “Fields of Gold,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” “Walking on the Moon” and “Desert Rose.” )” and “All This Time”) and deep cuts (including “Shape of My Heart” and “Why Should I Cry for You”).

In addition to the popular solo and Police material, Sting performed his latest single recorded with Miller and Maas, the anthemic rocker “I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart)” – perhaps a taste of more new material from the trio. He also revealed a rare song from the past: a reworking of the haunting “I Burn for You,” which Police first recorded for the 1982 film's soundtrack Sulfur and molasses.

Towards the end of the set and during the encore, Sting performed his two biggest songs from his Police days, the iconic “Every Breath You Take” and “Roxanne” – the latter of which included a jazzy interlude. To close the evening, he played guitar on the thoughtful ballad “Fragile,” which, along with another song from earlier in the set, “Driven to Tears,” made for a very sobering moment given the current state of the world.

The show captured Sting in a very good – even humorous – mood through his banter with the audience between songs. With tremendous support from Miller and Maas, Sting's vocal and bass work sounded stronger than ever, as evidenced by this first night of his Brooklyn shows. Like the Police, Sting's power trio delivered straightforward and energetic musicality that produced entertaining results.

Setlist

Message in a bottle

If I ever lose my faith in you

Englishmen in New York

Everything she does is magic

Fields of gold

Never coming home

Crazy about you

Seven days

Why should I cry for you?

All the time

I burn for you

Driven to tears

Wrapped around your finger

I can't bear to lose you/Regatta da Blanc

shape of my heart

I wrote your name (on my heart)

Walking on the moon

So lonely

desert rose

King of pain

Every Breath You Take

Encore:

Roxanne

Fragile