Music

Sting opens up about his new album and world tour

Sting speaks to our stateside counterparts about his recently announced world tour in support of his new album, 57th & 9th.

“To me the essence of music is surprise,” the veteran British performer tells Ticketmaster Insider. It’s indicative of his creative process, locking himself away with a number of trusted musicians to literally jam out a new album. The notion of an organised record is dismissed, instead 5th & 9th is the product of experienced and practiced spontaneity.

“I just follow my instincts,” he continues. “I don’t know where it’s going… And so on this album, we’ve ended up with something that is energetic and noisy but also thoughtful.”

The album is inspired by Sting’s surroundings, having called New York City home for over 30 years. It’s the product of his relaxed take on city living. “I walk everyday with my guitar and it allows me time to think and I believe walking is very important for my creative process,” he tells Insider. “To walk to and from work is a great privilege that a lot of people don’t have.”

The literal cross-section referenced in the title, Sting continues, is one he crossed everyday on his way to the studio. It also encouraged the record’s narrative. “If there’s a lyrical theme that runs through it, it’s about searching,” he adds with a notable free-spirited nature. “It’s about traveling. It’s about the road. It’s about that pull of the unknown.”

The resulting 57th & 9th, his first rock album in over a decade, entered the top 20 of the UK album chart, cementing his successful return. It also arrives alongside a string of world tour dates that see him reach his native UK in early April 2017. Selling extremely well, he has now added an extra date at London’s Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith.

To read the full interview, head over to Ticketmaster Insider. Tickets for the added UK date are on sale now through Ticketmaster.co.uk.

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