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Concerts

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Charli XCX and Troye Sivan played the first of two sold-out shows at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, Calif., on Tuesday night (Oct. 15), effectively turning the 17,500-capacity venue into a revved-up, sex-positive dance party that more than lived up to the tour’s Sweat moniker. Given Charli’s grip on the culture this summer, there was […]

UPDATE: This story was updated on Tuesday (Oct. 15) with livestream details.
When Luke Combs and Eric Church saw the destruction brought by September’s Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina where they both grew up, they had the same reaction as the rest of America.

“It was disbelief,” Church tells Billboard on Oct. 8. “These are areas that I knew and then I saw the photos and I didn’t recognize these areas. My family spends half the year in Banner Elk. That’s as much home as Nashville is. It was just this shock of I know what I’m supposed to be looking at, but that doesn’t look anything like what it looked like a week ago. I don’t think I’ve come to grips with it yet.”

Combs, who went to college at Appalachian State University in the mountain town of Boone, had the same reaction. The morning after the hurricane hit, “As soon as both of us woke up, we were just inundated with calls and texts and pictures and images from the areas,” he says. “I called Eric and was like, ‘Hey, let’s figure out how to do a show. I don’t know when, I don’t know where. We’ll worry about that later, but let’s just pool our resources.’”

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The result is Concert for Carolina, a benefit for Hurricane Helene relief the pair announced on Oct. 7 that will take place Oct. 26 at North Carolina’s Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. The pair will be joined by North Carolina native son James Taylor as well as bluegrass superstar Billy Strings. Since the official announcement, a number of other artists have joined the bill, including Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Bailey Zimmerman and North Carolina natives The Avett Brothers, Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice and Parmalee.

Additionally, after the show quickly sold out, the concert will now be livestreamed worldwide via Veeps. The livestream will be free for those impacted by Hurricane Helene, as Concert for Carolina and Veeps have used geotargeting to ensure that those in the affected areas will not be charged. For those not directly impacted, the livestream will cost $24.99 with an option for additional donations available. All money raised from the livestream will go to the charities selected by Combs and Church.

While Combs’ immediate instinct was to go to the area and help, he quickly pivoted and thought, “‘Let’s do what we do best and help in the way that is best suited to my abilities and Eric’s abilities’ and I think we’re doing that.” While Church has similarly not visited the area yet because of their ties to Banner Elk, his wife and a team have boots on the ground and have been helping organize relief efforts.

The pair immediately thought of asking Taylor to join them for Oct. 26. “Growing up in North Carolina, ‘Going to Carolina in My Mind’ is a song that every time I would leave the state, no matter where I was in the world, reminded me of the state,” Church says. “I said [to Luke], ‘We’ve got to get James on this.’ So, I set out to make it my mission. It was not the easiest mission I’ve ever done.’”

Church eventually got the contact for Taylor’s day-to-day manager from Joe Walsh. “I called her myself and we had about a 20-minute conversation, and I basically said, “ ‘Carolina in My Mind’ is going to be played that night in the stadium either by him or me, and I hope it’s him.’”

Combs reached out to Strings. “Me and Billy have known each other for some years now and he just had his first child and he’s got a million things going on, but I know that that area of the country is near and dear to him,” he says. “His fan base is heavily rooted in that part of the world, and he was just excited to be able to help out.”

All proceeds from the event will be split evenly between Combs’ charitable endeavors and Church’s Chief Cares Foundation to administer to organizations they choose to support relief efforts across the Carolinas and the Southeast.

Combs and Church aren’t saying how much they hope to raise, but add that all the artists are playing for free, with Combs donating his production, and they hope more corporations will also come aboard providing services and donations.  “The key is this is not going to be a one-, two-, three- month build. It’s going to be a yearslong build,” Church says. “This is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. We have to have plans in place organizationally that we can help assist over the next 12, 24 or even 48 months.”

Concert for Carolina will be hosted by ESPN’s Marty Smith and Barstool Sports’ Caleb Pressley and presented by Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Tickets went on sale Thursday (Oct. 10) at 10 a.m. E.T. on the Concert for Carolina website and quickly sold out. The website also says a raffle and auction are coming soon.

Additionally, Church released new song “Darkest Hour” on Oct. 4, and is signing over all of his publishing royalties from the song to the people of North Carolina affected by the disaster.

Oasis has extended their highly anticipated Live 25 reunion tour to Australia, marking their first shows in the country since the band’s split in 2009.
As confirmed by Rolling Stone AU/NZ last week, the Britpop legends have announced two stadium dates, with a performance at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Friday, Oct. 31, followed by a show at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Friday, Nov. 7.

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“People of the land down under. You better run – you better take cover… We are coming. You are most welcome. Oasis will tour Australia in 2025!” a message posted to Oasis’ X (formerly Twitter) account on Oct. 8 read.

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‘People of the land down under.“You better run-you better take cover…”We are coming.You are most welcome.’Oasis will tour Australia in 2025! 🇦🇺Register for the Australian ticket pre-sale private ballot: https://t.co/lms10x64eUThe pre-sale will take place on Monday 14th… pic.twitter.com/WCpRa8pNRF— Oasis (@oasis) October 7, 2024

The band’s return to Australia comes after a string of sold-out dates across Europe and the U.S., reflecting the huge demand for Oasis nearly 25 years after their debut. U.S. dates include a stop at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 14 and a show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on June 21.

As part of the reunion tour, fans can expect to hear hits from the band’s extensive catalog, including tracks like “Wonderwall,” “Champagne Supernova,” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” which saw Oasis emerge as one of the most influential rock bands of the ’90s.

Oasis’ impact in Australia has been major. Their second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, spent four weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart and is certified eight times platinum. The single “Wonderwall” was also voted the No. 1 song in triple j’s “Hottest 100” for 1995.

Pre-sale tickets for the Australian leg of the tour will be available starting Wednesday, Oct. 9, with general sale beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 15.

The Gallaghers will kick off the North American leg of their tour with two shows at Toronto’s Rogers Stadium on Aug. 24 and 25, followed by a performance at Chicago’s Soldier Field on August 28.

They’ll then head to New Jersey for two nights at MetLife Stadium on August 31 and Sept. 1, before wrapping up the U.S. run with two shows at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles on Sept. 6 and 7. The band will also make a stop in Mexico City on Sept. 12. These are Oasis’ first North American shows in over 16 years.

The last time Oasis played the U.S. in 2008 on the Dig Out Your Soul tour they performed in 10,000-20,000 capacity arenas. The stadiums on their upcoming North American swing will accommodate between 45,000-80,000+ fans. 

Oasis 2025 Australia Tour Dates:

Friday, Oct. 31 – Marvel Stadium, Melbourne, VIC

Friday, Nov. 7 – Accor Stadium, Sydney, NSW

Niall Horan has now had two of his former One Direction bandmates support him on tour this year, with Liam Payne attending the Irish singer-songwriter’s show in Argentina on Wednesday (Oct. 2). Just a little over a month after Harry Styles made headlines for viewing Horan’s August concert in Manchester, fans spotted the “Teardrops” singer […]

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Seeing your favorite artist live can be a euphoric experience, but having to sit on a hard stadium seat for more […]

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. The Billboard Family Hits of the Week compiles what’s new and worth your family’s time in music, movies, TV, books, games […]

iHeartRadio and Z100’s annual holiday concert at Madison Square Garden will feature a mix of veterans (Katy Perry, Meghan Trainor) and hot breakout stars (Teddy Swims, Benson Boone and Shaboozey).
iHeartRadio Z100’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One is set to take place on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. Other performers on the bill include Tate McRae, twenty one pilots, The Kid LAROI, Madison Beer, Gracie Abrams and NCT Dream. Z100’s Elvis Duran & The Morning Show announced the performers on air Friday morning (Sept. 27).

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Z100’s Jingle Ball is part of the national iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One. This year marks the 28th time the New York tour stop has been at MSG.

iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball lineup will be revealed at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Lineup Announcement Party featuring The Kid LAROI and Dasha presented by Capital One on Friday afternoon at the iHeartRadio LA Theater. iHeartRadio personality JoJo Wright will announce the lineup on site and the event will feature performances by The Kid LAROI and Dasha. The program will be broadcast across iHeartRadio stations and on Jingle Ball Radio on the iHeartRadio app at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour stops will be part of an exclusive network special on ABC, airing Dec. 18, and streaming next day on Hulu.

For the 10th straight year, Capital One will be the national presenting partner of the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour. Eligible Capital One cardholders will get first access to high-demand tickets and exclusive experiences through a special Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale in each city. The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale begins Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. local time and runs through Thursday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. local time, or while pre-sale supplies last. Pre-sale information and tickets will be available at iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne. 

All other tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, Oct. 4, at noon local time and will be available at iHeartRadio.com/JingleBall.

Nine cities on the tour will partner with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring pediatric patients through entertainment and education focused initiatives.

The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour is executive produced by Tom Poleman, chief programming officer for iHeartMedia, and John Sykes, president of entertainment enterprises.

The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball special on ABC is produced by Sykes, Poleman and Bart Peters, svp of production & development; as well as OBB Pictures, a division of OBB Media, for the second consecutive year. The special is executive produced by OBB’s Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Kfir Goldberg, Simone Spira and Glenn Stickley; with Arlen Konopaki and Lana Womack co-executive producing. Sam Wrench is returning to direct.

For the latest information on Z100’s Jingle Ball 2024, visit Z100.com/jingleball or listen to Z100’s Jingle Ball on-air or online via the station’s website, as well as on iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio mobile app.

Lineups for several of these shows will be announced throughout the day. Artists and/or event subject to change or cancellation without notice.

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. CT – iHeartRadio 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Dickies Arena. Lineup will be announced at 9 a.m. ET, visit 1061KISSFM.com/jingleball for more information.

Los Angeles

Date: Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. PT – iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at the Intuit Dome. Lineup will be revealed at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Lineup Announcement Party featuring The Kid LAROI and Dasha presented by Capital One this afternoon at the iHeartRadio LA Theater. Broadcast live across iHeartRadio CHR stations and on Jingle Ball Radio on the iHeartRadio app at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET, iHeartRadio personality JoJo Wright will announce the lineup onsite and the event will feature performances by The Kid LAROI and Dasha. For lineup information, visit kiisfm.com/jingleball.

Chicago

Date: Monday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. CT – iHeartRadio 103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Allstate Arena. Lineup will be announced at 8:55 a.m. ET, visit 1035kissfm.com/jingleball for more information.

Detroit

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Channel 95.5’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Little Caesars Arena. Lineup features: Jack Harlow, Teddy Swims, Jason Derulo, Madison Beer, Saweetie, NCT Dream, Isabel LaRosa and Wonho.

New York

Date: Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Z100’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Madison Square Garden. Lineup features: Katy Perry, Tate McRae, twenty one pilots, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, The Kid LAROI, Madison Beer, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey and NCT Dream.

Boston

Date: Sunday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at TD Garden. Lineup features: Tate McRae, twenty one pilots, Meghan Trainor, The Kid LAROI, Kesha, Benson Boone and KATSEYE.

Philadelphia

Date: Monday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Q102’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Wells Fargo Center. Lineup features: Katy Perry, Tate McRae, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, Jason Derulo, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey and Dasha.

Washington, D.C.

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio HOT 99.5’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Capital One Arena. Lineup features: Tate McRae, The Kid LAROI, Meghan Trainor, Teddy Swims, Kesha, Jason Derulo, Gracie Abrams, Dasha, Isabel LaRosa and P1Harmony.

Atlanta

Date: Thursday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio 96.1 The Beat’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at State Farm Arena. Lineup will be announced at 4 p.m. ET, visit Power961.com/jingleball for more information.

Miami

Date: Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Y100’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Kaseya Center. Lineup will be announced at 9 a.m. ET. Visit Y100.com/jingleball for more information.

Katy Perry lit up the second weekend of Brazil’s Rock in Rio 2024 by officially unveiling her highly anticipated album 143 during a high-octane performance Sept. 20 on the festival‘s iconic Palco Mundo (Main Stage).

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It marked the third time the pop star has performed at Rock in Rio—twice for the Brazil edition and once in Lisbon. Her most recent main stage performance featured an entirely new setlist and custom-designed visuals, where she performed new tunes and beloved classics in front of over 100,000 festivalgoers.

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As if the album launch wasn’t enough excitement for one night, the “Woman’s World” singer surprised fans by bringing out pop legend Cyndi Lauper for a powerful duet of the icon’s Billboard chart-topping 1984 hit, “Time After Time.”

“I want to sing one of my fave songs, it means so much to me, especially in Brazil,” Perry told the crowd as she brought Lauper to the stage.

“I want to be exactly like you when I grow up, exactly like you,” Perry told the “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” singer. “You are so incredible, so connective, so full of life, so full of energy.”

Rock in Rio’s CEO, Luis Justo, spoke of the significance of Perry choosing the festival for the album launch: “A global launch by an artist like Katy Perry is a rare opportunity. We not only have the trust of the audience, who show up in large numbers but also of the artists who find Rock in Rio to be the best place to be close to their fans and give them the pinnacle moment of their careers—an exclusive and entirely premium experience.”

The celebration began earlier in the week, with Perry hosting an exclusive listening session of her new album backstage at Cidade do Rock on Sept. 18. A select group of Brazilian fans was invited to hear 143 in its entirety before the album’s official release, with the singer personally interacting guests.

With headliners like Ed Sheeran, Travis Scott, Mariah Carey, and many others on the bill, Rock in Rio 2024 is one of the most popular festivals on the global music calendar, and Perry’s high-energy performance – along with her surprise duet with Lauper – undoubtedly stands out as one of its defining moments.

Lauper’s legendary track “Time After Time,” co-written by Lauper and Rob Hyman, was released as the second single from her debut album, She’s So Unusual. In June of this year, “Time After Time” celebrated the 40th anniversary of its milestone, when it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984.

Prior to that, Lauper came close to the top spot with her debut single, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” which peaked at No. 2 in March 1984, blocked by Van Halen’s hit “Jump.” However, “Time After Time” succeeded in dethroning Deniece Williams’ “Let’s Hear It for the Boy,” spending two weeks at No. 1 before being replaced by Duran Duran’s “The Reflex.”

Stream Katy Perry’s album 143 below.

The first time Chappell Roan played in London was at the capital’s Garage to 600 people. That was just over a year ago in June 2023 her introduction to the U.K. She’s since been booked and busy.
Roan had a mammoth run opening on Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts tour in the US, cementing her place as an artist with serious breakout potential. In spring, she had a scene-stealing appearance at Coachella and debuted her new song “Good Luck Babe”, which would go on to land at No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.2 on the U.K. Singles Charts.

Further live appearances at New York City’s Governors Ball and Chicago’s Lollapalooza saw the crowds swell, and a win at the recent MTV VMAs last week took things even further. A day before the opening night at London’s O2 Academy Brixton (Sep 19) – the first of three sold-out shows – it was announced she’d perform on SNL in November. It’s all happening, all at once.

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A ticket for a gig like this was gold dust, a chance to see an artist in what will soon be considered intimate settings. And the crowd at Brixton knew it: they were giddy with excitement pre-show as local drag queens bossed it on stage and the crowd adhered to the night’s dress theme: black, red and love hearts in line with “My Kink Is Karma”, a crowd-favourite from debut 2023 album The Rise and Fall Of a Midwest Princess.

The show arrived amidst a sold-out run throughout the rest of the U.K. and Europe and despite the 5,000-strong crowd, already felt like a huge underplay. These were the very best moments from the night.

Chappell Roan performs during her ‘Midwest Princess Tour’ at the Brixton Academy on Sept. 19, 2024 in London, England.

Jim Dyson/Getty Images

Horns up

Each night at the tour has come with a theme for attendees inspired by the campness of her songs, ranging from Pink Pony Club (fuchsia cowboy hats) to Midwest Princess (plaid patters). Last night My Kink Is Karma called for leather, face-paint and devil horns: even the security were spotted getting in on the action with a glittering scarlet headband.

The U.K. love

Crowd flattery never hurts, but when Roan spoke directly to the Brixton crowd about their connection, it felt very real. “The U.K. has always been the most welcoming to me,” she said, reflecting on the journey she’s been on. From levelling up from the Garage to iconic gay club Heaven last December to now a trio of nights at the historic O2 Academy Brixton – to the tune of 15,000 tickets – the U.K.’s enthusiasm for getting out and supporting live emerging acts cannot be understated.

Knowing the moves

You have to admire Roan for attempting to explain to the crowd the moves to “Hot To Go!”, her viral hit and signature moves: not a single person needed any instructions to pull off the YMCA-aping moves spelling out the song’s title. A sea of arms flew up on every chorus to nail the collective dance that’s been all over your TikTok feed for the past few months at festival season.

Chappell Roan performs during her ‘Midwest Princess Tour’ at the Brixton Academy on Sept. 19, 2024 in London, England.

Jim Dyson/Getty Images

Nailing the notes

With just one album under her belt, Roan knows how to keep things fresh. “Subway”, which got its debut at Gov Ball in her Lady Liberty get-up, was already something of a crowd-pleaser, the wistful longing for an ex that still hangs around as she bounces around the city. When Roan belted out the closing refrain of “she’s got away”, her voice sounded sublime and powerful, as did the crowd’s.

A streamlined production

The expectation and scrutiny for stars to be arena-ready from the off feels more intense than ever with eager fans in the room and at home looking for faults and bones to pick. There’s no questioning Roan’s performance – her red cowboy boots barely hit the ground with all the high-kicks – but the streamlined setup played to her strengths. Her tight band, made up of Andrea Ferrero (guitar), Lucy Ritter (drums) and Allee Futterer (bass), kept things moving and the vibrant light show proved that visuals are not mandatory when the performer is as engaging as this.

Love for the queer community

Roan has been candid about the new attention that’s come her way and how toxic ‘fans’ occasionally overstep the line. But judging by last night’s crowd, that’s hopefully an anomaly, not the trend. She recognises as such about how this fanbase is crucial for the queer community and the need for allies. “I’m so thankful I have the queer community. I needed this when I was 15. You belong here. I don’t care where you are on your journey, I want you here – you are cherished and I want you to feel that. Thank God gay people exist. Thank God straight people support them.”

A dazzling deepcut

Before “Kaleidoscope”, Roan told the crowd that she’d shied away from playing this song on the U.K. leg and was considering dropping it all together. But when she spoke of the pressure to speak to her fans from the stage she explained “how much easier I find it just to sing” and let those words say it all. So for “Kaleidoscope”, she played it straight: no band members, just her and the piano. It goes to show just how strong a songwriter Roan, particularly once all the sequins have stopped shimmering and you tune into her hushed reverence.

Chappell Roan performed:

“Femininomenon”“Naked in Manhattan”“Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl”“Love Me Anyway”“Picture You”“HOT TO GO!”“After Midnight”“Coffee”“Kaleidoscope”“Casual”“The Subway”“Red Wine Supernova”“Good Luck, Babe!”“My Kink Is Karma”“California”“Pink Pony Club”

Playing in a trio is not without precedent for Sting; he was in this little band called the Police, after all. But his Sting 3.0 tour — which began during the summer in Europe and opened its North American leg Tuesday night (Sept. 17) with the first of two shows at the Fillmore Detroit — has been a welcome return to the format after a good 16 years of touring with different and varyingly larger configurations.

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“My inclination is always to try and surprise people in the songs I write or in the format I present the song,” he told Billboard via Zoom from New York, between the 3.0 tour legs. “I don’t think anyone was expecting a trio. “I’ve worked with these big seven, eight-piece bands, and it’s a bit like driving a Bentley. It kind of drives itself, and it’s comfortable. So I decided I would put myself out of my comfort zone in order to get something on the back end that wasn’t guaranteed — a risk, if you like.

“I’m enjoying the challenge, and it’s also fun looking, watching the audience go, ‘Wow, there’s only three people up there. We were expecting a bigger band’ and then enjoying the sonic clarity of it.”

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Sting is joined in the endeavor by longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas, a Luxembourg native who’s previously worked with Mumford & Sons, Maggie Rodgers and the Pierces. And while Sting fessed up to being “kind of anxious all the way up to the first show” in Europe, he quickly shed any doubts he may have had — or, perhaps, any lingering PTSD from the legendary combativeness within the Police.

“Halfway through that first gig I realized this is exactly what I want to do,” he said, explaining that, “There’s a space that you have been instruments — the clarity, the mutual listening between the members of the band, the risk factor, stripping the songs down to their basic essence and having them work. You take all the fat away, but the basic structure of the song is very satisfying.

“We’ve had a blast. There’s no let-up here. You can’t cruise. You have to be right on the money the whole time. But the songs are holding up. The singer’s holding up…’” And so, he added, is the player. “I began to notice how good I am at singing and playing the bass, actually,” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve forgotten how well I did that.

“Nothing is impossible with a trio, I realize that,” he added. “And it’s not as if I’m completely new to the format. But I am surprised at how adaptable the songs and the arrangements are. It’s been so enjoyable.”

The couple of thousand or so fans in Detroit on Tuesday certainly shared Sting’s exuberance, generating a give-and-take energy that sustained throughout the 20-song, hour-and-45-minute performance, and these unquestionable highlights from it.

A nice balanceNot unusually, Sting and company did a fine job of combining the Police and his solo work, with eight of the former’s best-known songs in the setlist — including a ferocious rendition of “Driven to Tears” topical messages flashing across the video screen to “protest” and “react.” Sting’s “Desert Rose,” meanwhile, was sandwiched in the middle of a non-stop, main set-closing segment that began with the Police’s “Walking on the Moon” and “So Lonely” and finished with muscular arrangements of the Synchronicity hits “King of Pain” and “Every Breath You Take.”A boatload of hitsSting doesn’t have to work hard to keep ’em coming, of course. Using a headset microphone and playing a few songs seated, he also delivered Police favorites such as the show-opening “Message in a Bottle” and “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” an extended “Can’t Stand Losing You” and a long, rhythmically shifting version of “Roxanne.” From the solo front, meanwhile, came “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You,” “Shape of My Heart,” “All This Time” and “Englishman in New York.” For the show-ending “Fragile,” meanwhile, he put aside the bass and played acoustic guitar to send the crowd home “quiet and thoughtful.”

Deep cuts we loveSting mined 1991’s The Soul Cages for “Made About You” and “Why Should I Cry For You?,” both singles but not quite on A list status. From 2003’s Sacred Love, meanwhile, he plucked the solemn “Never Coming Home,” which he introduced as a musical note left by a woman as she was leaving her husband. The latter was also one of the night’s instrumental highlights, as Sting and Miller closed with an arresting, jammy outro.

It’s Miller time“Dominic is just loving the harmonic freedom he has, and the colors he’s creating are extraordinary,” Sting said, and that was borne out all show long, as Miller, employing an array of tasteful effects, used the space between Sting’s bass and Maas’s drums to paint an array of rich chordings and instrumental passages that elevated just about every song. His dexterous but discreet plucking filled in for the piano from the recorded version of “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic” and he created his own interpretation of the Arabic break from “Desert Rose.” And his solos during “Driven to Tears and “So Lonely” were nothing short of heroic.

Some fresh fareSting, Miller and Maas recorded a new single, “I Wrote Your Name,” that’s been played throughout the tour and was formally released on Sept. 6. “It’s a romantic song,” he told the Detroit crowd. “It’s also quite noisy.” And with its punchy energy and raspy vocal (from “being in the middle of a tour and being fatigued”) certainly recalls the Police’s early release.

“It’s a surprising record from me — very, very basic, like maybe four and a half chords,” Sting said, adding that, “I’d like to make (an album) with this trio. I’ve got the bare bones of a few things. Playing every night, it’s still very experimental, so a lot of things are happening that weren’t planned and that’s the territory I will draw from to make a new album. It’s very exciting.”

Who needs words?Sting remained one of rock’s kings of call-and-response, leading several singalongs throughout Tuesday’s shows. He gave the fans an opening during “Every Little Thing…,” then said he’d invented the wordless “little improvisation” at the end of “Can’t Stand Losing You” when the Police played the now-defunct Detroit club Bookie’s during November of 1978. There was another extended give-and-take towards the end of “Walking on the Moon” and, of course, during the jazzy breakdown in “Roxanne.”

And lest we forget, he IS StingAfter recalling some of his history playing Detroit, Sting told the crowd, “I’m gonna sing a song about my home now,” explaining with smile that, “I’ve a little house in the English countryside — it’s more of a castle, really,” about two miles “down the hill” from Stonehenge. He said that when the Englishman is in England, “if you knock on the door, I’ll make you a cup of tea,” indicating that he’s been taken up on that offer in the past. He went on to say that “the other nice thing about my house is it’s surrounded by barley fields, and at harvest time — see where I’m going with this? — it’s surrounded by what looks like a sea of gold.” That, of course, led into a performance of “Fields of Gold.”

The trio plays Detroit again on Wednesday and will be in North America through mid-November, including performances at the Bourbon & Beyond festival on Thursday in Louisville and the Ohana Festival Sept. 28 in California. The full itinerary can be found at sting.com/tour. The Sting 3.0 opening night performance in Detroit included:Message in a BottleIf I Ever Lose My Faith in YouEnglishman in New YorkEvery Little Thing She Does Is MagicFields of GoldNever Coming HomeMad About YouWhy Should I Cry for You?All This TimeDriven to TearsCan’t Stand Losing YouI Wrote Your NameShape of My HeartWalking on the MoonSo LonelyDesert RoseKing of PainEvery Breath You TakeEncore:RoxanneFragile