Sting to play 2011 Mission Concert

Former Police frontman Sting has been confirmed as the headline act for the 2011 Mission Concert in Hawke's Bay.

James Erskine, director of production company SEL, made the announcement at the Mission site on Thursday morning.

Rumours about who would be fronting 2011's concert had been rife over the past few weeks, with names like Meat Loaf, Phil Collins and Paul McCartney being whispered about.

Some had even questioned if there would be a concert at all.

That was never in doubt, SEL management said, adding they had gone after securing a top international act and succeeded.

"We are extremely privileged that Sting has agreed to include the concert in his world tour," Mr Erskine said.

"We are also very lucky to be able to offer Mission fans his one and only North Island concert." Mission Estate chairman Phil Hocquard said Sting (real name Gordon Sumner) was a perfect match for Mission concert-goers.

"After four decades as a world-beating superstar, Sting knows how to put on a show and Mission fans will love nothing better than hearing him belt out the classics," he said. "This is one definitely not to be missed."

Classics include those from his days with the band Police - Roxanne and Every Breath You Take. And his solo career hits such as Russians, Fields Of Gold and If I Ever Lose My Faith In You.

Sting will arrive in the Bay as a part of his Symphonicity tour, which includes a 50-piece symphony orchestra and band.

Audiences can expect classic Sting, but with a twist, with each of the songs on his set list being re-interpreted to suit the style of a range of symphonic instruments.

"Of course classical music already has a strong rhythmic pulse, but it is a different pulse from the one understood by most rock musicians or the majority of pop fans," Sting said of his latest concerts, which attracted huge crowds, and accolades, across

the US. "I didn't want to slavishly follow the existing structure of the songs, it is important to challenge the orchestra rhythmically, I didn't want them to be merely providing an interesting backdrop."

Sting at the Mission will take place on Saturday, February 12, 2011. Mission Concert Club members will be able to exclusively secure tickets on-line from midday today with tickets priced from $110 plus booking fees and GST. General public tickets will be available from 9am Saturday through 0800ticketek or www.ticketek.co.nz.

Dining and accommodation packages will also be available with details on the website www.missionconcert.co.nz.

For more from Hawke's Bay read our sister website Hawkes Bay Today.