Review: Sting At Cardiff Castle
Cardiff Castle was electric last night as Sting took the stage, showcasing why he is considered one of the greats
Sophie Grey kicked things off with her futuristic cyber-pop sound and colourful stage presence, she instantly cut through the historic backdrop, I really liked the way her energy contrasted with the surroundings, it felt really fresh and quite unexpected, she was followed by The Lilacs who brought their iconic northern swagger.
I’ll admit, being in my early twenties, I knew of Sting but didn’t quite grasp the full scope of his music. Embarrassingly, I didn’t even know he was in The Police (I know, I know). But by the end of the night, I was honestly stunned by just how many of his songs I recognised, and how deeply they’ve embedded themselves into pop culture without me even realising.
When Sting appeared, backed only by guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas—the energy in the castle changed instantly. He opened with the timeless “Message in a Bottle”, the castle walls practically shook from the crowd’s response. I really liked how stripped-back the whole setup was. It made everything feel raw and real.
For me, the standout moments came during songs like "Englishman in New York" "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and of course "Roxanne", Each one hit so differently live.
Sound-wise, Cardiff Castle once again proved its worth. The castle’s acoustics felt pristine: every instrument and vocal. Special stage lighting painted the stonework in dramatic hues, accentuating every chord change.
I really can’t emphasise enough how the venue itself added a magic all its own. Surrounded by stone walls and centuries of history, Cardiff Castle remains one of the most intimate and atmospheric live music settings in the UK. If you get a chance to see any concert there, take it. You won’t regret it!
Just three musicians, a castle, and a catalogue of songs that we all know and love. For those lucky enough to be there, it was an unforgettable reminder of why he remains one of the greats.
