LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: Sting in Uncasville, CT (11.18.25)
Some might ask whether it’s worth driving two hours to see Sting, the legendary singer, songwriter, and frontman of The Police. Well, let’s save that answer for the end.
Having never been to Mohegan Sun Arena before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But given the stature of the artist, I imagined the night would be nothing short of grand. Around 8:05 p.m., Sting and his two bandmates, now operating as the tight, streamlined unit fans call “Sting 3.0,” walked onstage to roaring applause. Without hesitation, they launched straight into the iconic “Message in a Bottle.” It’s the kind of anthem you’d expect to hear closer to the finale, but opening with it set a powerful tone for the night.
The band then transitioned into “I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart),” a deeper cut I was less familiar with. Unfortunately, photographers had to stop shooting and store our gear just as he began my personal favorite, “If I Ever Lose My Faith in You.” He also appeared to tweak the order from the tour’s typical setlist, which was a refreshing surprise, though bittersweet to miss that song.
By the time I returned, Sting was addressing the Mohegan Sun crowd, a gesture he repeated three or four times during the show, expressing how much he enjoys performing there and how often he has visited. It’s something audiences always appreciate hearing. What stood out just as much was his stamina. Each song flowed almost seamlessly into the next with no long pauses or breaks, and remarkably, no visible signs of fatigue. His three-piece band was locked in, and Sting played bass nearly the entire show without ever swapping instruments. How he does this without breaking a sweat is beyond me.
Before “Fields of Gold,” he told a charming story about his castle near Stonehenge, directing his anecdote to a woman in the front row and inviting her, jokingly, to stop by for tea if she ever found herself in the neighborhood. Her husband, he added, was welcome too. Little moments like that kept the room warm and engaged.
Midway through the night, he confessed this was the portion of the show he finds a bit scary: letting his bandmates choose the next two songs. They settled on “Driven to Tears” and, if I caught correctly, “When We Dance.” Watching the playful exchange between them highlighted the trust and camaraderie within this trio.
As the show neared its close, Sting seamlessly slipped into “Walking on the Moon,” and without a second’s rest, they transitioned into “So Lonely,” a fantastic stylistic shift that energized the audience all over again. He also had the crowd singing back to him during a few choruses, and at one point, he held a note for what felt like a full fifteen seconds. How he still manages that at this stage of his career is nothing short of astonishing.
Then there was the woman a few seats away who punctuated the night with periodic shouts of “I love you, Sting!” Eventually, her persistence paid off. At one point, Sting responded, lightheartedly telling her that he loved her too, but maybe in another lifetime. That alone made her night, especially as people around her excitedly whispered that he was talking to her. The audience itself was largely made up of older fans who grew up with The Police, and the energy in the arena reflected decades of devotion. People were on their feet throughout the show, dancing, swaying, and letting the music move them. It’s nearly impossible to keep still when those classic rhythms kick in, and even harder once the mega-hits arrive near the end. “Every Breath You Take” had the entire arena up and singing as one, and the venue lit up completely for the encore of “Roxanne.”
It was an electric, unforgettable finish. So, was the two-hour drive worth it? Absolutely.
Photos – Sting at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on September 18th:
