Show Picks: Catch British music star Sting performing his 1980s hits in pared-down gig

Sting 3.0 In Singapore

British music luminary Sting’s return to Singapore is part of his global Sting 3.0 World Tour, where he will perform as a trio with British guitarist and long-time collaborator Dominic Miller and London-based drummer Chris Maas.

It is a refreshing change for the singer, whose previous backing bands have included up to seven musicians. As he told The Straits Times in a recent interview, paring it down to only three on stage – just like his former ground-breaking pop-rock band The Police – has been exciting and fresh.

“We have to work harder, but the challenge is something that we look forward to,” he says.

Fans here can look forward to hearing the songs that made him famous, from his solo output dating back to the mid-1980s, as well as hits by The Police from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The concert comes two years after he last performed in Singapore at The Star Theatre in 2023, which was part of another global tour in support of his 2019 album, My Songs.

He has also played here several times in the past, including a show with The Police at Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2008, as part of their reunion tour.

Where: Arena @ Expo, 9 Somapah Road
MRT: Expo
When: Sept 23, 8pm
Admission: From $138 via Ticketmaster (go to

ticketmaster.sg

or call 6018-7645)

District M: A Marina Central Festival

Music meets design, art and architecture in District M, a festival taking place across four stages at Marina Square, Millenia Walk, South Beach and Suntec City.

Music Piazza at Suntec Plaza features performances by acts such as home-grown singer-songwriters Nathan Hartono and Gareth Fernandez, as well as Australian singer Matthew Ifield.

At South Beach’s Fountain Stage, the audience can catch acts like Singaporean singer Heema Izzati, who performed at the 2025 National Day Parade, and check out booths that offer jagua ink tattoos.

Those at Common Ground at Marina Square Linkbridge can catch performances by home-grown singer-songwriters Haneri and Sun Cell. There will also be activities such as candle marbling.

At Beats Terrace at Millenia Walk, audiences can get down to music by the likes of sober party crew Beans&Beats, and Beats And Doodles, a collective led by Singaporean artist Cherry Chan that features DJ z4idj.

Organised by Marina Central Business Improvement District, the festival is part of Singapore Design Week.

Where: Marina Central district, various venues
MRT: Promenade/Esplanade
When: Sept 19 and 20, from 5pm
Admission: Free
Info:

str.sg/Ddkz

Altoduo Presents: Expression Without Borders

Singapore group Altoduo, known for instrumentals that fuse experimental, lo-fi hip-hop and math rock, are staging a two-part event with live music, art and dance.

Billed as a “guided and interactive multimedia art jam”, the first half involves a daytime workshop that features comic artist and illustrator Rei Yukon and dance crew Project Kinaesthesia.

The second part features a live performance by Altoduo, which formed in 2019 with bassist John Paul Kwan and drummer-keyboardist Winifred Tan. They will also engage the audience in a discussion of their journey in music, which includes gigs in major events such as the Singapore Grand Prix 2022. Signed to Australian-based music label Dark Escapes Music, they have released several albums and EPs, including What Nobody Asked For (2021) and Where Do We Go From Here? (2024).

The event is also a fund-raiser for the pair before they embark on a series of shows in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. To contribute, those attending can either buy tickets that come with a signed tour poster and sticker set, or pay any amount at the door.

Where: Anadigi Sound Lab, 668A Geylang Road
MRT: Paya Lebar
When: Sept 21, 5pm
Admission: $37 from Sistic (go to

str.sg/sore

or call 6348-5555), or any amount at the door