The 73-year-old British rock legend Sting has been forced to postpone several concerts and withdraw from an awards ceremony due to a temporary throat infection. This unexpected health issue has led to multiple alterations in his schedule, affecting thousands of fans in California and Arizona who held tickets to his shows.
A post on Sting’s social media account stated, “On advisement from his doctor, due to illness, it is with sincere regret that Sting must cancel his appearance at the Bass Magazine Awards and postpone his STING 3.0 concerts.”
The postponed performances include the concert at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, which was originally scheduled for January 24, 2025, but has been rescheduled for June 1. Also affected is the show at Hard Rock Live in Wheatland, California, originally set for January 26, now rescheduled for May 28. His participation in the 20th anniversary celebration of Cherrytree Music Company has been moved to May 29.
Ticket holders for the postponed shows are advised to retain their tickets as they will be honored for the rescheduled dates. Sting has expressed his apologies for any inconvenience caused and thanked his fans for their understanding.
Sting, whose real name is Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, provided a personal update on Instagram. He assured fans that he is “steadily improving” from the throat infection that has temporarily halted his ability to perform.
This is a rare disruption in Sting’s demanding performance schedule. His previous significant health-related postponement happened in October 2018, when a similar vocal issue forced him to delay a joint concert with Jamaican singer Shaggy.
Sting’s current health issue has also affected his participation in the FireAid concert, a benefit event organized to support wildfire relief efforts. Originally scheduled for January 30 in Inglewood, California, the event boasts a star-studded lineup including Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga.
Sting is set to appear next on February 8 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. After a month-long break, he is slated to return to the stage on April 11 at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York. He will headline major summer festivals like the Latitude Festival, the Isle of Wight Festival, and the On the Waterfront Festival in Liverpool, England.
Prior to his successful solo career, Sting co-founded The Police in 1977 with Stewart Copeland and Andy Summers. The band achieved global fame with five studio albums, the last of which, “Synchronicity” in 1983, topped the UK Albums Chart and Billboard 200.
During his time with The Police, Sting co-wrote many of the band’s hit songs such as “Every Breath You Take,” “Roxanne,” and “Message in a Bottle.” The band garnered six Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003. Their final tour in 2007-2008, celebrating their 30th anniversary, became one of the highest-grossing tours ever, earning $358 million.
The 17-time Grammy Award winner is known for solo hits like “Englishman in New York,” “Fields of Gold,” and “Shape of My Heart.” He maintains a strict wellness routine, including regular Ashtanga yoga practice and a macrobiotic diet, which is credited with his ongoing longevity in the music industry.
The temporary setback comes amid Sting’s ongoing STING 3.0 tour, which has been critically acclaimed across several continents. Fans with tickets to the affected shows have offered widespread support on social media, prioritizing the artist’s health over their entertainment plans.
