Sting’s Historic Wallonia Debut at Francofolies de Spa
Legendary musician Sting performed for the first time in Wallonia on Saturday, July 25, headlining the Francofolies de Spa festival on the Place Royale stage. The 17-time Grammy winner’s debut in the French-speaking region of Belgium marked a historic milestone for both the artist and the festival, which described the concert as a “Belgian exclusive.”
The concert was part of Sting’s “Sting 3.0” world tour, which strips back his sound to an intimate trio format. He was accompanied by longtime collaborator Dominic Miller on guitar and Chris Maas on drums—known for his work with Mumford & Sons and Maggie Rogers. The sold-out show, booked for weeks in advance, drew fans to the scenic spa town in Liège Province.
A Festival Reinvented
The 2026 edition of Francofolies de Spa, running from July 20 to 26, underwent a major reinvention. According to RTBF, the festival expanded to a full week with intimate indoor “Nuits Francofolies” concerts (July 20–23) followed by outdoor performances (July 24–26), a new Club Galerie for electronic music, and over 120 concerts—nearly half of them free.
Sting’s appearance on the Pierre Rapsat stage was the crown jewel of the outdoor programming. The Francofolies official website had announced the concert as a “Belgian exclusive” and Sting’s very first performance in Wallonia, adding to the event’s significance.
An Englishman in Spa
In a relaxed and smiling mood, Sting gave a five-minute interview to RTBF journalist Marie-Amélie Mastin on the Place Royale. As RTBF reported, he discussed his passion for musical reinvention—a hallmark of his decades-spanning career—and his appreciation for the Walloon language and culture. The artist, who produces wine in Tuscany, also developed a taste for Belgian beer during his visit, confessing himself a great beer enthusiast.
The setlist blended timeless classics like “Every Breath You Take” and “Roxanne” with deeper cuts. When the tour launched in Dresden in May 2024, Sting performed “When the Angels Fall” for the first time since 1992 and “Never Coming Home” for the first time since 2012, alongside the hits fans have cherished for decades.
Belgian blues-rock artist Thomas Frank Hopper opened for Sting, calling it “the biggest stage of my career” in an interview with L’Avenir ahead of the show. British rock band Razorlight also performed on the same stage that evening.
A Living Legacy
Sting’s first Wallonia concert underscores his remarkable staying power. At 74, the former frontman of The Police continues to tour globally in various formats—orchestral, solo, and now the stripped-down trio. The “Sting 3.0” configuration returns to the raw energy of his early days with The Police, offering dynamic reinterpretations of his catalog.
His recent releases include “Sting 3.0 Live,” a 10-track compilation featuring the first live recording of “Be Still My Beating Heart,” and “The Night Watch: Live at the Rijksmuseum,” recorded at Amsterdam’s famous museum. RTBF also noted that his song “Fragile” gained renewed attention through a choral cover featured in the Netflix series “Adolescence,” which Sting publicly praised.
What’s Next
For Francofolies de Spa, hosting an artist of Sting’s caliber reinforces Wallonia’s position on the international cultural tourism map. The festival’s 2026 reinvention—with its mix of intimate indoor shows, free concerts, and electronic music programming—signals a strategic effort to broaden its appeal and compete with Belgium’s largest festivals.
Sting continues his “Sting 3.0” world tour, bringing his trio sound to audiences across the globe. For the people of Wallonia, however, Saturday night was a historic first—and for the Englishman in Spa, a chance to discover that Belgian beer pairs just as well with a legendary career as Tuscan wine.