LYTHAM FESTIVAL PRESENTS, DAY 3 STING – BLONDIE – THE KAISER CHIEFS – GERMEIN – JOE SUMNER 30th of June 2023

July 6, 2023
UK Concert Reviews
by Billy Seagrave Photographer/Writer

Sting’s career has been marked by his distinctive voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and his ability to evolve and experiment with different musical styles. His contributions to the music industry, both as a member of The Police and as a solo artist, have solidified his status as one of the most influential and respected figures in contemporary music. On this cold wet, blustery evening the fans have turned out for a sellout show that promises to warm the soul.

Opening today’s proceedings is Joe Sumner. While he is often associated with his famous father (Sting), Joe has carved out his own career in the music industry. Taking to the stage and explaining that he had been on and off coaches for 23 hours to arrive at today’s venue, that’s a commitment for you. While Joe Sumner’s musical career may have been influenced by his famous lineage, he has established himself as a talented artist in his own right. His unique voice and heartfelt songwriting resonated with the audience, Sumner’s musical style can be described as alternative rock with influences from folk and pop. He has a soulful and expressive voice that connects with the crowd. Drawing inspiration from his personal experiences and observations, his songwriting explores themes of love, life, and self-reflection he warmed the crowd up beautifully

As we wait for the next band the weather is kicking in, but this resilient crowd are not letting it dampen their spirits, rain macs are the fashion of the day. Next up is Germein an Australian indie-pop band consisting of three sisters “Georgia” who plays guitar and lead vocals, “Ella” who plays bass and backing vocals, and “Clara” who provides the drums and backing vocals. They look very comfortable on the big stage and deliver an energetic performance, full of infectious pop hooks, and tight harmonies. Straight from the off the band are in full flow. and continued to build momentum right through their set, the standout songs for me were, “Knocking at My Door,” “Golden,” and “Only Lonely.” full of themes of empowerment, self-discovery, and personal growth, lyrics that resonate with listeners of all ages. Their stage presence is dynamic and they kept the crowd entertained.

Next up are the power-de-force that is The Kaiser Chiefs, a band that never fails to deliver. The Kaiser Chiefs actively involve the crowd from the off, creating as always a lively and interactive atmosphere. Ricky Wilson encourages the audience to join in, opening with, “Never Miss A Beat”, standing on a box, arms aloft beckoning the crowd to clap and join in on the chorus, you don’t get to see the Kaiser Chiefs if you don’t sing-along. With a great visual backdrop, the band’s energetic and fast-paced songs translate into a high-intensity performance on stage. The Kaiser Chiefs deliver their music with raw and infectious energy, showcasing their tight musicianship and the passion they have for their craft and they always leave the audience wanting more.

The band have a real depth of hits to perform, “Modern Way”, “Every Day I Love You Less and Less”, and there’s no show without, “Ruby”, and the brilliant “I Predict A Riot”. Ricky Wilson is as Charismatic as ever, even taking time out to go over and thank the Team that has been signing for the deaf people in the crowd, something I am sure they appreciated, and throw in a great cover of The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” and now it’s full party mode, the set ends with “Angry Mob”, The Kaiser Chiefs don’t come to the party, they bring it.

Set List.

1/ Never Miss a Beat

2/ Na Na Na Na Naa

3/ Modern Way

4/ Everyday I Love You Less and Less

5/ Jealousy

6/ How 2 Dance

7/ Hole in My Soul

8/ People Know How to Love One Another

9/ Ruby

10/ I Predict a Riot

11/ Pinball Wizard

(The Who cover)

12/ Oh My God

13/ The Angry Mob

Today’s show is completely sold out, and it’s not just Sting there is the legend punk queen Debbie Harry and Blondie as well.

Tonight offers everyone here a chance to witness the enduring legacy of an iconic rock band. Debbie Harry and the band have headlined several concerts over the last few months, and many fans have been here all day trying to find the right spot for what promises to be a memorable show.

Opening with “One Way Or Another”, and straight into, “Hangin On The Telephone”, and the crowd erupts, The band members display their musical prowess, creating a cohesive and powerful sound that brings their songs to life on stage. The chemistry and camaraderie among the band members add an extra layer of excitement to the concert experience. Debbie Harry is the heart and soul of Blondie. Her charismatic stage presence is as powerful as ever, she commands the stage with her iconic style and captivating performance, and the crowd interaction is great too. It’s hard to believe tomorrow she will be 78.

We are treated to all hits, and fan favourites, “Heart Of Glass,” “Call Me,” “One Way or Another,” “Rapture,” “Atomic,” and “The Tide Is High.” Tonight’s show has been a moment that will be remembered, as part of the Blondie’s legacy. Their eclectic sound and genre-blending approach have been lapped up by the crowd, Blondie has inspired countless artists and contributed to the evolution of rock, pop and punk music.

Set List.

1/ One Way or Another

2/ Hanging on the Telephone

(The Nerves cover)

3/ Call Me

4/ Atomic

5/ Rapture

6/ The Tide Is High

(The Paragons cover)

7/ Maria

8/ Heart of Glass

9/ Dreaming

The stage is set, and the sun is setting, it’s blustery for sure, but the buzz around the crowd is building for our headliner Sting. He opens with “Message In A Bottle”, instantly followed by “Englishman In New York”, and already the atmosphere feels intimate. Sting connects with his audience through his storytelling, making the concert feel personal and inviting. His stage presence and charisma captivate the crowd, holding their attention throughout the show. “Every Little Thing She Does”, and “Fields Of Gold”, keep the hits coming, a back catalogue that seems timeless.

Sting’s lyrics have always been thought-provoking, he delves into themes of love, social issues, and personal reflection, this is showcased on tracks like “Brand New Day” His performance highlighted the emotional depth of his songs, allowing the audience to connect on a deeper level. “Walking On The Moon”, and “So Lonely”, keep the crowd singing along. “Desert Rose”, is a personal favourite of mine, and saw myself lost in the moment, as we move into “King Of Pain”, then Sting is joined on stage by his son Joe, what a fantastic and proud moment that must be.

The set closed with a raucous, “Every Breath You Take”, tonight’s show has been immense and the crowd beg for more, happy to oblige the band return to the stage, and “Roxane” kicks in whilst cleverly incorporating Bob Marley “No Woman No Cry”, Our last song for the evening is “Fragile”, once again a show stopper, Tonight has been an immersive and memorable experience. With a mix of his timeless hits, exceptional musicianship, and engaging stage presence, Sting’s performance showcased his musical artistry and his ability to captivate audiences with his talent and charisma. I along with a sellout crowd have watched a master at work, Lytham put on another brilliant night.