Summer Sessions in Glasgow have truly knocked it out the park this year.

DF Concerts have curated an eclectic mix of headliners that’s sure to satisfy even the most discerning music fan.

Tonight, the stage was graced by two legendary acts and a rising star.

The weather girl on TV said there’d be no rain... but the clouds above Bellahouston Park were telling a different story. Time would tell.

First, a shout-out to the promoters...

The approach and entry to the venue were first-class.

Stewards and signage were everywhere, staff were friendly and up for a bit of banter, and the layout was excellent.

The stage was high and easily visible from all angles, with side screens that were pin-sharp and crystal clear. 
Big thumbs up for logistics and production.

Opening tonight’s events was exciting newcomer Sophie Grey who took to the stage waving a flag declaring her Glasgow debut.

Sophie – who describes herself as ‘retro electro’ delivered a solo set backed by a well-produced track which did a lot of the heavy lifting.

Her look was a creative blend—Madonna meets Gaga meets anime Barbie. Some in the crowd thought her stage presence was awkward, but it felt intentionally stylized—robotic dancing and a performance style that leaned into the surreal.

Her George Michael cover was a brave choice, though vocally a stretch. Still, respect for the effort. 

The crowd, initially sparse, grew steadily and sent her off with a warm, supportive round of applause.

An 80s playlist boomed over the PA to set the scene before the legendary Alison Moyet took the stage.

No introduction needed—especially after her recent sold-out Glasgow show.
Celebrating 40 years in the business and fresh from a four-month world tour, Moyet could’ve played a ‘Greatest Hits’ set. Instead, she chose something braver: a reflective, introspective journey through her career.

At first, some in the crowd seemed caught off guard and a little miffed, hoping for Yazoo classics and early solo hits. The first few tracks were, in truth, outstanding but it wasn’t until she launched into ‘Nobody’s Diary’, everything clicked into place amongst the fans.

Highlights included ‘Changeling’ and ‘Beautiful Gun’—both delivered with rich emotion and stellar production. The sound mix could have been better (support slot limits, perhaps), but the performance never faltered. The biggest hit in the eyes and voices of the crowd was definitely ‘Only You’; a timeless classic which everyone sang along to with gusto.

An acoustic number led into an incredible reimagining of ‘Love Resurrection’—an absolute standout moment. It was evident that the demurely gothic attired Moyet was having a great time as her huge smile and trademark random ramblings on the microphone became more regular... she loves a good conversational ramble during her gigs!

She ended (somewhat ironically) with ‘Don’t Go’... and then she did.

At 60-something, this might be a farewell to the live stage from Alf—but if so, what a legacy she leaves. A discography rarely equalled, never bettered.

A dramatic shift in mood and volume marked the changeover, with anthem after anthem (including the anthem that is ‘Ace of Spades’) hyping the crowd for the main event.

No intro needed—Sting walked on to the legendary Glasgow roar and launched straight into ‘Message in a Bottle’. The first track was ‘Message in a Bottle’!!! How’s that for starters?

Wearing his trademark slightly ripped t-shirt, jeans, and trusty old, slightly battered,bass... Gordon Sumner was on top form—radio mic strapped to his face, giving him free reign over the stage like a man half his age. He makes everything look effortless...

The sound was immaculate. Tight, crisp, confident. The lighting and staging were stripped back—simple, tasteful, and letting the music speak.

‘I Wrote Your Name’ took us nicely into a reworked ‘If I Ever Lose My Faith in You’ which gave Sting the chance to introduce his stellar band.

Then came what my phone autocorrected notes insists was ‘Anglian in My Yoke’ — let’s assume it meant ‘Englishman in New York’. The first real crowd singalong moment of the night, complete with the now-traditional “WWHHOOOOAAA” echo chant demanded by Mr Sting.

Sting then explained the genesis of the next track... ‘Fields of Gold’ was inspired by the vista from the front door of his little cottage (for clarity, he clarified he meant castle).

‘Driven to Tears’ landed particularly hard, given the current world political backdrop. A raw, powerful performance made more impactful by stark visuals behind the band.

The songs flowed from here and every track was flawlessly delivered. Even the two surprise songs picked by guitarist Dominic (A Thousand Years and Can’t Stand Losing You) were well received, though Sting fumbled a lyric or two—not that anyone cared.

Crowd interaction ramped up again—now with an upgraded “EEEEEEEAAAAAAOOOOOO” in place of the basic “WWHHOOOOAAA”—and the final stretch of hits came one after another.

‘Walking on the Moon’ flowed seamlessly into ‘So Lonely’ in an epic mash-up that brought the crowd to an epic peak.

Then, in a perfect crescendo, ‘Every Breath You Take’ rang out across the now rain-soaked crowd—nobody cared. Arms in the air, voices unified, the Church of Sting in full communion.

But hold on... there was a sting in the tale as Mr Sumner and his mates brought ‘Roxanne’ to the encore party and a ‘Fragile’ ending as the skies cleared to wave goodbye to the ecstatic fans.

A night of legends and legacy.

Sophie Grey showed promise, Alison Moyet gave us the soul of an artist still evolving in her 60’s, and Sting reminded us all what musical mastery looks and sounds like 71 years of age... 71!!

Even the Glasgow skies couldn’t dampen it.

(c) Scottish Music Network by John Brown