Pop icon Sting, 74, and singer Jimmy Nail, 71, shared the stage at a glamorous event in Gateshead to raise £10 million for the arts in their hometown of Tyneside. The duo performed a rendition of the Beach Boys’ classic ‘God Only Knows’ at the exclusive £1,000-per-ticket gala held at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. Notable guests included artist Vic Reeves, his wife Nancy Sorrell, former footballer Alan Shearer, and Sting’s siblings Angela and Philip, who enjoyed a medley of Sting’s greatest hits.
The event featured a charity auction with contributions from renowned artists Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley, and Anish Kapoor. Among the items auctioned was a holiday at Sting and Trudie Styler’s residence in Tuscany, Italy, which fetched a substantial sum through bidding.
During the evening, Sting engaged the audience by sharing anecdotes about his songs before performing them, including popular tracks like ‘Englishman in New York’ and ‘Every Breath She Takes,’ the latter inspired by his early romance with Trudie.
Attendees praised the intimate setting and Sting’s exceptional vocal performance, with one guest expressing admiration for the close-up experience. The auction for the holiday at Sting’s property nearly reached £90,000, contributing significantly to the charitable cause.
Vic Reeves, also known as Jim Moir, humorously mentioned his desire to visit Sting’s Italian home, jokingly referring to carrying butter in his pocket. Before his performance, Sting recounted a humorous incident where he convinced a friend to join him on stage, despite being unwell.
Local dignitaries, including business leader Graham Wylie and singer Nadine Shah, mingled with the stars at the event, creating a vibrant atmosphere. Sting and Shearer, who attended the gala, celebrated Newcastle Utd’s victory over Spurs in the Carabao Cup final.
Reflecting on the importance of cultural venues, Sting emphasized the need to preserve institutions like the Baltic Centre to support and nurture local talent. Sarah Munro, Director of Baltic, highlighted the significance of the event in kickstarting a fundraising campaign to establish a £10 million Endowment Fund for the art institution.
The gala underscored the transformative power of arts, culture, and creativity, resonating with the attendees on the profound impact of supporting the arts in the community.