Pop icon Sting, 74, and fellow musician Jimmy Nail, 71, teamed up at a glamorous event to raise £10 million for the arts in their hometown of Tyneside. The event, held at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, featured a performance of the Beach Boys’ hit ‘God Only Knows’ by the duo. Notable guests included artist Jim Moir (Vic Reeves), Nancy Sorrell, Alan Shearer, and Sting’s siblings Angela and Philip, who enjoyed a selection of Sting’s popular songs. Renowned artists Damien Hirst, Antony Gormley, and Anish Kapoor contributed their artworks to a charity auction, including a holiday at Sting and Trudie Styler’s residence in Tuscany, which fetched a substantial sum.
Vic Reeves, also known as Jim Moir, humorously expressed his desire to visit Sting’s Italian home, jokingly mentioning carrying butter in his pocket. Sting engaged the audience by sharing anecdotes about his songs, including hits like ‘Englishman in New York’ and ‘Every Breath She Takes,’ inspired by his relationship with Trudie.
Attendees praised the intimate atmosphere of the event, highlighting Sting’s exceptional vocal performance and the successful fundraising efforts. Sting emphasized the importance of supporting cultural venues like the Baltic, stressing the significance of nurturing talent in the region.
The gala, organized to establish a £10 million Endowment Fund for the Baltic, was commended by Sarah Munro, Director of Baltic, for highlighting the transformative power of arts and creativity. The event brought together local business leaders, celebrities like Nadine Shah, and sports personality Alan Shearer, who enjoyed a victory for Newcastle Utd during the Carabao Cup final.
In a post-event statement, Sting reiterated the crucial role of cultural institutions, emphasizing the need to safeguard venues like the Baltic for the industry’s sustainability. The successful gala underscored the community’s commitment to supporting arts and culture initiatives.