Sting’s Reflections on His Roots and the Northeast
Sting, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, is in a reflective mood. Growing up in Wallsend, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, he tells me he is "very proud" of his Tyneside roots. However, he is less complimentary about the way the northeast of England has been treated by successive governments over the years.
A Donation to the Baltic Center
The musician has announced a significant donation to the Baltic Center for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. He believes that the statistics for child poverty in the region are "discouraging" and wants to give something back to the place and culture that made him. The Baltic Center, often referred to as the Tate Modern of the northeast, is a hub for contemporary art and has been an essential part of the regeneration of the Gateshead Quayside.
A Childhood Rich in Culture
Despite his modest beginnings, Sting remembers a childhood rich in culture. He had access to the Wallsend Library, the People’s Theater in Jesmond, and the Laing Art Gallery. These institutions gave him a sense of the world beyond the shipyard where he grew up. He also recalls seeing the virtuoso Spanish classical guitarist Andrés Segovia perform with the Northern Sinfonia at the Newcastle City Hall when he was 14.
The Decline of the Shipbuilding Industry
The northeast was once a proud hub for shipbuilding, but the decline of the industry has left a lasting impact on the region. Sting describes the now-disappeared shipyard as "a real and symbolic victim of government neglect." He believes that the region has been let down by successive governments, who have made "all the empty promises of the ‘Leveling Up’ agenda" but failed to deliver.
A Government Response
In response to Sting’s criticism, a government spokesperson said that they are "fixing the crisis that we inherited." They pointed to investments of £140 million in the seven most disadvantaged towns in the northeast, including Washington and Jarrow, as part of a broader investment of £1.5 billion across the country. The spokesperson also stated that the government is "taking decisive action to tackle the scourge of child poverty."
The Importance of Cultural Experiences
Sting believes that cultural experiences are essential for children growing up in the northeast. He says that art "contains the spark of creativity that can lie dormant even in the poorest households if it is not nurtured." He wants to ensure that the Baltic Center can continue to provide free entry and community programs for children and young people.
A World Tour and a Gala Performance
Sting is currently on a world tour with his Trio Sting 3.0, but he will return to Tyneside in October for a gala performance at the Baltic Center to raise more funds. Tickets for the event will be £10,000 per table. He has thought about his roots for some time, and his concept album and musical, The Last Ship, was inspired by the Tyneside shipbuilding of his childhood.
Innovations and Regeneration
Sting wants to sing more about the innovative spirit that he sees in the northeast. He points to the region’s history of innovation, including the development of the steam turbine and the locomotive on Tyneside. He believes that the success of the UK was built on these inventions and wants to see the region thrive once again. The Baltic Center, he says, "should be a beacon of hope for regeneration."
