Sting will officially celebrate 25 years of being a solo artist with a uniquely structured evening of music this fall in North America. This announcement builds on the previously announced box set and all-star birthday concert commemorating this same anniversary.

The somewhat clever title of the tour, 'Back To Bass,' indicates that there will be no lutes present, which we consider a good thing. More to the point, Sting plans to take it "back to bass," performing all of his hits stripped down allegedly in a way that "they haven't been played in years."

His Stingness will be backed by a five piece band including longtime guitarist Dominic Miller, guitarist Rufus Miller, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta (a key member of Sting's '90s solo band and an amazing drummer in general), vocalist Jo Lawry. Thankfully, Peter Tickell will be there as well to play electric fiddle.

The setlist will reach all the way back to Sting's 1985 solo debut 'The Dream Of The Blue Turtles,' and up to the present day with arrangements from his latest 'Live In Berlin' album in addition a selection of Police favorites.

The tour opens in Boston on Oct. 21, playing a series of U.S. and Canadian dates that will tentatively wrap up Dec. 8 in Vancouver, British Columbia. 15 shows were announced today with additional shows to be announced in the coming weeks.

Fans that are left out in the cold with no tour date will still have the opportunity to catch Sting making music of a different kind when he collaborates with country star Vince Gill for an upcoming edition of CMT's 'Crossroads,' with the interesting pairing performing new versions of their individual hits together.

Sting Fall 2011 U.S. Tour Dates:

10/21 -- Boston, Mass.
10/26 -- Philadelphia, Pa.
10/29 -- Washington, D.C.
11/1 -- Toronto, Ontario
11/5 -- Chicago, Ill.
11/6 -- Detroit, Mich.
11/12 -- Miami, Fla.
11/16 - Dallas, Texas
11/17 -- Houston, Texas
11/20 -- Denver, Colo.
11/22 -- Phoenix, Ariz.
11/28 -- Los Angeles, Calif.
12/2 -- San Francisco, Calif.
12/5 -- Seattle, Wash.
12/8 -- Vancouver, British Columbia

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