OK, OK, the head-line might be a tad misleading but, hands-up, who wants to see Sting perform his vast repertoire of tracks live with a full concert symphony orchestra? Well, you can do just that because the most famous Police-man in the UK (apart from DI Burnside, Jack Regan and Gene Hunt of course - easy Ed, I'm just kidding), is set to embark on an extensive world tour called "Symphonicity" (see what he did there?) whereby he will take centre-stage with a full orchestra and sing his most-loved songs.

Sting has planned just two UK dates and, not surprisingly, one of them is on the doorstep of his old manor - the North-East of England. But the first night is at the Royal Albert Hall on 1st October, with a four-day gap afterwards until he 'comes home' to the Gateshead Sage on 5th October. Tickets go on sale on Friday 28th May at 9am (£46.50 for Gateshead, £51.50 - £91.50 for London) - I imagine these will sell-out pretty quick.

Sting has dabbled with orchestral work before, not least in 2008 when he performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, recreating many of his favourite tracks in a new setting. This time he is joined by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra (or the Northern Sinfonia at Gateshead) a liason which offers a pre-cursor for the new album in the form of a single, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic", out this week digitally. The new album, entitled "Symphonicities" will appear in the summer and will contain "Roxanne", "Englishman In New York" and many more. The tour is likely to feature many renditions that will not be released on the album - quite an arresting prospect methinks!

Update: More dates added!

The original batch of tickets sold-out in a matter of minutes, but a second Royal Albert Hall date has been added (now almost sold-out) as well as dates in Manchester and Edinburgh which go on sale Friday 18th June at 9AM, starting at £51.50 + fees.