Sting to tour North America

Sting, the former frontman of Police, will mount a minimalist tour of North America next spring, during which he'll take the stage as part of a stripped-down, four-piece band.

Dubbed the Broken Music Tour, the outing is scheduled to begin on April 1 in San Jose, CA, and dates so far are scattered through the end of that month. More shows will be announced in the coming weeks; organizers say that the tour will hit dozens of college campuses, as well as cities and venues that Sting did not hit in 2004.
Joining singer/bassist Sting on stage during the run will be guitarist and longtime bandmate Dominic Miller, guitarist Shane Fontayne (Lone Justice, Bruce Springsteen) and drummer Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle).

Los Angeles-based rock group Phantom Planet will hold down the tour's opening slot.

Tickets for a number of shows will hit the box office this weekend (12/4-5).