57th & 9th

57th & 9th is the twelfth solo studio album by British singer-songwriter Sting, his first rock album in 13 years, released on 11 November 2016. From late 2015 and throughout the first half of 2016, images of Sting working in the studio were periodically published across his various social media outlets. The resultant album was eventually announced on 18 July 2016. In a teaser video published subsequently, Sting described the album as having a spontaneous feel, featuring "a lot of rock 'n' roll" with themes of searching, travelling, the road and the pull of the unknown. In an article published on 25 July 2016, Roger Friedman wrote that the lead single, "I Can't Stop Thinking About You", would be released on 2 September 2016. The album title is a reference to the New York intersection Sting crossed every day to get to the studio in Hell's Kitchen where much of the album was recorded. Sting debuted the studio version of "I Can't Stop Thinking About You" – and performed the song live – on 31 August 2016 in the Red Bull Sound Space at L.A. radio station KROQ. Sting performed the song "Fifty Thousand" live for the first time ever on 16 September 2016 on Later with Jools Holland. On 22 September 2016, Sting released for free on YouTube the audio version of "Fifty Thousand". Sting performed the song "One Fine Day" live for the first time ever on 6 October 2016 on Deutscher Radiopreis. On 27 October 2016, Sting released for free on YouTube an acoustic version of "I Can't Stop Thinking About You". On 3 November 2016, Sting released for free on YouTube the audio version of "Petrol Head". Sting is due to perform on 9 November 2016 a Sting.com Fan Club Member Exclusive Show (scheduled at 11PM) at Irving Plaza, a small (only one thousand-people capacity) music venue in Manhattan, New York City, performing songs from 57th & 9th for the first time live in concert. The show is due to follow a 57th & 9th iHeartRadio Album Release Party (scheduled at 8PM). Backed by a 3-piece band including Dominic Miller (guitar), Vinnie Colauita (drums) and Rufus Miller (guitar), Sting is due to perform on 12 November 2016 an exclusive concert in Paris for the re-opening of the Bataclan, performing songs from 57th & 9th.