Without an instrument, Sting plays a pops singer at the X Star Tribune photo by David Brewster As is often the case, the second set in an arena show was better than the first. And is often the case when reviewing a concert on deadline for the morning paper (the deadline is 10:45 p.m.), the review reflected the first half more than the second. The pacing of Sting's opening set Monday at the strikingly half-empty Xcel Energy Center was a little slow; the second set was noticeably more uptempo, thanks to the bouncy "Every Breath You Take" and the jump blues "She's Too Good for Me" during the encore. Sting was also looser during the second set, responding to shout outs from fans (someone really did request "Free Bird"). The rock star was chatty and gracious throughout, introducing soloists by name and kissing the hand of the clarinetist after she'd played a solo during "Englishman in New York" (the solo Branford Marsalis used to play on sax when he was in Sting's band). Backed by "the biggest band I've ever had," Sting offered orchestral versions of his solo and Police songs. Just because it was a symphonic orchestra doesn't mean it was classical music. No, this was pops, just like the Moody Blues' and Metallica's concerts with orchestras. Here is what Sting played with strings: Set one: If I Ever Lose My Faith in You/ Englishman in New York/ Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic/ Roxanne/ Straight to My Heart/ When We Dance/ Russians/ I Hung My Head/ Shape of My Heart/ Why Should I Cry/ Whenever I Say Your Name/ Fields of Gold/ Next to You Set two: A Thousand Years/ Tomorrow We'll See/ Moon over Bourbon Street/ The End of the Game/ My Ain True Love/ All Would Envy/ Mad About You/ King of Pain/ Every Little Breath You Take ENCORE Desert Rose/ She's Too Good for Me/ Fragile ENCORE 2 I Was Brought to My Senses (solo a cappella)