This year the Sting is giving up what built its reputation: the clashes. Isaiah Laing, the event's promoter, has confirmed that clashes will not be on the programme, preferring to put the emphasis on unity. He envisages a powerful combination rather than a musical competition that has sometimes set things ablaze.
Although the full line-up will not be revealed until 23 November, a few artists' names have already started to leak out. Laing, a good communicator, is already making promises: "This year, we will have something special to close the show."