Sting support act collapses with cardiac arrest as medics set up privacy screen
A live set by The Christians at Liverpool's Pier Head came to a sudden halt after a band member collapsed mid-performance, suffering what was described as a cardiac arrest.
The band were the last act to play on Sunday before Sting took to the stage. Lead singer Garry Christian urgently called for medical help as the incident unfolded, prompting crew to set up a privacy screen on stage.
Emergency responders quickly arrived, and the performer was treated before being taken away in an ambulance. A woman believed to be the band's manager, Emma Bridget, addressed the stunned crowd with an emotional update:
'We're really hoping he is going to make it. He didn't have a pulse, he's got one now, we think. Thank you so much. I'm just so sorry because Garry loves Liverpool and he wanted to put on the show of his life and we're really devastated but thank you so much.'
Messages displayed to fans after the incident read: 'We appreciate your patience and understanding. Medical staff are with the performer, and we will provide an update as soon as we can.'
The crowd, numbering in the thousands, remained quiet and concerned as the situation unfolded, Mirror UK reports. The former Police frontman arrived on stage and issued an update on the drummer's condition as he confirmed he has been taken to hospital.
He said: 'The drummer in the band before is OK. He's in hospital. All of us are praying he's going to be fine. Our thoughts are with him." Sting then said how he felt honoured to back in Liverpool for his first performance in the city since 1979.
He said: "I apologise. I don't know what kept me. I'm happy to be in this historic music city. The most historic music city in the world for obvious reasons."
Sting's performance was the final headline act of the 2025 festival. The other headline acts at the Pier Head this year included The Wombats, The Wolfe Tones and Cream Classical Ibiza.
The Christians, from Liverpool, had the highest selling debut album of any artist at Island Records and international chart hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band took its name from the surname of the three original brothers in the lineup - a fitting choice that also happens to be guitarist Henry Priestman's middle name.
The Christians were formed in 1985 by Garry Christian (lead vocals), Roger Christian (vocals and instrumentalist), Russell Christian (keyboards, saxophone, vocals), and Henry Priestman (keyboards, guitars, vocals). Priestman, although not a relative, shared the Christian name by coincidence. Early members also included Paul Barlow on drums, Mike Bulger on guitar and vocals, and Tony Jones on bass.
Roger Christian stepped away from the group in 1987, choosing not to tour and instead focusing on a solo album. He later passed away in 1998 following a battle with a brain tumour.
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