Sting to reopen Paris's Bataclan before attack anniversary

Sting: 'We hope to respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell'

British singer Sting is to reopen the Bataclan music venue in Paris the day before the first anniversary of the attack that killed 90 concertgoers.

The former Police frontman will perform there on Saturday 12 November.

He said he wanted to "remember and honour those who lost their lives" and "to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents".

The venue has been shut since Islamist gunmen stormed a gig by US rock band Eagles of Death Metal last November.

Three heavily armed gunmen wearing suicide vests were part of co-ordinated attacks around Paris on 13 November that killed 130 people.

Sting said all revenue from his show would be donated to Life For Paris and 13 Novembre: Fraternite Verite.

The Bataclan has been renovated since the attacks

The singer played at the venue while on tour with The Police in April 1979.

In a statement on his website, the star said: "In re-opening the Bataclan, we have two important tasks to reconcile.

"First, to remember and honour those who lost their lives in the attack a year ago, and second to celebrate the life and the music that this historic theatre represents.

"In doing so we hope to respect the memory as well as the life affirming spirit of those who fell. We shall not forget them."

Tickets for the show go on sale on Tuesday.

The venue has already announced its concert line-up for the period following the anniversary. Former Libertines singer Peter Doherty will perform there on 16 and 17 November, followed by two concerts by Senegalese star Youssou N'Dour.

Marianne Faithfull, Laurent Garnier and Yael Naim are among the other artists who will perform there this month.