Tonight:
4°c
David Smyth's rating
, Take That are true sultans of pop
By
David Smyth
2 Jul 2009
Four years since they re-formed following a TV documentary that revealed each of them to be at a fairly low ebb, the Take That Phase Two statistics machine gets busier by the day.
Their Circus tour, which arrived at Wembley Stadium last night, remains Britain’s fastest seller now that Michael Jackson’s doesn’t count.
Four nights here is more than Oasis, Coldplay and U2 this summer, making them officially our favourite band.
In pictures: Take That at Wembley Stadium
If they were any bigger they could be seen from space, which seemed to be the ultimate goal of this colossal spectacle, a colourful dazzler that made serious stadium domination look like all the fun of the fair.
Short of an Olympics opening ceremony it was hard to imagine a brighter start than the quartet’s entrance, probably the most magical I have seen at any concert, big or small. A slow build involving dozens of performers dressed as blue skies culminated in a glorious launch of balloons from all sides.
Dressed in Coldplay-style military uniforms, they demonstrated their current maturity with a fittingly anthemic Greatest Day, before scaling multi-coloured ladders next to soaring puppet storks for the Beatles bounce of Hello.
They strolled through their own personal rain showers during Back For Good, while the Big Top extravaganza of trapezes and trampolining that erupted all around for Shine featured so much activity we needed extra eyes.
The real star was a giant hydraulic elephant which transported Take That between stages while they sang new ballad The Garden — a fifth member to be proud of. Never mind the King of Pop, here were its sultans.
There were signs that they take themselves more seriously as they approach 40. A three-song segment saw them playing at being a rock band, with Gary Barlow on piano, Jason Orange on guitar, Mark Owen on bass and Howard Donald on drums.
A medley of their earliest, cheesiest tunes was performed dressed as clowns, allowing them to air the old dance routines while admitting their silliness.
Take That are not traditionally a five-star act, probably because they are not considered a “proper” band, but what more could we have asked of a show that had everything an event of this scale demands and more? There were mass singalongs, miraculous stunts, humour, emotion and flaming hula hoops.
In the middle of it all were four likeable blokes singing How Did It Come To This? How indeed. It will take a long time for this balloon to come back to earth.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (18)
I was at the concert on Friday 3rd July at Wembley. It was truly fantastic. I was in Block 232 row 13. Can the mum and daughter that stood next to me and my mate get in touch please. Its Important!!!!!
- Tony, Leamington Sap, 17/07/2009 14:14
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I am not a fan but I took my 16 yr old daughter and all I can say is WOW. Thank you Take That for putting on a show both me and my daughter will never forget. Trouble is, how can any band now match the spectacle of their show. AWESOME
- Neil Grender, worthing, England, 17/07/2009 13:14
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I saw them Saturday night and they were fabulous! This was the third time I've seen them and I thought it was their best tour yet. I was on my feet for the whole night, I couldn't fault a thing. The elephant was stunning. A huge thank you to the boys and also to the performers on stage with them. Having no voice and sore feet was worth it :o) As the back of the programme says "Until the next time..."!!
- Sarah, Enfield, 17/07/2009 13:14
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I saw TT at Wembley Arena in '94 and thought then they were excellent. I wasnt sure whether I wanted to see them live again but after converting my husband to liking them we decided it would be an ideal place to see what they were now made of (and ideal for hubby as he wanted to see what the new stadium was like inside!). Boy...we were not disappointed. Having seen "one of the best concerts ever", my husbands own words, we were totally blown away by the complete package the show provided. From start to finish the effort put in not only by TT but every performer was outstanding. Shame there was not more dates as we would have loved to have gone back to watch all again. Well done to all involved.
- Debbie Corrie, Rayleigh, Essex, 17/07/2009 13:14
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Wow what a night I had on Wednesday. I am a pensioner of 63 and I had a great night dancing and singing to Take That. Best concert I had been to everything was spectacular.
- Joan Lethbridge, Waltham Cross Hertfordwshire Englan, 17/07/2009 13:14
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Cally G. from Essex...Have you actually seen this concert?
- Anne, London, uk, 17/07/2009 13:14
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One would hope that G Clally has seen the show before making a comment like the one above
5 ivor novell's for his music
endless rewards
many top tens
and huge fan base all over the world
quite a lot of substance I would say.
- Janet, Chelmsford Essex, 17/07/2009 13:14
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Take That were simply awesome - we sang ourselve hoarse and can't wait for them to tour again.
However, Wembley Stadium is not fit to host such concerts - it took over 2 hours to get out of the carpark. The local council should be ashamed of themselves as the local infrastructure is third world. Brent Council certainly need to consider how to handle the additional traffic volumes that will obviously arise when the shut the tubes down over the weekend.
- Anna, London, England, 17/07/2009 13:14
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Jonathan Anthony from Haslemere... Don't be such a music-snob. Yes Steely Dan are very good, but Take That are awesome. I'm old enough to have seen Led Zeppelin at Knebworth and they were great, but Take That are the best live act by far.
- Anne, London, UK, 17/07/2009 13:14
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I saw them last night! The show was amazing! Not only do they have great songs, they also putted up a wonderful production. It was worth all the money spent. What a circus!!!!
- Mary Abott, Southhampton, UK, 17/07/2009 13:14
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I'm a recently converted fan of Take That and have to comment that Wednesday's Wembley Stadium show was fabulous and spectacular - we loved it and have croaky voices today as proof! Gary, Mark, Jason and Howard absolutely deserve every bit of praise and adoration - good for you guys!
- Vicky Widdows, Worthing, England, 17/07/2009 13:14
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It was a truly awesome show last night. A riot of colour, a feast of music, spectacular!
- Katie, London, 17/07/2009 13:14
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Wow what an amazing concert. I have been to quite a few in my time but this really was the most spectacular I have ever seen. I would tell anyone to beg steal or borrow a ticket and get to Wembley, you will have a night to remember. I think I will still be buzzing for the next week and I was never a huge fan.
- Victoria Bowrey, Muswell Hill, London, 17/07/2009 13:14
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wow ! first off can i say that I am not a boyband/manband fan , and also after having seen literally thousands of concerts (4000+ ) over 39 years,including all the biggest names here at wembley stadium, it takes a lot to impress me !. Take that did it , they have raised the bar for all future stadium shows...Britney's circus show albeit very good, was like a warm-up for this one !!..This show was well paced,visually stunning,acoustically spot on ,and the band went through a whole host of exhausting routines, with commitment , style , energy and sheer professionalism....they mentioned at the end of the show that they would like to thank the 238 people on the road with them for making it so great !.... bloody hell, that's more than an entire audience for some bands !!. They will make a fortune on this tour , but with this amazing this production they are spending it too !!!
- Malcolm Compton, edgware, middx, 17/07/2009 13:14
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What a wonderful review
- Janet S, Chelmsford Essex, 17/07/2009 13:14
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This is why I despise "pop music" - all gimmicks and no substance.
- Cally G, Essex, UK, 17/07/2009 13:14
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One of the best concerts I have seen, James Morrison was excellent and The Circus contained everything, great music and entertainment throughout the evening. Take That certainly know how to perform and put on a show.
- Linda, Orpington, Kent, 17/07/2009 13:14
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FOR music fans, Steely Dan were playing HAmmersmith last night. Shame on whoever edits this feeble music page
- Jonathan Anthony, Haslemere, 17/07/2009 13:14
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