Take That - The Circus Live Tour 2009

...thought I'd be at a Take That concert, ever...but then I suppose neither did Take That themselves! I was a huge fan back when they started out, 17 years ago (yes 17 years how time flies!), in their lycra and codpieces. I had, and still have, a load of merchandise, every smash hits and Just 17 they every appeared in, and every album and single (on cassette) right up until they split in 1996. I have to admit I was a bit upset, but I was starting my ...
...originally a mackam ;-) ) Take That, The Circus was without doubt the best concert I have ever been to.

The opening support acts where Gary Go (I'd never heard of him until last night) and James Morrison (who was great) got the atmosphere going. The stage was Set with a huge circus tent, with a massive TV screen 'sun' behind and gigantic screens to each side. The stage then had a runner to a B stage, pretty much in the middle of the ... more

5 Years ago I never would have thought I'd be at a Take That concert, ever...but then I suppose neither did Take That themselves! I was a huge fan back when they started out, 17 years ago (yes 17 years how time flies!), in their lycra and codpieces. I had, and still have, a load of merchandise, every smash hits and Just 17 they every appeared in, and every album and single (on cassette) right up until they split in 1996. I have to admit I was a bit upset, but I was starting my own family by then, quickly got over it, and really didn't give any of them, excepting Robbie, another thought really.

Then in 2005, after a TV documentary, Gary, Mark, Howard and Jason made a come back. It could have gone horribly wrong, but it didn't. They have since released 2 albums, Beautiful World and The Circus. I never made it to a concert in the 90's, and missed The recent Reunion tour (2006...I'd booked Robbies Close encounters tour instead) and Beautiful world tour in 2007, but finally, thanks to my simply brilliant Mother, I was at the opening night of The Circus Tour at The Stadium of Light, Sunderland, on Friday 5th June 2009 (It was also my birthday, what a fantastic present of my mum!)

The first concert ever to be held at The Stadium of Light, home to the north easts only premier football club (yep, that was a sly dig, I'm originally a mackam ;-) ) Take That, The Circus was without doubt the best concert I have ever been to.

The opening support acts where Gary Go (I'd never heard of him until last night) and James Morrison (who was great) got the atmosphere going. The stage was Set with a huge circus tent, with a massive TV screen 'sun' behind and gigantic screens to each side. The stage then had a runner to a B stage, pretty much in the middle of the stadium, where a hot air balloon sailed from, decorated with clouds representing The Circus Album cover. We where in the second tier seating, directly opposite the stage, so while they where quite far away, we had a fantastic full view...and with the big screens and my dad's binoculars I didn't miss anything.

When James Morrison finished at 8.15 pm, there was quite a long anticipating wait. The crowd created it's own entertainment and we got a fantastic Mexican Wave going right round the stadium. It was highly entertaining and fun.

And then a ring master appeared and welcomed us to the Circus, followed by lots of circus performers. They were moving what seemed like a carriage covered in huge balloons towards the B-stage. One balloon popped open to reveal a man, who got in the hot air balloon and it was released into the air (well not so it flew away, but so it was floating above the stage). Clowns and dancers filled the stage and then the crowd went mad as the balloons drifted apart to reveal Take That.

I don't want to go right through the concert, as this is the opening gig, and there's still a lot of shows to go, I really wouldn't want to spoil the show for anyone who is going to one of the other concerts. I will tell you that the opened with Greatest Day which was amazing. We then had some old favourites like could it be magic and pray. All of this was performed on the B-stage and was very high energy and fun, and included THE most amazing special effect I have ever seen ... a giant elephant, I'll say no more!

The boys then went back to the main stage and performed some of their more recent songs. They performed up all night, with just them...no other band members , all playing instruments, and it was fantastic. We got solo's from Jason and Howard, which was really nice to see as in the past they have been pushed to back somewhat, and then a piano solo off Gary which was absolutly spell binding.

We where also treated to a 'megamix' of really oldies....anyone who had the Take That and Party album will remember this. There wasn't a cod piece, lycra or jelly insight though, and it was excellent, absolutly buzzing. Back to some more classics and recent stuff and a breath taking performance to Re-light my fire, The show closed in an absolute spectacle of fireworks... Take That truly did rule the world right then, for the 50, 000 people in the stadium of light.

Take Thats journey is absolutly remarkable. The range of people at the concert showed what a huge range they now appeal too, and there was not one bottom on seat or arm left dangling. Not only where we given a spectacular performance, but a Circus extraveganzer of dancers, clowns, trapeze and tightrope walkers and other circus performers. My only criticism of the show would be I would have liked to see these a bit closer.

The guys themselves looked in tip top shape. I have never ever seen Gary Barlow look so well. The routines where perfection, the vocals amazing. I'd particularly like to mention Howards solo performance, which was strong, poignant and very well done. They have matured so much, and have to be congratulated for coming back after a 10 year break and appealing to a far wider audience than their original fan base of teenage girls. My dad was absolutly gutted he was left to babysit, and there where lots of men, as well as screaming ladies, of all ages from young to old in the audience.

Speculation about a surprise appearance from Robbie Williams has been rife recently. He wasn't even mentioned here, and to be honest... they don't need him. Take That now are respected as a 4 piece, who write fantastic songs and give outstanding performances. I was always a Robbie fan, I saw him at Croke Park 3 years ago on his Close Encounters tour. I thought that was amazing, but last nights show definitely surpassed that. And Take That deserve every success they have, they remain 4 really nice blokes. Robbie made some pretty nasty comments at Croke Park about 'does he need to turn up to their shows, he doesn't think so' and ridiculed Gary Barlow, as they were just starting their re-union tour. I think the tables have turned and Take That are the ones who don't need Robbie. Don't get me wrong, if Mr Williams announced a tour tomorrow I'd be there like a shot, but they are 2 separate enteties now, and should remain so. As much as I love Robbie, I wouldn't want his ego spoiling Take That, as I fear it would.

I've been specifically vague about the out standing special effects, being that the tour has just started, but I can seriously say I haven't ever seen anything like it.

I've managed to get a few pictures up. They aren't great as they are my own pictures and we weren't that close and I was far from steady.

I can honestly say I had the 'Greatest day' of my life. Even the drizzle couldn't spoil the night. Take That surely must now be up there amongst the best live performers there is. My voice is hoarse tonight, my hands red raw from clapping and my arms killing from all the waving about. If you want to see Take That on this tour and don't yet have a ticket, then get on ebay, scour the internet, beg steal and borrow to get there. It's absolutly worth it for the experience of a life time.

Full details of the tour can be found at www.takethat.com/tour/

~ Since writing this review on DooYoo on saturday, I have been told that this is being described as "The Best concert Of All Time" in some newspapers....so for all the critics.....TAKE THAT! xx 

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