TAKE THAT | LIVE REVIEW
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Sat 8 June
When this show was booked, no doubt fans were looking forward to an afternoon with their favourite boys in a lovely wave of summer heat. Alas, we’ve been let down in that respect as a dreary Cardiff evening closes in, but that’s not going to dampen the spirits of this crowd. Former boyband favourites turned national icons Take That are back in Cardiff once again to do what they do best.
As the familiar intro to Greatest Day chimes in, the trio appear on a platform in the middle of their logo, to a rapturous Welsh welcome. Dressed in blue jumpsuits, the boys look like retired Power Rangers; still, as they’re lowered down onto the stage it’s clear they mean business, their 90s anthem It Only Takes A Minute whips the crowd into a frenzy. From here on in, it’s the crowdpleasing set that you’d expect from a band with over 20 years behind them now.
A quick change of tracksuits and the tempo is slowed down somewhat with some sexy sax playing heralding the arrival of A Million Love Songs. Cardiff is officially residing in the palm of Gary Barlow’s hand as the band’s leader takes centre stage on piano, while the crowd sing along. In a an attempt to get a bit more up close and personal with the gathered masses, the boys take to smaller stage in the middle of the arena to belt out Cry, complete with a couple of thousand pounds worth of ticker tape, as well as Bee Gees cover How Deep Is Your Love?.
Returning to the main stage, Mark Owen strums out the intro to Patience, which just about everybody in the stadium belts out in unison. Given a bit of time for himself, Howard Donald brings in The Flood, as the boys are hoisted up on the elevated stage once again, and soon after it’s mass singalong time once more with Take That anthem Never Forget – which sees the boys backed by a huge choir, and walking on a huge, exhausting-looking treadmill.
The choir stays in situ and Cardiff pops for an appearance by none other than Lulu for a rendition of their hit Relight My Fire and then they hit the home straight with Babe, Pray and the inspirational Rule The World which the crowd use as one last opportunity to exude any energy they may have left. There’s still a buzz in the air as Take That say their goodbyes to the Welsh audience, because they’ve conquered the capital once more. Five members, four, three – it doesn’t matter. Cardiff is just happy to see the lads belt out these songs again and again.
words CHRIS ANDREWS photos JASPER WILKINS