GIG REVIEW: Take That
- Posted on December 1, 2007 9:04 PM
- 10 comments
Take That
O2 Arena – 30th November
Review By Zarina Raja
‘Come on, come on, come on, come on, Take That and PARTY.’’
Well, where do I start; the pouring rain, the closed tube stations, the thousands of shoppers blocking my way to the bus stop, my soaking wet feet or my rumbling stomach? This better be worth it, I seethed though chattering teeth as I ran for the bus to Waterloo.
Was it worth it? Oh YEAH!
‘It only takes a minute girl…’
Sophie Ellis Bexter warmed up the thousands of Take That fans with some sassy Pop tunes but to be quite honest, as good as she was, along with many others, I just didn’t care. I could barely sit still in my seat as the prospect of seeing Take That rolled around in my mind. Why all the excitement, I don’t know? I’ve seen some amazing bands and shows this year but have never been quite so hyperactive before hand. I think it was the nine-year-old me that so desperately wanted to see Take That the second time round, as it was for many other fans. Long gone were the screaming girls blowing their shrill whistles like in ’94 concert. The majority of the audience were girls in their twenties and middle aged women who had been obsessed (I prefer passionate) the first time round. There were moments of screaming amid a lot of cheering but nothing as ear-shattering as the first time I saw TT.
‘Baby you take me, high upon a hill side…'
As the lights dimmed, the atmosphere in the arena buzzed with thrilled anticipation. And then suddenly, there they were; Gary, Howard, Mark and Jason. I was nine again. I could feel a scream rising in my throat – luckily I swallowed it down (just). Colour and sound exploded through the arena as It Only Takes a Minute pumped through the venue. Everyone was up out of their seats, dancing and singing along like crazed women- oh, and a handful of men.
‘Everything changes but you…’
Take That, although a little older, are still in shape – apart from Howard’s punctured lung. They ripped through their faster songs like It Only Takes a Minute, Relight My Fire and an thumping electro version of Give Good Feeling. They danced like they were still in their twenties; throwing energetic shapes, sweating profusely and loving every minute of it. A boy band they may be, but a boy band like no other. What with two trained break dancers, a DJ, an award-winning songwriter and a stream of backing dancers, musicians and visual effects – this show is guaranteed to blow fans away.
‘Have a little patience…’
Along with some of the old dance classics from Take That and Party, they also played a variety of songs from Everything Changes, one song from Nobody Else and their hits from the most recent album, Beautiful World. One minute I would be standing up, clapping and uh, screaming, and the next, I would be swaying with the other thousands of fans, singing my little heart out as we watching Gary tickle his piano while belting out some slower TT tracks.
‘It only takes a minute girl…’
Crowd interaction was minimal but pleasant and as witty as those cheeky teenage boys on the Take That and Party video. ‘We’re back,’ Mark shouted excitedly. ‘I’ve got a baby boy, Gary’s slimmed down, Howard has a punctured lung and Jason has email.’ ‘Who here remembers our old stuff?’ Howard and Jason asked, knowing the answer. ‘Do what you like…’ they sang. ‘DO.WHAT.YOU.LIKE’ came the very loud response. The delighted audience was in for even more of a treat as TT walked down the bridge that went out into the middle of the O2. They performed a few songs out on the revolving circular stage with only a beautiful white piano and a handful of dancers. A couple of the dancers rose above the stage and sprinkled confetti into the adoring crowd. It snowed down in between the glittering lights and Take That melodies making a genuinely pretty scene. Take That then proceeded to walk back through the audience between their bodyguards as hands reached out to touch them, shake their hands and attempt to kiss their smiling, sweaty faces
‘So what you gonna promise me this time?’
Take That have matured gracefully, managing to pull off a show that took fans back fourteen years without it looking like four embarrassing dads on stage. They performed some of their classic Pop tracks and pulled out some cracking dance moves but also dazzled the audience with an array of new TT stuff.
Get your Take That tickets NOW.
We want to hear from you - the fans. Were you at the concert? What did you think? Please leave your opinions on Take That below. Tell us what it is that you love about them.
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Comments (10)
Sylvia Beaumont
You said "crowd interaction was minimal but pleasant"... crikey, you should have been at Glasgow with us because CROWD INTERACTION WAS MASSIVE and the boys could have made a brilliant live DVD of their Glasgow shows as they were FANTASTIC and me and the 10,000 crowd sang along with the boys ALL NIGHT!!!
I LOVED THE WHOLE SHOW, especially on the back stage when Gary played Could it be Magic on the piano, Patience, the firey Relight My Fire with Crazy in the middle and Never Forget was great!
Wish I was going again!
Thanks Take That YOU WERE BRILLIANT and I HOPE YOU'RE BACK FOR GOOD!!!!
Posted on December 2, 2007 9:39 AM
Zarina Raja
I don't think I made myself clear - crowd interaction from Take That was minimal but the crowd sang their hearts out for the whole gig!
Posted on December 2, 2007 1:30 PM
K
That was very clear... think the fan had too much excitement in them and didn't read it right.
Posted on December 2, 2007 8:58 PM
Samantha
What time did they enter the stage and what time did they finish? I am going on Saturday, so excited....
Posted on December 3, 2007 2:12 PM
dawn marie o'hara
Anybody that is going to see them and not yet been boy are you in for a fantastic night !
We went to one of the first reunion concerts in manchester last year and were blown away but nothing compared to this year at the O2 arena - was magnificent - just make sure you have loads of energy to dance and sing, you will need it - trust me. They are so entertaining and pitch perfect with fantastic dancers and special effects that you will be harping on about them forever - just like we still are now .
Posted on December 4, 2007 4:10 PM
Julia
OMG THEY WERE AMAZING LAST NIGHT! i was stuck in traffic for 2hours though :(:(:( so missed it from 8-8:50 but it was still amazing, slightly upset i missed some of their songs and entry :( but it made my year!!
Posted on December 4, 2007 4:58 PM
Michela
The crowd in Stuttgart was a strong support to the lads. The concert was great like it used to be 10 years ago!! Even my husband found the whole show, extremely good!! Too bad Howard was missing but it was really nice of him to come out and talk to the crowd!! They just get better and better!!!
Posted on December 5, 2007 12:47 PM
Linda
I went Mon & Tues for the 20th and 21st time in 14 years. Thay were amazing as usual. I can't believe that their performances and still as good as they have always been. Lets hope that they bring out a Live DVD and re-release the old ones too!!!
Hope to see them tour again in the near future.
Posted on December 6, 2007 10:57 PM
Clair
OMG, I was on the 6th row at the MEN Arena last night (13th Dec 07, sitting at the end of the aisle. After the boys had done their bit on the stage in the middle, they walked down the aisles. I got to shake Gary's and Jason's hands. So over the moon. Want to go again!!!
Posted on December 14, 2007 8:27 AM
Rebecca
It was great i went to watch take that on the 10th of december the first show it was fabulous! We was sat at the top but could it everything i loved it soo want to go again!!
Posted on December 14, 2007 7:21 PM
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