In a time before One Direction, Take That were the quintessential British boy band. Possessing the looks, the moves and the vocals, they climbed the charts, becoming one of the biggest boy bands of the 90s. Now, 30 years on and lacking a few of their members, notably the now-renowned solo artist Robbie Williams, the remaining performers have rejoined forces for a world tour.

Comprising of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, the band hit the stage at Qudos Bank Arena to a flurry of applause. The stadium was not completely packed, but this meant that the concert had a more intimate feel as the band launched into their setlist.

Immediately, there was a certain degree of cognitive dissonance as the three performers launched into choreography that would not have looked out of place in their heyday but felt a little cheesy in 2024. Yet, this was done in such a charming and self-deprecating way that it was clear to the audience that this cheesiness was part of the act and an integral part of charting their journey, so the crowd laughed and danced along with them. It was a show of camaraderie, and it absolutely enhanced the atmosphere in the room. 

But amongst the crazy choreography and the narratives which told of the band’s 30 year journey, what really stood out were Gary Barlow’s vocals, which have well and truly stood the test of time. When Barlow sat down at the piano to perform “A Million Love Songs”, a song he wrote when he was 14, its reach was transcendental, touching every person in the audience. This was followed up by a very smooth cover of “How Deep is Your Love” which only further reinforced the quality of the musicianship on show from all three members, with gorgeous harmonies filling the arena. 

The band then moved into their newer material, but there was no stagnation at all in the set, with the band using (very) frequent costume changes and anecdotes to contextualise the new material. Among the more recent songs, there were still plenty that the audience were intimately familiar with including the euphoric “Patience” as well as “The Flood.” But even the newest material from the band’s latest album, This Life, was very much in keeping with the vibe of their earlier material, meaning there was no jarring tonal shift as the band transitioned. 

Before Take That hit the stage, the audience was treated to a performance from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who had the crowd up and moving with a concise but lively set. Her biggest hit “Murder on the Dancefloor” was an obvious highlight, but her covers of “Like a Prayer” and “Gimme Gimme Gimme” were also fantastic, showcasing incredibly powerful vocals and well supported by a fabulous band. It was a treat to see Ellis-Bextor perform, especially as an opening act, and it was a great way to kick off the show. 

To close out the night, Take That performed some of their biggest hits with all the members sat by Barlow’s piano for a rendition of “Back For Good” before they finished their set with a triumphant performance of “Rule The World.” A fantastic end to a very high-quality show. 

Overall, the night was defined by the level of generosity that the band showed for the audience. It was particularly notable in this set how much the three performers were trying to engage with their audience, moving around the stage and attempting to make eye contact with everyone in the room. This generosity was reflected in the audience, who threw back as much love as they received throughout the show. The musicality and the stagecraft were incredibly high in the show and these elements all combined for a warm, feelgood experience. Having had the benefit of reviewing Coldplay down the road the night before, it has to be said, that for all the incredible theatrics and atmosphere provided in that show, there is a very strong argument that this near flawless performance from Barlow, Donald and Owen was one step above. 

Rating: ★★★★★

Take That – Qudos Bank Arena – 7^th November 2024 

All photo credits: Duncan Barnes