Take That returns
MORE THAN TWO DECADES AFTER THEIR LAST AUSTRALIAN TOUR, THE ENGLISH POP GROUP IS BACK
BRITISH pop giants Take That took matters into their own hands to undertake their first Australian tour in 22 years.
“We actually made the call, we found a promoter, we just knew it’d been too long,” frontman Gary Barlow said.
Their last Australian tour, in September 1995, was just a few months after the exit of Robbie Williams.
“It was a tricky time,” Barlow said.
Take That would split in 1996 but a comeback in 2005 saw them establish themselves as one of the UK’s most successful recording and touring acts.
Now down to a three piece, they have tailored their Australian tour to be a 90-minute greatest hits set stretching from Back for Good, Everything Changes, Could It Be Magic, Pray and Never Forget to newer hits Patience, Rule the World and Greatest Day.
“We go back to 1991 and right up to 2017,” Barlow said.
“Regardless of which period you joined the band’s career you’ll get something you know.”
The band regularly play stadiums in the UK and Europe but are happy to downsize to reintroduce themselves to the local market.
“It’s a treat to play to people who’ve never seen us before, hopefully, they become new fans.”
Dannii Minogue – who met Take That in the early 90s when they were both launching their careers in the UK – is opening for the band in Australia.
“They sent a text and I was literally in right away,” Minogue said.
Minogue was chosen by Barlow as a judge on this year’s UK reality show Let It Shine which discovered a boy band to star in the new musical The Band, featuring Take That’s hits.
Barlow is using his time in Australia to pitch a local version of the show.
Robbie Williams has joined Barlow and ex-bandmates Howard Donald and Mark Owen as a co-producer of The Band.
“Bringing it Down Under is definitely one of the big plans,” Barlow said.
Take That will release a comprehensive greatest hits this time next year, with the band not ruling out Williams rejoining them for another album or tour.
“We’re super-happy as a three piece,” Donald said.
“But Robbie and Jason (Orange) are always invited back whenever they like.”
Tickets for their Rod Laver Arena show on Wednesday start at just $49.
Tickets for their Qudos Bank Arena show on Friday start at just $49
Tickets for their Brisbane Entertainment Centre show on Saturday start at just $49