TAKE THAT IN WONDERLAND
THERE are few bigger homecoming gigs than Take That returning to Manchester.
And what a welcome back to the Manchester Arena – where the man band’s upcoming run of eight shows on this Wonderland tour takes them to a record-breaking tally of 44 shows – more than any other act.
The sold-out arena, fans crammed into every cranny, is the perfect setting for opening night with the band’s current trio of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.
They emerge into the arena atop three podiums in Elvis-style white jumpsuits to the delight of screaming fans.
And what better way to whip the fans into a frenzy than with a walk through the crowds within minutes of their appearance?
Performing in the round on this tour is a very clever staging device, building the atmosphere into a suitably bubbling cauldron of expectation.
While the Circus tour had ‘that elephant’ and Progress the ‘giant robot man’ for this Wonderland tour it would seem the stage itself is the wow factor.
Anyone expecting a nod to Lewis Carroll can think again. It’s a modern and dazzling show created with spectacular videoscapes, stage structures, pulleys and clever lighting.
And of course breathtaking live performance – never more so than on a strobe-rainstorm on The Flood.
The lads lead a band of circusstyle troubadours for an entertaining romp through Kidz and there are impressive acrobatics from a dangling Howard on Underground Machine and later on All For You.
Their crew of dancers lead a balletic opera on Hope, while a tribe of feathered warriors beat out a frenzied rhythm for Relight My Fire. There are intriguing selections from their back catalogue, like Beautiful World from their 2006 album, and Satisfied, an album track from 1992 debut Take That and Party, as well as plenty of newies from their latest Wonderland album.
But it is when they bring out the big hits that Take That really start this party - Shine, Back For Good and Patience have the crowds in fine voice, arms swinging and pals hugging each other close.
It’s clearly an emotional homecoming for the lads, with Howard saying: “I’m so, so proud of being a Mancunian.”
But for all the showmanship and undoubted spectacle, fans may well feel there is still something missing with the absence of bandmates Jason Orange and Robbie Williams.
With talk of a full reunion of all five lads to celebrate the band’s 30th anniversary in 2020, that could be what really sends fans to Wonderland.