Howard Donald

HOWARD Donald is coming home to Manchester for a special guest DJ set - and after performing on stage in front of thousands of screaming Thatters he’s hoping to win over a new army of fans with his set of tech house and electro music.

Even before he joined the Manchester-formed boyband Take That Howard was spinning records in his bedroom.

It has been almost a year since the Never Forget singing star from Higher Openshaw played a DJ set in his hometown, and he’s excited to return to his first love at the Lazy Lizard Ibizan style lounge tonight.

He said: “Most of the time I get guys coming up to me and saying ‘I didn’t know you play that kind of music.’

As soon as they see it’s me playing they make the association with Take That.

“They possibly think I play commercial house. “I want to see more people who are intrigued by my sound and what I’m playing.” Reflecting on his passion for music and ambition to start mixing as a teenager, he added: “I started playing in my bedroom in 1987 and turned professional in 1997. “My first set was a gay club in Manchester off Canal Street. I always wanted to be a DJ and I never even wanted to be in a band.” Father-of-four Howard, 49, has been busy as one of the executive producers on The Band musical featuring the music of Take That which arrives in the West End in December as well as recording new Take That songs for a greatest hits album.

He juggles family life and being a member of Take That with performing DJ sets every two months at clubs across Europe.

“Touring with Take That is the most incredible feeling ever but with DJing you can find yourself,” he said.

“You get nervous but once you’re three songs in you’re fine. “It’s a different kind of buzz.” Howard and his bandmates Gary Barlow and Mark Owen have been recording three new tracks in Los Angeles for the forthcoming greatest hits collection of Take That.

And the band are in talks about a movie version of The Band musical to be made next year.

“I’ve heard that Brad Pitt will be playing me,” he laughed.

Describing their new music he said: “We have three new tracks and they have to be super good. “They have to sound like singles. “The greatest hits will be out at the end of the year and it’s not just stuck on tracks. We will put a lot of thought in it from track to track.”

Tickets for the DJ set from 9.30pm to 3.30am cost £8 in advance and £15 on the door and they are available from www. skiddle.com