Intimate UK tour for Take That frontman

WHAT’S ON EDITOR GORDON BARR HAS NEWS OF GARY BARLOW ANNOUNCING TWO SOLO DATES IN THE REGION

GARY Barlow announced today he is to embark on a solo tour of the UK – including two nights at Sunderland Empire.

The Take That main man will be at the venue on April 30 and May 1, 2018, with tickets on general sale at 10am on Friday October 20.

The tour will see Gary play intimate venues across the UK and Ireland including some never visited before. The last time Gary played a string of venues this size, demand was so high he could have sold certain spots out six times over.

“I had such a lot of fun back in 2013 when I played those smaller venues because you’re so much closer to the fans,” said Gary of his forthcoming tour. “The audience always seem to love the intimacy of it all too. I’m also really looking forward to playing in a couple of cities I’ve never played before as well as getting a chance to meet the fans there.”

Gary found worldwide fame as a member of Take That. Since forming in 1989 Take That have won eight BRIT awards, sold over 45 million records and over eight million concert tickets.

He is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters, having written 14 Number One singles as well as being a six-time recipient of an Ivor Novello Award.

Aside from his achievements with Take That, he has also co-written and produced music for other renowned artists including Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Elton John and Robbie Williams.

Gary’s last solo record, Since I Saw You Last, sold more than 600,000 copies and was the ninth biggest selling album that year. In more recent years, Gary has also turned his attention to the world of theatre, composing the score for the hugely successful production Finding Neverland and working alongside screenwriter Tim Firth to write the music and lyrics for musical The Girls. He also worked alongside his Take That band mates to produce The Band, a musical featuring the music of Take That which is at the Theatre Royal Newcastle next spring.