The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Gary Barlow superfans set up camp.
Hardcore Take That supporters from all over the world camp out to be first in line at tonight’s concert
Gary Barlow superfans from across the globe set up camp outside Perth Concert Hall well before their pop star hero takes to the stage.
The hardcore Take That supporters have come from as far afield as England, Spain and Israel to see the Manchester music icon in action.
They all have tickets for the sell-out show, but desperately want to be first in line when doors open at 6.30 tonight.
The group, who all know each other from other Take That-related gigs, took up their positions just after 4pm yesterday.
One Edinburgh fan, who did not want to be named, said: “We’ve camped out for Take That before. And Gary, Robbie and Mark too. We always have a good time together.
“We know it might be strange to some people, but we know that if we don’t set up camp the day before we could miss out on being right up to the front of the stage.
“The weather forecast is pretty good, so we don’t mind waiting outside.”
She said: “We know we’re not going to get a glimpse of him going in. They usually go inside very quickly, maybe through the back door.”
By 4pm, about 20 fans had gathered in the concert hall plaza.
Harry Coates, local councillor and director of the Belvoir Letting Agency opposite the concert hall, said: “It was very strange.
“I looked out and saw all these women setting up camping chairs outside the office.
“I had to go outside and ask what was going on.”
He said: “It seemed a bit odd to me, but it’s all very good natured. It should be interesting walking past them into work in the morning.”
Mr Coates added: “We’ve been here for seven years, and I’ve never seen anything like this before. That’s real dedicated supporters for you.”
The singer kicked off his UK tour on Monday in Edinburgh and is to perform in Dundee tomorrow. The shows are part of a series of 34 gigs across the UK and Ireland.
Barlow, one of Britain’s most successful singer-songwriters with 14 number one singles under his belt, will be supported by KT Tunstall.