Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Gary is set to Shine at solo Caird Hall gig
POP music icon Gary Barlow is set to play Dundee’s Caird Hall next year, it was announced today.
The Take That band member and former X Factor judge will be playing 34 dates across the UK in 24 venues, i ncluding Perth’s Concert Hall a day before his City of Discovery gig on Friday April 20.
The announcement is expected to see fans clamouring for tickets which go on sale a week tomorrow (October 20).
The gig is another massive coup for the Caird Hall which recently hosted the Stereophonics and Placebo.
Gary, who previously embarked on a solo tour in 2013/14, said he was looking forward to “getting closer to the fans” during next year’s dates.
The songwriter, who rose to fame with Take That in 1989, has already had a taste of the Dundee crowd after surprising Broughty Ferry teacher Jill Campbell at her 30th birthday bash last year.
Speaking to the Tele today, Jill said she was in “shock” about the news of Gary returning.
She added: “I am shaking — I can’t believe that this is happening.”
Gary, whose band hits include Shine, Greatest Day and Never Forget, said: “I had such a lot of fun back in 2013 when I played those smaller venues because you are so much closer to the fans.
“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’s last solo record Since I Saw You Last sold more than 600,000 copies and was the fastest-selling album of 2013. In more recent years, Gary has 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 music and lyrics for musical The Girls. Gary also worked alongside his Take That band mates to produce The Band, a record-breaking musical featuring their music. Mega fan Jill with Gary.