The Pet Shop Boys were the support act, or should I say special guest, and they put on a good show. Neil Tennant even managed 3 costume changes in their 45minute set – they belted out hits like West End Girls, Go West, Always on my Mind. The electronic due were a great way to get the crowd going and a very smart choice by Take That due to the average age of the crowd. They had a good production behind them, and even though I’m not a fan I was surprised with how many lyrics I knew. Their set was fun, energetic and enjoyable – great way to get the crowd going before the main event.
A countdown clock was put on the screen letting us know that in exactly 1 minute Take That would be with us and right on cue the boys arrived--well actually 4 of them did. Robbie wasn’t with them. I had wondered how they were going to get round the album they had brought out without him: would he sing back up vocals, or would they have worked out a section of the songs he could take part in. Oh no, they had thought long and hard about this and it was a brilliant--should I say genius--way of putting the set list together.
Gary, Mark, Jason and Howard belted out ‘Rule the World’, ‘Greatest Day’, ‘Hold up the light’ and ‘Patience’. The band made their way down the stage into the crowd, which was great but I wanted Robbie! An array of Wonderland characters had joined the boys on stage, done in a stylised manner and a giant caterpillar escorted Mark back onto the main stage with Gary, Jason and Howard following. They then cleared and from the large screen came Robbie on a harness and he flew in – I almost passed out - literally! The energy lifted and the show, for me, had begun!!
Robbie started with ‘Let me Entertain You’ which he certainly did then ‘Rock DJ’ which was awesome as well. I had wondered how he was going to manage the rest of the show as he was giving 110% and was doing a lot of shouting and sounded a little husky at times while shouting, but I shouldn’t have underestimated him. After a topical rap where he referenced Possil and super injunctions he took it down a notch and sang (quite beautifully) ‘Strong’.
The rest of the band re-joined Robbie on stage, spoke about the past 20years and then said “Ladies and Gentleman we give you the Progress Tour”. Ah, that’s how they were going to sort out what Robbie sang from the Circus album – nothing! They did mini sets which would satisfy both sets of fans, lets not kid on, your either a Robbie fan or a Take That as a foursome fan, I don’t think there is an in between, is there?
The Progress Tour started with acrobats on bungee ropes running up and down a screen in black and neon covered suits, the 5 of them started singing ‘The Flood’ and water--yes water--fell while the acrobats were still climbing, allowing them to distort their body shape to redirect the water – very clever!!
The band then went into a series of new songs, which was nice. We also had a dance-off between Howard and Jason, which was fun, and a salute or a two finger salute to back in the day when the 5-piece was all together. ‘Back for Good’, ‘Babe’, ‘Pray’ were ringing out round the stadium and the crowd were belting them out, including me. ‘Relight my Fire’ finished the set with Robbie singing Lu Lu’s section, and man did he sound good.
It was an amazing gig. Would I go and see Take That again? Of course, but only if Robbie is there--otherwise probably not!!
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