Review: Take That, Stadium of Light Sunderland

Jun 8 2009 by Liz Lamb, The Journal

JUGGLERS, clowns, trapeze artists, tightrope walkers and drummerboys, Take That’s Circus Tour rolled into town at the weekend amid a blaze of theatrics, snazzy light displays and hundreds of multi-coloured balloons.

The boyband, who chose Sunderland for the opening nights of the tour, proved they really were Back for Good with a two-hour long concert that was pure fantasyland.

Arriving on stage to thunderous applause from 50,000 fans, Gary, Mark, Howard and Jason, took concert-goers on a magical musical journey of their greatest hits, infused with displays of acrobatics, tightrope walking, tap dancing and clowning around.

The band, enveloped by a huge red big top tent, a gaggle of clowns and a hot air balloon, kicked off with Greatest Day, informing Sunderland, this was going to be the Greatest Day of their Lives as hundreds of bright yellow, pink and blue balloons, were let off into the cloudy, grey skies.

Pray, Could it Be Magic?, Shine and A Million Love Songs, followed, much to the delight of their adoring fans who all held their hands aloft, sang along to the lyrics and shouted cries of “We love you” as the boys beamed with pleasure.

The affections were mutual with the boys joking that Gary loved the North East so much he planned to buy a house here, a statement which led to ear-deafening shrieks from all the females in the audience.

The concert continued with a large silver elephant carrying the boys from a small stand in the middle of the stadium to the main stage.

The costume changes were rapid with the singers at one stage making up their faces and transforming themselves into clowns mid song.

At times the singing was shaky, though it’s hardly surprising considering their athletic dance routines.

On occasions Mark Owen’s voice was barely audible but Gary Barlow proved he was the best singer, launching into a couple of solo songs as he played the piano.

Sunderland seemed to be the perfect setting for the opening nights of the Circus tour. A brief survey of the stadium showed adoring fans, young, old, male and female, on their feet dancing, smiling and looking like they really were enjoying the Greatest Day of their Lives.

I admit I’m not a big Take That fan but I was won over by the theatrics, showmanship and the electric atmosphere that encompassed the stadium.

This concert was pure theatre and a real pleasure, even if at times it bordered on cheesy – only a band like Take That could get away with it.

Could It be Magic? Their fans certainly thought so!