Take That brought their Circus Live tour to Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, delivering a spectacular show despite challenging weather and logistical issues. The band, now a trio of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald, last performed at the venue in 2011 during the Progress tour with Jason Orange and Robbie Williams. This week's concert revisited the 2009 Circus theme, updated for 2026.
Weather Woes and Queue Chaos
Fans hoping for warm summer conditions were disappointed as temperatures dropped nearly 20 degrees compared to the Radio 1 Big Weekend earlier in June. Many had to dig out winter coats, and persistent rain drenched attendees during opening act Belinda Carlisle's set. The 80s legend performed hits like 'Leave A Light On' and 'Heaven Is A Place On Earth', but some fans missed her due to massive queues outside. Organisation issues led to long waits, frustrating many.
The Script and Take That Deliver
The weather improved by the time The Script took the stage, performing 'Superheroes', 'Breakeven', and 'Hall of Fame', with frontman Danny O'Donoghue even calling a fan's ex-boyfriend for a serenade. Take That appeared around 8:30pm to blue skies, opening with 'Greatest Day' followed by 'Hello', 'Could It Be Magic', 'Pray', and 'Million Love Songs'. However, an unexpected moment occurred when the band revealed their pianist was a Newcastle United fan, prompting loud boos from the Sunderland crowd. Their Middlesbrough-supporting saxophonist also received a chilly reception.
Despite the hiccup, the trio delivered a flawless set blending 90s classics like 'It Only Takes A Minute' and 'Never Forget' with 2000s anthems such as 'Patience' and 'Rule The World'. North East's own Zoe Birkett made a blazing cameo for 'Relight My Fire'.
Conclusion
While entry chaos left a sour note for some, the concert itself showcased Take That at their peak. The Circus Live spectacular proved that the band's pop perfection remains unmatched, making the evening memorable for all the right reasons.
