Take That have delivered a one-word verdict on the crowd who braved the rain to see them perform at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland earlier this week. The band, now a trio of Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald, described the audience as 'unforgettable' in a social media post after the show.
A Night to Remember Despite the Weather
The concert was part of their Circus Live 2026 tour, which began in Southampton in late May before heading to Coventry. Despite heavy rain throughout the afternoon and a downpour during opening act Belinda Carlisle's set, the skies cleared just as Take That took the stage. The only 'rain' later came from the water cannons during their hit 'Back for Good'.
Fans who were stuck in long queues to enter the venue were rewarded with a spectacular show. One attendee described it as 'the best concert I’ve ever been to, even surpassing seeing Queen with Freddie Mercury in the 80s'.
Special Guest and Local Talent
The North East's own Zoe Birkett joined as a special guest, adding to the local pride. The band's Instagram post read: 'The Stadium of Light really lived up to its name last night. An unforgettable crowd. Thank you, Sunderland!'
This tour marks 17 years since the original Circus tour captivated audiences across the UK, including at the same venue. The band returned in 2011 for their Progress tour, and now they are back with an even bigger show.
For those who missed out, there are still opportunities to catch the tour at other locations. ChronicleLive offers a dedicated newsletter and WhatsApp community for What’s On news and updates in the North East.
