Take That made a triumphant homecoming with their rebooted Circus Live tour at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on Friday night, delivering a spectacular show that earned a five-star review. Some 50,000 fans packed the venue for the first of three weekend shows, witnessing a record-breaking live performance even more impressive than the original 2009 tour.
A Night of Nostalgia and Spectacle
From the opening strains of Greatest Day, as Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen emerged from beneath a giant bunch of balloons, to the firework finale of Rule the World, the show was a joybomb of epic proportions. The trio, now performing longer together as a trio than as a four- or five-piece, showcased every theatrical trick, including trapeze artists, acrobats, clowns, and showgirls.
The emotional opening night in Southampton last month was already hailed as one of the greatest moments in British live music history, and the Manchester show only reinforced that reputation. The band's ambition on stage is extraordinary, offering something for both die-hard fans and newcomers alike.
Manchester Magic
The Manchester weather played along, with predicted rain clouds blowing over the stadium. During the most magical moment, the sun even made a last-minute appearance, glistening through the stands as the band emerged on a 30-foot animatronic elephant to sing a spine-tingling version of The Garden. Mark Owen noted the beautiful evening, calling it a lucky night in Manchester.
The band members each had their moment to shine, and the northern fans sang with particular gusto. When Mark launched into an a cappella version of Babe, the crowd belted back every word, proving that the lyrics have been etched in their brains for 36 years.
Poignant Beauty
Seventeen years after the Circus first rolled into Manchester, the show carries a poignant beauty. Howard Donald noted at the start that fans still pack stadiums to see the band, united in voice. Gary, Mark, and Howard may no longer be in their 1990s heyday, but together they conjure something magical, from unicycling circus japes to anthem emotions on Patience and Hold Up a Light.
The show was opened by pop princess Belinda Carlisle, who performed barefoot in fine voice, followed by The Script. Frontman Danny O'Donoghue endeared himself to the audience with a bold walk through the crowd to sing Nothing and an acoustic cover of Oasis's Wonderwall.
Grand Finale
The finale featured The Greatest Show on Earth with a giant ringmaster puppet and fire bursts shooting into the sky during Relight My Fire. A cast of over 40 performers joined the band on stage for heartfelt thanks. Howard declared, “The Manchester crowd do not let us down,” as screams rang out like the 1990s.
The entire Saturday night show will be live-streamed on Amazon, and fans arriving on Friday were filmed in a dry run. The setlist included hits like Greatest Day, Pray, Back for Good, Never Forget, and an encore of Hold Up a Light and Rule the World.
