Take That brought their Circus Live 2026 tour to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, as the heavens opened over Sunderland. Not for the first time at a gig there, the rain poured down, but even if fans were absolutely soaked through from waiting outside for ages to get in, the boyband's followers all had an absolute ball.
Electric Atmosphere Despite the Weather
Every time Take That arrive in the North East, come rain or shine, an electric atmosphere is guaranteed. Tuesday night was no different. Even the dreary and chilly weather, in stark contrast to the glorious conditions at Big Weekend just a few weeks earlier, threatened to dampen spirits, but it most certainly did not. Poncho sellers outside the stadium made a fortune as fans prepared for the wet conditions.
Fashion and Fandom Shine Through
The weather did little to deter people from making a real effort with their outfits. An array of colourful clowns were spotted, along with suits matching those of the Circus performers on stage, and a whole host of different Take That branded t-shirts and hoodies. Merchandise stands outside did a brisk trade throughout the evening.
A Spectacular Show
Just like they did when The Circus tour originally came to Sunderland in 2009, Take That delivered the goods with great aplomb. An 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' approach meant all the magic from 17 years ago was back, only this time taken to a whole new level. As soon as they emerged from under a sea of balloons, Gary, Mark and Howard had their captive audience eating out of the palm of their hand.
Setlist Highlights
- Pray
- Could It Be Magic
- Back For Good
- You're A Superstar (North East live debut)
All eras of Take That's glittering career were covered in their set, with the 2009 setlist slightly revamped for the new single. The crowd loved every moment.
Fans in High Spirits
Despite the rain, fans were in excellent spirits. From VIP attendees with free bowler hats to those sporting cowboy hats and sunglasses, the enthusiasm was palpable. Many waited patiently outside, some for the first time, all eager to see the band. The ponchos were out in force, with fans posing and smiling for photos, proving that nothing could dampen their excitement.
We had a great time and we know loads of you did too. See if you can spot yourself in our photos below.
