Take That at the O2 Arena

Take That’s grand opening of their highly anticipated tour This Life was nothing short of dramatic. After Ollie Murs warmed up the O2, the iconic British trio emerged amidst an explosion of confetti and thundersome winds, dressed head to toe in black. The resonant piano riff of the first song of their ninth studio album, Keep Your Head Up, pulsated its minor key throughout the venue and drove fans wild, setting the tone and the standard of the entire show.

90s nostalgia swept through the crowd. A decade marked by boyband domination and powerful kick drums was a hard act to follow, yet the evening showcased 30 years of Take That’s greatest hits. The band, formerly a quintet and now a three-piece – Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald – certainly reaffirmed their legacy as one of the most successful boybands of all time, despite changes in their lineup. Aside from the highly commendable entertainment factor, the performance took fans on a tumultuous musical journey through splits, solo careers and reunions over the years. Boasting eight Brit Awards and celebrating 56 number-one singles worldwide, the Manchester boys have undeniably become a symbol of popular culture since their debut single, Do What You Like, in 1991.

Spectacular would be too modest an adjective to describe the set design at the O2. The centerpiece, a giant retro TV that split into two to form symmetrical staircases, evoked the elegance and grandeur reminiscent of a classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance number. Elements of fire and water spewed and erupted from the stage for Relight My Fire and Never Forget creating truly remarkable moments as the crowd chanted the famous lyric “Yeah!”. The fans’ reaction made it abundantly clear that their 90s hits were the most cherished and adored and the new material barely stood a chance in competing with the likes of the 2006 chart-topping hit Patience and, of course, the inimitable 1995 hit Back for Good. Their latest album, This Life, dabbles with elements of ska and middle of the road rock which is intriguingly brave but discourteous of their inherent pop DNA and fanbase. It was not long until the ramp that led to the middle stage came down and Barlow choreographed a routine as they danced across it in unison. Their purple bell bottoms were lost amid the psychedelic surges of colour that blazoned across the screens. It read: “Choose your life.”

Nina Doroushi
Photos: Virginie Viche

For further information and future events visit Take That’s website here.