Take That Live at the Millenium Stadium, Cardiff 14th June 2011

You may or may not know that here at Win of the Week we're all pretty big fans of the Take That album Progress. Recently, I had the opportunity to see Take That live at Cardiff and promised Tom a write up. It's long, just under 3000 words in fact, so I've included a break so as not to clog up the page, but I'd appreciate any feedback anyone might have. --Billy


If you follow pop music with any level of relevancy you'll remember the heralded reunion of Take That as a quartet back in 2006. They followed up their first effort of the decade two years later with their critically acclaimed album The Circus and even if that title was only in reference to the 12 or so tracks which that album comprised of it's an apt description of what's still in store for you if you get to see Take That Live: A circus, of tremendous proportions, and nothing less. The displays on offer range from ridiculous to flat out over-the-top, sometimes in a slightly derivative manner, but don't take that to be a bad thing. Whenever an idea you see on stage has been used before, the band have clearly spent some time tweaking it to make it even more outrageous than it could have been before and ridiculous and over-the-top might be the highest compliments you could pay to a stage-show that spends so much time and effort trying to utterly boggle as many of your senses as possible.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. It's worth remembering that not only is this the new and improved Take That of 2006, it's the new and improved Take That quintet thanks to the re-inclusion of all-round entertainer Robbie Williams, joining the band for the first time in 15 years.
Understandably, you might anticipate a few awkward glances from time to time but all of the lads seem genuine, even when Robbie decides to throw the audience for a loop ("I didn't leave, Jason, you were in the room when I was fired. You were the one that fired me," pause for nervous laughter, "Awww, come on, where's my big love, Jase!" followed by a warm embrace.)
Naturally, with this being the first tour featuring all five in 15 years it allows for some interesting formatting for a show...

And by interesting formatting, I do of course mean "THERE'S A GIANT BEHIND YOU, JASON!"

(MUSIC REVIEW) Take that - Progress

Picture from PLAY.COM

I don't know why but every time I'm out in town with the lads, I have a few too many and then start singing "happy now" by Take that. I think that kinda gave me the idea of writing the review...

So Yes, this albums been out for a few months now and well, Its my first 10 of 10 *****

I remember when i was younger when boybands were on my Kill list and spice girls were on my love list (No point in denying it) so when "Take That" made the news to announce a comeback i thought just like my best mate "Its like the soprano's, ITS OVER! get a new show!" a few years later, im fighting the masive gang of superfans for tickets. I wouldnt say im my self a superfan, but I thoroughly enjoy their output.

Something which ive managed to point out in the band, is that you can really tell there's a sense of friendship (This is before robbie joined back) A sense of unity and they love what they do.

Enter Robbie Williams.


I think it was Howard said in an interview that they cant trust him as of yet but its building. In "Progress" you can just tell there is a sense of unity again, best mates gelling together to make Awe-spiring (Awesome + Aspire) music.

The highlight song to me is "Happy now" which as many Britons saw on their television sets on "Red nose day" They can have fun and are willing to have a laugh. The seriousness of their music is apparent from track 1 (The Flood) but they cans till do stuff like this, Its Refreshing to see there just a group of people like us, not full of them self (I could be wrong but they all do look genuine)

So overall, This has to be one of the best albums I own along side Freezepop (They own.)

If you haven't got their album yet, YouTube or buy it! You WILL NOT be disappointed


(I take no responsibility if you buy it and your disappointed. Sucks to be you.)