Concert review: Take That paid tribute to three eras of their history
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Take That members singing Hold Up A Light, which was released in 2009, when the group was a foursome with former member Jason Orange.
PHOTO: LAMC PRODUCTIONS
Take That
The Star Theatre
Oct 28
Long-time fans of Take That would know about the British group’s tumultuous history. Some members had problems with drugs, alcohol and mental health. Infighting and jealousy led to a near decade-long split.
Yet, amid those challenges, Take That, hailed as among Britain’s most successful boy bands, have pulled through. They are now a trio with lead singer Gary Barlow and members Mark Owen and Howard Donald.
The British boy band’s Singapore show is part of their This Life On Tour, which kicked off in Sheffield in April, and has travelled to places such as Madrid and Rome.
Since their last Singapore performance during a golf event on Sentosa in 2016, they have released two studio albums – Wonderland (2017) and This Life (2023).
During their 90-minute concert at The Star Theatre on Oct 28, Take That paid homage to three distinct periods of their history.
1990 to 1996
The group’s first and most successful period was just after their formation in Manchester, Britain, in 1990. Then a quintet with former members Robbie Williams and Jason Orange, they played around the world and collected a number of Brit Awards and Ivor Novello Awards.
Barlow, Owen and Donald performed I Found Heaven (1992), Pray (1993) and Relight My Fire (1993). Barlow also crooned one of the group’s first hits, A Million Love Songs (1992), while playing the piano.
British boy band Take That, comprising lead singer Gary Barlow (on piano), and members Howard Donald (left) and Mark Owen (right) performing their 1995 hit Back For Good during their concert at The Star Theatre on Oct 28.
Donald took lead vocals on the classic number Everything Changes (1993), while the biggest cheers were reserved for Back For Good (1995), which topped the charts in many countries.
Williams famously left the band in 1995 after a bitter feud with Barlow, and the group split in 1996. Donald said during the show: “We had climbed the mountain, reached the summit. It was time to go our separate ways.”
2005 to 2014
Take That re-formed as a foursome in 2005, and Williams also briefly rejoined for a while around that time.
During the show, the current members humorously re-enacted a phone call on the re-forming of the band.
Owen took on lead vocals on the funky Shine (2006), said to be about Williams’ battle with depression. In addition, the group performed Patience (2006), their acclaimed comeback single at the time, as well as The Flood (2010).
In the early 2010s, Williams said he was unable to join the group’s activities amid other commitments, such as becoming a father for a second time. He sat out all of the band’s subsequent albums and tours. In 2014, Orange retired from entertainment.
2014 to present
Take That have been a trio since 2014, and have released three studio albums.
From III (2014), they performed the energetic These Days, which had the audience clapping along to its uplifting beat and message. From Wonderland, there was the celebratory Giants. And from their latest album, This Life, they sang the title track and the rousing Windows.
Take That performing the title track of their latest album This Life (2023).
After everything they have been through, the newer works show Take That looking to the future with hope.
