Take That - Progress Tour Review (Wembley)

It was a cold Autumnal day that each of us sat by our computer screens, forgetting about the seeming-“unimportance” of what was going on at college or school or our prior engagements. Simply waiting for the ticket merchant’s websites to finally allow us to buy our tickets to Take That’s “Progress Tour". Ten o’clock came, failed; eleven thirty came, failed; quarter past twelve came, failed. It was only when we all banded together, we finally secured a number of tickets for a date and a venue that seemed a long time into the future. Was it worth the countless hours, the complaints and the numerous failed attempts to secure just a selection of tickets for their “Progress Tour"? Well, see for yourself…

The gaggle of fanatics each disembarked off of the tube line at Wembley Park and were greeted by thousands of fans of different sizes, shapes and ages wearing various generations of Take That memorabilia which were all heading towards to the magical and magnificent Wembley Stadium and to the impending live event that would, no doubt, be one that would never be forgotten by anybody - old or young. The crowds of excited people were only stopping along the way for a quick McDonalds or a brisk stopover in a local bar and as means of enjoying a brief drink before descending on the stadium itself and to the event that they had been patiently waiting for.

We clambered into the stadium and onto the football pitch itself, which - as we also entered - was also slowly filling with more and more men, women and children and, after around 30 minutes to gather our bearing, it wasn’t long before the first and only support band - The Petshop Boys - made their way onto stage. I was surprised actually, when I had first heard that these were going to act as the support for Take That I was a little reluctant and thought that I was not going to enjoy myself. I was more than wrong and, most definitely had to eat my words afterwards. The Petshop Boys acted as an absolutely brilliant opening act, warming the viewing audience up with a variety of classics and well-known pieces, including a personal favourite of mine (and all of those singing around me) camp-classic “Go West”.

After the Petshop Boys finished their mind-blowing set, complete with the world’s strangest backing dancers and the oddest choreography, there was a small wait and, before we knew it, Take That (minus Robbie Williams) descended the stage with a variety of songs that they had released following their reunion albums “Beautiful World" and “Circus". After successfully warming up the increasing impatient audience with songs including “Rule The World”, “Shine” and “Patience”, it was the time that each Take That fans had come and had been waiting to see every since it was announced that he would be re-joining the band, scratch that, the moment that some fans had been waiting for since the mid 1990s when his departure was first announced - the arrival of Robbie Williams.

It was strange, for a moment I was a little disheartened at Robbie’s mini-set. Before he came on stage and in the build up I believed that he was going to be somewhat cocky, and would be there under the pretence that everybody was just there for him and him alone. I was shocked, however, as Robbie’s set stunned me into what would have been silence - I say would have been because, like those all around me, I was singing along and screaming to every single syllable that came out of his mouth - namely that of, amongst others, “Rock DJ” and “Angels”. It wasn’t long before the five piece were reunited on stage and together they performed a mix of classics and contemporary pieces from every one of their albums - this, in turn assuring that fans pre and post-“Beautiful World", “Circus" and “Progress" would too, be happy with what they were hearing - performing softer ballads, up tempo pop and everything and anything that they could think of in the meantime.

I must say how truly fantastic the evening was that I had had, a sentiment that I believe everybody felt, with people leaving the venue raving about each single aspect; their favourite song on the extended set list, Robbie’s return and right the way through to that never-ending debate of whom would be their favourite member. Everybody had seemed to forget the mad rush that had been to purchase tickets. So, ask me again, were the countless hours, the complaints and the numerous failed attempts to secure just a selection of tickets for their “Progress" tour worth it? Absolutely, 100% yes.

Review by Bradley