Take That launches ‘The Circus Live’ tour at St Mary’s Stadium
Take That successfully kicked off their highly anticipated tour, “The Circus Live,” at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, performing to an audience of 30,000 fans. The evening featured a grand spectacle, including a 30ft mechanical elephant and an array of circus performers, among them trapeze artists and fire eaters, creating an immersive show that captivated attendees, reports BritPanorama.
This revival of a once-record-breaking tour, first staged in 2009, showcases the enduring appeal of the band. The original tour sold over one million tickets, with 600,000 of those gone within five hours. The production, with its reported budget of £10 million, set a new standard for pop concerts, and included the viral sensation of the elephant. This nostalgia-driven initiative comes after a challenging period for the band, reinforcing their status within the music industry.
Notably, this reimagined show adheres closely to the original format, with minimal updates in the setlist, aside from the inclusion of the new track “You’re a Superstar.” A point of difference remains the absence of band member Jason Orange, whose non-participation continues to raise questions. Nonetheless, the entourage of performers and lavish set pieces provided a familiar and comforting experience for long-time fans.
As the band opened with their hit “The Greatest” under a dramatic display of balloons, the excitement was palpable. Mark Owen, Gary Barlow, and Howard Donald invoked nostalgia by reviving dance moves and staging styles from their earlier videos during performances of tracks like “Pray” and “Back for Good.” This blend of past hits and theatrical flair contributed to the celebratory environment.
Following a vibrant rendition of “Shine,” the band showcased a remarkable costume change, invoking the circus theme further. Performance highlights included a euphoric medley of early hits, an innovative use of marching bands, and sophisticated visuals that resonated with contemporary themes while retaining the essence of Take That’s style. The show concluded with the emotional anthem “Rule the World,” leaving the audience on a high note, a testimony to their lasting legacy in the UK pop scene.
Take That play St Mary’s Stadium tonight, then touring
