More than just a show, the Progress tour represents a visual history of Take That. Beginning with their 2006 comeback, the reformed four-piece effortlessly breeze through era-centric hits including ‘Patience’ and ‘Shine’. It’s a well-received start, but someone is missing.
As if he needed any introduction, Robbie Williams gets a suitably OTT one. Once his friends have departed, the former Slane headliner proceeds to absail from atop the stage to the strains of ‘Let Me Entertain You’ before blasting into a 30-minute solo set complete with bravado, gurning and irrepressible showmanship.
The reaction is astonishing, a screaming audience putty in his hands long before the inevitable drone of ‘Angels’ sweeps through
the stadium.
If ‘The Flood’ represented some degree of validation for the decision to restore Williams to the line-up, tonight’s rendition is nothing short of triumphant, the sight of all five men finally standing together singing in unison managing to provoke tears among sections of the crowd.
It’s telling that the more recent electro-tinged material is at the forefront throughout (current single ‘Love Love’ is a particular highlight), with the “Greatest Hits” portion of the evening feeling slightly obligatory as a result.
Take That have arguably never been more interesting, so the decision to place the emphasis on their new direction is both brave and refreshing. Progress, indeed.