Friday 31 October 2014
Thursday 30 October 2014
TAKE THAT - THESE DAYS MUSIC VIDEO COMING TONIGHT ?
From Take That's Official Twitter:
— Take That (@takethat) 30 Ottobre 2014
"Tonight, we're gonna live for These Days..." #TheseDaysVideo #TTIII pic.twitter.com/7JU0h0fHYu
— Take That (@takethat) 30 Ottobre 2014
ROBBIE WILLIAMS - LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU 2015 TOUR
Robbie announced today that he will be embarking on a brand new tour next year and tickets go on sale next week!
The Let Me Entertain You Tour kicks off in March 2015 and will see Robbie return to countries he hasn’t visited for a while as well as head to others he’ll be entertaining for the very first time. Take a look at the full list of dates and venues below.
Date\ Country City Venue
25 Mar Spain Madrid Barclaycard Center
27 Mar Spain Barcelona Palau Sant Jordi
30 Mar France Paris Zénith
5 Apr Lithuania Kaunas Žalgirio Arena
6 Apr Latvia Riga Arena Riga
9 Apr Russia St. Petersburg SKK Peterburgsky
12 Apr Russia Moscow SC Olimpiyski
15 Apr Belarus Minsk Minsk Arena
17 Apr Poland Kraków Kraków Arena
18 Apr Slovakia Bratislava Slovnaft Aréna
21 Apr Austria Linz TipsArena
26 Apr UAE Abu Dhabi du Arena
2 May Israel Tel Aviv Hayarkon Park
Read more at http://www.robbiewilliams.com/news-blogs/let-me-entertain-you-tour-2015-dates-announced#agpQaBfoJw3tZc42.99
Wednesday 22 October 2014
ARTICLES - TAKE THAT Gary Barlow reveals Take That WILL perform this year! Howard Donald & Mark Owen tease details!
Gary Barlow has revealed that Take That’s new, smaller, lineup could make their first live debut as early as this year.
It was confirmed earlier this month that when the band release their new album III it will feature only vocals and songs from Gary, Howard Donald and Mark Owen, after Jason Orange announced his decision to retire from the band.
The original member wrestled with his decision for the past two years and even after he gave his bandmates blessing to go and make a record without him, they still held his place open until the very last minute. However, when Take That return with their new material, it will be as a three piece for the first time.
Barlow left thousands of his fans in a state of excitement earlier today, when he hinted that he, Howard and Mark could hit the road with their new tunes within months and when a fan asked if they would be visiting Holland in 2015, he replied: “*this year*.”
Donald has promised fans a ‘treat’ from the new album and single These Days and tweeted fans last week saying:
“Thankyou to everyone that has pre ordered the single and album.
Your in for a treat,if I may say so myself.”
Mark also revealed the album’s official tracklist and told fans:
“Look what arrived for final checks this morning…… At this stage we listen to the silence in between the songs also. Does Higher than Higher come in too quick after Portrait?????
M.O
X”
Robbie Williams recently wished his former bandmates the best of luck with their new venture, having turned down the chance to join them again.
Are you excited about TT3? Leave your comment below…
Source: http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk
Sunday 19 October 2014
ARTICLES - GARY BARLOW 18 OCTOBER 2014 With his debut Dubai gig, Gary Barlow was back for good
To fully appreciate one of life’s hard truths – that you can’t have it all – you need look no further than Gary Barlow.
The 43-year-old Brit is a hugely successful singer-songwriter and for the most part solely responsible for turning the British boy-band Take That into stadium-fillers.
But for all his melodic genius, he never really had the onstage personality to carry the songs off live. Hence the reason why Take That were so integral to Barlow’s career.
In the studio, he is the boss and comes up with the hits time after time. In concert, however, Barlow’s lack of showmanship is compensated for by the other lads – in particular the former member and solo star Robbie Williams – who keep selling the tickets.
Perhaps this was on Barlow’s mind when he was preparing for his first solo tour in 14 years, a United Kingdom and Ireland-dominated jaunt that ended up a little farther afield at a packed Media City Amphitheater yesterday.
It tuned out to be a slick and energised set, with Barlow holding the fans’ attention seemingly through sheer force of will. Each song had its own visuals and there was a cracking nine-piece band, including a three-piece horn section – not to mention a set list that was split into swing, acoustic and solo sets. He even threw in a choir, courtesy of a fine guest slot from the Dubai College Chamber Choir, in the stirring Sing.
But despite all of that welcome effort, what really made Barlow’s performance an overall success was his new-found ease on stage.
There was an old-school Vegas charm about him as he delivered those big solo and Take That hits with aplomb.
Greatest Day was an early highlight, its towering chorus eliciting the first of many crowd singalongs.
Confirming that the rivalry with Williams is a friendly one, Barlow cheekily performed Robbie’s 2012 hit Candy. After all, that Motown-ish number was co-written by Barlow.
Tracks from last year’s Since I Saw You Last, were sprinkled throughout the set. The best of them was the dramatic Requiem, which moved from a Beach Boys-inspired choral opening before steadying into piano-led pop recalling Paul McCartney’s Wings era.
That said, Barlow knew exactly what the fans really wanted: it was all about those Take That hits. While the full-band treatment of Back For Good, Relight My Fire and Rule the World were effective, it was in the lovely six-song solo set that Barlow’s magic could best be appreciated.
Listening to Love Ain’t Here Anymore, Said It All and Forever Love accompanied just by a piano, you realised why Take That are still the boy band it’s OK to like. Unlike many of their peers, there is an honesty and craftsmanship to the songs.
Barlow may never have been the fan favourite, but he is perhaps the most respected. With 9,000 people in attendance in Dubai, that is a pretty good deal.
ARTICLES - GARY BARLOW 14 OCTOBER 2014 - Take That star Gary Barlow will give Dubai his all
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Ahead of his first solo UAE performance on Friday, Gary Barlow talks about how much he loves the UAE and the possibility of Take That coming back with him some time.
When the tour was announced, a lot of us were surprised that this was your debut UAE performance. What took you so long?
I know! I always wanted to play in the UAE because I have a few friends who came and performed here and they always said how much fun they had. I also came to Dubai nearly 20 times with my family for holidays, so to come back and perform this time is great. Also, my band are so excited to come over that they can’t do enough for me because they are so pleased to finally go somewhere nice and sunny.
You are finishing your tour in Dubai. What are your thoughts on the whole jaunt?
I have been on tour, on and off, for nearly two years now and the shows have been great. My repertoire now has become so big that it becomes a great problem to have to fit all these songs into one evening.
What about that other old problem of singing songs such as Back for Good for the 1,000th time?
I don’t have that problem. I must have sung Back for Good about 10,000 times and I still love to sing that song. Maybe I love it because I got a second chance in my career after Take That. Whenever I go on tour, it just becomes the icing on the cake for me because I just love performing these songs.
How is the experience of touring solo and without the onstage backup of the rest of the Take That boys?
It is more challenging because all eyes are on you for two hours. It does feel like a workout. It also takes me back to when I was 17 years old and performing in the clubs. I had to ask myself what was I doing back then and where was my mind when I was on stage. When I am performing with Take That, it is a very symmetrical look and if you are choreographed to walk forward on the second chorus that’s just what you do. You are a spoke in a big wheel.
You are touring with your latest album Since I Saw You Last, your first solo release in 14 years. Is it fair to say that, considering your last solo release didn’t do so well, a lot was riding on the success of this album?
Relief is the word. It took me 14 years to have the courage to put out an album with my name on it. I have been hidden in Take That for a long time so I really needed to do this record. I am gobsmacked by the reception. The songs are well received and loved and I still hear [the hit single] Let Me Go on the radio all time. I was honestly pleased and that’s the reason why I have been out playing so many live shows – I wanted to look people in the eye and say thank you.
The album is interesting in that, behind some of the pretty melodies, you are discussing some really dark, personal stuff. Were you aware of that?
I wanted it to be this way. When I am writing for Take That, I am doing a song for four or five people. When you put your face on an album, your audience wants to know what is going on in your life. Like everyone, I had some bumps in my life. I realised that, when that happens and then it’s the time to write about it, dig deep and open your heart. People love that because they can translate it into their own lives.
Back to Take That – was the media right to say that there was a big rivalry between yourself and former band member Robbie Williams?
Oh, yes, there is a lot of rivalry between me and Rob. It always has been and it would even go to what shoes we were wearing. It is a fun rivalry. When I play Rob my new single, I know he would say “that’s great and wow, I wish I wrote that”. And it’s the same when he releases a song. I listen to it very closely and it makes me go back to the studio and get better. That’s what it is all about, to look at your peers and say: “Right, I need to get better.”
Finally, any chance of you coming back to the UAE with Take That?
Do you know what? Honestly, I am going to take plenty of photos and document everything and bring it back to the boys to have the whole group back here next year.
• Gary Barlow performs at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on Friday, October 17. Tickets start at Dh295 and are on sale now at Virgin megastores, Time Out Tickets Dubai and Platinum List. Visit www.garybarlowdubai.com for more information.
ARTICLES - GARY BARLOW 18 OCTOBER 2014 Gary Barlow gives Dubai fans nostalgic high
It’s not every day that a girl gets to live out a teenage fantasy. But that’s exactly what happened on Friday night as Gary Barlow chose one lucky lady from an audience of screaming fans and brought her on to the stage at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre for a special serenade. And when he broke into A Million Love Songs, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
It was a high point of Barlow’s debut concert in Dubai — a night of nostalgia for many as the Take That member played favourite tunes from the boy band’s glory days in the 1990s. He sang songs such as Shine, Rule the World and, of course, Back For Good.
There were smiles all round and memories of days gone by as the lad from Cheshire, England, made us all feel like we were teenagers again — if only for a night.
He also played some tracks from his latest album as a solo artist, Since I Saw You Last. And while his new music is decent, it just didn’t get the crowd pumped up as much as the old favourites, which is to be expected, I guess. When you’ve created gold, it’s hard to top it.
It was a hot and sticky night, uncomfortable for many, but Barlow made us forget we were in the desert and cooled us with his soothing voice — followed by an energising version of Relight My Fire and Never Forget. At one point Barlow even sang a duet with Elton John as Elton’s pre-recorded video was playing in the background — it was a nice touch from the legendary singer, who’s a close friend of Barlow’s, apparently.
All in all, although the heat was fierce, so were the fan feelings of adoration for a singer/songwriter who has shown that he’s made of sturdier stuff and actually, for a member of a boy band, is a very talented artist.
And for those of you pining for the rest of the Take That members to make a jaunt to the UAE, Barlow has promised to bring them here very soon. Now that’s a promise we hope he keeps.
It was a high point of Barlow’s debut concert in Dubai — a night of nostalgia for many as the Take That member played favourite tunes from the boy band’s glory days in the 1990s. He sang songs such as Shine, Rule the World and, of course, Back For Good.
There were smiles all round and memories of days gone by as the lad from Cheshire, England, made us all feel like we were teenagers again — if only for a night.
He also played some tracks from his latest album as a solo artist, Since I Saw You Last. And while his new music is decent, it just didn’t get the crowd pumped up as much as the old favourites, which is to be expected, I guess. When you’ve created gold, it’s hard to top it.
It was a hot and sticky night, uncomfortable for many, but Barlow made us forget we were in the desert and cooled us with his soothing voice — followed by an energising version of Relight My Fire and Never Forget. At one point Barlow even sang a duet with Elton John as Elton’s pre-recorded video was playing in the background — it was a nice touch from the legendary singer, who’s a close friend of Barlow’s, apparently.
All in all, although the heat was fierce, so were the fan feelings of adoration for a singer/songwriter who has shown that he’s made of sturdier stuff and actually, for a member of a boy band, is a very talented artist.
And for those of you pining for the rest of the Take That members to make a jaunt to the UAE, Barlow has promised to bring them here very soon. Now that’s a promise we hope he keeps.
ARTICLES - 13 OCTOBER 2014 Gary Barlow shares highs and lows of the music industry
Pop royalty will be in town this weekend, when Gary Barlow plays Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on Friday October 17.
A six-time recipient of the coveted Ivor Novello award for songwriting, he has written no less than 13 No.1 hit singles.
Widely acknowledged as the driving forced behind Take That, the most successful boy band in British history, he was also awarded an OBE from the Queen in 2012 for services to music and charity.
As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also famed in his home country for dishing out advice to pop hopefuls as head honcho on reality talent show X Factor.
Gary’s going to get an emotional and warm welcome when he performs all the hits – from Babe to Back for Good – as he brings the curtain down on his solo tour right here in the UAE.
He wasn’t always afforded such warmth though.
Gary was adored by millions, along with band mates Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams as Take That stormed the chart from 1990 to 1996.
But things changed following the boy band’s break-up, Gary’s first solo album ‘Open Road’ topped the charts the following year, but a media backlash was in full swing by the time of his follow up ‘Twelve Months, 11 Days’ in 1999.
Gary is philosophical as he talks to Your Life about the tough treatment he was dealt. “I don’t know, it’s a bit like a lottery. I see it a lot with people like Justin Bieber now. It feels like people must decide – it happens overnight – guess what, you are rubbish and we don’t want you any more. I don’t know why it happens to some people. Back then, the media was really top dog. Recently the media have had to retreat a bit because of the power of people – on Twitter and Facebook. People have more of a voice now. Back then we’d read papers and believe it.”
Unfortunately for Barlow, the British papers were playing games, taking sides.
Cheeky, chirpy former bandmate Robbie – the one who walked out on Take That – was tabloid gold. An evident lust for life, a gleam in the eye and great songs such as Lazy Days and Angels cast the cheeky, chirpy Stoke singer as the boy who made good.
The downside was a witchhunt for Barlow.
He says: “The success of Robbie was a brilliant story. He was at an all-time low and he’d left the group and the all of a sudden he’s this global rock star. But when that happens there are casualties, I was definitely one of them.”
Things got tough.
Robbie admitted afterwards: “Even though I disliked Gaz or the regime we were under, I didn’t want him to hurt. I did want to win, but I didn’t want him to have the fall from grace that he did.”
Gary dropped out of the public eye for over a decade. The pressure was evidently getting to him – in the form of serious weight gain.
Gary’s a refreshingly honest interviewee, and talking about that period he says: “Those were unhappy times. Mine (weight gain) definitely came through being unhappy , I was not in a great place, I was fed up. That’s how it comes out for some people.
“But also, I am one of those people that put on weight just by smelling a plate of chips. I am always at war with my body. I’m not naturally thin and I have to constantly work at that and I definitely slipped into a bad routine – not doing any exercise, eating whatever I wanted. I wanted to make music, that’s all I can do – I am useless in every other department.”
2005 TV documentary ‘Take That: For The Record’ brought Barlow and the boys (minus stay-away Robbie) back into the public eye, and after reforming, 2006 album Beautiful World and 2008’s Circus put everyone’s favourite boys-turned-men back to the top of the singles and album charts.
The circle was complete as Robbie returned to the fold for 2010 album Progress. Few people doubt the importance of Gary’s songwriting skills or his driving force in this story.
Talking on the phone he revealed how the next Take That album is ‘in the bag’, while he’s still riding high on the success of his most recent solo album.
He’s also working hard on a Broadway musical of the Peter Pan story. It’s clear the past doesn’t hold too much fear for Gary, a family man with three children.
“What is beautiful is that we are all back together and everyone happy and content in their lives.
“Even though I can look back on those times and remember the feelings, there’s been a happy ending to it all.”
Give Gary a big cheer on October 17, he deserves it.
A six-time recipient of the coveted Ivor Novello award for songwriting, he has written no less than 13 No.1 hit singles.
Widely acknowledged as the driving forced behind Take That, the most successful boy band in British history, he was also awarded an OBE from the Queen in 2012 for services to music and charity.
As if that wasn’t enough, he’s also famed in his home country for dishing out advice to pop hopefuls as head honcho on reality talent show X Factor.
Gary’s going to get an emotional and warm welcome when he performs all the hits – from Babe to Back for Good – as he brings the curtain down on his solo tour right here in the UAE.
He wasn’t always afforded such warmth though.
Gary was adored by millions, along with band mates Mark Owen, Howard Donald, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams as Take That stormed the chart from 1990 to 1996.
But things changed following the boy band’s break-up, Gary’s first solo album ‘Open Road’ topped the charts the following year, but a media backlash was in full swing by the time of his follow up ‘Twelve Months, 11 Days’ in 1999.
Gary is philosophical as he talks to Your Life about the tough treatment he was dealt. “I don’t know, it’s a bit like a lottery. I see it a lot with people like Justin Bieber now. It feels like people must decide – it happens overnight – guess what, you are rubbish and we don’t want you any more. I don’t know why it happens to some people. Back then, the media was really top dog. Recently the media have had to retreat a bit because of the power of people – on Twitter and Facebook. People have more of a voice now. Back then we’d read papers and believe it.”
Unfortunately for Barlow, the British papers were playing games, taking sides.
Cheeky, chirpy former bandmate Robbie – the one who walked out on Take That – was tabloid gold. An evident lust for life, a gleam in the eye and great songs such as Lazy Days and Angels cast the cheeky, chirpy Stoke singer as the boy who made good.
The downside was a witchhunt for Barlow.
He says: “The success of Robbie was a brilliant story. He was at an all-time low and he’d left the group and the all of a sudden he’s this global rock star. But when that happens there are casualties, I was definitely one of them.”
Things got tough.
Robbie admitted afterwards: “Even though I disliked Gaz or the regime we were under, I didn’t want him to hurt. I did want to win, but I didn’t want him to have the fall from grace that he did.”
Gary dropped out of the public eye for over a decade. The pressure was evidently getting to him – in the form of serious weight gain.
Gary’s a refreshingly honest interviewee, and talking about that period he says: “Those were unhappy times. Mine (weight gain) definitely came through being unhappy , I was not in a great place, I was fed up. That’s how it comes out for some people.
“But also, I am one of those people that put on weight just by smelling a plate of chips. I am always at war with my body. I’m not naturally thin and I have to constantly work at that and I definitely slipped into a bad routine – not doing any exercise, eating whatever I wanted. I wanted to make music, that’s all I can do – I am useless in every other department.”
2005 TV documentary ‘Take That: For The Record’ brought Barlow and the boys (minus stay-away Robbie) back into the public eye, and after reforming, 2006 album Beautiful World and 2008’s Circus put everyone’s favourite boys-turned-men back to the top of the singles and album charts.
The circle was complete as Robbie returned to the fold for 2010 album Progress. Few people doubt the importance of Gary’s songwriting skills or his driving force in this story.
Talking on the phone he revealed how the next Take That album is ‘in the bag’, while he’s still riding high on the success of his most recent solo album.
He’s also working hard on a Broadway musical of the Peter Pan story. It’s clear the past doesn’t hold too much fear for Gary, a family man with three children.
“What is beautiful is that we are all back together and everyone happy and content in their lives.
“Even though I can look back on those times and remember the feelings, there’s been a happy ending to it all.”
Give Gary a big cheer on October 17, he deserves it.
ARTICLES - GARY BARLOW IN DUBAI 16 October 2014
Gary, welcome back to Dubai. You’ve been many times before. Since our last chat, Jason Orange announced that he was leaving Take That.
I know and I was going to tell you and give you the exclusive as well. (laughs).
So were you shocked or did you know for a while?
We’d known about it for a couple of years and we sort of waited and waited and said, ‘You know, do you want to do it this year?’ and we got sort of tired at waiting in the end and so we said to him that we we’re going to go make a record this year and that we’d keep him informed. So we waited again and we just couldn’t wait any longer so we basically said, ‘Are you doing it or not?’ That was it really.
You said you’d like to bring Take That to Dubai. Are you still planning on doing that now?
You know what, I think we will. I’d love to do that. It’s a big touring year for us next year. We’re going to be playing UK, Ireland, Europe and I just don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t come back to Dubai. I think I’ve been sent to do the recce if I’m honest. See what the crowds are like, see what the gigs are like.
You and Robbie have patched things up since your past fallout. Is there still rivalry between the two of you?
There’s massive rivalry between us, it’s enormous and it continues. We banter each other all the time. Whenever we’ve got a new record, he’s there listening and when he’s got a new record, I’m there listening. It’s always going to be like that. We love what we do and we are very supportive. That’s the difference. We support each other these days.
Why do you think that is, what’s changed?
Well before we did the Progess album, we all met and we had a bit of a sesh- were it was like bringing up all the old stuff. It was a bit silly really, especially because we’ve both got kids and stuff now. It was like, ‘we have to put this to bed.’ And we did and we made a record and did a tour. It was like a healing couple of years. So no everyone’s on good terms. I think for anyone that enjoys the band, it’s going to be a bit of a revolving door now-who joins for which record and albums and I think it’s going to keep it interesting.
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
I have split my trousers a few times on stage and I remember someone telling me, ‘If something happens on stage, share it with the audience’ because they love it when something goes wrong. Both times I’ve said, ‘Excuse me everyone’ and I turned around and showed them the tear and they just went mad. Don’t try and cover stuff up.
Do you have a favourite gig?
This year I did a tour and it was one of those weird things, if you do like a 20 night run, one or two of them will be unbelievable, but every night was just the best night you’ve ever had on stage. I don’t know why that is. I just seem to be enjoying doing what I am doing more than ever again. I think I’d have to say every night.
Have you been watching the UK X Factor this season?
I’ve seen one, only because I’ve been out of the country a lot but I saw the judge’s houses. I used to love filming that weekend. So it looks good.
Louis or Simon?
Louis.
What brings you the greatest joy?
Music obviously. I mean I’m lucky because my work is my hobby and I love it. So it never feels like work. And my children and family life, home. There is nothing like a live show for me. It’s where I started when I was 11 years old. I played live the first sort of five years of my career and I’ve never lost that thrill of wanting to get on a stage. Over and above recording and writing, I just think that live is more popular than it’s ever been.
Who do you follow on Twitter?
I obviously follow all of the guys in the band (Take That’s Jason, Howard, Mark and Robbie). Howard is quite funny on Twitter, he’s quite rude, so check him out. I like Keith Lemon too.
What about James Corden? You made a documentary recently for BBC One with him which saw the two of you bantering each other.
You know he played a video of him when he was 13, and he basically made Take That and put himself in the middle, doing all the routines. I think it was a bit of a dream of his come true, the whole boy band thing.
What is on your bucket list?
I’ve done a lot of great things. I don’t really have one. I like doing things for the first time, like coming to Dubai and playing here for the first time. It’s great because I’ve been doing this for 24 years now, so doing firsts doesn’t happen very often anymore.
What about Skydive Dubai?
You know my son wanted to do that last year but he wasn’t old enough and I was going to do it with him. I’ll add that to my bucket list.
Do you have a favourite magazine in Dubai?
It’s got to be Time Out Dubai. It’s funny though because I love the New York one and the London one. For me if I’m going somewhere, I check that, it just has everything.
Gary Barlow Live. From Dhs 295 to Dhs1000. Doors open 6pm-midnight, Friday October 17. Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City. www.timeoutickets.com
Gary Barlow’s Top Five in Dubai
Favourite restaurant: Sky View Bar in Burj Al Arab
Favourite waterpark: Wild Wadi
Favourite hotel: That’s a tricky one because there are so many now. I do like the One & Only. They are always nice but we always used to stay down in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, free access to Wild Wadi!
Favourite Beach: Sunset Beach
Favourite Mall: Mall of the Emirates
source: Time Out Dubai
I know and I was going to tell you and give you the exclusive as well. (laughs).
So were you shocked or did you know for a while?
We’d known about it for a couple of years and we sort of waited and waited and said, ‘You know, do you want to do it this year?’ and we got sort of tired at waiting in the end and so we said to him that we we’re going to go make a record this year and that we’d keep him informed. So we waited again and we just couldn’t wait any longer so we basically said, ‘Are you doing it or not?’ That was it really.
You said you’d like to bring Take That to Dubai. Are you still planning on doing that now?
You know what, I think we will. I’d love to do that. It’s a big touring year for us next year. We’re going to be playing UK, Ireland, Europe and I just don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t come back to Dubai. I think I’ve been sent to do the recce if I’m honest. See what the crowds are like, see what the gigs are like.
You and Robbie have patched things up since your past fallout. Is there still rivalry between the two of you?
There’s massive rivalry between us, it’s enormous and it continues. We banter each other all the time. Whenever we’ve got a new record, he’s there listening and when he’s got a new record, I’m there listening. It’s always going to be like that. We love what we do and we are very supportive. That’s the difference. We support each other these days.
Why do you think that is, what’s changed?
Well before we did the Progess album, we all met and we had a bit of a sesh- were it was like bringing up all the old stuff. It was a bit silly really, especially because we’ve both got kids and stuff now. It was like, ‘we have to put this to bed.’ And we did and we made a record and did a tour. It was like a healing couple of years. So no everyone’s on good terms. I think for anyone that enjoys the band, it’s going to be a bit of a revolving door now-who joins for which record and albums and I think it’s going to keep it interesting.
What has been your most embarrassing moment?
I have split my trousers a few times on stage and I remember someone telling me, ‘If something happens on stage, share it with the audience’ because they love it when something goes wrong. Both times I’ve said, ‘Excuse me everyone’ and I turned around and showed them the tear and they just went mad. Don’t try and cover stuff up.
Do you have a favourite gig?
This year I did a tour and it was one of those weird things, if you do like a 20 night run, one or two of them will be unbelievable, but every night was just the best night you’ve ever had on stage. I don’t know why that is. I just seem to be enjoying doing what I am doing more than ever again. I think I’d have to say every night.
Have you been watching the UK X Factor this season?
I’ve seen one, only because I’ve been out of the country a lot but I saw the judge’s houses. I used to love filming that weekend. So it looks good.
Louis or Simon?
Louis.
What brings you the greatest joy?
Music obviously. I mean I’m lucky because my work is my hobby and I love it. So it never feels like work. And my children and family life, home. There is nothing like a live show for me. It’s where I started when I was 11 years old. I played live the first sort of five years of my career and I’ve never lost that thrill of wanting to get on a stage. Over and above recording and writing, I just think that live is more popular than it’s ever been.
Who do you follow on Twitter?
I obviously follow all of the guys in the band (Take That’s Jason, Howard, Mark and Robbie). Howard is quite funny on Twitter, he’s quite rude, so check him out. I like Keith Lemon too.
What about James Corden? You made a documentary recently for BBC One with him which saw the two of you bantering each other.
You know he played a video of him when he was 13, and he basically made Take That and put himself in the middle, doing all the routines. I think it was a bit of a dream of his come true, the whole boy band thing.
What is on your bucket list?
I’ve done a lot of great things. I don’t really have one. I like doing things for the first time, like coming to Dubai and playing here for the first time. It’s great because I’ve been doing this for 24 years now, so doing firsts doesn’t happen very often anymore.
What about Skydive Dubai?
You know my son wanted to do that last year but he wasn’t old enough and I was going to do it with him. I’ll add that to my bucket list.
Do you have a favourite magazine in Dubai?
It’s got to be Time Out Dubai. It’s funny though because I love the New York one and the London one. For me if I’m going somewhere, I check that, it just has everything.
Gary Barlow Live. From Dhs 295 to Dhs1000. Doors open 6pm-midnight, Friday October 17. Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City. www.timeoutickets.com
Gary Barlow’s Top Five in Dubai
Favourite restaurant: Sky View Bar in Burj Al Arab
Favourite waterpark: Wild Wadi
Favourite hotel: That’s a tricky one because there are so many now. I do like the One & Only. They are always nice but we always used to stay down in Jumeirah Beach Hotel, free access to Wild Wadi!
Favourite Beach: Sunset Beach
Favourite Mall: Mall of the Emirates
source: Time Out Dubai
ARTICLES - TAKE THAT Take That: Jason Orange to be replaced by his TWIN? Failing that, a hologram?
When Jason Orange announced that he was quitting Take That, the world and its Take That loving wife were shocked, and feared that – as Robbie Williams was also no longer part of the band either – the group would split for good.
However, happily, that was not to be and Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald vowed that not only would they continue as Take That, they were planning a new tour, new single and new album.
And in order to prove that as a trio, they can be just as entertaining as they were as a five-piece or even a quartet, it seems the remaining singers are planning to make their tour the most elaborate they’ve ever done, and to that end, they may bring Jason and Robbie back as holograms!
So sayeth The Sun at any rate, who further suggest that if all else fails, Jason’s twin brother Justin could be enlisted to join the group.
A Take That insider said, “The boys have joked that they’re going to use a hologram of Jason for their live shows.
“Someone even suggested replacing Jason with his twin brother, Justin, to see if anyone would notice.”
The article concludes by reminding TT fans that it wouldn’t be the first time imagery of a band member had been used at a live show…
“On their 2006 comeback tour they beamed an image of ROBBIE WILLIAMS on to the stage so he could ‘join’ them for a rendition of Could It Be Magic.”
Well, time will tell whether any of the above actually happens, but in the meantime, Gary is as busy as ever and is currently in Dubai where he’ll be performing live this weekend.
Howard meanwhile has been busy on Twitter, commenting on a number of topical issues, including the return of The Apprentice to the BBC, however, as we reported yesterday, not all viewers were as complimentary as Howard…
Perhaps Howard could suggest to Apprentice wannabes that coming up with an idea for how to contain unpleasant smells would be a hit…
On Twitter, he wrote, “You just can’t beat that morning aroma of wet cat food that lingers throughout the house.
“No wonder their sh** stinks!”
No wonder indeed.
source: http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk
However, happily, that was not to be and Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald vowed that not only would they continue as Take That, they were planning a new tour, new single and new album.
And in order to prove that as a trio, they can be just as entertaining as they were as a five-piece or even a quartet, it seems the remaining singers are planning to make their tour the most elaborate they’ve ever done, and to that end, they may bring Jason and Robbie back as holograms!
So sayeth The Sun at any rate, who further suggest that if all else fails, Jason’s twin brother Justin could be enlisted to join the group.
A Take That insider said, “The boys have joked that they’re going to use a hologram of Jason for their live shows.
“Someone even suggested replacing Jason with his twin brother, Justin, to see if anyone would notice.”
The article concludes by reminding TT fans that it wouldn’t be the first time imagery of a band member had been used at a live show…
“On their 2006 comeback tour they beamed an image of ROBBIE WILLIAMS on to the stage so he could ‘join’ them for a rendition of Could It Be Magic.”
Well, time will tell whether any of the above actually happens, but in the meantime, Gary is as busy as ever and is currently in Dubai where he’ll be performing live this weekend.
Howard meanwhile has been busy on Twitter, commenting on a number of topical issues, including the return of The Apprentice to the BBC, however, as we reported yesterday, not all viewers were as complimentary as Howard…
Perhaps Howard could suggest to Apprentice wannabes that coming up with an idea for how to contain unpleasant smells would be a hit…
On Twitter, he wrote, “You just can’t beat that morning aroma of wet cat food that lingers throughout the house.
“No wonder their sh** stinks!”
No wonder indeed.
source: http://www.unrealitytv.co.uk
ARTICLES - GARY BARLOW 15 OCTOBER 2014 Gary Barlow to bare his heart in Dubai
And just like that, there were three. Just short of 25 years in the music industry as one of the world’s biggest boy bands ever — yes, they had a bit of a head start on One Direction — Take That is now a trio.
It’s potentially nerve-racking, considering the band’s last album Progress, released in 2010, broke so many records and even became the fastest-selling album of the century in the UK. But Robbie Williams, who left the band earlier, returned to help make that album. And Jason Orange, who announced his departure last month, was still a member.
Now, as the band, which formed in 1990, prepare to release their seventh studio album, III, the pressure’s going to be on Gary Barlow, team leader and chief songwriter.
“It’s a new era,” he tells tabloid! before his solo Dubai debut on October 17.
At 43, with four solo albums behind him, not to mention the eight No 1 albums, 15 No 1 singles and 30 million album sales he’s had with Take That, Barlow is used to the ups and downs of the industry. He’s also had many devastating personal struggles; he lost many so-called friends after his second album, Twelve Months, Eleven Days, failed to take off; he lost his father suddenly in 2009 and he and his wife Dawn lost their fourth child, who was stillborn.
Barlow poured his heart and soul into his last album, Since I Saw You last, also the name of the world tour he’s bringing to Dubai. He spoke to tabloid! about what the songs in the album really mean, about performing in the UAE for the first time and what fans can expect from the new Take That album.
Hello Gary, where are you right now as you’re answering these questions.
I’m sat at the back of my house in LA at the breakfast table. My daughter is eating a chocolate croissant next to me. As usual here it’s sunny here.
If you were in Dubai right this moment, what would you be doing?
We’ve had many holidays in Dubai as a family. Wild Wadi is our favourite!
Tell us a bit more about your last visit here. What did you get up to?
We usually go for holidays in October at half term. We love the hotels and water sports. We also went to the desert for dinner once.
We know you’re bringing the best of Take That with you to Dubai. But how much from your solo albums can we expect on set list?
I do an equal split of my solo material and the Take That hits. There’s something for everyone.
Can we expect any surprises?
Oh with live shows there’s always surprises. I’m looking forward to bringing someone in Dubai up on stage and serenading them.
Which Take That song gets requested the most?
Back for Good
You’re ending your tour in Dubai. If you were to sum up the entire tour in two words, they would be?
Absolutely fantastic
Any particularly memorable locations on the tour?
Manchester is always a good show as it’s like going home and the Scottish audiences are always great too.
After all these years, do you still get the jitters before getting on stage?
No, I haven’t had a nervous moment for many years. I can’t wait to get on out there to be honest.
What are Gary Barlow’s pre-concert rituals?
Vocal warm up, seeing the band, calling home.
You’ve been known for writing so many iconic ballads, tell us a little more about where the songs on ‘Since I Saw You Last’ came from?
The album is all about the journey from 1999 to now. It’s lovely for the fans to hear as many have been on this whole journey with me.
Some of them are really dark. Did it take a lot of courage to record it and put it out there, and prepare for public scrutiny?
Ha! That’s true, maybe I didn’t think that one through. They’re true and real.
You credited your duet partner for ‘Face to Face’, Elton John, for helping you through your darkest times. Tell us a bit more about the kind of relationship you share with him?
He’s such an amazing friend. If ever anything bad happens in my life he’s always one of the first people to make contact. I also love listening to music with him. He is still the biggest music fan I’ve ever met.
Are there any songs you wish you had not released?
Yes, ‘Love Won’t Wait’. I always hated that song. It was the label who convinced me it was a big hit and right for me. It really wasn’t. I’m best performing my own material.
You’ve come full circle as an artist. From spectacular highs to the lowly lows. If you were to advise rising stars in the music industry anywhere, what would you say to them?
Have fun, enjoy it, I never enjoyed any of our success in the ’90s. I just spent the whole time worrying. Music is meant to be fun.
Do you think you’ve mastered the art of being a celebrity?
Oh I hate that word. Its’ taken on a whole new meaning recently. I’ve never dreamed of being a celebrity, just a singer songwriter. Being famous is just part and parcel of that.
With the end of the tour, what next?
It’s back to Take That for me. An album later this year, a tour next year hopefully and then, well, lets do it all again. I think in 2016 it’s our 25th anniversary so we might do something around that.
How is the new Take That album coming along?
We’ve loved making this record and it’s very nearly finished, It’ll be our first album in four years so it’s really important to us. Making a new studio album is always exciting. A new era.
And can we expect another tour, this time including a stop in Dubai?
Yes, yes, yes. I love firsts and we’ve never played in Dubai. What’s going on?
I really can’t wait!
It’s potentially nerve-racking, considering the band’s last album Progress, released in 2010, broke so many records and even became the fastest-selling album of the century in the UK. But Robbie Williams, who left the band earlier, returned to help make that album. And Jason Orange, who announced his departure last month, was still a member.
Now, as the band, which formed in 1990, prepare to release their seventh studio album, III, the pressure’s going to be on Gary Barlow, team leader and chief songwriter.
“It’s a new era,” he tells tabloid! before his solo Dubai debut on October 17.
At 43, with four solo albums behind him, not to mention the eight No 1 albums, 15 No 1 singles and 30 million album sales he’s had with Take That, Barlow is used to the ups and downs of the industry. He’s also had many devastating personal struggles; he lost many so-called friends after his second album, Twelve Months, Eleven Days, failed to take off; he lost his father suddenly in 2009 and he and his wife Dawn lost their fourth child, who was stillborn.
Barlow poured his heart and soul into his last album, Since I Saw You last, also the name of the world tour he’s bringing to Dubai. He spoke to tabloid! about what the songs in the album really mean, about performing in the UAE for the first time and what fans can expect from the new Take That album.
Hello Gary, where are you right now as you’re answering these questions.
I’m sat at the back of my house in LA at the breakfast table. My daughter is eating a chocolate croissant next to me. As usual here it’s sunny here.
If you were in Dubai right this moment, what would you be doing?
We’ve had many holidays in Dubai as a family. Wild Wadi is our favourite!
Tell us a bit more about your last visit here. What did you get up to?
We usually go for holidays in October at half term. We love the hotels and water sports. We also went to the desert for dinner once.
We know you’re bringing the best of Take That with you to Dubai. But how much from your solo albums can we expect on set list?
I do an equal split of my solo material and the Take That hits. There’s something for everyone.
Can we expect any surprises?
Oh with live shows there’s always surprises. I’m looking forward to bringing someone in Dubai up on stage and serenading them.
Which Take That song gets requested the most?
Back for Good
You’re ending your tour in Dubai. If you were to sum up the entire tour in two words, they would be?
Absolutely fantastic
Any particularly memorable locations on the tour?
Manchester is always a good show as it’s like going home and the Scottish audiences are always great too.
After all these years, do you still get the jitters before getting on stage?
No, I haven’t had a nervous moment for many years. I can’t wait to get on out there to be honest.
What are Gary Barlow’s pre-concert rituals?
Vocal warm up, seeing the band, calling home.
You’ve been known for writing so many iconic ballads, tell us a little more about where the songs on ‘Since I Saw You Last’ came from?
The album is all about the journey from 1999 to now. It’s lovely for the fans to hear as many have been on this whole journey with me.
Some of them are really dark. Did it take a lot of courage to record it and put it out there, and prepare for public scrutiny?
Ha! That’s true, maybe I didn’t think that one through. They’re true and real.
You credited your duet partner for ‘Face to Face’, Elton John, for helping you through your darkest times. Tell us a bit more about the kind of relationship you share with him?
He’s such an amazing friend. If ever anything bad happens in my life he’s always one of the first people to make contact. I also love listening to music with him. He is still the biggest music fan I’ve ever met.
Are there any songs you wish you had not released?
Yes, ‘Love Won’t Wait’. I always hated that song. It was the label who convinced me it was a big hit and right for me. It really wasn’t. I’m best performing my own material.
You’ve come full circle as an artist. From spectacular highs to the lowly lows. If you were to advise rising stars in the music industry anywhere, what would you say to them?
Have fun, enjoy it, I never enjoyed any of our success in the ’90s. I just spent the whole time worrying. Music is meant to be fun.
Do you think you’ve mastered the art of being a celebrity?
Oh I hate that word. Its’ taken on a whole new meaning recently. I’ve never dreamed of being a celebrity, just a singer songwriter. Being famous is just part and parcel of that.
With the end of the tour, what next?
It’s back to Take That for me. An album later this year, a tour next year hopefully and then, well, lets do it all again. I think in 2016 it’s our 25th anniversary so we might do something around that.
How is the new Take That album coming along?
We’ve loved making this record and it’s very nearly finished, It’ll be our first album in four years so it’s really important to us. Making a new studio album is always exciting. A new era.
And can we expect another tour, this time including a stop in Dubai?
Yes, yes, yes. I love firsts and we’ve never played in Dubai. What’s going on?
I really can’t wait!
Monday 13 October 2014
GARY BARLOW IN DUBAI INTERVIEW - WHATSON.AE
Since then he has sold millions more records and fronted a string of record-breaking shows at Wembley Stadium with the band, was enlisted by the Queen to organise her Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and landed a primetime TV gig on the X Factor judging panel.
This second phase of the 43-year-old’s career has already outlasted Take That’s 1990s heyday, and Barlow shows no signs of slowing down – he has co-written the score for a new Broadway musical and is promoting a new album, Since I Saw You Last, his first solo release since 1999’s Twelve Months, Eleven Days.
On October 17, Barlow will treat his Dubai fans to a live performance of his latest material – along with classics from that impressive back catalogue – with his first solo gig in the UAE. The Cheshire-born Take That frontman has scheduled a one-off performance at Dubai’s Media City Amphitheatre as part of his Since I Saw You Last tour. Barlow has already staged 17 gigs across the UK to celebrate the release of the album, but the Media City show will be his first overseas concert.
What’s On spoke to Gary ahead of the gig about his plans to conquer Broadway and the songs he wishes he had written.
How long do you spend per day writing songs?
I write a lot but not every day. I think it’s important to not do one thing every day, especially when it comes to writing music, because you need to always be fresh.
Do you carry a dictaphone around with you to record melodies that pop into your head?
I use my iPhone voice notes for ideas and the notebook to store lyric ideas.
What song have you written that was the most rewarding when it was finished?
Some songs do take longer than others. I’d Wait For Life was a chorus I’d had for about eight years – we finally recorded it in 2006!
Which song do you wish you had written?
Oh, there are hundreds. If I had to pick two then it’d probably be Yesterday [by The Beatles], or Elton John’s Your Song.
For every song you write that finds its way onto an album, how many do you reject?
For an album of 11 songs I’ll usually write about 25.
Word on the street is that you’ve just written a stage musical. Is that true?
Yes, it’s called Finding Neverland. It opened for previews in Boston last month and moves to Broadway in March 2015. It’s the story of how JM Barrie wrote Peter Pan.
Who would you most like to do a duet with?
My duet dream finally came true on my last solo album: it was Elton John.
Do you miss touring with a band?
Of course, I miss all the activities with TT. I can’t wait to hit the road again.
Any new up and coming talents that you think we should look out for?
Sam Smith.
Which period of your career have you enjoyed most? Take That, solo, or TV judge?
I’d say that 2009 was a great year for Take That. The Circus album and tour was one of my favourites.
What’s the weirdest fan present you’ve ever received?
A can of deodorant. Maybe she was trying to tell me something?
A LIFE IN MUSIC
What’s On looks back at some of the singer-songwriter’s landmark hits.
1992
It Only Takes A Minute
The hit that brought Gary and his fresh-faced band-mates to the attention of millions of teenage girls.
1993
Pray
Take That’s first number one hit, the Barlow-penned Pray stayed at the top spot for a month and won two Brit Awards.
1995
Back For Good
This track reached No 1 in 31 countries and helped Take That to crack the US. Gary claims he wrote it in 15 minutes.
1995
Never Forget
The boys’ seventh No 1 single, Never Forget was released just ahead of Robbie William’s shock departure from Take That. The band released one more single as a four piece [How Deep Is Your Love] before going their separate ways.
2006
Patience
Ten years after their split, Gary and the boys – with the exception of Robbie – returned to the charts with comeback single Patience, which became the band’s ninth No 1 hit.
2010
The Flood
The Ivor Novello Award-nominated track was the band’s first release following Robbie’s high-profile return to the band.
2013
Let Me Go
Barlow’s debut single from Since I Saw You Last, his first solo album in 14 years, reached No 2 in the charts.
October 17
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, 6pm, Dhs295. Tel: (04) 3253330. Metro: Nakheel. virginmegastore.me
ARTICLES TAKE THAT OCTOBER 2014 - Take That Reveal When We Can Expect Their New Album ‘III’! - CAPITAL.FM
We’re more than excited to have Take That back in our lives in their new incarnation as a three-piece – and there is an album coming soon too!
We shared the first play of Take That’s new single ‘These Days’ on Capital this morning, and the boys revealed to Marvin Humes that there is an album coming VERY soon too!
Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald joined Marvin in the studio, where he quizzed them on how different it was working as a three-piece band.
Gary revealed, “Do you know what, it’s been alright. I mean we’ve known for a couple of years that Jason [Orange] hadn’t made his mind up whether to be back in the band or not and so we said to him earlier this year, ‘Listen, we want to make a record’.”
“And we got his blessing to go ahead and start and so it’s been one of those years, really, where we haven’t had time to look up to see that there’s only three of us. We’ve been working so hard and concentrating on the music and I feel like the music we’ve got is very, very strong and it marks this time right now, 2014. We’re excited for people to hear it, we really are.”
And while the new single alone is exciting enough, the boys also revealed to Marvin whether they have an album coming out too.
Listen again to 'These Days' right here
Howard told us, “There certainly is! The album is out in December and it’s called ‘Three’ because it has three roman numerals so we call it ‘iii’!”
Gary added, “Or a hundred and eleven.”
But the guys revealed that there was a flaw with calling it a hundred and eleven…. The explained, “We were thinking that’s almost our combined age but then we realized that actually our combined age is more than that!”
Shhh, don’t go admitting your age, guys! You look GREAT for over a hundred and eleven years old!
The track listing for 'III' is:
These Days
Let In The Sun
If You Want It
Lovelife
Portrait
Higher Than Higher
I Like It
Give You My Love
Freeze
Into The Wild
Flaws
Get Ready For It
Believe (Deluxe edt)
Amazing (Deluxe edt)
Do It For All For Love (Deluxe edt)
'III' will be released on 1st December 2014.
ARTICLES OCTOBER 2014 - Take That EXCLUSIVE: All the boys thought about calling it a day, admits Mark Owen - METRO.CO.UK
Mark Owen has admitted that every member of Take That considered quitting the band during a year of crisis.
But he said the group – which was hit by tax avoidance headlines and Jason Orange’s indecision about his future – decided making music was the only way out.
‘I think we’ve all, during this last year for many different reasons, hit places where we went “are we doing the right thing? Is this the right thing for us to do as a band?”’ Owen said.
‘So there has been lots going on around us. But making a record is kind of our comfort zone we’ve known since 17/18 years old.
‘That’s the bit where we can go, “I know what I am doing here”.’
As for the ultimate curtain call for Take That, the 42-year-old promised fans it would be a very long goodbye.
‘I think we would need to prepare ourselves [if we split],’ he said. ‘It would be too much of a shock to our system if it happened now.
‘We need to give ourselves at least three or five years’ notice to prepare. We need to wind down and do it properly. It can’t be a quick cut off.’
But he said the group – which was hit by tax avoidance headlines and Jason Orange’s indecision about his future – decided making music was the only way out.
‘I think we’ve all, during this last year for many different reasons, hit places where we went “are we doing the right thing? Is this the right thing for us to do as a band?”’ Owen said.
‘So there has been lots going on around us. But making a record is kind of our comfort zone we’ve known since 17/18 years old.
‘That’s the bit where we can go, “I know what I am doing here”.’
As for the ultimate curtain call for Take That, the 42-year-old promised fans it would be a very long goodbye.
‘I think we would need to prepare ourselves [if we split],’ he said. ‘It would be too much of a shock to our system if it happened now.
‘We need to give ourselves at least three or five years’ notice to prepare. We need to wind down and do it properly. It can’t be a quick cut off.’
ARTICLES OCTOBER 2014 - TAKE THAT - Take That hasn’t ruled out Jason Orange and Robbie Williams reunion - METRO.CO.UK
Take That hasn’t ruled out Jason Orange and Robbie Williams reunion
Take That star Mark Owen says there are no hard feelings between Jason Orange and the rest of the band and that the door is always open for him – and original bolter 42-year-old Robbie Williams, to come back for good.
‘We knew Robbie was coming to do the Progress album with us and we knew he was going to do the tour,’ said Mark, 42.
‘We always knew he was going to go back to his solo thing.
‘And again for any future tour that we do – the door is always open for when he wants to come back and it’s the same with Jason.
‘The door is always open for him and Robbie at any time.’
They jumped into action when they found his shock departure left vocal gaps in the band’s seventh album, which will be called ‘III’.
‘We would play Jason some of the music and he’d absolutely love it,’ Howard Donald said. ‘We’d take him out for five course meals.
‘We’d take him to clubs with loads of birds!’
He explained the lyrics reserved for 44-year-old Orange on III would now be shared out between him and Mark.
‘We obviously left that space whilst doing the record throughout the year for Jason’s voice to be in there,’ he said.
Take That’s new album is set for release on December 1.
Friday 10 October 2014
ARTICLES - TAKE THAT 10 October 2014 Review: Take That's new single, These Days - manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, and Mark Owen release their new single These Days from their new album III today. M.E.N. Take That fan Katie Fitzpatrick reviews the song and gives her thoughts...
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I woke with butterflies, like the ones I had when I queued after school to watch them at the Talk of the North club in Eccles.
A new Take That single at any time is always a big deal, but especially now that all eyes and ears are on the band for the first time as a trio, without Robbie and Jason (sob).
The lads teased us Thatters the night before on Twitter with a glimpse of the artwork and title for the new album, appropriately named III.The artwork shows the three remaining members staring into a distorted reflection.
And These Days is a big song to mark a new chapter for Take That, or Take Trois as I like to call them now.
Their first release in more than three years has a very different sound to the releases from the epic Beautiful World, the reflective feel of The Circus and the rather moody, electro sound of Progress.
Poppy, upbeat, almost disco, they sing about dreaming of a dream, their hopes, the future. It sounds like summer. "Tonight I'm going to live for these days" they sing.
These Days is Take That's answer to Pharrell's Get Lucky. It is seriously happy, which was much needed after Jason's shock departure.
It will be played at weddings and parties everywhere. There's even a line advising to turn it up loud, which of course I will.
It was well worth the early rise to have a listen. Here's looking forward to the rest of the album in December and of course the tour.
ARTICLES - TAKE THAT 10 OCTOBER 2014 Take That's new single, These Days, review: 'uplifting'- The Telegraph
Take That's first single without Jason Orange is a fun and fizzy comeback, says Neil McCormick
It’s probably the group’s most dance floor-oriented offering since 1993’s Relight My Fire, an attempt to conjure up the giddy motion of their debut album Take That And Party, although it’s hard to imagine the surviving middle-aged man band pulling off the same dance moves without giving themselves a hernia. The message, nevertheless, seems pretty clear, trumpeted in a chorus sung by three voices in tight harmony: “Gotta live for these days”. For the great British pop survivors, it is business as usual.
There was a time when to suggest Take That had slimmed down would have referred to weight issues, but these days it means they’ve lost another member. The forthcoming album will be entitled III (that should be read as “three” not “ill”, which was my first unfortunate impression), presumably not so much to lament the departure of Jason Orange as to triumphantly herald the emergence of a new trio.
Robbie Wiliiams has been and gone (and been and gone) and now Orange has followed him out of the studio door. As Oscar Wilde never said, to lose one member is unfortunate, to lose Jason Orange won’t make the slightest bit of difference.
Let’s be fair, nobody was entirely sure what he did anyway. A lot of manufactured groups have a spare member, some young gun originally employed because of his cherubic looks, nifty dance moves or relationship with the manager, who turns out not to have any notable musical ability. Take That actually had two. Howard Donald remains in the line-up, a singer who rarely takes a lead verse and has never released any solo material, for very good reason. He can just about hold a harmony though, and Take That put on a united front by returning with a track with no featured lead vocalist, all three surviving members belting the song out together.
The single is out on November 23, with the album coming a week later. These Days was written by the three members and overseen by in-demand American producer Greg Kurstin (Lily Allen’s co-writer, who has also brought shiny pop hooks to Katy Perry, Ellie Goulding, P!nk and Lana Del Rey). And it’s a lot of fizzy fun, which, if you closed your eyes to blot out the image of Gary Barlow looking like an estate agent in a suit, could have come from their debut album.
And there is enough hook-laden chutzpah about this comeback to suggest these unlikely survivors of British pop are about to triumph again. If you didn’t actually know someone had left the band, you would never guess from listening to These Days, although there might just be a message to the deserter in the opening line: “I can see the future coming to you crying with a sadness in your eyes”.
The future is bright; the future is not Jason Orange. Take that and weep.
ARTICLES - TAKE THAT 10 OCTOBER 2014 Listen to Take That's first single as a trio 'These Days' from forthcoming album III - Indipendent.uk
Take That have released the first single from their forthcoming album – the new offering from the now-trio following Jason Orange’s departure.
“These Days” is an upbeat and energetic dance track with the carpe diem theme rolled out by many an artist: “Tonight we gotta live for/ We gotta live for these days/ Tonight, tonight, we'll remember/ We'll remember these days.”
There is also perhaps a sense of nostalgia in the song, as the originally five-strong band sings: “Take me back/ To where it all began.”
But the lyrics also express a desire to rejuvenate the sound of their heady Nineties heyday. All three - Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen - share vocal duties on the song, which is described as “a nod to the sound that defined their early years” and “out-and-out feel-good pop”.
The band teamed up with ELO frontman Jeff Lynne for their new album, which is fittingly titled III. They have been working on it since the start of the year after signing up a team of producers including Lynne and Stuart Price, who worked on their 2010 Progress album.
Lynne, who scored dozens of hits with ELO and recently headlined a Radio 2 gig in Hyde Park, has produced acts including Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson and Tom Petty.
Orange was not involved but is said to have granted his former bandmates his “blessing”. He revealed that he had left the band last month, insisting there had been “no fallings-out” with his bandmates. Orange joins fellow ex-Take That star Robbie Williams, who briefly retuned for Progress but has since said he will not be reuniting with the band for their next tour.
III will be released on 1 December
“These Days” is an upbeat and energetic dance track with the carpe diem theme rolled out by many an artist: “Tonight we gotta live for/ We gotta live for these days/ Tonight, tonight, we'll remember/ We'll remember these days.”
There is also perhaps a sense of nostalgia in the song, as the originally five-strong band sings: “Take me back/ To where it all began.”
But the lyrics also express a desire to rejuvenate the sound of their heady Nineties heyday. All three - Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen - share vocal duties on the song, which is described as “a nod to the sound that defined their early years” and “out-and-out feel-good pop”.
The band teamed up with ELO frontman Jeff Lynne for their new album, which is fittingly titled III. They have been working on it since the start of the year after signing up a team of producers including Lynne and Stuart Price, who worked on their 2010 Progress album.
Lynne, who scored dozens of hits with ELO and recently headlined a Radio 2 gig in Hyde Park, has produced acts including Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson and Tom Petty.
Orange was not involved but is said to have granted his former bandmates his “blessing”. He revealed that he had left the band last month, insisting there had been “no fallings-out” with his bandmates. Orange joins fellow ex-Take That star Robbie Williams, who briefly retuned for Progress but has since said he will not be reuniting with the band for their next tour.
III will be released on 1 December
ARTICLES TAKE THAT - 10 OCTOBER 2014 Our fans aren't interested in tax scandal, says Gary Barlow: Take That star thinks revelation will not affect band's popularity - DailyMail
Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald invested in tax avoidance scheme
Manager Jonathan Wild also poured money into Icebreaker Management
Barlow believes fans are more interested in 'records and tours' than scandal
Band set to release new single These Days and new album later in the year
Take That frontman Gary Barlow does not believe the band's £20million tax scandal will affect their popularity because fans are simply 'not interested'.
Barlow, 43, who invested in a tax avoidance scheme along with fellow bandmates Mark Owen and Howard Donald, as well as manager Jonathan Wild, said fans are more interested in 'records and tours'.
It comes as the band prepared to launch their new single as a trio after Jason Orange – the only member of the group not to have invested in the controversial scheme – quit last month.
Speaking for the first time since news of the tax avoidance scandal broke in May, Barlow said 'it's something we've got to get to the bottom of'.
He told The Sun: 'Our fans, they want to buy our records and watch our tours. They're not interested.'
Bandmate Owen, 42, added: 'It has been a bit tricky what's gone on – it's not the easiest.
'Hopefully by this time next year, the tax thing will be sorted out, we'll be doing live shows and it will be a positive time for us.'
Earlier this year it was revealed that Barlow, Owen, Donald, 46, and Mr Wild faced a multimillion-pound tax bill for attempting to shelter £66million in a tax-avoidance scheme called Icebreaker Management.
While Icebreaker styled itself as a music-industry investment scheme, a judge ruled in May that it was 'known and understood by all concerned to be a tax avoidance scheme'.
It allegedly allowed the Take That members to avoid tax on around £63million made through world tours and CD sales.
In 2012, lawyers representing the four men confirmed they were investors in the partnerships, but believed they were legitimate enterprises and not tax-avoidance schemes. They added that their clients paid significant amounts of tax.
There has never been any suggestion that the former Take That band members, Jason Orange and Robbie Williams, invested in the Icebreaker scheme.
Orange, 44, left the group after 23 years last month after apparently becoming 'disillusioned' with the music industry.
Despite his exit being linked to the tax scandal, his bandmates have continually insisted it had 'absolutely nothing' to do with his reasons for leaving.
The trio, who started work on their new album earlier this year with Orange's 'blessing', today prepared to launch the first single from the new record.
The new song, These Days, is to be played for the first time on the radio today ahead of its official release in November.
All three of the group share vocal duties on the song, which is described as 'a nod to the sound that defined their early years' and 'out-and-out feelgood pop'.
It is the first single of the band's new album, called III, which will be released on December 1.
Thursday 9 October 2014
EXCLUSIVE Take That reveal they 'begged' Jason Orange not to quit for 12 MONTHS before he left - Mirror.Co.Uk
It was actually the tail end of last year when splitter Jason first told the Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald to go ahead and make plans without him
To Take That’s legions of fans it came as a complete shock when Jason Orange sensationally announced he was leaving.
But his bandmates had been expecting it for some time.
It was actually the tail end of last year when Jason first told Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald to go ahead and make plans without him – and they have spent the past 12 months begging him to reconsider.
Speaking of the split for the first time since the announcement, Gary, 43, says they left the studio door wide open for Jason as they began work on a new album.
“We’ve known for a while that Jay was like, ‘I don’t know if I’m doing this or not,’” he says.
“At the end of last year we said, ‘We’re going to start, is that OK?’ You can see how you feel during the year.’
"We left a big space for him on the record.”
Finally, last month, the boys sat down for an emotional meeting and Jason told them face to face that he was leaving.
“We hit the point where we could do nothing else,” laments Mark, 42. “Then, it became real.”
A fortnight ago they got together as a foursome one last time to write statements to announce the news.
The group described it as a “sad day for us” and said: “Jason’s energy and belief in what this band could achieve has made it what it is today, and we’ll forever be grateful for his enthusiasm, dedication and inspiration over the years.”
Jason called the others his “brothers”, adding: “There have been no fallings out – only a decision on my part that I no longer wish to do this.”
It’s clearly devastating for the three lads that Jason didn’t change his mind. With Robbie Williams no longer involved, Howard refers to “what’s left of the band” and says of their upcoming releases: “Let’s hopes the fans are still there.”
After first forming in 1989, the group have been together on and off ever since with a few different lineups so they shouldn’t be a problem.
However, there have been rumours that Jason’s decision to go was related to a tax controversy surrounding the other three.
In May a judge ruled that the Icebreaker partnership Gary, Howard and Mark had been part of since 2010, along with their manager Jonathan Wild, was a tax-avoidance scheme.
Jason was not involved and when the announcement of his departure came only weeks after Gary made an apology, speculation of a link was rife.
Asked if that is what’s what’s behind it all , the boys chorus in unison: “No.”
Howard adds: “We’re all great friends. But he’s no longer in love with music, or recording it, or the whole process of it.”
They admit they did consider calling it quits. “It did cross my mind,” says Howard.
“But I would have encouraged the other two to carry on. But I love being in the studio creating music and touring.”
Mark says: “There was a time when we had to get Rob to come back.
"So we’re quite used to people saying they don’t want to do it any more.
"Eventually you kinda talk them round and send them flowers. We didn’t send Jason flowers, actually. That’s where we went wrong!”
However, they did invite him to listen to demos of their new album, III, including debut single These Days.
Howard says: “Me and Mark played it to him in the hope he’d think, ‘Yeah I’ll get on board’.”
Writing songs for the new record was clearly influenced by what was going on in the background.
“It was quite downbeat, and we needed to change it to bring more energy to it,” says Mark.
“I think Gary said: ‘We’re not writing a retirement record.’
“Then around May the three of us locked ourselves down for two or three weeks and started to play with sounds and for me that’s when we started for real.
"The energy was more positive. Now it’s one of our most upbeat records.”
Gary says the new album, due out on December 1, is “an amalgamation of the past eight years”.
They’ve worked with a selection of previous producers from different stages of their career.
Now that the trio are all in their forties it’s clearly a more mature sound than their early cheesy pop.
Gary and his wife of 14 years Dawn have children Daniel, 13, Emily, 11, and Daisy, four.
Mark and wife Emma have Elwood Jack, eight, Willow Rose, six, and Fox India, two. And Howard is dating illustrator Katie Halil.
But as Gary’s retirement comment implies, this is not scheduled to be the band’s final album.
“I could see us going on for another 15 years,” says Mark. Gary goes one better, stressing: “I could see us going in indefinitely.”
But however long it lasts, there will always be room for Jason or Robbie to return.
As Howard insists: “The door is always open.”
TAKE THAT III - FULL TRACKLIST AND REVIEW - THESE DAYS is the new single !
First review of Take That's new material as a trio, including new single These Days:
Their seventh studio album, titled III, will follow on December 1.
It is the first album they have released since 2010's Progress, which was recorded as a five-piece with both Jason and Robbie Williams. It went on to become the fastest selling album of the century. On Wednesday, the band invited me to London's RAK Studios to listen to four tracks from their new record.
Here's how they sounded...
THESE DAYS
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IT’S a new beginning for Take That — but not just in formation.
The trio’s "debut" single These Days sounds like nothing we’ve ever heard before from the boys.It’s a fast-paced, foot-stomping song, which will come across great on the radio and even better on stage.
Super producer Greg Kurstin, who has worked with everyone from Katy Perry to Kylie Minogue, helped out. And you can hear his influence straight away.
From the Chic-style funk guitar riff, to the Pet Shop Boys vocal effects, it has pure pop written all over it.
It’s no wonder the lads are dusting off their dancing shoes and learning a routine to match it.
LET IN THE SUN
And by the sounds of it, they seem to be gunning for their own Ibiza residency.
Let In The Sun is the song your dad would write if he was trying to get down with the kids.
It’s Mumford & Sons crossed with Calvin Harris.
Take That’s delve into the dance world is unsurprisingly cringe-worthy, but like all of their records it’s unquestionably catchy.
IF YOU WANT IT
It has their typical cheesy sound written all over it.
“Everything could be a little bit brighter” is the most notable line, perhaps referencing their recent struggles.
It's in no way a classic, but with big production and an uplifting chorus they won't struggle to get fans singing along.
Look out for it on bank adverts and BBC montages next year.
GET READY FOR IT
The band wrote this for the soundtrack of forthcoming Brit flick Kingsman: The Secret Service, so stars Colin Firth and Michael Caine will know all the words by the time it’s released in February.
Thumping drums start off a huge intro, before it kicks in with Gary’s battle cry.
It is loud, euphoric and unmistakably Take That.
They clearly haven't forgotten how to write the perfect middle eight too.
When the boys last wrote a big-screen anthem — Rule The World for 2007 film Stardust — it became one of their biggest hits of all time.
Get Ready For It could easily do the same.
Full tracklisting.
III
1. These Days
2. Let In The Sun
3. If You Want It
4. Lovelife
5. Portrait
6. Higher Than Higher
7. I Like It
8. Give You My Love
9. Freeze
10. Into The Wild
11. Flaws
12. Get Ready For It
ARTICLES - GARY BARLOW Gary Barlow in Dubai interview October 2014
Gary Barlow in Dubai interview
Gary Barlow needs little introduction. As the frontman of British pop group Take That, former X Factor UK head judge, Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and award-winning singer-songwriter, he’s a man of many talents. He’s even had a go at acting, appearing in British period drama Heartbeat in 2000.
From the outset, the Cheshire native seems to have it all – a successful career, a loving family, handsome good looks and a string of celebrity pals including Sir Elton John. Rewind ten years and Gary Barlow was a man scorned – after achieving worldwide success with Take That from 1989 to 1996, the band broke up when fellow member Robbie Williams decided to pursue a solo career.
Hot on his heels, Barlow released his debut solo album Open Road, which went straight to number one in the UK in 1997. Spurred on by his success, Barlow went on to release his second album, Twelve Months, Eleven Days, in 1999. But the fame and public support wasn’t to last. Ex-bandmate Robbie Williams was on top and dominating the charts, while Barlow was dropped from his record label, BMG. He would soon become the butt of the media’s jokes (often fuelled by Williams) and subjected to years of cruel jibes at the hands of the press and Williams’ fans.
Stepping out of the limelight, Barlow put on weight so that he would become unrecognisable and avoided public outings.
But the six-time Ivor Novello Award winner was about to get his second chance at fame when Take That reformed in 2006.
‘It was a very odd time because the four of us (Mark, Howard and Jason) had been out of the limelight for about seven years. We had our lives turned upside down, from becoming famous all over the world, to then having four years of a very strange solo career, where it was happening one minute and the next it wasn’t.
‘So when the band reunited, we were trying to catch up with wheels that were turning quickly. I don’t think any of us were really prepared for it. It was a really strange time, but of course a gorgeous time. We came back together after all those years, realising that people wanted it and that there was an appetite for it. We had this amazing sort of wave of public support to get us back on the stage,’ Barlow recalls.
The next few years saw Take That go from strength to strength, topping the charts across Europe with hits such as ‘Patience’, ‘Rule the World’ and ‘Greatest Day’.
‘The first time we went back on stage in 2007 will always be in my memory because it was such a beautiful moment. We were getting a second chance in our career and we couldn’t believe it was happening.
I think when we all first stood on that stage in Newcastle, it was just the most unbelievable feeling. To be part of something so successful once is a great thing, but for it to all happen again we just felt like the luckiest people in the world.’
The band have released three albums since they reunited, with Robbie Williams re-joining the mix in 2010 for the group’s sixth studio album, Progress. Following on from the success of touring with Take That, the 43-year-old > decided to go solo for the second time in fourteen years and released his latest album, Since I Saw You Last, in November 2013.
‘When things like that happen [getting dropped by his music label in 2000] it stays with you for a long time. But once the album started to come together, I got to this place where I didn’t really care about what people thought. I just thought this is the right music for me and I’m going to put it out there and if people like it or not, it doesn’t really matter because it’s true to me and where I’ve been the last few years,’ Barlow explains.
The album debuted at number two on the UK Charts and went platinum less than a month after its release. The singer’s second single from the album, ‘Face to Face’, features Sir Elton John, a long-time friend of Barlow’s.
‘Elton was the real reason I first sat on a piano stool at nine years old. His music was all round our house when I was growing up. When I sit and write songs now, I know I have been so influenced by his music. So when I eventually got the chance to sit at a piano with him, it was just like a lifetime of waiting for it to happen really. It’s funny as well, because I’ve known him for about 20 years but we’ve just never found the opportunity to sing a 50/50 duet.’
With an OBE to his name for his services to music and charity, as well as 13 number one singles and twenty three top ten hits, Barlow laughs when he admits the crowning glory of awards has to be gaining the prestigious Gold Badge for outstanding achievements from UK kids’ TV show Blue Peter.
‘I must say, we have done well in our career with awards – we’ve won quite a lot, but a Blue Peter badge, that’s it really, isn’t it?
When you saw people winning those badges, it was like, unbelievable, so to be the holder of one is brilliant,’ he adds.
Among his many tours and albums, the singer has always found the time to dedicate himself to various charities and fundraisers.
‘It’s very easy for me to say, “Hey, next week, I’ll come and play at the end of your dinner” and all of a sudden they get another thousand pounds for a table. I think that when you are in a position where you can make money for charity, then you should do,’ he enthuses.
After three seasons as head judge on the UK’s X Factor, is Barlow peeved that Simon Cowell blamed him for poor ratings?
‘It will be completely daft this year, you watch [laughs]. It’s good to have Simon back, he’s the boss and he is the reason the show is on there,’ Barlow says. The acts sign to him at the end of it, and I was happy to fill in but it’s great to see him back on TV.’
With the recent announcement of Jason Orange’s departure from Take That, Barlow admits that it will be a great loss for the group professionally and personally. However, the band’s new album is still set for release for November 2014.
‘It’s something we’ve been working on for a year. It’s been four years since the last Take That album, so we feel like it’s time. I feel like our audience is ready for a record right now.
I imagine we’ll be touring next year with the new album and I’m lucky enough to have a musical opening up on March in Broadway.
So I think it’s going to be a pretty active year.
‘I’m lucky to be in this place and this job I’ve got. Year on year, things just get better and better, but my biggest plan next year is to bring Take That back to Dubai, so look out,’ Barlow reveals.
Taking to the stage at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, on Friday October 17, the talented singer will perform a range of his hits, from Take That tunes to his solo material.
‘I do miss the support of being on stage with other people when I tour solo. There’s a strength when you go on stage with your friends. We [Take That] have this sort of invisible piece of wire that sort of glues us all together. So when we step in front of an audience, it’s a fairly strong look and a strong feeling.
‘When you are out there as a solo artist, it’s kind of like going back to when I was 17 and I was playing at clubs by myself. But with it comes a huge amount of freedom, really – you are the one telling the story. It’s harder work for sure, but it’s really rewarding and I get a chance to play 23 years of music that I’ve made and I think it touches everyone at some point in the evening,’ Barlow explains.
Having holidayed in Dubai before, he admits he usually spends his days at Wild Wadi Waterpark with his wife and kids and is looking forward to celebrating the last night of his tour in the emirate.
‘At this point in my life, doing things for the first time is a real treat. So when someone asks me to play Dubai, I didn’t even have to think about it, it was a definite yes. I think we’re all sad that it is the end of the tour after two years but it’s going to be a chance for us to have a drink and a celebration afterwards,’ he adds.
So after 23 years in the business, does he ever get tired of life in the spotlight?
‘We’ve had fans do everything over the years. It was definitely crazier in the ’90s because they were younger then,’ he laughs. They didn’t care about breaking the law – we used to get them dressing up in maids’ uniforms bringing room service to our rooms. You’d find them climbing across balconies, 20 floors up in our hotel. But we loved every minute of it – it was pandemonium and chaos and it was great fun.’
With a legion of loyal fans both young and old, and a sell-out tour behind him, being Gary Barlow seems pretty brilliant right now.
Gary Barlow Live. From Dhs295 to Dhs1,000. Friday October 17, 6pm-midnight. Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai Media City.
ARTICLES - GARY BARLOW 5 minutes with Gary Barlow 8 October 2014
Take That’s Gary Barlow is in town to showcase hits from his long-spanning career. We caught up with him for a quick chat
What’s it like performing solo after so many years as a group?
It’s very different, but it’s exciting too. I do a very different show as a solo artist; there’s more piano, whereas Take That is a totally different live experience. There’s also the safety of being in a team – when you’re solo it’s just you! Aargh!
What’s your favourite song to perform solo? And as part of Take That?
Solo it’s Let Me Go, and as part of Take That, Rule The World.
Take That fans from years ago or new fans; who’s more enthusiastic?
Even after all these years we still have a very loud audience; the big difference now is that they can still be loud, but they can also sit and listen!
You’re a husband and father now. Does that make you feel differently about being a performer? Any plans to retire?
Retire? I’m only 43 – definitely no plans to retire! I love what I’m doing more than ever, and I’m still excited by new challenges and projects. Besides, my wife couldn’t stand having me at home all day.
If you get a day off in Dubai, what will you do?
Wild Wadi. We love it there! Jumeirah Sceirah, anyone?!
What’s it like performing solo after so many years as a group?
It’s very different, but it’s exciting too. I do a very different show as a solo artist; there’s more piano, whereas Take That is a totally different live experience. There’s also the safety of being in a team – when you’re solo it’s just you! Aargh!
What’s your favourite song to perform solo? And as part of Take That?
Solo it’s Let Me Go, and as part of Take That, Rule The World.
Take That fans from years ago or new fans; who’s more enthusiastic?
Even after all these years we still have a very loud audience; the big difference now is that they can still be loud, but they can also sit and listen!
You’re a husband and father now. Does that make you feel differently about being a performer? Any plans to retire?
Retire? I’m only 43 – definitely no plans to retire! I love what I’m doing more than ever, and I’m still excited by new challenges and projects. Besides, my wife couldn’t stand having me at home all day.
If you get a day off in Dubai, what will you do?
Wild Wadi. We love it there! Jumeirah Sceirah, anyone?!
ARTICLES - JASON ORANGE 'You can have all this fame stuff, mate,' Jason Orange told me. 'I hate it' 7 SEPTEMBER 2014
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Nigel Farage gave an interview to an American radio show today in which he was played a clip of me from the BBC’s Question Time recently, saying the following about Ukip: ‘I tried to find out what else Ukip stand for other than, “Let’s get out of Europe and send all foreigners home we don’t like.” And all I could find was, “End gay marriage, cut all taxes, ignore climate change and bring back handguns.” And I thought, are we serious? Is this a serious party?’
Farage snorted with derision: ‘Well, there is one of the high priests of the metropolitan liberal media elites who clearly does not understand how people feel. I don’t care if Piers Morgan is rude about me.’
Now, I happen to like Farage and I don’t care if he’s rude about me either.
I think he brings colour and conviction to British politics, and I’d love to have a pint with him one day. But I still find his party’s rising success unsettling.
Ukip has arguments about Europe and immigration that are worth hearing and debating.
Though when Farage rants about the perils of living next door to ‘Romanian people’, he strays dangerously close to nasty Little Englander racism for my liking.
But on almost every other issue, Ukip is a complete basket case.
And when it comes to things like gay rights and guns, an offensive, dangerous basket case.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
If there’s one footballer in the world that I would love to have seen at Arsenal, it would be Paul Scholes.
A ferocious pitbull with outrageous talent who drove Manchester United to two decades of unrelenting glory.
Today, we were both BT Sport studio pundits at the Arsenal/Manchester City game.
My first thought when we met was how tiny he is – just 5ft 7in. I’m 6ft 1in, so towered over him.
We posed for a classic boxer’s ‘toe-to-toe’ picture.
‘Chilly down there?’ I sneered.
Scholes smirked.
‘Not really.’
I leaned further towards him.
‘Feeling intimidated?’
Scholes emitted a withering chortle.
‘No!’
His fierce beady eyes then bored into mine without a trace of emotion.
And I experienced a momentary flicker of nervousness.
Like Mike Tyson, Scholes doesn’t need great height to wield terror. He’s a small but perfectly formed bundle of power, aggression and controlled fury.
‘What’s your view on the Arsenal team these days?’ I asked.
‘Weak as p***,’ he spat back.
He may be right, but I suspect that by comparison with Mr Scholes, most things are as ‘weak as p***’.
Later, Michael Owen walked in. He and I have feuded on Twitter for several years.
I call him ‘Benchwarmer’ due to the frequency with which he spent the last few years of his career as a substitute. And he calls me ‘Large Undies’ for reasons I find baffling.
‘Benchwarmer!’ I cried.
‘You’re not actually going to call me that to my face?’ he exclaimed, indignantly.
‘Of course I am.’
‘Well, I’m going to call you Large Undies then,’ he fired back. At which point we both burst out laughing at the absurdity of the conversation.
When we got on set, I made an announcement.
‘I’d just like to say what a great honour it is to be sitting here with a legend of the game.’
Owen’s cherubic face beamed with relieved delight. Then I slid my outstretched hand past his and on to former Arsenal hero Martin Keown – sitting the other side of him.
‘Great to see you, Martin.’
Benchwarmer looked crushed. Afterwards, we shared a lift and I spotted a sign saying ‘Priority will be given to people with mobility difficulties’.
I sneaked a picture of Owen’s head and the sign and tweeted it with the word, ‘GOTCHA!’
Owen noticed the flash, looked up, saw the sign, did the maths and groaned loudly. ‘You b******, Large Undies!’
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Jason Orange has quit Take That.
For me, the band’s official biographer back in the early Nineties, this was a sad moment.
I’ve known Jason since he was a fresh-faced young teenager and always had a lot of time for him.
He’s a curiously thoughtful, quite introvert character who never seemed overly comfortable with being a pop superstar.
I remember bumping into him in Los Angeles soon after Take That’s hugely successful comeback in 2006. We had a nice chat by the pool at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.
‘If you could go back to the anonymity you enjoyed before Take That ever began, would you take it?’ I asked.
‘I would,’ he replied unhesitatingly. ‘Fame corrupts people’s lives.’
Then he chuckled. ‘Actually, what I’d really like is to have all the money and musical success without the fame!’
A few years later, we met by chance again and shared a coffee together in a Kensington café.
I was by then quite famous myself thanks to Britain’s Got Talent – and we both enjoyed the irony of several people coming up to ask ME for photos, not him.
But he wasn’t remotely bothered.
‘You can have all this stuff mate, I hate it,’ he said.
I’ve read all sorts of wild theories as to why Jason’s finally packed it in.
Take That’s former manager Nigel Martin-Smith, for example, launched a viciously bitchy attack on him, claiming it was all because Jason was ‘desperate for attention’.
But I suspect it’s the complete opposite. He doesn’t need the money, and he no longer wants all the c*** that comes with fame.
Nigel Farage gave an interview to an American radio show today in which he was played a clip of me from the BBC’s Question Time recently, saying the following about Ukip: ‘I tried to find out what else Ukip stand for other than, “Let’s get out of Europe and send all foreigners home we don’t like.” And all I could find was, “End gay marriage, cut all taxes, ignore climate change and bring back handguns.” And I thought, are we serious? Is this a serious party?’
Farage snorted with derision: ‘Well, there is one of the high priests of the metropolitan liberal media elites who clearly does not understand how people feel. I don’t care if Piers Morgan is rude about me.’
Now, I happen to like Farage and I don’t care if he’s rude about me either.
I think he brings colour and conviction to British politics, and I’d love to have a pint with him one day. But I still find his party’s rising success unsettling.
Ukip has arguments about Europe and immigration that are worth hearing and debating.
Though when Farage rants about the perils of living next door to ‘Romanian people’, he strays dangerously close to nasty Little Englander racism for my liking.
But on almost every other issue, Ukip is a complete basket case.
And when it comes to things like gay rights and guns, an offensive, dangerous basket case.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
If there’s one footballer in the world that I would love to have seen at Arsenal, it would be Paul Scholes.
A ferocious pitbull with outrageous talent who drove Manchester United to two decades of unrelenting glory.
Today, we were both BT Sport studio pundits at the Arsenal/Manchester City game.
My first thought when we met was how tiny he is – just 5ft 7in. I’m 6ft 1in, so towered over him.
We posed for a classic boxer’s ‘toe-to-toe’ picture.
‘Chilly down there?’ I sneered.
Scholes smirked.
‘Not really.’
I leaned further towards him.
‘Feeling intimidated?’
Scholes emitted a withering chortle.
‘No!’
His fierce beady eyes then bored into mine without a trace of emotion.
And I experienced a momentary flicker of nervousness.
Like Mike Tyson, Scholes doesn’t need great height to wield terror. He’s a small but perfectly formed bundle of power, aggression and controlled fury.
‘What’s your view on the Arsenal team these days?’ I asked.
‘Weak as p***,’ he spat back.
He may be right, but I suspect that by comparison with Mr Scholes, most things are as ‘weak as p***’.
Later, Michael Owen walked in. He and I have feuded on Twitter for several years.
I call him ‘Benchwarmer’ due to the frequency with which he spent the last few years of his career as a substitute. And he calls me ‘Large Undies’ for reasons I find baffling.
‘Benchwarmer!’ I cried.
‘You’re not actually going to call me that to my face?’ he exclaimed, indignantly.
‘Of course I am.’
‘Well, I’m going to call you Large Undies then,’ he fired back. At which point we both burst out laughing at the absurdity of the conversation.
When we got on set, I made an announcement.
‘I’d just like to say what a great honour it is to be sitting here with a legend of the game.’
Owen’s cherubic face beamed with relieved delight. Then I slid my outstretched hand past his and on to former Arsenal hero Martin Keown – sitting the other side of him.
‘Great to see you, Martin.’
Benchwarmer looked crushed. Afterwards, we shared a lift and I spotted a sign saying ‘Priority will be given to people with mobility difficulties’.
I sneaked a picture of Owen’s head and the sign and tweeted it with the word, ‘GOTCHA!’
Owen noticed the flash, looked up, saw the sign, did the maths and groaned loudly. ‘You b******, Large Undies!’
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Jason Orange has quit Take That.
For me, the band’s official biographer back in the early Nineties, this was a sad moment.
I’ve known Jason since he was a fresh-faced young teenager and always had a lot of time for him.
He’s a curiously thoughtful, quite introvert character who never seemed overly comfortable with being a pop superstar.
I remember bumping into him in Los Angeles soon after Take That’s hugely successful comeback in 2006. We had a nice chat by the pool at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.
‘If you could go back to the anonymity you enjoyed before Take That ever began, would you take it?’ I asked.
‘I would,’ he replied unhesitatingly. ‘Fame corrupts people’s lives.’
Then he chuckled. ‘Actually, what I’d really like is to have all the money and musical success without the fame!’
A few years later, we met by chance again and shared a coffee together in a Kensington café.
I was by then quite famous myself thanks to Britain’s Got Talent – and we both enjoyed the irony of several people coming up to ask ME for photos, not him.
But he wasn’t remotely bothered.
‘You can have all this stuff mate, I hate it,’ he said.
I’ve read all sorts of wild theories as to why Jason’s finally packed it in.
Take That’s former manager Nigel Martin-Smith, for example, launched a viciously bitchy attack on him, claiming it was all because Jason was ‘desperate for attention’.
But I suspect it’s the complete opposite. He doesn’t need the money, and he no longer wants all the c*** that comes with fame.
ARTICLES - TAKE THAT 6 OCTOBER 2014 Take That: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald & Mark Owen planning new tour “to get used to” performing as a trio
Though some Take That fans are still reeling from the news that Jason Orange has peeled away from the band amid speculation that he was suffering from “crippling” stage fright and that he felt “violated” by the music biz, for the remaining band members, the show must go on…
And so to that end, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen will continue as a three-piece band, and happily, it’s been reported today that the trio are planning a new tour which it’s been suggested will enable them to “get used to” performing live as a threesome rather than a group of five.
There’s also a new single on the way that will feature only Gary, Howard and Mark, and it’s understood that fans can expect that to be released within a matter of weeks.
But of the plans for a tour, The Sun today quotes a source close to the group as saying, “Promoters are looking at options for the next tour.
“Now the band are a three-piece, it would make sense to start with arenas…
“They could get used to performing as a trio and decide whether to play bigger shows at a later date.”
Apparently, the tour would most likely include gigs at London’s O2 Arena, and there’s even talk of a possible residency…
The insider remarked, “They could potentially play a residency as acts like Prince and Beyoncé have done.”
The source concluded, “The production will be spectacular whatever size venue.”
And so to that end, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen will continue as a three-piece band, and happily, it’s been reported today that the trio are planning a new tour which it’s been suggested will enable them to “get used to” performing live as a threesome rather than a group of five.
There’s also a new single on the way that will feature only Gary, Howard and Mark, and it’s understood that fans can expect that to be released within a matter of weeks.
But of the plans for a tour, The Sun today quotes a source close to the group as saying, “Promoters are looking at options for the next tour.
“Now the band are a three-piece, it would make sense to start with arenas…
“They could get used to performing as a trio and decide whether to play bigger shows at a later date.”
Apparently, the tour would most likely include gigs at London’s O2 Arena, and there’s even talk of a possible residency…
The insider remarked, “They could potentially play a residency as acts like Prince and Beyoncé have done.”
The source concluded, “The production will be spectacular whatever size venue.”
Well of course, we Take That fans would expect nothing less because we’ve been spoiled in the past by how amazing the band’s stage shows are.
Meanwhile, on Twitter, Gary has been teasing fans with what’s ahead for himself and his band mates, and one tweet indicated that he’s going to be very busy for the foreseeable…
Are you excited to see Take That as a three-piece? We certainly are!
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