Take That Rock Wembley on Final Night of Record-Breaking Run
Take That wrapped up their record-breaking eight-night run at Wembley Stadium in style in front of 85,000 fans.
Take That said a spectacular farewell to their fans in London after a record-breaking eight-night run at Wembley Stadium came to and end on Saturday night with over two and a half hours of a truly memorable performance from England's favourite Boy Band.
The evening was made even more unforgettable for the fans as they were immortalised in the show by the amazing Wembley 360 Panoramic Photo, capturing all those inside the stadium and allowing everyone to tag themselves in the crowd. (Check out wembleystadium.com from Monday afternoon to find your face in the crowd)
The countdown at the start of the show sent a wave of excitement around the 85,000 strong crowd, as fans anticipated the arrival of the group that many here would have seen together in their early days some 20 years ago.
And there they were, the waiting was over, four of the famous five sprung up from the back of the stage, to screams that tested the eardrums to the limit. Gary, Mark, Jason and Howard soaking up the appreciation of their adoring fans. The only thing that could calm them now was Barlow and his playful gestures to the masses.
And at that moment Take That really did Rule The World as they launched into the first of over 25 songs. The four then sprinted from the main stage down the runway in the middle of the pitch to the B-Stage where they had fans bouncing to Greatest Day before an explosion of ticker tape shot high into the stadium sky. It would be slowly raining yellow confetti for the next ten minutes throughout Mark's Hold Up A Light which was accompanied by dancers waving flares like miniature comets orbiting their heads.
The quartet all addressed the crowd with their thanks individually before Mark conducted those gathered here in Brent for a rendition of happy birthday for Jason Orange, who would turn 41 a day later. Gary Barlow then treated everyone to Patience , the first song from their first comeback album as a four-piece five years ago, before they all disappeared under the stage in preparation for their next big number.
Rollerskaters, reminiscent of West End show Starlight Express, a crazy scientist and a rabbit entertained ahead of one of the show's most theatrical efforts. The four reappeared for Shine, sung enthusiastically by Owen and the crowd, to see out the first act and make way for their returning brother - Robbie Williams.
And he didn't disappoint, flying from the top of the stage to the opening bars of Let Me Entertain You, before re-introducing himself to the Take That fans in the rockstar style that his solo following have become accustomed.
And so began the Robbie Williams show, a five-song concert within a concert that gave the fans a taste of what they have missed since his last UK tour in 2006. The rollerskates were out again, but it was now time to disco for Rock DJ.
Come Undone,., a favourite from Williams 2002 album Escapology, was punctuated by the star engaging in some audience participation with Beyonce's Bootylicious and Lou Reed's Walk On The Wild Side.
By this time, Williams was literally flying as a crane carried him tantalising over the heads his adoring fans as he asked them to Feel. But his best was still to come, bringing the tempo down even further for his final solo number and signature tune, Angels, with backing vocals from 85,000 people before he fell off the back of the stage...
With acrobatic dancers abseiling down the wall, the five members of Take That appeared together for the first time high above the set. Robbie then lead for The Flood while below them an impressive cascading, stage-wide waterfall provided the backdrop to start a five-track run from their latest album Progress.
SOS, Underground Machine, Kidz and Pretty Things helped disperse the clouds over Wembley Stadium as the darkness descended and the Wembley Arch lit the sky.
Wembley Way soon became Memory Lane with the band performing some old classics; a medley of A Million Love Songs, Babe and Everything Changes while Gary tinkled the ivories and Jason strummed his guitar.
The question at that point was "are they?" when the five of them sung Back For Good and it certainly felt like they were when they clapped out Pray, Love Love, from their latest Progressed EP, with support from the giant figure of the robotic "Om", and climaxing with the unforgettable Never Forget - one of the highlights of an already amazing night, which acted as the show's finale.
But there was more to come, as the group arrived back for three more songs starting with a verse of Robbie's No Regrets, a Lulu-less Relight my Fire and rounding off a spectacular night with Eight Letters .
Take That fans will head home looking forward to another return to Wembley Stadium someday. The band themselves go off to prepare for their next gig - the San Siro stadium in Milan on Tuesday night.
But they know after eight-amazing night's in London that they can rock one of the biggest venues in the world.