Backed with motorbikes, lasers and pyrotechnics (and a special appearance from Lulu), the trio would go on to mesmerise the 30,000-strong Bristol audience with an exhilarating and jaw-dropping set of their greatest hits.
Even before attentions turned to the music, there was plenty of fun in the sun to be had with a packed-out fan village in full swing.
A total of 72 campers and another 500 keen Take That lovers were the first through the gates and able to explore the myriad of offerings around a new-look Ashton Gate Stadium, once the fan village opened at 3pm.
Returning for the second concert of our #SummerSeries, the coffee shop was transformed into a gin bar, with queues of people soon making the most of four different bars within the unrecognisable Sports Store. Outside, the food and merchandise stalls were kept busy, notably the fish and chip bar was again proving popular!
Meanwhile inside the concourse, you could sense the eagerness with fans showing a little patience while waiting for the walkways to the seating and standing areas to open. Once they did, the sea of gig-goers filled the bowl, with very few red seats left in view around the stands.
Inside the Fan Village
Images courtesy of JMPUK.
The outside DJ on Marina Dolman Way continued to beat as the evening sunshine continued to glow on Ashton Gate, but the focus was now on the grand, dominating and futuristic stage inside where Rick Astley was about to lift the stadium off its feet. But let’s be honest, he was never going to let this crowd down.
Take That took to the stage, following a short interlude, as they kicked off their concert at Ashton Gate by emerging from a giant globe in the middle of the stage. The remaining three members of the band celebrated their 30th anniversary tour by singing many of their classics; Greatest Day, Could it be Magic, Patience, Back for Good, Shine, Never Forget, Relight my Fire and Rule the World, just to name a few.
‘This is just the beginning’ – Kelly
“Take That have a different demographic of fans, so it was important for us to see how the stadium managed as well as how the city behaved. “All four concerts are for Bristol and this is just the start as we have Spice Girls and Muse to come. We are already in talks for next year and it’s important we follow this year’s success with larger acts so that it can become an annual event.”
What the fans said:
“We have been here since Tuesday evening and the staff have been great. They are very organised, we have been to some stadiums where the organisation hasn’t been the best – but here they have been fab!”
“They have been keeping us informed and it makes us feel better and more at ease. We usually go to ten of their concerts per tour, but this year this is our first so we are really looking forward to seeing them!”
The Stadium is halfway through the #SummerSeries with Muse performing on Wednesday, June 5th and Spice Girls come to town on Monday, June 10th.
Find out more about our hospitality packages below.
Take a look at our gallery of Take That images here.
