Manchester-formed band Take That proudly brought the curtain down on the historic Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle as they entertained the royal family and crowd of 20,000 people with a selection of their most-loved hits. Howard Donald, Gary Barlow and Mark Owen opened their act, the closing set of the night, with a new Robin Schulz reworking of the 2008 classic Greatest Day, featuring Calum Scott.
The concert, screened on BBC One, was their first live show since their Odyssey Tour in 2019 and fans were in tears as they watched them close the star-studded show as part of the coronation bank holiday weekend celebrations. Stacey Watts tweeted: "I’ve been a fan for 33 years & they still manage to take my breath away with every performance! AMAZING performance from #TakeThat at the #CoronationConcert.Yes I am crying & can’t seem to stop." And Julie Virgo said: "Take That singing Shine omg I was literally crying with happiness."
Take That followed Greatest Day with their 2006 number one hit Shine, with Oldham-born Mark on lead vocals, before handing over to Howard, from Higher Openshaw, to take the lead on Never Forget. The guests, including Kermit the frog, had their arms in the air for the rousing 1995 crowd-pleaser.
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The camera panned to the young Wales children with their parents Prince William and Kate Middleton on their feet as they joyfully danced, sang along and waved their Union Jack flags. And fans couldn't help realising the poignancy of the lyrics to the song "someday, soon this will all be someone else's dream" after the crowning at Westminster Abbey on Saturday of King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla.
@GailSMitchell commented on Twitter: "Loved this. Never forget where you've come here from. Never pretend that it's all real. Someday, soon this will all be someone else's dream."
@MillerVJackson wrote about the moment: "Poignant, thought-provoking, well-chosen finale, performed excellently... 'Never forget where you've come here from. Never pretend that it's all real. Someday soon this will all be someone else's dream. This will be someone else's dream."
@AnitaGhidotti also pointed out: "'Someday soon this will all be someone else's dream' Too bloody true. 'We're not invincible, we're only people.'"
@AudMud remarked: "I’m no royalist but what a song to end the #CoronationConcert Someday this will all be someone else’s dream. Indeed." And @TRISHA40968708 commented: "Interesting song to sing to the new King 'someday this will all be someone else’s dream.'"
After the concert, proud Howard shared a picture of himself as he prepared to refuel after the performance with a plate of pasta. "After the come down of performing for the 1st time since 2019 I decided to have a midnight snack," he wrote as the congratulations poured in.
Alex Uprichard commented: "You were all amazing - have always loved Never Forget lyrics- so much awe and gratitude for the journey you went on and the perfect tone to end on at the coronation concert." And Lisa told him: "Much deserved sir much deserved you guys cracked it as I knew you would. Loved that you sang a lead each."
And today Howard was in a reflective mood as confirmed their ninth studio album is coming soon, after 2017's Wonderland and 2018's hit collection Odyssey, as he said: "Sorry but this post will be all over the place! (As is my head). I’m on the come down as it’s been a highly emotional morning after the first performance at the king's coronation at Windsor Castle.
"Black and white photo hiding the red eyes and the few tears I cried while FaceTiming my wife and kids this morning. It really is truly overwhelming and I always ask myself after 30 odd years am I really cut out for this?!
"The nerves,anxiety and handling the fame whilst being in the public eye after such a massive tv performance. The appreciation of the public and the applause from all the talented orchestra,choir,drummers after a rehearsal is truly heart warming!" He added: "Maybe I can handle this for a few more years to come…why not! Now off to finish the new album.""
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