It was the kind of balmy evening that announces summer is around the corner, and last night in Milton Keynes it also heralded the dawn of a new top-flight venue too, as Stadium MK proved itself to 30,000 music lovers when Take That came to town!
Rick Astley was first up on the stage, and he rose to the challenge, getting things off to a flying start with eighties smash Together Forever.
The title track from his current opus, Beautiful Life, followed, and then I'll Bring My Love To You (complete with Chic interlude of Good Times) ensured spirits remain high.
Rick, looking way too good for his 53 years, is accompanied by a solid band, and a pair of sexy, sassy backing-singers, who stand out as much for their striking looks and gold attire as they do for those amazing voices.
Keep Singing, and Dance (with Rick at the guitar) are followed by Try, again from the current album.
“I wrote this song 'cause wherever you get to in your live, you can never stop trying,” he tells a captive audience, “I kept trying, and look at whose stage I'm on now!” he exclaims.
The new material has done big business, and small surprise; there's a real depth, the sound of a man who is producing his best-ever music.
His cover of the Calvin Harris/Rag N Bone Man collaboration I Am Giant is an undisputed winner, and then Cry For Help shines a light on those aforementioned golden girls: “They are my angels, that's what they are,” Rick declares, giving them centre stage.
But what's it like for Rick looking out onto Stadium MK? “It's bonkers!” he declares.
There are no prizes for guessing that he ends things with Never Gonna Give You Up, and the crowd which has been bubbling, fizzes over.
“You are about to have one of the best nights you have ever had in your life,” Rick promises, leaving a crowd buzzing.
A short time later, and Greatest Day heralds the arrival of Barlow, Donald and Owen in matching blue tracksuits, and we get our first proper look at their sensational set.
You want to be royally entertained when you splash out on a ticket these days, and Take That have all the bells and whistles at their fingertips.
It's beautifully bold, and a feast for the eyes – and, it goes without saying, musically tonight is a treat for the ears too.
It Only Takes A Minute Girl and These Days follow in quick succession, and then Could It Be Magic raises the bar a little further.
Everything Changes (with a specially recorded video by Robbie) gives way to the uniformed drumming talents of Mark, Howard and Gary with Out of Our Heads, before A Million Love Songs slows the tempo, and MD Mike Stevens lets loose that sax-y intro.
This Milton Keynes date is almost a hometown show for the man who used to reside in Newport Pagnell, before becoming part of the Take That family in the early 90s.
“Someone take me back to '94!” they say, before breaking into Sure.
It's ridiculous to think that we are here marking the band's 30th anniversary. Three decades? It can't be right, can it?
But then you listen to the body of work that is being dissected and fed to their audience; hit after hit after chart topping hit - Love Ain't Here Anymore, Spin, Cry, Said It All, How Deep Is Your Love...it's relentless.
Memories of TT times past are shown on the big screen, while the band's own words of wisdom fill the stadium in segments perfectly placed to knit the show together and to disguise quick-change times - and there are lots of costume changes tonight.
There are also motorbikes, and the band plays in the round for a short time, much to the delight of those with the standing tickets.
Patience is one of the best songs Take That have in their armoury of finery, and even on such a warm night it manages to induce goosebumps.
It's easy to get swept away in the songs, the atmosphere, and the phones-in-the-air moments, and yet fail to absorb just what a gargantuan event this really is, and the work that goes on behind the scenes.
The set up has taken days, the dancers are phenomenal, and the three men at the heart of this spectacle toil and sweat for their fans with a two-hour show that is simply splendid.
When Mark takes lead vocals part-way through The Flood with his by-now tousled hair, glistening face and black jacket with bright emblazoned motifs, he looks every inch the rock star.
Back For Good, Get Ready For It, Everlasting, Giants, Shine and Never Forget (which sees 60,000 arms aloft in the air in the biggest show of similar unity since Queen delivered We Will Rock You) all sizzle as Milton Keynes enjoys twice the heat.
Relight My Fire sees Lulu emerge, bringing her raspy range to the party, and she does a swell job, joining the band and the Natural Voices Choir for the rendition.
She looks great too – oversized billowy shirt, black leggings and pumps, letting her booming voice make up for her petite frame. But then something isn't right as she leaves the stage with a hobble.
A new injury, or a recovery in progress?
Babe follows, and then the band are joined once more by their team of sleek dancers for Pray, and together they sign the whole song. It's just another nice touch in a show full of the clever and classy.
By the time Take That leave the stage, we've been taken on a journey spanning three decades and treated more than two dozen songs.
The song they exit with? Rule the World.
For a couple of hours, they certainly ruled Milton Keynes and gave a stadium of supporters a night to cherish.
Photos by David Jackson
Words by Sammy Jones
Take That's Greatest Hits Live Tour from Principality Stadium, Cardiff - will broadcast live into 600 cinemas across the UK & Ireland on Saturday 8th June at 8pm - Tickets available at www.takethat.com/livecinema
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