“We had to bring back the moves but unfortunately I’ve split my trousers,” Take That’s Mark Owen told a 45,000-strong sold-out crowd at Hyde Park yesterday after performing some of the original dance routines that made the band famous in 1992. “We’re too old,” he added.
Celebrating 25 years since the release of their debut album, Take That and Party, the headliners of BBC Radio 2’s annual Live in Hyde Park event were just one of several acts on the line-up with significant career anniversaries in Radio 2’s 50th anniversary year.
The day began well enough with The Stereophonics opening with an accomplished set combining old and new in their 20th anniversary year. Things went awry shortly after, however, with Wildwood Kin’s set plagued with severe technical issues, rendering it entirely inaudible.
Further technical problems prevailed for much of the afternoon, as did laborious mediocrity in tedious sets from Rick Astley, James Blunt and Shania Twain.
Emile Sandé fared better with a set of hits and well-judged surprises.
Veterans Blondie brought a much-needed adrenaline boost with songs from their 11th, acclaimed studio album Pollinator sitting comfortably alongside classics such as Call Me, Rapture and Heart of Glass.
With Gary Barlow promising to “party like it’s 1992,” Take That salvaged an underwhelming day with a well-judged, hit-filled set. With perfect vocal and dance renditions of early favourites Pray, Everything Changes and Relight My Fire, Take That were the only act who got the anniversary celebrations right.
