Take That brought The Circus Live to Cardiff on Tuesday night and, for one evening at least, the Welsh capital really did become the greatest show on earth.
Long before the gates of the Principality Stadium opened, the excitement was impossible to miss. Queues stretched along the M4, the city centre was packed with fans, and everywhere you looked there were Take That T-shirts, colourful hats and circus-inspired outfits. It felt less like a concert and more like a major event.
One of the most special parts of the evening for me was bringing our eldest along for her very first Take That concert. Watching her experience the atmosphere, the music and the sheer scale of the production was almost as enjoyable as the show itself. By the end of the night she was completely in awe and I suspect Take That have gained another lifelong fan.
Before the main event, the crowd were treated to two support acts that could easily have headlined in their own right.
I’ll admit, when Belinda Carlisle was announced, I wasn’t entirely convinced I’d know much of her music. As someone who is terrible at remembering singers’ names, I quickly realised just how wrong I was. Song after song brought back memories, from Circle in the Sand and Leave a Light On to an epic rendition of Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Her performance felt relaxed, warm and effortlessly confident, striking the perfect balance between nostalgia and getting the crowd ready for what was to come.
The Script followed and absolutely delivered. The Dublin band, now celebrating 25 years together, mixed old favourites with tracks from their latest album. From Superheroes to The Man Who Can’t Be Moved and Nothing, every song was met with a huge response from the crowd. Hall of Fame provided one of the first true singalong moments of the evening, with the entire stadium joining in. Our eldest was surprised by just how many songs she knew and, if she’s being honest, she may have enjoyed the support acts even more than Take That themselves.
Then came the main event.
Originally staged in 2009, The Circus Live became the fastest-selling tour in UK history, shifting more than 600,000 tickets in under five hours. Seventeen years later, the concept still feels every bit as ambitious and impressive.
The show opened with circus performers and a bit of clowning around before Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald emerged to a deafening roar from the crowd. Using plenty of local phrases throughout the evening, including a few well-placed “what’s occurin’?” and “alright?”, the trio quickly had Cardiff on side.
Opening with Greatest Day, the most-played song from The Circus album, the concert immediately hit top gear. The setlist struck a great balance between newer material and classic hits, including Pray, The Garden and A Million Love Songs. Long-time musical director Mike Stevens, who has been with the band since 1993, added some incredible saxophone solos throughout the night, proving that sometimes a live musician can steal the spotlight just as much as the stars themselves.
What makes The Circus Live so memorable, however, is that it is far more than a concert. It’s a full-scale theatrical production that blurs the line between pop show and circus spectacular.
Across more than two hours, the audience were treated to trapeze artists soaring high above the stage, tightrope walkers performing seemingly impossible feats, stunning pyrotechnics and giant hot air balloons floating above the crowd. The standout moment came during The Garden, when a 30-foot animatronic elephant made its way through the stadium carrying the band from the B-stage back to the main stage.
It was an extraordinary piece of theatre. Each leg was controlled by a separate performer, with another operating the tail, creating an incredibly realistic movement as the elephant slowly made its journey through the audience. What followed was a full circus performance during Shine, complete with another quick costume change from the band.
We also watched a high-wire artist perform during The Circus, adding yet another layer to an already spectacular production.
Despite concerns about the weather earlier in the day, the stadium roof remained open, allowing the summer evening atmosphere to enhance the experience. As darkness fell, thousands of phone lights illuminated the venue and the Principality Stadium felt electric.
The final section of the show delivered hit after hit, culminating in Rule the World. It wasn’t just the stage lighting up at that point, the audience illuminated the entire stadium. Combined with a breathtaking fireworks display, it provided the perfect ending to an unforgettable evening.
Away from the stage, the Principality Stadium once again proved why it remains one of the UK’s premier concert venues. Fans arriving early could enjoy food trucks, bars and entertainment across the stadium plazas, with everything from tacos and Greek street food to burgers and locally sourced steak on offer. The Pitch Side Bar was particularly popular, while the themed Circus Burger provided a fun nod to the evening’s spectacle.
As thousands of fans reluctantly made their way home, it was clear that The Circus Live remains every bit as magical as people remember. Bigger, bolder and packed with unforgettable moments, this wasn’t simply a concert. It was a celebration of one of Britain’s most successful pop bands and a reminder of why, more than three decades after they first formed, Take That can still fill stadiums with ease.
For one night, Cardiff truly became the greatest show on earth.
