GARY BARLOW has had quite a year with a new album, a socially distanced TV special and a rescheduled 2021 tour to look forward to.

That tour has also been given a fresh new name – ALL THE HITS LIVE 2021 will do just that, feature Gary’s best solo hits, along with the classics from Take That. And no doubt a few festive songs from his latest album.

Before we go any further, Gary has announced that the incredible LEONA LEWIS will be joining him as his very special guest on the tour, including his two nights in Cardiff. Gary said…..

“That’s right! I’m so pleased and excited to announce that we have the wonderful Leona Lewis joining us on the road next year… If you haven’t already then get your tickets. It’s going to be good!”

Its been a while since we had a full on tour from Leona so she is understandably excited being on the road with Gary.

“I’m beyond excited to be invited to join Gary Barlow on tour! I’m a huge fan of Gary’s and I can’t wait to share the stage with him and bring back the magic of a live show. I’ve missed performing so much and am counting down the days until I can be back on the stage singing with my fans who have continued to be amazing throughout this crazy year. See you soon.”

Gary himself has had a busy old lockdown season, keeping us entertained with his regular Crooner Sessions on You Tube. If you didn’t watch any of them they are still available, and well worth viewing. Basically, he got a load of his mates, and a lot of his own personal music icons, to duet with him via video call. The self-isolating sessions were a massive hit with his, and Take That fans, but also brought a whole new audience who saw just how talented he really is.

It’s difficult to pick just one out of a list which includes, Sir Cliff Richard, Robbie Williams, Olly Murs, All Saints and Michael Ball, to name just a few. We have however picked out a couple of our favourites and you can watch them at the bottom of this page.

If that wasn’t enough, Gary has also been writing and recording MUSIC PLAYED BY HUMANS and his THE DREAM OF CHRISTMAS album which is out now. Incidentally, if you’re going to treat yourself to it, go for the Deluxe version, its got a couple of nice extra songs on it.

Gary joked that lockdown was “heaven” for him because he could focus on his music. He said……

“I don’t mind this lock-down, I think there’s lots of positives.

I tell you, we’ve been self-isolating in studios, I mean this is heaven for me, this is heaven, I’m loving this.

“I feel like I’m gloating when I tell people, but this is the time I’ve been waiting for when there’s nothing other than music to do, and I’ve got to be honest, it couldn’t really have come at a better time so I’m really filling my time wisely, loving it.”

But like the rest of us, it wasn’t all plain-sailing for the Barlows. Gary admitted to bickering with his family.

He was self isolating with wife Dawn and three children Daniel, Emily and Daisy, he joked, the Barlows are ‘arguing everyday’.

Gary will of course be playing tracks from his Music Played By Humans (the original title of the tour), which includes an array of collaborations with stars including James Corden, Michael Bublé, Sebastián Yatra, Barry Manilow, Chilly Gonzales, Alesha Dixon, Beverley Knight, Ibrahim Maalouf, and Avishai Cohen. But don’t worry, we’re assured that the show will include hits from his solo and Take That years.

Gary told us….

“I love performing, I’ve missed it so much. I’m excited to think about how the new songs on the album will sound live and with an audience! I’m just really looking forward to getting out there and seeing everyone again.”

The first single, is an incredibly catchy Latin pop fusion with Michael Buble and Sebastián Yatra. Take a listen to ELITA below.

And of course our screens were filled with INCREDIBLE, another track from the album which was the theme for last years Argos Christmas Advert.

There is a really good ‘Making Of’ video to go with Incredible which you can watch HERE.

The music on his tour will also be played by humans. Gary will travelling with a full orchestra and will also be joined by his special guest, LEONA LEWIS, for 15 shows in 13 cities across the UK and Ireland. Leona incidentally is fantastic live and the perfect addition to Gary’s shows.

Music Played By Humans was Gary’s first solo album in seven years and topped the album charts on its first week of release. We expect The Dream Of Christmas will do just the same.

As fo the tour, which kicked off in Belfast, Gary had more than a few people to thank on social media…..

“Well what a night we had — there were times in the last two years when it felt like we’d never see and feel this again.

“Last night we did. Every one of us. What an audience. Thank you.”

He also paid tribute to those who had helped make the tour happen: the band, dancers, crews, promoters and managers.

“It’s such a long list and we’re all so happy to be back doing what we love,” he wrote.

Gary bring his ALL THE HITS LIVE tour to the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on the rescheduled dates – Sunday 5th and Monday 6th December. The show starts at 6:30pm. We have seen pictures and videos from the tour and can tell you, there will be snow.

It was only 2019 when the TAKE THAT Greatest Hits tour wrapped up at the Principality Stadium, so it’ll be nice to have Gary back in South Wales with his new show.

Tickets are on general sale now from TICKETMASTER (and there are a few left) we’ve added a link to all the dates as we know some fans like to do the entire tour with him. You can get yourself a load of different versions of his new album from Gary’s Store HERE

A little word of warning though, it’ll be difficult to know which version to get. There’s CD, Cassette, Vinyl, Download and more. You could of course just splash out on the complete Big Bundle and be done with it. Incidentally, that last one is actually signed by Gary. Yu can also get a Gary Christmas jumper, who could ask for anything more.

And finally, here’s a few of our favourites from the Crooner Sessions.

HAZARD – WITH RICHARD MARX

CUDDLY TOY – WITH ANDREW ROACHFORD

A MILLION LOVE SONGS – WITH CHRIS MARTIN