GARY BARLOW has just announced the decision to reschedule his 2021 tour dates in line with continued uncertainty over the pandemic. He posted the video below, telling fans “this is a difficult message for me” but he feels moving the tour dates would allow everyone to “feel confident and feel safe.”
We know from years of experience, and having been to pretty much every Take That and Gary Barlow tour, this will be a huge disappointment for his army of dedicated fans, but look at it like this. We all get chance to learn the new songs, off by heart and we reckon something in the diary, to eagerly look forward to, is the best we’ve had of late. And as he says “it’s only by a few months.”
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 his new album and setting dates in the diary for his first solo tour in 5 years. We’re pleased to say both are now ready. MUSIC PLAYED BY HUMANS is set for release on November the 27th and his tour brings him to Cardiff next December (rescheduled), for two nights.
This is the ad for the tour, just ignore the posted dates, it’s the new ones you need……..
Gary joked recently 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 forthcoming album, 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 if course our screens are filled with INCREDIBLE at the moment, another track from the album which is the theme for this years Argos Christmas Advert.
There is a really good ‘Making Of’ video to go with Incredible which you can watch below…..
We love that Gary has taken it right back to the music and the inspiration of the orchestra and big band. This isn’t any ‘Swing While’ album, it’s full of new songs, all based on the music which captured Gary’s imagination as a child and eventually led to his new album.
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, Beverley Knight, for 15 shows in 13 cities across the UK and Ireland. Beverly incidentally is fantastic live and the perfect addition to Gary’s shows.
Music Played By Humans is Gary’s first solo album in seven years and is set for release on November 27.
Gary bring his MUSIC PLAYED BY HUMANS tour to the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on the rescheduled dates – Sunday 5th and Monday 6th December 2021. The show starts at 6:30pm.
It was only last year that the TAKE THAT Greatest Hits tour wrapped up at the Principality Stadium, so it’ll be nice to Gary back in South Wales with his new show.
Tickets are on general sale now from TICKETMASTER 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, Music Played By People, 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.
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