Robbie & Take That The Re-Union

"I'm confused. I can't decide whether I fancy the real Robbie Williams, or Danny Lowry – the bloke who did the most amazing tribute act last Friday night. All I know is I left the Villa Marina feeling very flustered and trying to come up with a cunning plan on how to kidnap one of them. The concert, in aid of Manx charity Wish Upon a Dream, was a reunion between Robbie Williams and his former bandmates in Take That. After a short interval, Robbie burst on stage in a storm of smoke, flashing lights and booming music. He got the (mostly female) audience going with Let Me Entertain You. Almost straight away, ladies on the ground floor rushed into the open space in front of the stage to dance, a couple of pairs of knickers flying towards him. He wasn't afraid to run into the audience and he worked his way through the crowds during a number of songs. Between numbers, he spoke to the crowd and kept up his cheeky, energetic front. I was a bit sceptical before the show at how convincing he would be, but Danny even had the in-your-face mannerisms down to a tee. He continued with top hits like Feel, She's the One and Old Before I Die. Members of the audience were on their feet throughout, and the ones closest to the stage had their hands outstretched, dying for a grope of Robbie-thigh. Many succeeded, and the poor bloke only retreated when hands started to creep a little too far up his leg. Mid-performance, 'Robbie' disappeared off-stage and then returned, having swapped his jeans and white vest for a very dapper-looking suit. He then entertained us with a couple of songs from his Swing When You're Winning album. I wasn't really a fan of Take That the first time around, but the lads had so much energy and charisma that you couldn't help but enjoy yourself. Girls at the front once again had their hands at the ready for a cheeky grope, and more underwear flew on stage. All the old classics were there including Relight My Fire, Everything Changes But You and Never Forget. I felt like I was in my student union on a Saturday night – it was cheesy and fantastic. The looks and sounds weren't all 100 per cent spot on, but the band members were great all-rounders and the dance routines in particular were very impressive. The Gary Barlow definitely had the look and Jason Orange connected well with the audience. Howard Donald had a great belting voice and the Mark Owen did some snazzy moves – at one point he took over the stage with a bit of breakdancing. The newer songs like Shine, Patience and Rule the World were performed brilliantly and the crowd, including me, was mega excited when Robbie Williams came back on stage to join them for a reunion that probably won't happen in the real world. The icing on the cake was when Robbie returned for two solo numbers – Angels and Rock DJ. The glitter ball was on the go during Angels, and then things got hot when he started to strip during Rock DJ. Throughout the night, he'd been teasing the crowd by lifting his shirt up, so when it finally came off the ladies were loving it. Then I nearly fell off my chair as he pulled his velcro trousers off to reveal some Robbie-style boxer shorts. Things went a bit hazy after that. All in all, a brilliant evening of big hits for a good cause. I was starting to forget that it was a tribute act. I'd let them entertain me any day. "
REVIEWER: Gael Stigant, VENUE: Villa Marina, Douglas (Friday, August 15)