This is incredible, I hope it's true!

Seeing that Gary has packed his bags for LV, it's pretty official :dance:

I don't believe it and until there's an official announcement from TT I'll remain skeptical. I do think they may be planning one or two shows for the US fans, but a residency is another matter. To secure one performers need to be very well known in the American market and investors will be very reluctant to pay massive sums which go with a residency to unknown artists, regardless of UK success.

 

However, this era has been a strange one so anything's possible :)

I find it strange as they are not big over there, best of luck to them if its true but i would think it woud mean we will get no new material for a good while I really hope three can climb again this week and stay top 40.

Oh, you all of little faith :P

Happy bunny as Gary has just confirmed it's all true.

Well, well - I still think it's a couple of shows - I can't believe it's a residency. Can you imagine the boys being away from their families for months at a time? No, convinced it's a short stint in Vegas and nothing more. That said, it's still a coup for the lads - well done to them all.

 

I'm now convinced next year could well be the one when international fans get a chance to see them - which will be absolutely wonderful for so many years of loyalty.

But they had a tour in Europe this year which was less than overwhelming sales wise. Two venues in Germany only had 6500 people instead of 15000 they normally hold. They may do small venues though. I think that the Las Vegas show fits them and the overproduction of their shows. gary is friends with Harvey Weinstein and he is very influential. I think this las vegas thing will be more successful than anything they can do in the rest of Europe outside od the UK these days.

 

While I get what you're saying, Elisabeth, I sometimes think you do them a disservice. Yes, their shows are massive productions but their small, intimate shows are just as good, if not better. Their session at Abbey Road is testament to their musicality and the quality of their songs.

 

I understand people don't like their music but they are legitimate songwriters and are fully involved in the production side of their music which isn't the case with many pop artists. However, I have my doubts about the success of a LV residency as they are so unknown. HW may have been influential in securing the deal but he doesn't have the power to put 'bums on seats' and ultimately that will be the deciding factor.

I'm remaining optimistic. Word of mouth is pretty powerful. Their first audiences will be there out of curiosity: "what does this act have to offer? Why have we never heard of them before?" and, if they are impressed, they'll tell others and the news will spread. At least I'm hoping this will be the scenario. Music wise, they have nothing to worry about. Their back catalogue is great - all they have to do is choose the songs wisely for a new audience. Their biggest enemy at the moment is their anonymity in the States.

There will be a significant contingent of UK and to a lesser extent European fans for the first few weeks which may sustain sales, but you make a good point Milly, word of mouth will be essential for an extended run. US promoters are brutal and will pull the show quickly if it's making a loss.

 

I've noticed an interesting dynamic since the departure of Jay. The band seem far more amenable to international projects and tours. I may be way off beam but I think Jay was reluctant to tour at all. The back stage documentary from BW was an interesting insight into how they approached touring and Jay appeared quite dour and down beat about it. I like Jay very much and miss him from the band; however, I'm not sure he has a strong work ethic/ambition, hence the 'mooching around on park benches.' :)

I remain optimistic and i hope it goes brilliant for them. We all know the talent is there, the performance is there, the quality material is there, they just need bums on the seats now and hopefully it will introduce them a whole new audience.

It most certainly is a surprise when we consider it is a market they have never fully conquered.

It most certainly is a surprise when we consider it is a market they have never fully conquered.

 

Las Vegas has more Brits/Europeans in it than US folk so I can see this being quite profitable for them. I can't see it gaining them many new US fans though (apart from the ones who are already fans). I have to say - as much as I like Mark's voice (given the right songs - I'm thinking songs like Shine, What You Believe In, Up All Night, Hold Up a Light - even his part in Take That's cover of the Kaiser Chiefs' Every Day I Love You Less and Less) I do know his voice is an acquired taste (my husband for one thinks he's got an awful voice - no matter what he sings) and I wonder how it would go down with audiences not used to it.

 

As I say - I think the shows they do will be a success - there are already people booking their holidays in Vegas 2017 just so they can fit a TT show in. I agree with Dylandog though - I'm not sure it will be a full residency (it may become one depending on its initial success).

Will be interesting to see how this fits around the 2017 tour in Europe at the same time.

 

Also, there's no mention of Jason or Robbie being involved. I wonder if that's an indication that neither will be involved in the 25th anniversary tour and album...

I don't think that Jason will come back and Robbie - as far as we know - will tour by himself in 2917. I can imagine him back for a one off though.

I have followed the European reactions to Robbie's and TT tour this year and while Robbie was celebrated everywhere aside of Denmark and Sweden TT simply didn't sell neither did their album. I am no fan of TT 3, I like TT4 and I love TT5. I am honest with that. Progress was fantastic and I have many members of my family who love the Circus. III was underwhelming for me and the show is less about TTT than a huge spectacle. This does not transfer to Europe since a long time and shows in TT sans Robbie lack of success. This does not mean that they are anything else but great. It is simple not people's taste and not the taste of the hour. I am honest enough to see this as Robbie's problem either Sold out tours but while SBW soled almost two million I am not sure about a pop album.

I don't think that the number of expats will help TT in the USA. They would have bought their albums in the past than either saleswise.

I think though that a showlike they do transfer to Las vegas simple as the show it is, even when they would be totally unknown. Who like this kind of show willlove it. I think that they will be hugely successful. gary never will do anything which is not thought through

I don't think that Jason will come back and Robbie - as far as we know - will tour by himself in 2917. I can imagine him back for a one off though.

I have followed the European reactions to Robbie's and TT tour this year and while Robbie was celebrated everywhere aside of Denmark and Sweden TT simply didn't sell neither did their album. I am no fan of TT 3, I like TT4 and I love TT5. I am honest with that. Progress was fantastic and I have many members of my family who love the Circus. III was underwhelming for me and the show is less about TTT than a huge spectacle. This does not transfer to Europe since a long time and shows in TT sans Robbie lack of success. This does not mean that they are anything else but great. It is simple not people's taste and not the taste of the hour. I am honest enough to see this as Robbie's problem either Sold out tours but while SBW soled almost two million I am not sure about a pop album.

I don't think that the number of expats will help TT in the USA. They would have bought their albums in the past than either saleswise.

I think though that a showlike they do transfer to Las vegas simple as the show it is, even when they would be totally unknown. Who like this kind of show willlove it. I think that they will be hugely successful. gary never will do anything which is not thought through

 

He must be doing a gig for St Peter and the big fella if he's touring in 2917 Elizabeth! :lol:

 

I agree about Jason - he'll never return ... not sure about Robbie - although you're probably right about that as well. They've been hired as a threesome though - so whoever hired them is going on seeing them on the strength of being a threesome.

 

BTW - I wasn't talking about ex-pats living in the US Elisabeth - I was thinking more in the line of tourists to the Silver City.

Edited December 14, 20159 yr by Kath

Oh Elisabeth regarding reviews - I suggest you stay clear of a review of Rob's show this year in New Zealand. It's a hum dinger but I have to say I admire Rob's fierce defence of his talent. I wouldn't fancy the reviewers chances in a face to face with him, that man has spirit and determination, if nothing else :)

 

I know I tend to be cautious and more than a little pessimistic, but in this case I really do have my doubts. Americans may struggle to understand their accents and I agree Kath, Mark's voice is a very acquired taste and given the right song he sounds fine, but my, oh my, he can also murder a song into submission. I'm not sure the American market will take to his sound, or Howard's voice for that matter. Gary has more of a transatlantic sound so may get away with it. I simply cannot see them holding down a residency. Tourists will keep it afloat for a period of time but they simply don't have a high enough profile. If they stick to the classic they may have a fighting chance, include songs off lll or many of the electronic sounding songs off Progress and they'll sink without a trace.

 

I also equate Vegas with performers past their best - looking for their last big pay check. So for me I'm kind of sad that they've gone down this route.

Oh Elisabeth regarding reviews - I suggest you stay clear of a review of Rob's show this year in New Zealand. It's a hum dinger but I have to say I admire Rob's fierce defence of his talent. I wouldn't fancy the reviewers chances in a face to face with him, that man has spirit and determination, if nothing else :)

 

I know I tend to be cautious and more than a little pessimistic, but in this case I really do have my doubts. Americans may struggle to understand their accents and I agree Kath, Mark's voice is a very acquired taste and given the right song he sounds fine, but my, oh my, he can also murder a song into submission. I'm not sure the American market will take to his sound, or Howard's voice for that matter. Gary has more of a transatlantic sound so may get away with it. I simply cannot see them holding down a residency. Tourists will keep it afloat for a period of time but they simply don't have a high enough profile. If they stick to the classic they may have a fighting chance, include songs off lll or many of the electronic sounding songs off Progress and they'll sink without a trace.

 

I also equate Vegas with performers past their best - looking for their last big pay check. So for me I'm kind of sad that they've gone down this route.

 

Dylan the other thing I find that could be a problem (possibly a HUGE problem) is the whole 'Boy Band' thing. These are men who are now into their forties - and I think a lot of Americans may think - what are these guys doing - none of them are playing instruments - they're prancing around (I'll admit a lot of the songs are good) but it could still be seen as prancing about. I know I think their routine for Pray was (and still is) quite endearing, and a lot of their set pieces (seen as a whole, multi-cast affair) are truly spectacular - I'm thinking the 'It Only Takes a Minute' from the reunion tour (this was the performance that made me take note of Take That - but then again - the sexiness of Jason Orange in particular in that performance was worth of extra note), the 'Making of a Boy Band' from TBW tour was fantastic - full of quirky moves and done with a massive sense of fun. I feel though that these are intrinsically 'British' things that only their British fans (and some Europeans) get due to them growing up with the boys.

 

I know this is going to see me being slaughtered here (OK - that's an exaggeration - perhaps a bit of chiding) for having a go at Gary - but I sense a little bit of a vanity project here.

Could it not just be them ticking another box off on their career wish list?

 

It's hard to imagine someone has hired them without being fairly sure they will recoup their investment? Presumably it will be fairly short as I think GB has said more than once that the 25th anniversary will go ahead 2017 (whatever that entails) I'm 100% certain Robbie isn't involved in the tour because he's already said that's his solo tour year.

 

I wish them every success with it. :)

Agreed on many of these points. TT are a very 'British' band. The naff dance routines work because the fans know the 'history' and have been on a journey with the band, so accept the tongue in cheek elements. American audience wont have the benefit of this, so I can't see dance routines forming a big part of the show.

 

Gary's solo tours work because essentially he is a musician and doesn't need to rely on production. They'll need to tow a very fine line between musicianship and showmanship with Vegas and Gavin will be instrumental in getting the balance right from the production side of things.

 

As for it being a vanity project - who knows. They all seem very keen to try new avenues so perhaps this is simply an extension of that. Would they have done this project if Jay was still around, I think not. Personally, I've laid my cards on the table and I don't think it's a good idea. I would much prefer them to concentrate on a new album with a return to their signature sound with lots of promotion lined up in the UK and Europe. I can't see how they'll break the US market at this point in their career as there doesn't appear to be a niche for them - but what an achievement it would be for them if they succeed against all odds. Alternatively, they could come out of it with egg on their faces, a little older and wiser and cynically - much richer!!