Posted December 12, 200717 yr I'm going to put any half-way decent youtube clips (or funny ones) here. This one's funny. See - even Mark can't keep his hands off Gary's gorgeous arse! Norma
December 20, 200717 yr Take That's fire drama Dean Kirby 20/12/2007 Manchester News A FIRE broke out seconds before Take That were about to take to the stage at the M.E.N. Arena last night. The audience of 15,000 fans had an hour-long wait to see their idols after the drama back stage. The band, who are in the middle of a record-breaking 11 show run, were just about to start their set when the main stage suddenly lost power. It is understood a faulty electrical circuit in a cable caused the fire. Firefighters were called to the arena to make sure the cable was safe. The audience was told about the problem in an announcement. No-one was injured and fans did not need to be evacuated. One firefighter said: "The band came over to thank us afterwards and they were striking up the music just as we were leaving." A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said the flames were out when crews arrived. They were called out at 8.40pm. The delay was expected to cause problems for many fans who had booked taxis and arranged lifts home after the show. Take That's 11 nights at the M.E.N. Arena brings their total there, since 1995, to 27 shows for 400,000 people. Fans have been packing in to the venue to see Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Jason Orange and Howard Donald since the run began on December 10. The band two days ago ruled out a reunion with Robbie Williams, saying there was "no place" for the Angels star anymore. The group re-formed after a 10-year split, but Williams shunned the reunion tour and subsequent new album.
December 20, 200717 yr Another report of the same thing from the Lancashire Evening Post - I like the bit about Relight my Fire Take That in backstage fire scare It certainly got hot on stage for Take That. Picture courtesy of Manchester Evening News A fire broke out backstage at Take That's sell-out gig at the Manchester Evening News Arena. The Take That band were over an hour late on stage after the blaze, which could be seen by some of the 14,000 fans sitting to the side of the stage. The fire broke out on Wednesday night after support act Sophie Ellis Bextor had left the stage and minutes before Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald were due to come on. Backstage crew managed to put out the blaze, but firefighters were called to make the area safe. Fans waited patiently after being informed there was a 'technical fault'. But when the boys finally made it on the stage Gary Barlow told the screaming crowd about the fire and thanked them. MEN arena bosses chose not to evacuate after the fire was put out promptly. The Lancashire Evening Post's Deputy News Editor Nicola Adam was at the gig. She said: "I was in a side view seat and could see something flickering backstage to the side of the stage. Then we realised we could smell smoke and we could see crew members with torches putting out the fire. "A couple of minutes later it flared up again and a crew member put it out quickly. Firefighters then arrived backstage and could be seen checking out the problem for about half an hour. "I admit I had my eye on the fire exit, but most of the crowd were oblivious to the cause of the problem. "But the concert was incredible with hit song 'Relight my fire' having added resonance for fans!"
December 20, 200717 yr Author We were there last night and could see some sort of commotion going from where we were. It was really sad for those folk who had to leave early because of trains/pick-ups, etc. I must admit there didn't seem to be much of a panic - except for some morons on the opposite side of the arena to us took the hour wait to 'tank up' and generally make a bloody nuisance of themselves. They were more well-behaved over on our side. Still a brilliant show. They sang the first verse of Silent Night to lead into the closing number 'Pray'. Howard was giggling a bit though. Naughty boy! Norma
