News

Back For Good

• 19th Jul 2010

Robbie has returned to the Take That fold fifteen years after he initially left the group and five years after they reformed. It makes me feel old thinking it was that long ago! I was always a Robbie lover in the TT days but I had moved on to Boyzone and the angelic looking Ronan Keating by the time they split so I wasn’t that phased by it all. Heartless and fickle, I know!

Without Robbie, Take that have had two sold out arena tours and three number one singles, whereas Williams’ last two albums didn’t quite reach the dizzying heights expected by the popularity of his previous material. I mean, don’t get me wrong they went to number 1 and 2 respectively in the album charts and went at least twice platinum but compared to, say, I’ve Been Expecting You and Life Through A Lens that went eight and ten times platinum it’s a bit of a dive.

Is Robbie just trying to kick-start his career again by hanging on the tailcoats of his currently more successful ex-bandmates or is he genuinely happy to be back in the fold, even if it only is for a year? In a statement on his website Williams’ said that the new Take That album is “not only a celebration of my past but also a bridge to the future.” Mark Owen has said “Getting the five of us to be in a room together, although always a dream, never actually seemed like becoming a reality. Now the reality of the five of us making a record together feels like a dream. It's been an absolute delight spending time with Rob again.” And Jason Orange said it was “absolutely brilliant,” adding, “I'm over the moon that Robbie's back with us, however long it lasts. I just want to enjoy our time with him. Life is beautifully strange sometimes.”

Maybe they are a group of old friends getting back together and doing what they love again. Maybe I’m just being cynical. I hope so.

Anyway, on the site this week we have interviews with Emma Bunton and Twin Atlantic, videos from Diana Vickers, Jedward and Performance and the chance to win tickets to see Tiesto in Victoria Park, Cha-Cha’s album and Stevie Wonder goodies. If you fancy getting out and about Roachford and Cattle Decapitation are on tour.