Back For Good?

• 31st Mar 2009

I think it’s fair to say Take That have a lot to answer for. Since reforming they have gone on to sell six million albums and in turn set off a spate of reunions. With the news that Robbie Williams is set to rejoin the rest of the band, Take That look set to reach even dizzier heights. According to the Daily Mirror, Robbie will reunite with the band for a ‘marathon’ of live shows. This will result in a similar type residency to what Michael Jackson’s.

So why are Take That to blame? Well, if they hadn’t been so successful with their comeback it might, just might, have made other bands think twice before reforming. As it happens Take That did so well it encouraged other bands to realise that they could cash in on this reunion malarkey. Safe in the knowledge that we are all suckers for a good old fashioned nostalgia trip. Unfortunately not every reunion spawns quite the success as Take That. No matter how popular you were back in the day, there is no guarantee that that popularity is still waiting for you now.

Among the bands that have reformed of late are: East 17, All saints, Blur, Spandau Ballet, New Kids On The Block, Boyzone, Spice Girls, Limp Bizkit, Faith No More, Blink 182 and then some.

Now, some reunions are welcomed, some are a disaster and some should just not even go there. There are some bands that were just so good first time round that you shouldn’t go back and try and recreate it. Then there are the bands that were bad the first time round,they definitely shouldn’t go back.

Surely there was a reason these groups all split in the first place, in group fall outs, dwindling sales and so on. So why take the chance of getting back together? Maybe with age comes some maturity so past hang ups can be sorted out, maybe the band quit at the height of their career. With Take That rumoured to be able to make a cool 25 million off their shows with Robbie, maybe it is simply the lure of the money- who knows?

So are reunions’ a good idea? I guess it depends on the band and how much people want them to reform in the first place.

On the website this week we have plenty of news, reviews and videos. We have a Pearl Jam interview, celebrating last week’s re-issue of their seminal debut album ‘Ten’. Also, there is an interview with Mauro Picotto who is dj-ing at this year’s Cream Easter Special. We have live reviews from the likes of Pete and the Pirates, and Howling Bells. This week’s Glasswerk gigs are Goldie Lookin Chain, Paper Heroes, The Anommalies, Polly Scattergood and Them Is Me. Enjoy.