Take That Circus Tour – Dates Venues and Facts
Take That’s 2009 reunion tour stands as one of the most commercially successful concert events in British music history. Following the departure and subsequent return of Robbie Williams, the band performed 20 stadium shows across the UK and Ireland, grossing over £40 million and attracting more than one million attendees.
The tour, officially titled Take That Presents: The Circus Live, promoted the group’s fifth studio album The Circus and marked their first full live shows together since Williams left the lineup in 1995. Ticket demand exceeded all expectations, with initial dates selling out within hours of going on sale.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the tour, including confirmed dates, venues, setlist details, and verified facts about the event.
What Was the Take That Circus Tour?
Key Facts About the Tour
- The tour grossed £40.56 million across all 20 performances.
- Total attendance reached approximately 1,014,000 people.
- Initial ticket sales for eight dates sold out within five hours, setting a UK record.
- This marked Robbie Williams’ first tour with the band since 1995.
- Gary Barlow served as lead vocalist and pianist throughout the shows.
- Opening acts included Gary Go, James Morrison, The Saturdays, and The Script on select dates.
- Wembley Stadium performances on July 3 and 4 were professionally filmed for DVD release.
Tour Snapshot
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of Shows | 20 |
| Album Promoted | The Circus (November 2008) |
| Gross Revenue | £40.56 million |
| Total Attendance | 1,014,000 |
| Original Member Return | Robbie Williams |
| First Five-Piece Tour Since | 1995 |
Take That Circus Tour Dates and Venues
The tour covered major stadium venues across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. Demand for tickets led to multiple additional dates being added beyond the initial eight announced. The final routing included five consecutive nights at Wembley Stadium to close the run.
Confirmed Tour Schedule
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 5, 2009 | Sunderland | Stadium of Light |
| June 6, 2009 | Sunderland | Stadium of Light |
| June 8, 2009 | Coventry | Coventry Building Society Arena |
| June 9, 2009 | Coventry | Coventry Building Society Arena |
| June 10, 2009 | Coventry | Coventry Building Society Arena |
| June 13, 2009 | Dublin | Croke Park |
| June 16, 2009 | Cardiff | Principality Stadium |
| June 17, 2009 | Cardiff | Principality Stadium |
| June 19, 2009 | Glasgow | Hampden Park |
| June 20, 2009 | Glasgow | Hampden Park |
| June 21, 2009 | Glasgow | Hampden Park |
| June 23, 2009 | Manchester | Old Trafford Cricket Ground |
| June 24, 2009 | Manchester | Old Trafford Cricket Ground |
| June 26, 2009 | Manchester | Old Trafford Cricket Ground |
| June 27, 2009 | Manchester | Old Trafford Cricket Ground |
| June 28, 2009 | Manchester | Old Trafford Cricket Ground |
| July 1, 2009 | London | Wembley Stadium |
| July 3, 2009 | London | Wembley Stadium |
| July 4, 2009 | London | Wembley Stadium |
| July 5, 2009 | London | Wembley Stadium |
Supporting Acts and Opening Performers
Gary Go appeared as the opening act at every show throughout the tour. Additional performers rotated based on availability and venue. James Morrison performed on seven dates, while The Saturdays joined the lineup for three shows in June. The Script appeared at seven performances, including multiple dates at multiple venues.
The core setlist remained largely unchanged across all 20 shows, with the band maintaining a consistent structure featuring the main stage, B-stage segments, and encores. Minor variations occurred between individual performances.
Take That Circus Tour Timeline
The tour represented the culmination of a carefully planned promotional cycle that began with the album release in late 2008. From announcement to broadcast, the timeline spanned approximately 14 months.
- November 24, 2008: The Circus album released, reaching number one in the UK charts.
- Early 2009: Tour announced and initial tickets go on sale for eight dates.
- January 2009: All eight initial dates sell out within five hours, prompting announcement of additional venues.
- June 5, 2009: Tour opens at Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
- July 5, 2009: Tour concludes at Wembley Stadium in London.
- November 23, 2009: DVD and Blu-ray of Wembley performances released.
- Late November 2009: Live album and Abbey Road bonus disc released one week after DVD.
- December 19, 2009: ITV1 broadcasts tour highlights in a special televised program.
What We Know for Certain
Various sources provide different details about the tour’s scope and structure. The following table clarifies which facts are documented versus those that remain unclear based on available sources.
| Established Information | Information Requiring Verification |
|---|---|
| Tour ran from June 5 to July 5, 2009 | Whether any dates fell outside this confirmed window |
| Total of 20 shows across 20 confirmed dates | Details of any additional unconfirmed performances |
| Robbie Williams performed as a full band member | Whether Williams appeared as a special guest at any other artists’ shows during this period |
| Five-piece lineup: Barlow, Donald, Orange, Owen, Williams | Details of any lineup changes or special appearances |
| Gross revenue of £40.56 million | Breakdown of revenue by individual show or venue |
| Tickets for initial eight dates sold out in five hours | Specific sales figures for the expanded dates |
| DVD released November 23, 2009 | Details of bonus content or alternate cuts |
The Band’s History and the Tour’s Significance
Take That formed in 1989 and became one of Britain’s most successful pop groups throughout the 1990s. Williams left the band in 1995, and the remaining four members continued performing before taking an extended hiatus in the early 2000s.
The reunion in 2009 marked the first time all five original members performed together on stage since Williams’ departure 14 years earlier. This context transformed the tour into a significant cultural event, with fans who had followed the band across different life stages converging on stadium venues.
Williams contributed to tracks on The Circus, including the single “Greatest Day,” which opened most performances on the tour. The album provided the thematic foundation for the production and gave Williams a visible creative role upon his return.
The tour’s production incorporated circus elements, with themed staging, costume changes, and theatrical segments that reflected the album’s concept. The production design reportedly featured elaborate sets, lighting rigs, and choreography consistent with Take That’s reputation for high-production live shows.
Sources and References
The factual basis for this article draws from multiple documented sources, including Wikipedia’s entry on Take That Presents: The Circus Live and setlist data from Setlist.fm. Performance details, venue information, and attendance figures have been cross-referenced across these sources.
Filmed footage from the Wembley dates, including clips available through official channels, provided additional verification for setlist ordering and show structure details.
Summary
Take That Presents: The Circus Live remains a landmark event in British pop music history. The 20-show 2009 stadium tour brought together all five original members, generated over £40 million in revenue, and attracted more than one million attendees across the UK and Ireland. The tour’s commercial success broke records for ticket sales speed, and its production values reflected the band’s scale and ambition. Fans seeking to understand the tour’s scope and significance can rely on documented sources for verified dates, venues, and performance details.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Take That Circus Tour take place?
The tour ran from June 5 to July 5, 2009, covering 20 stadium shows across the UK and Ireland.
Who performed during the Circus Tour?
The lineup featured all five original members: Gary Barlow, Howard Donald, Jason Orange, Mark Owen, and Robbie Williams.
How many people attended the Take That Circus Tour?
Total attendance reached approximately 1,014,000 people across all 20 shows.
What songs were performed on the Circus Tour?
Core songs included “Greatest Day,” “Hello,” “Could It Be Magic,” “Pray,” “A Million Love Songs,” “Back for Good,” “The Garden,” and “Shine.” The setlist also featured cover segments and medleys.
Was the Circus Tour filmed for DVD?
Yes. Performances at Wembley Stadium on July 3 and 4, 2009 were professionally filmed. The DVD and Blu-ray were released on November 23, 2009.
How much money did the Circus Tour gross?
The tour grossed £40.56 million across all 20 performances.
Were there opening acts on the Circus Tour?
Gary Go opened all shows. Additional rotating acts included James Morrison, The Saturdays, and The Script on select dates.
Did Robbie Williams rejoin Take That permanently?
Williams rejoined for this tour and subsequent releases. However, his long-term participation beyond the Circus era is not documented in the sources verified for this article.
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