Ultimate Tour 2006

infobox concert tour
concert_tour_name = Ultimate Tour 2006
artist = Take That
dates = April 24, 2006 -
June 28, 2006
number_of_legs = 2
number_of_shows = 32

"The Ultimate Tour" is a reunion tour by British pop group, Take That. The tour, featuring four of the original members of the group — Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald — ran for a total of 30 shows in Britain and Ireland.

History

"The Ultimate Tour 2006" was the first time that Take That had performed together since they split in 1996. The show featured all the original members of the group, except Robbie Williams who quit the group in 1995. At a press conference in London on November 25, 2005 the group front man Gary Barlow announced: "Thanks for giving us the last 10 years off but the rumours are true. Take That are going back on tour." [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4469098.stm] The news came after renewed interest in the group after a televised documentary proved to be a ratings success and their album "Never Forget: The Ultimate Collection" peaked at #2 in the UK Albums Chart.

The tour was originally scheduled to be an 11 date arena tour but after they sold out within 30 minutes of going on sale [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4520838.stm] , more dates were immediately added as promoters doubled the number of shows. The group sold 275,000 tickets in the space of under 3 hours [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4520838.stm] , ironically making it the second fastest tour of 2005 behind former member Robbie Williams' solo tour. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4469098.stm] Such was the level of interest in the tour, promoters were forced to add further dates to the tour, this time in Stadium venues. Dates at the new Wembley Stadium, City of Manchester Stadium and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff were all announced. When Wembley Stadium sold out in just 30 minutes [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4535018.stm] , further more dates at Wembley and Manchester were announced.

In March 2006, the dates at Wembley Stadium were re-scheduled to the Milton Keynes Bowl due to the delay in the construction of Wembley Stadium. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4862156.stm]

upport acts

Beverley Knight

The main support act for "The Ultimate Tour 2006" was British soul singer, Beverley Knight. Knight was originally scheduled to perform only on the arena dates of the tour, but proved so popular with audiences that she was invited to play the stadium shows as well.

Set list:
# Keep This Fire Burning
# Greatest Day
# Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda
# Gold
# Piece Of My Heart
# Flavour Of The Old School
# Made It Back Vs. Never Too Much
# Come As You Are

As well as playing her own set, Knight provided backing vocals for Take That during "Once You've Tasted Love" and gave a spoken introduction to "Relight My Fire", as well as singing Lulu's vocals from the same song at the arena shows. At the stadium dates, Lulu performed her own vocals for "Relight My Fire" and Knight only performed the introduction. Knight also appeared during the finale song, "Never Forget".

Other acts

The other support act for the five British stadium dates at the end of the tour was British girl group Sugababes, and the singer Lulu made a guest appearance during Take That's show to sing her part on "Relight My Fire". Pussycat Dolls supported the band upon their return to Ireland and the very last date of the tour in the RDS.

et list

# O Verona (Opening)
# Once You've Tasted Love (backing vocals by Beverley Knight)
# Pray
# Today I've Lost You
# Why Can't I Wake Up With You?
# It Only Takes A Minute
# Babe
# Everything Changes
# A Million Love Songs
# Beatles Medley
# How Deep Is Your Love?
# Love Ain't Here Anymore
# Apache 2006
# Sure
# Relight My Fire (featuring Beverley Knight/Lulu)
# Let It Rain (Band Intro)
# Back For Good
# Could It Be Magic?
# Never Forget

Tour dates

Arena leg

tadium Tour

"= Band personnel: =" Mike Stevens: Musical director, Keys, Sax, Backing vocals, Guitar.

Milton Mcdonald: Guitar, Backing vocals.

Lee Pomeroy: Bass, Backing vocals.

Bernie Smith: Keys.( Ultimate tour )

Jamie Norton: Keys.

Dave Tench: Keys.( Beautiful World tour )

Karlos Edwards: Percussion.

Donavan Hepburn: Drums.