Take That have been confirmed to play an intimate gig for BBC Radio 2 listeners in November and they’ll be speaking to Dermot O’Leary for BBC Two’s ‘Reel Stories’ the same month.
Take That says: “We can’t wait for Radio 2 In Concert. It’s such an honour to be asked to play such a prestigious show. At the heart of things, it’s a special and intimate show, but to also know how many fans will be tuning in from home – it takes the experience to another level. We are so excited to play songs from our new album live for the first time ever and of course revisit old favourites from the past. And the cherry on top is getting to see the wonderful Jo Whiley. We love watching Reel Stories and of course couldn’t say no to our old friend Dermot. Reliving the last 30 years we’ve spent together really was a journey. A lot of laughs, remembering times we thought we’d forgotten, possibly purposefully! It never ceases to humble us how fortunate we are to have had such an accomplished career as a band.”
The concert will be recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre in Broadcasting House, London. It will be broadcast on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds on Thursday 23rd November, and soon after on BBC Two. Tickets will be allocated via ballot www.bbc.co.uk/radio2inconcert. Registration is open now, and closes at 9pm on Monday 6th November.
Jo Whiley, host of Radio 2 In Concert, says: “Take That’s Gary, Howard and Mark are quite simply national treasures. Their music is the soundtrack to so many of our lives and their live performances never disappoint, so I can’t wait to see them perform in this exclusive Radio 2 concert.”
Jeff Smith, Head of Music for Radio 2, says: “It’s Radio 2’s mission to bring live and exclusive music sessions from the world’s most loved artists to our audience, so I’m thrilled that Take That will be delighting us with new material and some of their much-loved hits which we’ll, of course, be singing along to in the fabulous surroundings of the Radio Theatre. You can hear on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds and soon after on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.”
The band will be talking to Dermot O’Leary in a brand new episode of ‘Reel Stories’ for BBC Two. Gary, Howard and Mark join Dermot at a cinema to look back at their remarkable career and discuss how they became the biggest pop band in the world – not once, but twice! Across an hour of reflection, nostalgia and surprises, the band watch back key performances, events and moments from the last 30 years, re-living their highs and lows in intimate detail.
Dermot says: “I’ve interviewed Take That many times before, and am glad to call them my friends, but we’ve never properly sat down for an extensive chat. They were honest, funny, wise and frank. It was a joy to spend time with them and I hope not only Take That fans, but anyone who loves music enjoys it.”
Jonathan Rothery, Head of Popular Music for BBC Music, says: “Take That watching back unseen footage, along with a deep dive by Dermot into the band’s quite extraordinary career, in Reel Stories on BBC Two is pure joy for a dark November evening.”
Take That are one of the UK’s most successful bands, with over 45 million records sold worldwide, eight Number One albums and 12 chart-topping singles in the UK. They last performed for Radio 2 live in Hyde Park in 2017, and last performed in the Radio Theatre for Radio 2 In Concert in 2014.
