Gary Barlow

Gary Barlow is a new age Casanova. Why? Well few men can pleasure thousands of woman in the way he does, and all at the same time. The Brighton Centre bristled with excitement as the Take That maestro took to the stage on his solo tour. The cynical out there are quick to take a poke at our Gary, and perhaps it’s true that he does not have the easy superstar charisma of Robbie and the like. But he is better for that, far more the boy next door, the love-able mate and ‘never forget’ – the real talent behind the iconic boy band. Whilst others struggled with drugs and booze Gary ate too much and, in his self deprecating banter, he refers to those wilderness years and those less popular solo albums, with disarming honesty.

Surrounded by musicians that have been with him from the start, the music was perfect, the set comprising his greatest hits, solo or otherwise – and why not, for the most part he penned them so needs no excuse to claim ownership. And as already stated, the audience, about 95 per cent female, went wild, singing along, doing the moves and having a good old time. Gary clearly loves it, and considering the weight of female love for him there was no apparent security to protect him from sudden outbursts of lust. Consequently there were huge waves of love as he chatted to, shook hands with and even hugged his fans.

Gary Barlow is entering a third age, boy band pop star was followed by a few fallow years, then pop band renaissance and now with royal approval he is the all round entertainer – and he deserves every success.

The Brighton Centre, 17 January 2012

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