Gig review: Take That deliver mighty Malahide Castle show with all of the hits on display

One of Take That’s support acts for their Friday night Malahide Castle gig, St Lundi, said the band usually brings the sunshine with them. At the time, it seemed implausible, given the downpour the crowd were donning ponchos to guard against. But they were right, the rain dried up, with the sun shining just in time for golden hour and most importantly, showtime.

The stage, too, was golden, with the lights glowing as the opening bars of Greatest Day started to play, the band appeared at its centre, and the crowd instantly recognised two things: the song they were about to hear, and that tonight would be one they’d remember. The band then slid seamlessly into Giants.

From the word go, Gary Barlow and his current bandmates, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, were on fire. After decades on stage, it’s hard to fathom how they have the energy to do as much running, dancing, and entertaining as they do, and yet they never falter.

The setlist touched on all of the hits, from the Million Love Songs that started it all, to the completely heady These Days and Never Forget. And it’s hard to beat Rule the World, especially when tens of thousands of phone torches are held aloft.

Owen, Barlow and Donald take turns to theatrically narrate Take That’s story from start to finish – including all of the various splits, regroups and solo side hustles – seamlessly using the narrative to bounce from one song to the next. It draws a staggering picture of a career that began in 1990, and doesn’t seem to be coming to a close just yet. Everything Changes, certainly, but their popularity hasn’t.

“This is quite something, after 35 years, to be able to come back to Dublin and play to this many people,” Barlow told the crowd, who held up signs like “it’s my 10th birthday,” “Team Howard,” and “this is my idea of a very nice day out” – referencing a viral video of Barlow, earning a “cheeky buggers” from the man himself when he spots it.

As the song, Shine, goes, “You only have to open your eyes/ You might just get a big surprise,” the surprise this time round being Owen sliding across the stage on a wheeled box while he sings it. It’s not the only surprise of the night, between the myriad outfit changes, impressively coordinated dance numbers, and Owen’s producing a picnic blanket for his bandmates to join him for a Guinness.

There was also a rendition of Dan Hartman’s Relight my Fire, complete with the band in bejewelled white shirts. After all these years, the trio have learned not to take themselves too seriously, even if they are seriously talented. The genuine warmth between them is palpable, which is what makes them such a joy to watch.

And the biggest surprise of all: I thought I could maybe list off four or five Take That songs at a push, but soon found myself bewildered at how many lyrics were stored in my subconscious, so ubiquitous is their success and appeal. The only thoughts in my mind as I walked out of the castle grounds were “that was so much fun,” and “wait, maybe I love Take That…”

It’s clear 20,000 people do too. The audience was made up of multiple generations of fans, of friends reuniting, of couples basking in the glow of nostalgia. The band was electric, the crowd was joyous, and most importantly, The Flood, indeed, couldn’t stop us dancing again.