Thanks to everyone who posted a review in the forum of Take That's gig in Birmingham on 18th November.

Here's one of our favourites, written by *Tracey*. Congratulations, a signed copy of the Beautiful World Tour Edition album will be in the post to you soon!

To read more reviews and add your own, click here.

FROM A NEVER FORGOTTEN MEMORY TO A BEAUTIFUL WORLD

Twelve years ago I stood in the Nynex Arena, still buzzing from seeing four young lads performing an excellent, energetic concert. It was full of surprises and considering one fifth of the group had left suddenly only a few months before in the middle of rehearsals I was amazed how little Robbie was missed and can only put it down to the professionalism of the remaining members to carry off the show without him. At the age of seventeen I truly believed that the next tour would soon be here and on the way home myself and my friend began making plans about saving for the next tour. As every fan knows this was not to be?

Thanks to a drunken night ten years later (Jason's company excepted), the Ultimate Tour was born, from that came a new album, and the inevitable new tour. I'd been unable to attend the tour in 2006 and saw this as my second chance. With that thought in mind and the fortunate coincidence of having already booked the day off when the tickets were released, I sat at my computer and prayed that my time would come. To quote a certain Mr Orange "Patience is a virtue". It certainly is and I was rewarded not only with tickets, but tickets in the front blocks.

8 months later and with my new found forum friend Emma beside me, we set off to the NEC. Nerves coursing through my body I took my seat and waited with baited breath for the appearance of Take That.

The lights dimmed and on the B Stage a haunting classical piece of music begins to play, at the same time the screens on the main stage take on a magical 3D effect journey through time and space, so well done is this, that when the 'helipad' TT sign appears you really do feel like you've entered the building on some form of space ship. The camera pans down to the 'entrance' to the building, and as if by magic Take That appear behind the podiums. The guys taking on presidential style poses throughout the opening song REACH OUT, underlines the meaning behind the lyrics, and I don't think I've seen a song so well portrayed, and continuing the theme into the 'naughty' side of politics with lap dancing and pole dancing to the strains of IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE.

BEAUTIFUL WORLD came next, Howard singing the tune perfectly, with no hint that he has only just had any problems with his lungs. The crowd almost took over during PATIENCE, everyone singing along to the first single released since their comeback couldn't fail to send a chill down anyone's spine.

Just before HOLD ON began, Mark said he had a couple of announcements, the first was about a lady that had gone into labour the night before just before the show, and Mark announced that she had given birth to a baby girl that she had named Clementine. Then he went on to say that since the last tour, he'd had a baby, Howard had punctured a lung, Jason had got email (www.jasonorange...), and Gary had bought the Bullring and Birmingham. Not content with that he also asked the crowd if we had seen Star Stories recently, which led to a discussion between the band of whether it was an accurate portrayal or not. Gary said no, Jason said yes and Howard made the 'Chewbacca' sound down the microphone which was priceless.

From HOLD ON to I'D WAIT FOR LIFE, the backdrop displayed the underwater scenes from the music video and on the big screen this captivated me. The more I hear this live the more I love it.

RELIGHT MY FIRE changes so much each time I see it live I never know how it can be bettered, but yet again I was surprised, with a voodoo theme and various TT body parts bursting into flame, not to mention mixing Gnarls Barkley's Crazy into it.

A fantastic laser light show began whilst a philosophical speech about humanity and the stars is made which leads into RULE THE WORLD and the moment those near the B Stage had waited for, the arrival of the guys. A giant sphere was the centre piece, as Take That revolved slowly around it, as the sphere rose into the air, a white piano emerged to take its place. Gary took a seat and began a beautiful version of COULD IT BE MAGIC, it certainly was magic as the dancers joined him there and four of them were lifted high into the air, where they threw confetti over the crowd below.

If Patience had blown me away for crowd participation, it was nothing compared to the reaction from BACK FOR GOOD, always a crowd pleaser, I loved being in the tiers to see the arms waving from side to side, whilst the whole arena sang along, I will even admit that at one point I did start to feel emotional from seeing everyone joining in as they did. A quick question and answer session asked the audience if they remembered the first album Take That and Party. Yes lads we still know the words and dance moves to DO WHAT YOU LIKE. Although I think that being in Birmingham had Mark a little confused when he began to sing RED RED WINE, but Jason adding a little reggae style showed just how much he has grown in confidence with his voice.

The final song on the B Stage was EVERYTHING CHANGES, Mark and Jason both showing us their guitar skills, whilst Gary and Howard showed us their best 'dad dance moves'. Now for something special, after informing the crowd that they were so severely molested on the previous tour, the guys decided that they'd have another go, and so they left the stage and walked back through the audience to get to the main stage.

Gary, Howard and Mark left the stage to leave Jason alone. WOODEN BOAT was sung beautifully, backed by a string quartet and Milton on guitar. Afterwards Jason promised that one day he would be able to sing the song with his eyes open, I wonder if he will one day sing it with his shoes and socks on. He told as that it was true, that we sometimes don't know what we're waiting for. And that's the time to be the first one on the dance floor.

The lights went out and from behind a DJ booth Howard emerged, with those words sampled to a dance beat. The dancers came out and showed off their skills, followed by some breakdancing from Mark and Jason. At the front of the stage Gary appeared and began to sing GIVE GOOD FEELING, this was always a favourite song of mine, but this mix has made me love the song even more. The energetic dance routine that accompanies it left me breathless. But nothing could have prepared me for the lights dimming and the lads dropping to their knees, to crawl to the front of the stage, just like the '94 tour. As they stood up the opening bars of SURE began, with more energetic dancing, and a lot of soul thrown into it, we were introduced to the dancers and the band - most of which seemed to come from in and around the Birmingham area.

After they finished, Lloyd appeared with a torch and pulled a fan-shaped screen up from the stage. The crowd went wild as the opening to NEVER FORGET began. He stepped through and appeared on the screen, eventually opening a door, which one by one the members of Take That came through and walked toward finally stepping back out onto the stage. It's hard to describe what happens next, as famous people and events merge from the stage to the screen. It must have taken a lot of thought to get all the timings right. And as any fan knows a Take That concert would not be the same without the Never Forget/Queen claps. This is yet another moment when everyone should take their eyes off the guys to scan the crowd. The sight of every person clapping really is amazing.

The problem with Never Forget is that it always marks the end of the show, after the song had finished the arena stayed dark, the usual foot stamping and chanting for Take That to reappear began. A few moments later and the instrumental part of the ELO hit Mr Blue Sky began. This works so well as an introduction to SHINE and the lads seemed to gleam on stage dressed in silver and white jackets, it was just so appropriate.

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and that is where PRAY comes in. As the lads' first ever number one, this song must hold good memories for both them and us. If only the show did not have to end.

As the lights went out and they departed the stage for the final time that night. I was left with a feeling that I hadn't felt since that last concert in 1995. Do I dare hope that I will see them again? Of course I do - being older I didn't want to make the same mistake again. I'm going again Monday.