Mark Owen
Thursday 20th June 2013 – Limelight, Belfast
I will put my hands in the air and admit that I was always a Robbie girl when it came to Take That, but everyone has a soft spot for Cheeky chappie Mark Owen. And the last date of his UK tour would find him at the Limelight; The tour coincides with the release of his fourth studio album The Art of Doing Nothing. Having already fallen in the love with the charismatic single ‘Stars’, I purchased the album to listen to while driving to Belfast, and was looking forward to seeing his solo show after seeing Take That a couple of times in the past. The crowd in the Limelight was 85% female and I guess this is what happens when you are a member of one of the most popular boy/manbands around.
Owen came on stage to one of my favourite songs ‘Cry Little Sister’ from the Lost Boys soundtrack, and after saying hello to everyone Owen began with ‘Giveaway’ from the new album followed by ‘Raven’ to be followed by the first single ‘Stars’. The crowd were already singing along to the new material but the volume became deafening when Owen launched into ‘The Flood’, The Take That classic raised the roof with the locals singing their hearts out and yes even though the audience was mainly female I saw many husbands singing along (just don’t tell their mates).
Owen continued his set with a mixture of his back catalogue including ‘Clementine’, ‘The One’ & ‘Four Minute Warning’, and all were met with rapturous approval from all inside. Owen himself was noticeably pleased by the crowd’s interaction and finished his set with ‘Shin’e. The crowd sang along and as soon as the stage was empty the chanting began “WE WANT MARK!” and he didn’t disappoint coming out and starting his encore with ‘Rule the World’, and yes I will admit I was even singing along (blushes). He continued with a new track ‘End of Everything’ and finished up with an acapella version of ‘Up All Night’. Owen had to in the end stop and let the crowd sing, it was a sight to see. I have been too many gigs large and small and I have to say that the crowd was pretty special that night. The one thing I regret is that he didn’t play Ghost as it has quickly become my favourite track.
So did Mark Owen live up to the hype???? All I can say is YES, the cheeky chappie can easily hold his own alongside band mates Barlow and Williams, and I will be first in the queue if he comes back.
You can check out Dave Burn’s Photo Gallery of the gig here – Mark Owen at the Limelight Photos
