Former British boy band Take That to tour Australia for the first time in 22 years as a pop trio

LAST time Take That toured here, Paul Keating was PM, the movie Babe won the world’s heart and NRL star Ian Roberts announced he was gay. Now they’re coming back.

FORMER British boy band Take That will return to Australia in November for their first tour in 22 years.

Now performing as a pop trio, with television talent quest judge and songwriter Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, Take That’s return comes as our live scene is overrun by nostalgia tours.

Cyndi Lauper and Blondie are currently making their way around the country, Hanson are here in June, k.d. lang celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ingenue with concerts in July, Elton John is back again in September, Alison Moyet heads here in October and Yusuf/Cat Stevens brings his 50th anniversary celebrations down under in November.

Take That were a quartet when they toured Australia in 1995 after the departure of Robbie Williams. Picture: News Corp Australia

Australian acts are also reuniting to satisfy fan demand, with Midnight Oil’s The Great Circle tickets selling out fast and social media frothing on Monday over the announcement Grinspoon were back together to tour in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their debut record Guide To Better Living.

Killing Heidi is also back together for their first national tour in a decade in June.

The last time Take That came to Australia in 1995, they were a four piece, with Robbie Williams forced out of the group due to his drug abuse.

They continued on their Nobody Else world tour before calling it quits in 1996.

One of the biggest boy bands to ever emerge from the UK, they have continued to record and tour since getting back together in 2005.

But their ranks were further decimated when Jason Orange announced he was leaving the latest reboot of the man band in 2014.

Robbie Williams reunited with his Take That band mates for new music and a tour in 2010. Picture: AFP

Regardless of the fact they are now three instead of five, you can expect big demand for tickets to their arena tour in November with plenty of fan eager to hear their monster hits including Pray, Relight My Fire, Back For Good, Could It Be Magic, Patience and Never Forget.

No doubt they will also be performing songs from their latest album Wonderland. The album title has nothing to do with the fact they played their most intimate show here in 1995 for 500 competition winners at the Australia’s Wonderland theme park in Sydney.

“Australia is one of our favourite places in the world and we’re really excited to be coming back to see our Aussie fans and perform some of our greatest hits,” Barlow said.

Original Take That members Jason Orange with Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Robbie Williams and Howard Donald.

“Our last tour of Australia was 22 years ago in 1995 and so many of our fans have been asking us to come back and perform; especially over the past few years!

“We can’t wait to visit and relive some of our favourite memories while we are there; it seems like just yesterday we were performing an intimate show for just 500 people at Wonderland, Sydney and visiting Bondi Beach.

“Coming back to Australia has a special place in our hearts and our fan base are really dedicated — there’s generations of Take That family fans which is pretty surreal. We’ve even had fans travel overseas to see us in concert, so we’re really looking forward to be coming back this November and seeing everyone. It’s going to be brilliant!”

Telstra Thanks pre-sale opens at 3pm on Monday with general tickets available from 9am on Thursday from ticketek.com.au.

Take That perform at Perth Arena on November 11, Adelaide Entertainment Centre on November 13, Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne on November 15, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney on November 17, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, November 18 and Newcastle Entertainment Centre, November 19.

Originally published as Former British boy band Take That to tour Australia for the first time in 22 years as a pop trio