I saw Gary Barlow perform in Glasgow's Armadillo

Glasgow Times

26-05-2025

Singer Gary Barlow stripped it back to basics from the big production shows his fans are used to for an intimate set in Glasgow's Armadillo tonight - and the results were simply wonderful.
The razzmatazz of the Take That shows was nowhere to be seen as he opted for a set featuring incredible musicians showing off their talent.
Opening up with his 1997 solo track Open Road, the 54-year-old quickly switched things back to familiar territory with the Take That smash Greatest Day as confetti fell into the crowd.
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.) Smiling from ear to ear, Barlow beamed: 'Good evening Glasgow
'It's always loud in Scotland.'
And the screams echoed around the arena as he rearranged Take That classics Sure and Everything Changes.
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.) The Piano star Brad Keller then joined Barlow on stage for a performance of A Million Love Songs with saxophonist Mike Stevens in tow, and it sounded just gorgeous.
The Flood - the song which launched Robbie Williams' brief return to Take That in 2010 - was a moment to remember, with the crowd singing in unison with their arms in the air.
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
What's great about Barlow's solo gigs is that he gets to show his true self on stage. You can see glimpses of what he learned in his early career performing in the working men's clubs from the humour he honed from the comedians to encouragement of audience participation, it makes you feel part of the show - and it's something that can be easily lost the bigger the crowd, yet Barlow has mastered it.
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
Patience put Barlow's voice in the spotlight, and he sounded incredible.
We know he can write songs, his talent is exceptional, but when he sings them on his own, you feel the meaning even more.
This was the case during a piano performance of Forever Love, it was just beautiful.
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(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.) (Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
Shine delighted the crowd, let's face it that song just makes you feel all warm and fuzzy, it's a complete mood lifter while Relight my Fire got the party started.
The pop masterpiece Back for Good then delivered reminding fans of the beauty of Barlow's writing, it's pure genius and a song that's stood the test of time.
(Image: Gary Barlow performs at Glasgow's Armadillo in May 2025. Pic by Calum Buchan.)
Finishing things off, Barlow flattered: 'The fact you've chosen to spend your evening with us means the world,' before performing Rule the World and Never Forget.