When I heard that Howard Donald was coming to Wilmslow to DJ, to be honest I wondered if it was true? We are talking about the pop star who has just completed a massive ‘Circus Live’ tour with his band mates Gary Barlow and Mark Owen. They sold more than 736,000 tickets across 17 UK and Ireland shows, pulling in nearly £29 million in September 2025 alone, when the tickets first went on sale.
It is less than two weeks since that massive tour ended – the man should be resting!
Howard Donald was a DJ before joining Take That
Howard has carved out a career as an international tech house, electro house and disco DJ. Did you know that before he joined Take That he was a DJ and dancer in Greater Manchester?
This is obviously his passion, something he would probably do even if he was not getting paid. But he is Howard Donald of Take That so he can demand high fees for people to see him and listen to what he plays.
I really did not know what to expect when Jon Fitz, founder and creator of this event kindly invited me to go along. Jon himself is an acclaimed British house music DJ, producer and multi-instrumentalist. Herd and Fitz – that’s him. Bodyrockers – he contributed to the massive hit ‘I Like The Way You Move’.He is a veteran DJ and a legend. This man knows what he is doing.
The line up for the Disco Stage, which started at 12 noon, was Electric Emma, Jimmy K, Dave Oates and Kev Dean, Ant Gaskell, Sign, Monk, House Classics Choir Robbo, Jon Fitz and Mark XTC, Man Que Nada Bros, Groove P and Howard Donald as headline.There was also a Secret Silent Disco and Love To Be Stage – so you were certainly getting a lot for your ticket price. Food stands and bars gave you a good choice.
As you all know pop is my field so this music is completely alien to me. Maybe I should not give my opinion as I do not know enough about this style of music. I arrive about 8pm and the parking is easy, plenty of space. I am parked outside the fenced off venue and the place is jumping. Loud music, DJs getting the crowds going, shouts to ‘get your fucking hands in the air’! Neon lights are flashing, fireworks go off here and there. I can see the VIP tent and it is packed. It is starting to rain.
In the VIP tent
I head to the club house and tell the security and two ladies that Jon has invited me to take photos of Howard Donald. They look at each other and have no idea why I am there. Security look me up and down. Yes I know I don’t fit in but I don’t care, I am old and unfashionable but I know how to take a picture! More security come. Am I on socials? What has that got to do with it? I tell them Jon invited me, just ask him. Lots of walkie talkie messages. Then Jon’s wife Amanda comes up to me with such a warm welcome and tells them all yes Deborah is invited, get her a pass. She is full of energy.
I get my pass and security tell me I can do what I want. Howard will arrive shortly so I can snap away. I am waiting and then I ask, are you sure I can get photos of him arriving as I don’t want to piss him off! Howard’s tour manager comes up to me. “No you can’t take any photos of him arriving, only stage shots”. Okay. Can you get him to come to the front of the stage and interact with the crowd as it makes better pictures? “No, he does what he does”. That’s me told!
There are lots of security men around. The crowd are beautiful looking people who seem to know each other from attending these events before.
Where is Howard’s big welcome?
Howard arrives and goes to talk to about ten fans waiting behind a barrier. Good, I like to see that. I then go and sit in the car until he comes on stage at 10pm. There is a pit that I am allowed to be in. I am expecting a big welcome of Howard on the stage – there isn’t one, have I missed it? The front of the barriers are Take That/Howard fans. I bet they have been waiting since it opened. Howard is at the front of the stage behind his decks. This man is 58 and has just finished a massive tour. He looks really tired and as if it is an effort being here. I can understand that. He keeps closing his eyes. I am waiting for him to say something to the crowd – nothing. Is that usual for a gig like this? His arms stretch up a few times, no words. I am not a DJ but this is not how you get a crowd going.
Is it enough just to stand in front of decks, looking down most of the time – not for me but maybe I am wrong and this is what the crowd expects? There is no charisma, no excitement, no audience interaction, BUT, yes he is totally worn out with touring and I can see that. It is a long hour and I am sure he can’t wait to get to bed. Did he earn his fee? Not in my personal opinion, but ask the crowd what they thought? I am not putting him down, just saying I want to see some energy and hear a few words – in his physical state he was unable to deliver what I expected.
Maybe I need to see him do this after he has got over the total tour exhaustion?
A great event
Beside this it is a great event ,and if you are into this kind of music you will love it. Jon has put so much work into this which is clear to see. Everyone attending has loved being here.
All pictures by Deborah Law.
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