Take That have announced the release of a new song titled Sweet July, set to drop this Friday, July 3, just days before their final Circus Live tour show at Manchester's Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. The announcement came via social media on Monday afternoon, featuring a video of Mark Owen, Gary Barlow, and Howard Donald dancing and singing with the tour's cast and crew.
New Single Details
Sweet July is the second single from the band's forthcoming 10th studio album, which is expected later this year with full details still under wraps. The track was first teased at the opening show of the London Stadium run over the weekend, a venue they last performed at during the 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony. Described as a sultry summer song, it features a beat-driven verse, staccato vocals, and a classic euphoric Take That chorus, according to the band's social media posts.
Fans are speculating whether Sweet July might be added to the setlist for the final Manchester show, which marks the fourth and final Etihad Stadium performance of the Circus Live tour. The band, originally formed in Manchester in 1990, have received widespread praise for these shows, with many fans calling them the best ever of their career.
Circus Live Tour Spectacle
The Circus Live tour has been a massive success, with audiences across the UK packing stadiums to witness the spectacle. Each two-hour show features Gary, Mark, and Howard delivering a masterclass in showmanship, supported by a huge live production including 40 dancers, acrobats, firebreathers, stiltwalkers, and a famous 30ft tall mechanical elephant that transports the band through the crowd to the main stage.
The show's costume design is a highlight, showcasing British fashion craftsmanship. The band's silver jackets were created by British designer James Long, intricately constructed using trinkets, antique coins, lace, and vintage paraphernalia from antique markets. The tartan worn by clowns was designed by Henry Holland for his former label House of Holland, while the iconic bowler hats were crafted by renowned milliner Stephen Jones. The ringmaster jackets were hand embroidered by Hand & Lock, Britain's oldest embroidery atelier, which has supplied royalty and military embroidery since 1767.
Historic Tour Legacy
Originally staged in 2009, The Circus Live broke UK records as the fastest-selling tour in history, with over 600,000 tickets sold in under five hours, and over one million fans attending the sell-out shows across the UK and Ireland. The current 2026 revival has continued that legacy, with three triumphant gigs at the Etihad Stadium already completed before Wednesday's finale.
