Take That star Mark Owen shocked a pub crowd last night when he played a surprise gig in an intimate Manchester city centre venue.
The 41-year-old, from Oldham, wowed an audience of 20 unsuspecting punters at The Castle Hotel on Oldham Street after phoning to ask if the venue was free just hours earlier.
He turned up at the tiny pub with a guitarist and keyboard player before launching into Take That’s 2010 hit The Flood at around 9pm.
His five-song set featured solo songs Clementine, Four Minute Warning and Stars, before closing the show with Shine.
Liam Walsh, who works in the music industry, was having a drink in the pub with friends when he found out Mark was set to play.
“Someone suddenly mentioned that Mark Owen was going to be playing next door. The pub was just really quiet,” he said.
“I think people were genuinely shocked but it was a fantastic atmosphere. Some women came in and they were absolutely gobsmacked!”
Mr Walsh, the brains behind Ask Me PR said new solo track Stars sounded like it could be a massive hit.
“I had to turn to my mate, and say ‘is this really happening?’ because we were just about to leave. It was a really pleasant surprise,” he added.
SURPRISE: Mark and his guitarist performing at The Castle Hotel
It seems Mark was testing out new material ahead of his solo show at The Ritz in Manchester on June 17.
He announced the show from his official Twitter account at 7.30pm last night, with the brief message to fans: “We’re gonna play a few songs at the Castle Hotel, Manchester, in about an hour if anyone is around x MO.”
Take That, formed in Manchester in 1989, have had 11 UK number 1 singles.
They went on hiatus in 1996 and reformed in 2005 – becoming more popular than ever – even re-recruiting Robbie Williams.
Lucky drinkers at the Castle Hotel who managed to sneak a glimpse of Mark’s secret set received a bargain, as the cheapest tickets for Take That’s last tour retailed at an eye-watering £55.
Picture courtesy of Liam Walsh, with thanks.
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