Mark Owen tells Chris Evans about his new music and the future of Take That

Virgin Radio

23 Sep 2022, 13:37

Mark Owen joined the Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky today to talk about his upcoming tour, moving to LA and the future of Take That.

The singer’s first solo album in over nine years, Land of Dreams, was released today and he is embarking on a tour next month where he will play his new tracks but also some Take That classics.

Mark is back in the UK to promote his new music after moving to Los Angeles before the pandemic, and he told Chris just how much he was enjoying living somewhere new.

He explained: “It’s been really good for me because I sort of turned up and knew nobody andthen the pandemic happened. So, I was kind of out there not knowing anyone, apart from Rob [Robbie Williams].

“The challenge was trying something new especially at my age, which was really exciting for us as a family too.”

Of course, Mark is probably best known for being a member of Take That, and he told Chris how the band going on a break pushed him to make his own music again.

He said: “We did a 30 year anniversary tour, which we finished in 2019, which I think was a big achievement for us as a band, and we knew we were going to take a bit of a break and see what happened.

“I think taking the time to take a break, for me I don't really know what else to do. So, when somebody goes, ‘You're taking a break,’ I get a little bit like, ‘What do I do with my life now?’ and I think that inspired, the move to LA.

“Then just the challenge for me was I turned 50 this year. So, I was looking at all the different things that I loved doing, and I thought, ‘I'm trying to make this 50 Year Celebration last the whole year,’ and that's why I'm going on tour and making a new record.”

Even though it has been three years since Take That were together onstage, Mark has reassured us that the band will be back at some point in the future.

He told Chris: “I saw Gary and Howard a couple of days ago, and we’ve got a film coming out next Spring. It's not a story about us. It's a story about five girls and their friendship, and our music is a bit of a backdrop to their life. So, we're working a little bit on that.”

He added: “We were talking about going in the studio and writing and starting a new record. I think we'll probably do that now at the beginning of next year.”

When asked whether this means we could have a Take That tour on the cards for 2024, Mark revealed: “I think so. I think definitely around that time we want to make music. You know, I get the feeling that everybody's starting to want to get back together and do something, so I'm getting that sense.”

We’ll keep our eyes peeled!

For the time being, Mark’s new album Land of Dreams is out now, and he will be on tour from Sunday 16th October. You can find more information on how to get tickets at markowenofficial.com.

For more great interviews listen to  The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or  catch up on-demand here.