It was all set to be a re-run of the great Oasis V Blur chart spat of 1995 but now Take That will no longer go head-to-head with JLS in a battle for the number one spot.
The reformed manband have announced that they are now bringing forward the release of their Progress album, featuring Robbie Williams, by a week to November 15.
The’ve also brought forward the release of single The Flood, which will now come out on November 7 which also avoids a clash with the boy band upstarts.
Take That’s new album now faces chart competition on Nov 15 from Brian Eno, McFly, Shayne Ward and a Pearl Jam live set – a bit like getting a home draw against lower league opposition in the FA Cup – although Westlife are also lurking.
JLS will still release their second album Outta This World on November 22, and Children In Need single Love You More on November 15
Take That told Radio 1′s Scott Mills that they took the decision after analysing airplay and order data. One can imagine the band pouring over flip-charts at Take That Towers.
Gary Barlow said: “We’ve actually never seen one of our singles be played so much so we’re actually pulling all our release dates forwards,” he said.
“We’re able to see the pre-orders now on albums and it’s massive, so we thought let’s pull everything forward.”
It’s not so much who enters the chart at number one but which artist racks up the most sales over the Xmas period, when SuBo, Justin Bieber, Duffy, Cheryl Cole and the usual quota of grannies’ favourites will be competing for presents cash.
They might have dodged a direct chart clash with the X Factor runners-up this time but Take That know that a final reckoning can’t be avoided forever.
Barlow said: “Listen there’s no question about it, we’re here to be replaced aren’t we? There’s always a faster younger better model.” But could that younger model sell out four nights at Wembley Stadium like Take That are expected to when tickets for their tour go on sale on Friday morning?
