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Gary Barlow’s journey into music started in a rather modest setting—a little-known social club nestled in north Wales. Although now a global superstar selling out stadiums, the Take That frontman was just 11 years old when he first took to the stage at the Connah’s Quay Labour Club, captivating a small, local audience. This bit of musical history caught many by surprise following the release of the Netflix documentary series on Take That earlier this year, prompting locals from the town to share fond memories of the young performer online.
Among those reminiscing is Alan Davies, who recalls how his late father Trevor regularly performed alongside the young Gary Barlow at the club. Alan shared, “He’d come back from the club and he’d say, ‘oh yeah, I’ve met this really nice lad, Gary. He’s really good, I think he’s going to go a long way’.” Trevor’s weekly participation fostered a close musical partnership, with numerous photos from that era showing the pair performing together, including one from a New Year’s Eve fancy dress event. Barlow’s connection with the Davies family endured, highlighted by his 2006 autobiography *My Take*, where he humorously credits Trevor with teaching him how to sing vibrato—though Trevor himself might not have fully understood the technique. Alan Davies reflected warmly on the mention, saying, “It is really touching, because that special mention kind of immortalises him in a way.”
For local regulars like Julie Luff, the Labour Club was a familiar weekend gathering spot where community members would catch up over music. Julie recalls the nights when an 11-year-old Barlow first performed there, noting, “Every Saturday there would be an act. But to me and my friends, 30-something mums who only managed to catch up on Labour club nights, it was our chance to chat and catch up.” Though impressed by his talent, their conversations sometimes tested the patience of performers. On one occasion, young Gary firmly asked the group to quiet down with a clear, “shhhh, please girls,” leaving them “gobsmacked and told off.” Despite this, Barlow was known to be a good sport who even smiled when he needed to shush them again.
Darren Strathdee, another local resident, suggests the unusual connection between the young star and the club stemmed from Barlow’s family interests. Gary’s father was a pigeon racer, which linked him to the Shotton and District Homing Society adjacent to the club. Darren explained, “One of the other pigeon racers, Terry Andrews, was in touch with Gary’s dad through the pigeons and received a visit from him a few years ago, and Gary, by now very famous, came along for the ride.” During a small gathering in the garden, Gary and his father shared tea with Terry Andrews, whose wife was disappointed to have missed meeting the star. This anecdote captures the close-knit ties and humble beginnings of a man who would eventually rise to international fame
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