Robbie Williams review – dazzling superstar glow from the ‘King of Entertainment'
After eccentric diversions into film and visual arts, the pop star's grand return to stadium shows begins with a philosophical bent: a sombre video critiques the impact of technology on the pop sphere, replete with a deepfake Elvis, and implies that only one man – perhaps one with a whopping 15 No 1 albums – could possibly save the industry. As campy and braggadocious as he's ever been, after 35 years in the biz Williams crowns himself the 'King of Entertainment' and tonight is not a mere show but a 'journey'.
That journey involves: Williams bathing flirtatiously in a handsy audience; T-shirts chucked out during Old Before I Die, of all the songs to choose; belting Take That's Relight My Fire with sparkly guest Michelle McManus. He even dives off a pyro-laden bridge to hang suspended by his ankles, in a visual tribute to his biggest-selling album Escapology. Less fun: the lengthy skits with yet more deepfakes, and some tedious preaching about 'embracing our inner cringe'.
Throughout, Williams closely monitors our progress: 'That was really good,' he confirms, with a cocky shrug, after a psychedelic performance of Kids. 'I got goose bumps!' he grins, when the crowd bellows the chorus of Sexed Up. After a flamboyant Rock DJ, with the Broadway-style arrangement from the Better Man soundtrack: 'I'm shitting out hits!'
But the meta narrative works best when it goes unsaid. Finishing on My Way, a swinging big-band moment with cacophonous brass, Williams has the superstar glow of a man living up to that regal title. The encore then begins with Feel, a song which stares bleakly at 'the role [he's] been given' and for the first time Williams is utterly sombre. The contrast is genuinely moving.
'Are you not entertained?' he roars gladiatorially, as we karaoke to Angels. Of course we are! Tonight's frenzied, overcompensating maximalism could indicate a dash of insecurity or total, outrageous confidence. As with all things Robbie, it's probably both.
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