Robbie Williams closed his Australian and New Zealand leg of his XXV World Tour with two sell-out shows at Nikola Estate in the Swan Valley in Perth. Much has been said about the chaos that surrounded the traffic management situation on the first of the two nights, so we won’t go into that other than to apologise to the support artists for failing to get there in time to cover them.
Due to the aforementioned problems, there was a delayed start but the expectant crowd were not to be disappointed, as Williams kicked the night off in spectacular fashion with ‘Hey Wow Yeah Yeah’ from 2012’s ‘Take the Crown’ album. Swathed in a black sequin jump suit and suit jacket, surrounded by scantily clad dancers and his full band (he never does anything by halves), Williams commanded the stage from the off. ‘Let me Entertain You’ has been a regular in the opening couple of numbers, with him announcing to the excited crowd, “My name is Robbie Fucking Williams, and tonight I am here to entertain you and take you on a journey. Are you with me?” before whipping the standing pit area into a frenzy… “One hand in the air… two hands in the air… and bounce…bounce…bounce!” We were off. A nod to one of the greats with Wilson Pickett’s ‘Land of 1000 Dances’ which had those in the audience that were still seated up on their feet, before an out of breathe Williams declared, “I’m fucked! We may have to do a night of ballads!”
During this tour Robbie had singled out audience members for various parts of the show and tonight it was Michael’s turn to be his victim. “You look like the kind of guy who gets stopped every time at the airport Michael. Let’s see if you know any words to my songs – we’ll start with an easy one Michael.” ‘Strong’ seemed to be one that Michael didn’t know but the crowd certainly did as the band swung into action. Williams ventured to the fabulous ‘Escapology’ album next for one of my favourites from his back catalogue ‘Come Undone’. He then proceeded to tell his story to Michael and partner Cathy, starting from the Take That days with the video to ‘Do What You Like’ showing a youthful band who were clearly aimed at the gay club scene back in the day – cue cheesy dances and bare bums. ‘Could it Be Magic’ continued the story, highlighting the first of the Take That songs he was given the lead on, before we touched on his sacking from the group and his now infamous drink and drug fuelled trip to Glastonbury where he hung out with the Gallagher brothers. ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ highlighted that weekend before the story continued taking us to ‘Back for Good’.
The recent documentary showed us the dark places fame has taken him over the years; depression, drink, drugs, insecurities… and more. Having seen Robbie live around nine times now I have to say this was the most relaxed I had seen him, opening up about the fact he is in the best place he has been in his entire life – it has been twenty-four years since his last drink, his marriage has lasted eighteen years and produced four children, so ‘I Love My Life’ and ‘Better Man’ were fitting songs to follow that with. I am always confused as to why he puts ‘Candy’ in the set list here in Australia, especially as by his own admission “it’s a song that was a big hit all around the world, apart from here!” Three huge hits followed with ‘Feel’, ‘Kids’ and ‘Rock DJ’ all receiving huge receptions and gave the lighting crew a chance to really show what their equipment could do! A wave and a bow meant it was the end of the main show, with the audience baying for more. And more we got…
‘You’re the Voice’ is an Australian anthem and one I always get a bit fearful of when I know it is going to be covered, but Williams smashed it out of the park, even including the live piper standing atop of the podium. “I hear he hasn’t been well lately, get well soon John.” Audience participation time again as Robbie headed into the crowd and singled out a woman to dedicate ‘She’s the One’ too, and tonight it was Argentinian Sophia’s turn as she beamed ear to ear as she was serenaded. ‘Angels’ is a goosebump moment for each and every crowd member and tonight was no exception, with the version being delivered similar to the rearranged recording taken from his latest album ‘XXV’, with strings added for an almost symphonic vibe. As the band left the stage we found ourselves alone with the man himself. ‘Let Me Entertain You’, ‘Better Man’, ‘Come Undone’, ‘Strong’ all delivered A Capella, as if to remind us of the night that had just concluded. “And through it all…”, the crowd sung the rest as Williams turned and walked to the back of the stage, removing his ear monitors before taking a final look back at the Perth crowd. Job done.
With thanks to Rosita Stangl, A Day on the Green, Chugg Entertainment and Frontier Touring for the media access.
Photos by Hunter Brothers Media
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