Robbie Williams
14th February 2018
Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Matt Henry Mendonca.
When it comes to holding the title for the heavyweight king of entertainment, there are none more so qualified than Robbie Williams. From before he had even step foot in front of tonight’s capacity audience he already had them eating out of the palm of his hand, as Eminem’s instantly recognisable track ‘Lose Yourself’ filled the arena, its empowering beats encouraging the fans to start taking their excitement to the next level. From American rap we are plunged into the austerity of the English National Anthem as a booming voice comes across the PA system “Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the heavy entertainment show. Please be upstanding for the national anthem of Robbie.” Across the screen, the words to the anthem were displayed karaoke style so that the audience could sing along, the uproarious lyrics advising us of Robbie’s stints in Rehab yet reminding all that despite it he still ‘rules the throne.’
Before the audience had even had the chance to catch their breath, the opening notes from ‘The Heavy Entertainment Show’ the title track of his 2016 and eleventh studio album ushered in the Robbie Williams band and with them a bevy of ladies dressed in Las Vegas style boxing gear, red vs, green. A figure appeared from the back of the stage, dressed in a satin boxing robe. Ripples of electricity shot through the crowd as the realisation of just who this hooded figure is dawns on them. When Williams throws off the robe and stands before all, resplendent in a black tank top and contemporary kilt accented with a red and white star he is almost blown backwards by the wave of cheers that rolls forth and breaks across the lip of the stage. Mere moments into the song and the kilt is up as Williams shakes his satin brief covered ass at the crowd; the shrieks from many of the females attendees reaching the highest of decibel levels.
New Zealand has long had a love affair with Williams, and who can blame them. From his humble beginnings in Take That over twenty-five years ago when he was just sixteen through to the launch and subsequent years as one of the most successful solo artists in the world; Williams has a special place in the hearts of the kiwi’s. And tonight is no exception as he brings them his Heavy Entertainment Show, filled to the brim of not only the hits that everyone knows and loves but with a few surprises thrown in for good measure.
Second track in and Williams slams his foot on the accelerator as ‘Let Me Entertain You’ raises the roof, fans both young and old singing at the tops of their lungs as they shook their collective hips in celebration. Surrounded by his stunning dancers who lined the runway, Williams strode down to the end and purveyed his kingdom; raising his cane high in the air and turning to point at the band behind him he declared “This is my band … and this is my ass” once again bending over and waggling what his mama gave him. The crowd were on fire, fully giving themselves over to Williams and his stunning eight piece big band and allowing him to take them on whatever journey he had planned for us all. Tripping lightly across timelines, we were taken back to 2002 with the track ‘Monsoon’ before being heralded by the sweet jazz tones of the 1931 Cab Calloway classic ‘Mini the Moocher’, the brass section adding to the sumptuousness of the song .
But it was Williams tribute to the late George Michael that was one of only many highlights of tonight’s show; Williams heavy with genuine emotion as he spoke of first meeting his idol Michaels in Berlin in 1994. ‘Freedom! 90’ complete with dancers outfitted in avant garde 80’s styled costumes had the fans joining voices with Williams as together they celebrated the life of one of pop’s true heroes. It is no secret that Williams is a proud father of two, his eyes twinkling as he speaks of his children, regaling the fans with humorous anecdotes of their escapades before dedicating ‘Love My Life’ to all the “mummies and daddies” who are with him tonight. It is yet another wonderful piece to his giant personality. A medley of lines from across some of the most recognisable songs of the last twenty odd years gave the audience a chance to interact with the singer as they showed how well they knew them all; Williams throwing in a line from Bohemian Rhapsody which was in no doubt a nod to a rather famous attendee at tonight’s show; Brian May from Queen having already been spotted by several members of the audience watching from side of stage.
A nod to his beginnings came in the form of ‘Never Forget’, fans of the British boy band cheering loudly as they recognised the opening of the song which is led by a recording of Verdi’s Requiem as sung by the Henllan Boys Choir. As Williams once again strode the runway, signs fluttered in the air, held aloft by fans desperate to be noticed. Stopping to address one young lady whose sign asked if she could sing ‘Kylies Part’ (in reference to the song ‘Kids’) he held out his mic, the fan named Vicki seizing her opportunity, gently taking the mic from Williams and singing the song word for word to the delight of both he and the crowd. But as brilliant as it was nothing could eclipse the beauty of Williams inviting a nineteen year old fan by the name of Rebecca up onto the stage; as she threw her arms around him, he removed his ear piece and listened intently as she whispered something in his ear. Taking her back to a park bench that had been erected on stage, he sang ‘Somethin Stupid’ to her, his arm around her shoulder as tears welled up in her eyes. A moment of boldness crept in and she pulled out her phone to take a selfie, the crowd cheering her on as she kissed him on the cheek; Robbie dropping to one knee as he sang the last line “I love you”. As Rebecca returned to the audience, memories of a lifetime etched into her heart, Williams informed the fans that the song was in memory of her late mother Tiffany; the encounter undoubtedly touching Williams himself. It was moments like these that illustrated exactly why Williams is so beloved by his fans; from the very back of the arena to the side of stage pits mere inches away, Williams connects with all. Whether it be his tongue in cheek wit, his self-deprecating humour or his all-out ability to entertain, he is indeed the complete package.
While his voice was not always pitch perfect, it mattered none, for this is the beauty of Williams, he is not faultless, he is authentic. And it is this authenticity that makes him so magnificent. Throughout his career he has been open about his flaws, the cracks in his veneer and his honesty in regards to them only making him that much more endearing and relatable. Joined by his father Peter Conway, who rocked his tux with old English charm, they led the crowd in a rousing version of the Neil Diamond hit ‘Sweet Caroline’ from the comfort of a settee placed at the end of the runway, before Williams made the Valentine’s Day show that much sweeter for many in the audience by singing ‘She’s The One’ from a bar stool at the front of the stage. Hitting the audience with the follow up emotional track ‘Feel’ the room was bathed in green laser lights that cut through the tendrils of smoke that lazily curled around the band. But this was the Heavy Entertainment Show, and Williams is a born performer; shaking off the coat of darkness he burst forth as ‘Rock DJ’ hit the audience square in the chest.
There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that an encore would be delivered, but to play it safe and make sure that Williams knew just how much they wanted it, the crowd chanted in unison, thousands of voices rattling the very rafters. Returning with band in tow, Williams now donned a jacket that matched his kilt; he delivered a heartfelt version of ‘Better Man’ before taking it home with ‘Angels’, each and every fan joining him in song, barely a dry eye in the house. But Williams wasn’t quite done with us yet, telling the audience that New Zealand was the only country in which the next track made number one; ‘Win Some Lose Some’ was welcomed with love by the New Zealand fans. Inviting his band and dancers down to the front of the stage, they bowed to the audience, the applause almost deafening as the audience let them know just how much tonight’s show meant. Alone on stage Williams looked out upon the thousands of faces turned towards him and for a moment in time, we were one.
Accompanied by a pianist Williams sang the Frank Sinatra classic ‘My Way’ a song that perfectly summarises just who Williams is as not only an artist but as a human being. As he took a final bow, Robbie Williams slowly sauntered off stage, raising the microphone to his lips one last time, he turned and began to sing once again the chorus to ‘Angels’, tapering off and allowing the audience to take it home, which they did in style.
Dunedin, you are in for one hell of a treat.
Were you there at Spark Arena for this magnificent spectacle? Or have you seen Robbie Williams perform live some other time? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- God Bless Our Robbie
- The Heavy Entertainment Show
- Let Me Entertain You
- Monsoon
- Minnie The Moocher [Cab Calloway cover]
- Freedom! 90 [George Michael cover]
- Love My Life
- Come Undone
- Never Forget [Take That cover]
- Millennium
- Somethin’ Stupid
- Rudebox
- Kids
- Sweet Caroline [Neil Diamond cover]
- She’s The One
- Feel
- Rock DJ
- Better Man
- Angels
- Win Some Lose Some
- My Way [Frank Sinatra cover]
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