Robbie Williams

Thursday 13 September 2012

Barrowlands, Glasgow

Three stars

If anyone has made a career out of charisma, it’s Robbie Williams. Doing a set of “little gigs” 15 years after his first solo tour he has certainly refined his cheeky chappie persona since I saw him standing on the same stage, all uncertainty and self-consciousness in 1997. The tears of a clown are never far away, however, and this same compulsion for reverence and adoration is still apparent, even if he is in a much happier place right now, with new wife, imminent new baby, and almost new album soon to be released.

Let Me Entertain You kicked off his mammoth set, closely followed by Lazy Days. Williams, all in black complete with belt and braces, strutted, sparred and preened through the first few songs before showing a more emotional side when he got all strung out about the “birth” of Take That and the man who made it possible. Karma Killer is his ode to their former mentor and music mogul; the other descriptive words Williams used will be left out for decency’s sake. Williams always treads a fine line between worldwidesinging sensation and working man’s club and pub singer. A tongue-in-cheek rendition of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline, a mock push-up competition and a plea for sweeties to be thrown on stage all scream of the silly showman bursting to compete, be the best, have all the attention. When a few male audience members near the front are falling short on the adulation front, his macho side can’t just leave it: they’re singled out, grilled, then spat out like Geri Halliwell. The love, which is palpable around the ballroom, just isn’t enough if it isn’t universal. New single Candy is a pleasing enough ditty, although lyrics such as Ring a Ring of Roses probably mean it’ll hit the number one spot upon its release (more’s the pity). Singing George Michael’s Freedom and his Kylie duet Kids are high points vocally and Old Before I Die and Rock DJ stand out out as some classic nineties into noughties retro pop. Throw in some self-confessed dad dancing and quotes like “This might be my last chance to be a pop star” (wink wink) and it’s the recipe for some self-reflective fun – and general ego feeding. Robbie Williams unveils his new clothing range in Glasgow

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Robbie Williams

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