Robbie Williams’ return to the British Summertime Hyde Park five years after his first 65,000-capacity sell-out show was another resounding success. With support acts including Gaz Coombes and Seal, the evening promised to be, as the title of Williams’s eleventh studio album puts it, “The Heavy Entertainment Show.”
The concert opened with a video of Williams singing “Are You Ready Hyde Park,” accompanied by British actor Danny Dyer walking into the venue, igniting the crowd’s excitement reminiscent of Williams’ Take That years. Seizing the moment, he launched into “Let Me Entertain You,” promising an evening of “therapy” for himself and “entertainment” for the audience as he revisited 34 years of his career.
Despite a repertoire of twelve studio albums primarily featuring original material, Williams included several covers in his set. He started with Supergrass’s “Alright,” joined by Gaz Coombes. Paying tribute to the pivotal acts of 1995, the year he attended Glastonbury, Williams covered Oasis’s “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and Blur’s “Parklife,” with Danny Dyer on Phil Daniel’s vocals and a 44-brass band of Beefeaters, featuring Coldstream and Welsh Guards. Other covers included Chris Kenner’s “Land of 1000 Dances,” a live performance staple for Williams, previously performed with Tom Jones.
A nostalgic moment came when Williams played the first Take That promo video, “Do What U Like,” from 1990, pausing to reveal his bare buttocks in a cheeky nod to his younger self. He followed with a snippet of “Could it be Magic,” noting how Gary Barlow sang most of their early songs. Williams rounded off the Take That era with “Back for Good,” expressing his respect and admiration for all past and present Take That members.
From his solo catalogue, Williams performed hits like “Kids” (minus Kylie Minogue and the rap segment), “Candy,” “Rock DJ,” and “She’s The One.” The bond-themed strings of “Millennium” and the timeless appeal of “No Regrets” were standout moments. “Advertising Space,” dedicated to artists who lost their battles with addiction, showcased Williams’s sincerity.
“Love My Life,” dedicated to his wife and four children, left the crowd feeling a pleasant melancholy. The set concluded predictably but joyfully with “Angels,” a perennial favourite, performed with heartfelt honesty.
Robbie Williams once again demonstrated his knack for understanding and delivering what his audience wants. His down-to-earth humour, including a jibe at the festival’s exorbitant food prices (£4.90 for a Mr Whippy), endeared him further to the crowd. Williams’s relatable approach and ability to entertain with his mainstream hits made his live performance a triumph.
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