Live Review: Robbie Williams at BST Hyde Park
Live Review: Robbie Williams at BST Hyde Park
By Adam Davidson
Photo credit: Dave Hogan
Picture the scene, England has just beaten Switzerland on penalties in the Euro 2024 Quarter Finals, the British weather has finally stopped raining and the sun has come out.
Spirits were high and they were about to be lifted even higher for the sold-out BST Hyde Park crowd who had come out to see British music icon Robbie Williams.
Before coming to the stage, the screens showed a live video of exotic dancers backstage chanting, “Are you ready Hyde Park?”. The doors to a dressing room swung open and Robbie Williams had his feet up reading a newspaper with the headline, “Is Robbie Williams the greatest living entertainer?” He was about to answer that question.
He came out in style and launched straight into the big hit ‘Let Me Entertain You.’
Usually, it takes a couple of songs for the crowd to warm up and truly get the vibe of a show but not with Robbie Williams. He instantly had everyone singing word for word.
(Scroll to keep reading)
Robbie took the audience on an intimate musical odyssey through his life and career. He was incredibly open and honest about his addictions, mental health, Take That and his family.
He said: “At 50, I’m still here and I’m extremely grateful… Tonight I was the happiest and most chilled I have ever been coming on stage. Maybe it was England [winning], maybe it was you guys, but I’m really f****** happy”
Robbie had complete control of the pace and it’s rare to have someone so relaxed in front of 60,000 people. However, after all, he has been performing at these large events for over two decades and feels right at home.
The show was entertaining and had an air of unpredictability as Williams performed covers of Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ and brought Supergrass’ Gaz Coombes for ‘Alright.’
However, without doubt the most random and spectacular moment of the evening was when Williams brought Danny Dyer alongside a 44-strong brass band of Beefeaters, consisting of Coldstream and Welsh Guards to perform Blur’s ‘Parklife.’ There was an incredible atmosphere in the crowd as everyone was singing along to the 90s classic.
Williams continued the show in style as he performed hits like ‘Back For Good’, ‘Millenium’ and ‘Feel’ before ending the main section of the set with ‘Rock DJ.’
The night sky had descended upon Hyde Park and the energy was still high in the crowd. Robbie Williams came back out in a suit and performed a rendition of ‘She’s the One’.
It can be difficult to capture everyone’s attention with these huge outdoor events, especially with 60,000 people in attendance.
However, when everyone is on the same wavelength and fully immersed in the music then it can create something beautiful.
This was certainly the case when he ended the night with a magical performance of ‘Angels.’ There wasn’t a person in the audience that wasn’t belting out the song word for word and this was topped off with a fireworks display.
There was no questioning Robbie Williams’ reputation as a great artist or a performer. However, it isn’t until you watch him perform hit after hit live that his legacy as one of Britain’s best is truly reinforced.
