S Poddar
The concert at Hyde Park, London, is a journey through Robbie Williams’ musical legacy, from his days with Take That to his solo rebellion, including a rendition of Blur’s “Parklife” with Danny Dyer, struggles with addiction, and eventual contentment.
In his recent Netflix documentary, Robbie Williams reflects on his life with honesty and acceptance. Tonight’s performance in Hyde Park echoes this, portraying a star who soared too high, crashed, and found peace. Dressed in white, Robbie introduces his 1999 single “Strong” with a characteristic joke: “I’ll know I can be vulnerable with you if you sing along a cappella to one of my lesser-known hits.”
Covering his 34-year career, the set feels like a musical autobiography. Robbie takes us back to his early Take That days with live commentary on the infamous “Do What U Like” video. To symbolize his 1995 Glastonbury transformation, he performs Britpop covers, including a lively version of “Parklife” by Blur, complete with a marching band and Danny Dyer’s guest appearance. “Come Undone” captures his battles with addiction, contrasted by the simple joy of “Love My Life.”
The show balances slick pop performance with the charm of variety shows. Robbie is cheeky but never vulgar. Donning a sequin version of the red Adidas tracksuit he wore at Glastonbury, he humorously re-enacts his iconic moments, maintaining the playful spirit that endears him to fans.
The performance stumbles slightly during the more serious songs “Advertising Space” and “She’s the One.” However, the most powerful moments need no explanation: a haunting rendition of “Feel” with no backing dancers, and the sing-along camaraderie of “Back for Good.” “You’d better be good, because I’m phenomenal,” Robbie declares at the start—and he delivers effortlessly.
