REVIEW: Robbie Williams, Melbourne, September 16 2014

Robbie Williams has delivered something rare in showbiz today … Entertainment.

Robbie Williams has returned to Australia for his ‘The Swing’ tour, his first Aussie tour since 2006.

Robbie Williams, ‘international pop star’ as he continually branded himself, is presenting a show to rival the big budget Pink and Kylie stages of recent years and remarkably he succeeded with next to none of his old hits.

That might horrify many fans but rest assured, this show is bigger than any individual song.

Williams had obviously agreed to this comeback tour on the basis he got to do it “my way” and not only did ‘My Way’ make the set but Robbie graced the stage like a young Sinatra or as he remembered his last time in Australia “an obese Justin Bieber”.

The setlist for The Swing tour is based on his two Swing covers records plus lots of songs honouring the great crooners of days gone by. His greatest hits were sandwiched into a medley towards the end of act two but it didn’t matter, the entertainment factor makes this a great show.

There were plenty of antics including a faux wedding conducted by marriage celebrant the Reverend Guy Chambers. Yes, the creator of Robbie greatest hits is with him on tour in Australia. Robbie signed one fans arse cheek so she could get it tattooed. There was the creepy stalker guy who had flown from England for his 9th show on the tour and Robbie’s dad also joins for a duet.

Swings Both Ways is a big, big show with a big band, backing singers and dancers. Robbie Williams has delivered the good time had by all.

the Swing tour setlist

Shine My Shoes (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)
Puttin’ On The Ritz (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)
Ain’t That A Kick In The Head (from Swing When You’re Winning, 2001)
Minnie The Moocher (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)
Swing Supreme (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)
No One Likes A Fat Pop Star (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)
That’s Amore (Dean Martin cover)
Mr Bojangles (from Swing When You’re Winning, 2001)
Ignition (R.Kelly cover)
I Wan’na Be Like You (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)
High Hopes (Frank Sinatra cover)
Swings Both Ways (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)

Acts 2
Soda Pop (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)
Medley:
– Trouble (Elvis Presley cover)
– Hit The Road Jack (Ray Charles cover)
– Reet Petite (Jackie Wilson cover)
– Shout (Isley Brothers cover)
I Will Talk And Hollywood Will Listen (from Swing When You’re Winning, 2001)
Go Gentle (from Swings Both Ways, 2013)
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me (with his father) (Duke Ellington cover)
Empire State Of Mind (Alicia Keys cover)
New York New York (Frank Sinatra cover)
Medley:
– Rock DJ (from Sing When You’re Winning, 2000)
– Come Undone (from Escapology, 2002)
– Old Before I Die (from Life Through A Lens, 1997)
– Candy (from Take The Crown, 2012)
My Way (Frank Sinatra cover)
Angels (from Life Through A Lens, 1997)
Sensational (unreleased)