Live review – Robbie Williams at BST Hyde Park

Live review – Robbie Williams at BST Hyde Park: The Angels star played a two-hour spectacular on Saturday.

Arriving on stage with a troupe of 10 dancers, the former Take That star kicked things off with a bang with Let Me Entertain You, followed swiftly by 1960s Chris Kenner classic, Land Of A Thousand Dances, Strong and the much revered Come Undone.

Pausing to introduce the audience to the story of his life, Williams took the crowd back to 1990 and his boy band roots. With the saucy Do What U Like video playing on the big screen, he reminisced about the ups and downs of being in the group, before launching into Take That’s 1992 hit Could It Be Magic.

Nineties Nostalgia

Then, telling the story of how he sensationally quit the band in 1995, he saluted the Brit pop era, with a cover of Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis, followed by Supergrass’ Alright – the latter a duet with Gaz Coombes.

Then, Blur’s Park Life – with Williams joined on stage by EastEnders actor Danny Dyer. “It’s the double act you didn’t know you needed in your life,” he declared as Dyer appeared. “Let’s ’ave it, Hyde Park,” exclaimed Dyer. The performance was accompanied by an incredible 44-strong brass band of Beefeaters, consisting of Coldstream and Welsh Guards, who filled the catwalk, led by Williams and Dyer.

Back For Good was a nod to Williams’ reunion with Take That in 2010, and then came a tender moment where Williams thanked his wife, Ayda, and children for turning his life around.

Super Proud

“I’ve been with my wife for 18 years. I am the man that I am because you have allowed me to grow with you,” he declared, looking up at his family in the Tree Top as the first few notes to Love My Life started. “And Teddy, you were the first of your kind and you absolutely blew my friggin’ mind. Daddy is super, super proud of you. I’m going to dedicate this next song to Beau, aged four, Coco, aged five, Charlie, aged nine and Teddy, aged 11.”

From there, Williams threw hit after hit at his fans, from Candy, Supreme and Millennium to Feel, Kids, Rock DJ and No Regrets. He even stepped into the crowd to serenade one fan with She’s The One – the lucky lady was Laura from Rome, Italy.

Thrown into the mix was a dedication to the great artists who we have lost over the years, including Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Prince, Tina Turner, Bob Marley and more – their faces emblazoned on the screens.

Explosive Finale

Speaking candidly, Williams opened up to the crowd: “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… Thank you for helping me remain on the planet. I love you guys.”

With a barrage of fireworks and a phenomenal performance of Angels, Williams’ headline set came to an end – once again with a crowd of 65,000 people singing every word. To the final chorus, as his fans sang his lyrics back at him, Williams turned around to embrace his eldest daughter Teddy and wife on stage. Holding them closely, he bid us “thank you and goodnight”.

Earlier in the afternoon, Seal, Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes, Shaun Ryder’s Black Grape and Kate Nash (celebrating her 37th birthday), opened proceedings on the Great Oak Stage.

Review supplied

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