His Barrowland gig got a fantastic 5/5 review in the Scottish Sun today. I've been trying to find it on-line but no luck. :(

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showb...ds-Glasgow.html

 

This one? :unsure:

No. That's the Gordon Smart one. There was another one from a different music type reviewer in the Scottish version of today's Sun. I don't think it is available on t'internet :cry:

Or maybe it was in today's Sunday Mail. I can't remember where I saw it. It was damn fine though :lol:

My review of the gig. :dance:

 

We arrived and sadly were up in the gods :lol: This would'nt have mattered as much if it weren't for the fact there were no screens up for the gig. The O2 isn't THAT big but we were a good bit back and therefor we could see Rob but not his face or the band up close which was dissapointing. I understand it was a stripped back show but I think the O2 themselves should have had screens up.

 

The gig was simply amazing though. The best I've seen him live in a long time - probably since Landsdown Road eleven years ago. From the minute he strolled onto the stage to the end when he raised his fist in the air while walking off stage - it was vintage Rob. It really did seem like he was in his 20's again. The amount of energy he had was quite something. He was constantly on the move - bouncing, doing his 'dad dancing' as he called it. :lol: The start of the gig consisted of the band singing parts of 'Phoenix From The Flames' (especially the 'can you feel it' part) and then Rob came on and belted out LMEY like it was the late 90's all over again. Gone was the the awkward stiff and reserved performances from around the RKTVS promo. This was the old Robbie back. Even if you compare LMEY from the BRITS in 2010, where you could tell he was uncomfortable and nervous - whereas now he is back to the super confident showman full of energy. The crowd were bouncing and everyone in the stands were on their feet. Straight into Lazy Days which was so great to hear live again after so long. Just one of the many songs in the set I never expected to hear live again. Karma Killer in particular was incredible. Never thought he would be doing that one again but it worked so well. I couldn't imagine the more reserved Rob from 09 doing it again but the 2012 Rob is back to his rock star persona and more like the frontman of a band than a pop star. It really was epic live, as was Old Before I Die with Rob adding in 'google says i'm gay' :lol: Then came a few stories and Rob talking about the phone in his pocket and asking if he should go if Ayda calls before launching into The Clash's 'Should I Stay or Should I Go'. Took me right back to Slane which is probably the last time he did this one. Got everyone bouncing and it was fantastic.

 

The first half of the show was full of rockier anthems that really had the crowd on their feet throughout. After each song ended people started sitting down but were quickly back up once another big anthem started. Monsoon really got the crowd going with all 15,000 waving their hands to the epic chorus. It really is one of the best live tunes he has and is so perfect in a big live setting. Once he started Rock DJ the place went ape shit - the atmosphere was really electric. Adding in a minute or so of 'Freedom' was a great idea and something different. Really strange hearing him do that one after years of trying to pretend he had never covered it. I suppose George Michael's Olympics performance of it inspired this choice.

 

After nine upbeat tunes he finally slowed things down with The Road To Mandalay which is wonderful live and one of the highlights. Eternity went down very well too and he sang both songs really well which I was surprised at seeing as he had been jumping around so much - I thought he'd be out of breath but he is obviously in really good shape right now. Come Undone followed - probably my fave Robbie song and the crowd loved every minute of it and sang every word back to him. Lots of banter with the crowd with him looking at all the flags from around the world. He collected Minstrals and pringles from fans which was hilarious. She's The One and Feel were huge big singalongs as usual.

 

Hot Fudge made a very welcome return - it truly is a superb pop record and I firmly believe had it been a single would've been a #1. It was fantastic live and it really felt like a huge party during the performance. If ever there was a song that should've been a single it is this. Candy followed and sounded good live - most people stayed on their feet and there was lots of highly amusing dance moves going on by members of the crowd. It's a catchy pop song but when put up right next to Hot Fudge and Kids (which was really great live too) - it just doesn't stand up. When it comes to big upbeat pop anthems - Rob worked so well with Guy Chambers and Candy is just lacking that bit of magic. Seeing as he seem to really want a big huge hit and is very ambitious for the first time in years - it would've been perfect time to reunite with Guy? Afterall the fast majority of the songs he is singing are from that era - nothing from IC, Rudebox or RKTVS - which was sad to see. It was very annoying when he said during Monsoon's "i''ve sung some songs that were lame - like Rudebox and Bodies" - fair enough with regard to Rudebox but Bodies is an epic tune and a song that is leagues above Candy on every level in my view. It's a very credible tune - the music and production in particular, whereas Candy is just a throwaway pop song.

 

The encore kicked off with one of my all times faves - the title track from his debut 'Life Thru A Lens'. Epic tune live, so many great lyrics and Rob nailed it. Angels was the usual massive singalong and is always special live. Losers ended the show and was very impressive. Reminds me of a Bruce song at certain stages - Rob sings it really well and the lyrics are fantastic. Rob started the chorus to Angels again with all of us finishing it off for him as he and the band left the stage.

 

It truly was an epic concert. A dream setlist full of the old classics that I never thought I would hear him do live again. Even thought I was far back and would've preferred to have been standing - it was still very special to see him in a small venue (by his standards). Surprised he left out No Regrets and Supreme - and also Millenium and Strong seeing as it was the older tunes he was focusing on. It would've nice to have heard a B-side. And also a few tunes from the past decade would've been welcome (Tripping, Radio, Make Me Pure, A Place To Crash, Bodies etc would've gone down very well) but it was an amazing setlist and gig. It was so great with just him and the band. No special effects, big production etc. It was a raw and stripped back gig. The majority of pop acts would've been awful in this setting as most rely on a 'show' - but Rob is unique as a pop star and as I said is more like a great frontman. He doesn't need any help as he has the ability to hold a crowd in the palm of his hand like few other performers - past and especially present.

 

The atmosphere was incredible. I've been to ALOT of gigs in the O2 - most where I was standing but quite a few sitting too and never have I seen a performer who had everyone up on their feet for nearly the full gig of just under 2 hours. There was lots of bouncing going on too especially in the first half which was great to see. The Ole Ole chants towards the end was very special, especially when Rob mentioned that some of the new members in the band had never heard that before and asked the crowd to do it again. It was deafening stuff. :lol: He said the Irish remain the best crowd in the world for gigs followed by Scotland and Argentina. It was great to hear on the way out everyone going on about how great he was and even looking at twitter feeds - it was universally praised. He really did put on a vintage Robbie performance and made up for any mistakes from 6 years ago and then some.

 

Here is the proper setlist (not the false one doing the rounds)

 

Phoenix From The Flames - Band Intro

LMEY

Lazy Days

Let Love By Your Energy

Karma Killer

Should I Stay Or Should I Go

Old Before I Die

Monsoon

Rock DJ

Freedom

Mandalay

Eternity

Come Undone

She's The One

Feel

Hot Fudge

Candy

Kids

 

Encore

Life Thru A Lens

Angels

Losers

 

Roll on next summer for the inevitable big stadium tour - a return to Croke Park or maybe The Aviva Stadium (formerly Landsdown Rd).

 

Took hardly any pics as I was too far back and my phone's camera isn't great but here is one which shows how far back I was :lol: Took a few vids which I will post but the ones on youtube are far better and really show how great it was.

http://i49.tinypic.com/ebebzd.jpg

Edited September 16, 201212 yr by De Niro

Great review De Niro, sounds like it was a fantastic night & you had the opportunity to hear all those great songs live again, do you know if he released some of those again as singles they would be hits as there is nothing really out there these days to compete with them. It amazes me that he does not 'get Bodies' like we do, did he never read the comments under the official video. I looked at all the videos from the Dublin gig & I loved them all, my neighbours were there as well & said it was unbelieveable , Tom Longworth adds a great dimension to the band, gives it a really fresh vibe , the backing singers are quality, love the intros to the songs in particular, the whole show seem to flow very well.

 

Thanks for a brilliant review De Niro...look forward to your videos :cheer:

Edited September 17, 201212 yr by Buttonhole

Glad you had a good time Scotty, sounds fab! Thanks for sharing. :cheer:

What a great set list, I hope he keeps some of those songs in mind when he does the next tour, I'ld love to hear

them live.

I bet it took me longer to read that review than you spent at the actual concert :lol:

 

 

Thanks for sharing. :w00t: Although I was hoping for a scoop on the new songs <_<

And I agree about Bodies. It's a great tune. If he prefers Candy to Bodies I fear there is no hope for any of us :cry:

And I agree about Bodies. It's a great tune. If he prefers Candy to Bodies I fear there is no hope for any of us :cry:

 

 

That worries me as well Jups , he does not have a clue, does he :mellow:

Life Thru a lens ( live )

 

 

 

I was thinking.

 

Maybe the people who registered with Ticketmaster for the intimate gigs and who were unsuccessful will get priority tickets for any upcoming stadium tour???? Or am I being far too hopeful.... <_<

You're being too hopeful. :(

 

 

 

 

Yeah. Silly me. That would be far too considerate. -_-

I was thinking.

 

Maybe the people who registered with Ticketmaster for the intimate gigs and who were unsuccessful will get priority tickets for any upcoming stadium tour???? Or am I being far too hopeful.... <_<

 

Well they did say that those who applied for these 4 gigs would be the first to be notified about future dates. Maybe there will be a pre-sale type thing again? Either way I am expecting a tour announcement sometime in November - probably very soon after he plays the O2 in London which will hopefully be broadcast on TV.

He really has got a fantastic back catalogue to pick from, hardly anyone can rival him on that front

Yes. Although it's a pity he always sticks to the same 4 songs... <_<

Yes. Although it's a pity he always sticks to the same 4 songs... <_<

 

 

... I demand something new :arrr: , though not another Candy :unsure:

 

 

Joking aside he had a couple of good songs on his last album but he must be afraid to sing them or somethin :mellow:

 

 

I have to admit his recent live gigs were faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaab , hearing Life Thru a Lens, Lazy Days, karma Killer..... Bliss !!! not having heard those songs live for years ..

Edited September 25, 201212 yr by Scorpion

Well they did say that those who applied for these 4 gigs would be the first to be notified about future dates. Maybe there will be a pre-sale type thing again? Either way I am expecting a tour announcement sometime in November - probably very soon after he plays the O2 in London which will hopefully be broadcast on TV.

 

I haven't seen anything official about Robbie playing the O2 in London this year, where did you hear about that? :unsure:

I haven't seen anything official about Robbie playing the O2 in London this year, where did you hear about that? :unsure:

 

 

It's part of the rumour mill Spark , November has been mentioned re album promo so keep eyes & ears open :)

And I read in one of the papers that he's def doing a stadium tour next year. Announcement soon.

 

More ticket stress :drama: