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Robbie Williams came, saw and conquered

 

Tisha Eetgerink | Johannesburg, South Africa

 

 

 

18 April 2006 05:49

 

As the moon rose over Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria last night, 60 000 heads bopped to the beat and twice as many hands were flung in the air. Robbie Williams closed the South African leg of his world tour with fireworks and a matching bang, thanking the crowd on his knees for turning up en masse. "Baie dankie," he shouted to the explosive cheering and clapping.

 

Taking after his comedian father, Williams entertained the crowd with witty one-liners, imitations of Michael Jackson, and of a horny giraffe. He also had the stadium have a go at the world's largest simultaneous burping session. "I bet they heard that miles away!"

 

The cheeky singer treated the fans, some of whom had been waiting for six hours, to new songs from his Intensive Care album, such as Sin Sin Sin and Advertising Space as well as to older chart toppers like Rock DJ, Feel -- "I did that whole cowboy thing before Brokeback Mountain!"-- and Angels. Williams even sang Take That's Back for Good and wished his former band mates the best of luck with their recent reunion. "But without me it's just not the same. Not Take That but more like ... Ake That."

 

Dressed in jeans, sneakers, and a black long-line blazer, Williams wowed Pretoria with his raunchy charm. "If I'll shag you? Sure, come find me after the show," he said to fans holding a banner before running across the stage to have a closer look at a girl baring her breasts. "Please do that again love," and then, turning to the African sky, laughing: "Thank you for making your women so accessible."

 

Williams praised South Africa for having the most beautiful people. "Everybody here is ****ing gorgeous; girls, guys, everybody. I shot my new video for Sin Sin Sin in Cape Town the other day and had the pleasure to be surrounded by 17 of the country's top models. Sadly every single one of them had a boyfriend ... But luckily two of them didn't mind for one night."

 

The show was not all jokes, though. Williams got serious when talking about his first-ever love from when he was 16, and said he still loved her. Up-tempo tracks were followed by sensitive ballads, jokes were followed by genuine expressions of gratitude and heartfelt life stories.

 

Williams gave people what they wanted and then some. He sang, rapped and danced, improvising along the way. By the end of the two-hour extravaganza there was no man, woman, or child who did not believe they had not just witnessed a true entertainer.

 

It was the first time Williams had performed in South Africa but it will not be the last. Williams said he loved the country and called it "the world's best-kept secret".

 

"I will be back," the golden boy from Stoke-on-Trent, England, promised before he was whisked off in a helicopter to his R11 000 presidential suite at the Westcliffe Hotel and the public went back to their cars and daily routine. Williams came, saw, and conquered or as an older gentleman on his way out put it: "Robbie sure had my stiff ass jumping up and down!"

 

 

 

Source- Mail & Guardian SA

 

 

The reviews have been really excellent haven't they? :cheer: I get the impression that South Africa has never encountered anyone like Robbie before.... :D

 

 

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That last review was lovely, I have to agree he has had great reviews from SA, and Robbie sounds on top form.

 

Now for Dubai, a little bit worried about that one, a work colleague's nephew is being dragged along by his girlfriend, so I will get a non-converted report about this gig. Both my colleague and his nephew are not particular fans but admit to his showmanship. -_-

 

I am thinking that maybe Robbie will have to tone down elements of his chit chat to conform with UAE sensibilites and not put on the performance like the review above. :blink: Lets hope he isn't too restrained and it goes off okay. :)

 

 

I know what you mean Susie.

 

If he asks any female to show him her boobs he'll be in jail for 30 years. :o

Do you think it will be an audience purely of ex-pats or do you think locals will be there as well?

 

I can't really imagine a 'subdued, sensible' Robbie but he really will need to tone down his act big time out there. :(

 

When is the Dubai concert anyway? :unsure:

When is the Dubai concert anyway? :unsure:

 

This Friday (21 April) :D

 

A couple of pics from the Pretoria Concert :) :)

 

 

http://i3.tinypic.com/vwq0dy.jpg

 

 

http://i3.tinypic.com/vwq14y.jpg

 

 

 

He really should cut down on the fags. The smoke in that 2nd pic is ridiculous! :angry:

 

 

 

 

 

Source- www.vuvuzelaonline.com

 

 

 

fabulous pictures jupiter9. They are so bl&%$y impressive. Makes you wonder why the British press have not reported on Robbie's opening tour and show the cynics of this world just how popular Robbie is.

 

You know it really gets my goat it does. I mentioned that Intensive Care went to No.1 in 20 countries and performing to millions this year to some of my work mates and they don't believe me!! They still think he is that 'pop' star who is only popular in the UK. Geez, do I or do I not put them right on that.

 

I always like to prove my point and these pictures and one very impressive news review will do the job just fine :thumbup:

 

 

I know what you mean Jackie. I nearly came to blows on a website the other night when everybody else was telling me that Robbie was a flop everywhere in the world but Europe :angry: .

 

Hope they are looking at these South Africa pix. :lol:

(Of course SA is in Europe isn't it? :unsure: ;) )

doesn't that just take the biscuit jupiter9, that the general view of people who do not follow Robbie in the manner we do think that is the case.

 

Robbie was quite upset in Sydney in 2003 when the press in the UK said he was just a European star and not a World star, and here is Robbie talking about it in Australia. Geez, I bet it does his head in. :huh:

 

I have some fabulous pictures of Robbie in Sydney Stadium in 2003, perhaps this website might like to see a few pictures LOL and pretty soon we will be having pictures from Dubai.

 

You wait when Robbie gets to Australia South America Mexico and whereever else he has up his secret sleeve. You will be able to prove your point :)

 

I bet you cannot wait. :D

 

 

All bow down to His Royal Popness

Terese Owen-The Star

 

My good friends at Motorola decided to throw me a birthday bash on Monday. They hired out Loftus Versfeld, invited 64 000 of my closest friends and asked the world's biggest popstar, Robbie Williams, to perform.

 

Wow! It was the best birthday party ever!

 

Fans queued from 5am. When the gates finally opened at 4pm, they fell over each other to get to the very front of the stage. (His Royal Popness was only scheduled to perform at 9pm.)

 

The support bands were The Wiredaisies from England and South Africa's own FreshlyGround (who were brilliant).

 

However, the 64 000 people were there for Robbie and Robbie only. And he didn't disappoint. Giant fireballs were flashed from the stage, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. And in one of those fireballs, kapoof! There was Robbie. We squealed with glee.

 

He kicked off with Radio and the magic began with two-and-a-half hours of some of the best pop songs ever written.

 

In between songs we were treated to spells of comedy. If Robbie couldn't sing, he would have made a great stand-up comedian. From "baie dankie" to waxing lyrical about a certain Minky van der Westhuizen ("she's fookin' hot but I heard she has a boyfriend who plays table tennis or somfink!"), we clung onto his every word.

 

"You must believe everything you read about me in the press. It's all true!" clearly taking a swipe at the tabloids who have always enjoyed his controversial lifestyle of loads of sex and even more drugs.

 

"Except for one thing. I never said I did not want to meet Nelson Mandela. He is one of the greatest human beings alive today." Of course we cheered him on even more after that bit of patriotic propaganda.

 

He swanked through hits like Millenium, Angels and Tripping, his energy never abating once. "Fookin' Hell! I don't know how Mick Jagger does it. I'm 32 and I'm exhausted already!" he exclaimed after his third song.

 

Yeah baby, but do Mick and the rest of the Rolling Stones hold the record for selling the most amount of tickets in the fastest time? For this world tour, which began in Durban, Robbie Williams sold 1,6-million tickets in just under a day.

 

Despite his huge success and his larger-than-life performance, I couldn't shake the feeling that this man is very lonely. But that could also be the secret to his success.

 

Unlike popstars like Prince and Madonna, Robbie is not afraid to show us that he is human. We can identify with his eternal search for love. Despite his rock-star antics on and off stage, he has a simplistic honesty which makes him a working-class hero in every sense of the word.

 

He truly is one of the greatest popstars of our time.

 

Baie dankie Robbie.

Edited by Jackie

I hear that he dropped APTC for the Pretoria show. He had better bring it back for the rest of the tour :cry: . And Rob, sweetheart, if you want people to know it you have to RELEASE IT AS A SINGLE for goodness sakes :wacko: . Sorry to shout

I heard that too, actually I am quite shocked that he dropped it. It is fabulous live.

 

He does do this type of thing though. He goes with what his audience want and how a song is going down. South Africa and Dubai set lists will be alot different than his European concerts. SA and Dubai have never seen him perform before.

 

He gave SA what they wanted and more, every single review has been fantastic. Robbie dropped would you believe 'No Regrets' in Australia and put in 'Sexed Up'. it was great! Sexed Up was a hit in Australia and he put in Better Man which is Australia's Angels. It was one of his most amazing concerts. We all sang to Angels, Sexed Up and Better Man and more than once that night. He really was up for it. :thumbup:

 

Robbie is a pro and he like to have the audience with him. So I am sure when he hits Dublin APTC will back in. If not, I will request it. It is fabulous, love everything about it. :heart:

 

I get pissed with our UK press with only one report so far. I thought that the Sun showbiz 'Bizarre' would have had a feature of the masses of people turning up to see Robbie perform on his opening tour. Guess not, Victoria Newtons column these days is more about bitchiness and gossip of no importance. Bring back Dominic Monahan, at least he gave his page some credibility with a mixture of what is showbiz. IMO

 

now we are on to Dubai. and boy! am I worried. :o be glad when Friday is over. Behave yourself Robbie, please.

 

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/worldbob/2ef1abae.jpg

 

thanks to fansupreme for the picture.

 

 

 

 

Fingers crossed for Friday too.. I was so pleased to learn that Robbie was going to perform in Dubai, now I am not. Please behave Robbie, although I know it just comes out of his mouth with no filter. :)

 

 

I'm getting slightly concerned too.

Apparently there was a demonstration against him today by a group of religious nutters. :cry:

 

Do the show (if safe :o ) and get him the hell out of there IMO. :angry:

I want to stay at this place :thumbup:

 

http://www.burj-al-arab.com/

 

 

Check out the bedrooms in the 'Staying With Us' section :o

Wonder if Robbie is staying there or in a B&B down the road?

 

 

 

Look at the 'Royal Suite' :o :o :o :blink:

Edited by jupiter9

http://tinypic.com/vyo2zk.jpg

 

 

 

Yes, I can just see myself installed in here. I'm actually not too keen on the carpet though..... :lol:

actually although it is very opulent. I find it a tad gaudy. Gosh, I would have to wear sunglasses in that room, but could I sit in it and enjoy it. YES!!

 

a front page news article from South Africa, just to give an idea to our lousy British press.

 

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e341/worldbob/13842d02.jpg

I've looked everywhere for some photos of Robbie in Dubai but can find absolutely nothing :(

 

However, as some compensation I've found this Photo of a couple of Dubai camels. :P

 

http://tinypic.com/w00zlt.jpg A pair of camels. ;)

 

 

 

 

 

I rode a camel once - it was very scary LOL! :cry:

 

If all pop stars stay in Hotel suites like that one, I now understand why they always wear dark glasses indoors!

Here comes Robbie!

 

21 April 2006

DUBAI  Watch out Dubai, here comes Robbie!

 

While, the city hots up to host Pop star Robbie Williams at the Nad Al Sheba stadium tonight with an expected turnout of over 25,000 fans, organisers continue to make a last minute attempt to accommodate more of his fans by printing additional 2,500 tickets, currently available at various authorised outlets including Virgin Megastore and Hallmark outlets in Dubai through the day.

 

His first ever gig in the Middle East, the show promises to be the biggest concert ever in Dubai, with an audience of some 25,000 fans.

 

UAE was one of the first territories to embrace Robbie after the UK and he is by far the most popular international male artist in the Gulf state with a string of platinum-selling albums.

 

Tickets for the gig went on sale last month and were all sold within two hours. Some 2,000 were sold online before the sheer volume of traffic to the site caused it to collapse! Tickets range from Dh195 for rear standing, and go up to Dh595 for a Grandstand view.

 

The Dubai gig will close the first leg of Robbie’s 2006 World tour, which also takes him to South Africa with gigs in Durban, Cape Town and Pretoria.

 

The fans of Robbie in Dubai excited to watch the pop star performing live said, " I am excited from the first day I heard Robbie will perform in Dubai. I cannot wait anymore. I waited in a queue for three hours to buy the tickets. Everybody has been discussing the concert both at home and office for past few days," said Karen, a resident of Dubai disclosing that this is the first time she gets an opportunity to watch a live show of Robbie.

 

Robin another fan said " I am waiting for this big evening for the past one month. I called up my parents in England yesterday and told them I will be going to watch Robbie Williams show tonight. I am very excited to watch him perform live.â€Â

 

Let him entertain you

 

By Mubashera Asgher

Published: 04/18/2006 12:00 AM (UAE)

 

Robbie Williams' upcoming concert in Dubai sold out in under 3 hours. What is this inexplicable charm that Robbie possesses? And why are we all under his spell?

 

What's with the Robbie Williams phenomenon anyway? Sure, he's probably the biggest star on the planet right now, is red hot, loved by even veteran rockers such as Scorpions and U2 and actually makes unbelievably good music. But does that justify the Robbie mania that has spread over the world faster than bird flu (okay, so that's a bad comparison. We should have said faster than lightning).

 

I mean, the man's rude, crude and yes, as he admits himself: "I apologise for my language. It's ... awful." And yet, Robbie oozes charm. He's got that bad boy thing going on that gets girls hot under the collar and boys trying so desperately hard to be like him. He's got that je ne sais pas sex appeal, that X-factor that works wonders. Try. Try all you want. You'll never be able to put a finger on it. Either you have it or you don't. And Robbie not only has it, he'll drown in it if he isn't careful.

 

How many artistes can you name who, in Dubai, have pretty much sold out tickets on day 1 of going on sale - and in under 3 hours!! So great was the demand for tickets that promoters were forced to sell another 2,500 tickets earlier this month. For those who weren't there to witness the frenzy, hear this. Although the tickets went on sale at 10am on April 7, fans queued up outside THE One in Jumeirah from 9 or 10pm the previous evening.

 

People were there with their sleeping bags, blankies and pillows, some alone, some in groups, some with their husbands, wives and kids in tow, sleeping on the road outside the shop, waiting to be among the first few to get their hands on the Robbie tickets. Admit it, that sort of desperation to be at a concert has never before happened in Dubai.

 

Robbie has taken Dubai in a new direction. Now that we can boast of a Robbie Williams performance here (not to mention J.Lo, BEP, Roger Waters, Mark Knopfler, Destiny's Child, etc), who's to say that the biggest and baddest rock stars and musicians won't be following in the Robster's footsteps?

 

The guy has set a benchmark. From now on, any concert that takes place here will be compared to the Robbie concert: Did tickets sell out just as fast? How many people? Was it better, worse, not even close ... The comparisons will be endless. Fans in Dubai and the rest of the world may have put Robbie on the map, but Robbie's gonna put Dubai on the map when he performs at Nad Al Sheba Club on Friday.

 

From being the funny guy in Take That in the 1990s to the bare-it-all, trash- em-all, cocky popstar we all love today, Robbie's come a long way. From everyone in Take That, Robbie was wickedly different. He wasn't your typically cute boy band member. Robbie was a rogue, he didn't smile impishly for the camera and he didn't care about having a clean-cut image. It came as no surprise to fans that Robbie was the first to leave. His debut solo single in 1996 was the aptly chosen cover of George Michael's Freedom, followed by the hugely-popular Old Before I Die. From that point on, the hits followed each other like bowling pins hit by a pro.

 

Robbie's most recent album, Intensive Care - his eighth so far - was recorded in his bedroom over the course of two years. Are you surprised that Robbie made the album in his bedroom? You shouldn't be. Anyone who's paid attention to the lyrics of his songs and knows anything about the guy would understand that the songs that have made Robbie a zillionaire and have become musical anthems the world over are pretty much extracts from his diary. Strong, Angels, Let Me Entertain You, Old Before I Die, The Trouble With Me, Come Undone, No Regrets, Feel ... all these are personal songs, with personal lyrics, about the personal ups and downs in Robbie's life. He's willing to share his soul with us and we're more than happy to lap it all up. The perfect musical partnership, wouldn't you agree?

 

Intensive Care, Robbie says, is "lyrically the best album I've written. Although I do say that before every album comes out. But I think I mean it this time."

 

The album is inspired by the Human League's 1984 single Louise, about a man who sees his former girlfriend at a bus top and realises that he still has feelings for her. "It's one of my all-time favourite tracks," says Robbie. "I liked the idea of writing from Louise's point of view. And so several tracks on the albums, such as Ghosts and Spread Your Wings run along similar themes, about ex-lovers who still yearn for one another."

 

It goes without saying that if Robbie loves this album so much, think of how much it would mean to his fans. Naturally, it became the highest-selling album in Europe in 2005, despite only being released in October!

 

Does that go a little way towards explaining the Robbie phenomenon? Not yet? If you've been able to get your hands on a pair of tickets, maybe the concert at Nad Al Sheba will explain why. If even then you're not sure, don't even try. Some things just are. There's no way to explain magic.

 

Source: http://www.gulfnews.com/features/sub_story/10033968.html

 

thanks to mon from therobbiewilliamssite.com

 

 

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