Susie

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

I am the same as you Jackie, as you well know, please ditch the track suit Robbie, I know they are comfy and all that, but he is so much sexier in the jeans/tee/jacket. Its only 7 weeks to Dublin, I know someone who is counting :dance: so heres hoping it flippin warms up weather wise.

The 'Bsides' album..just for a change. B)

EMI changes tune on digital music By Rhys Blakely Employer update. :D EMI, the London-listed record label, expects to report a 12 per cent hike in annual profits after sales of digital music doubled and artists including Coldplay, Robbie Williams and The Rolling Stones released successful albums last year. In a trading update ahead of its annual results, the world's third largest record company said both its record label and publishing arm, which sells music rights to film and television makers, outperformed the global industry last year. "This strong divisional performance reflects successful releases from a broad range of artists including international superstars Coldplay, Gorillaz, Robbie Williams and The Rolling Stones ... and breaking artists KT Tunstall, Dem Franchize Boyz and Corinne Bailey Rae," EMI said. Shares in the group rose sharply on the news, gaining 4.5 per cent to 267.75p in early trade. To track the stock click here. EMI said that digital music revenues continued to show rapid growth, increasing by more than 150 per cent at constant currency rates over the past 12 months. Record labels have been criticised for being slow to realise the impact the internet would have on their business. Industry bodies claim billions of pounds in revenues have been lost to online pirates who share tracks using peer-to-peer websites. Online music sales still only account for around 5.5 per cent of EMI's music sales and about 4.5 per cent of revenues at its publishing business, it said. EMI also said it would renew its focus on its Japanese business, "where new skills and a new organisational structure will be introduced to enable the reallocation of resources into the key areas of A&R and marketing". EMI Music also plans to enter into sale and leaseback agreements for its two Japanese properties and others in the US. Panmure Gordon, the broker, said the restructuring of EMI Japan and some sale and leasebacks of property in Japan and the US could increase the UK-based record company’s earnings by about 5 per cent for 2007 and by about 12 per cent in 2008. Across its business, EMI said revenues would be up 4 per cent in the year to March 31. The company added that it had also identified an additional £30 million in annual cost savings to be fully realised by 2008. This time last year EMI posted pre-tax profits of £141.1 million on £2 billion in revenues.

We will, fingers crossed.

It goes without saying I love all his albums, so its hard to choose really.. :cheer: 1. Intensive Care 2. Escapology 3. IBEY 4. Singwyw 5. SWYW 6. LTAL

Thank you for the link..its so short, but its better than nothing. Getting all excited now as its not long to go until Dublin. :cheer: Just think Dubai is Robbie's last gig of the Spring leg, and the first of the Summer Tour is the one I am going too..Bring it on Robbie. :heart:

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. :)

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 am a cricket fan, but I think Robbie would still win this one. :D

Proteas more interested in Robbie Williams than news conference Posted at 7:12am on 18 Apr 2006 The South African cricketers were more interested at being rocked by popstar Robbie Williams than addressing the world's media on the third day of the first test against New Zealand at Centurion. Players such as top scorer AB de Villiers made a beeline for the exit as soon as stumps were called to attend a Williams concert in nearby Pretoria -- leaving all-rounder Jacques Kallis to hold the fort after he chose not to attend the British musician's show. Kallis said he couldn't have hordes of people screaming in his ear the whole night -- not during a test match. The New Zealanders didn't know Williams was in town -- but as they trail the hosts by 229 runs with two days remaining in the test, they chose to follow Kallis's example and get a good night's sleep. New Zealand Sport

fr3a_of_nature so was he abit :puke2: Twinkle why do you like that picture :) let me guess. :P

Thanks Scotty for that bit of cheer..great news. Angels has really become part of our identity hasn't it. :cheer: As you know Jackie I did watch that programme, I didn't think that she sang it very well though. :huh: I thought all the voices left a lot to be desired really. Although the bloke that played the lead was alot better.

excuse me - diminutive, what he lacks in height..are these people real. No wonder there is constant debate on how tall Robbie actually is. <_<

You are very welcome..you can never get enough of a performing Robbie.

I am sorry but to me there are worse things in the name of religion than this programme, maybe Channel 4 shouldn't have scheduled it as they did though.

Jupiter9 I have tried to send you a pm, but it won't go, it comes back with 'server error' So I will tell you my theory here, DB used silcone skin patches, put on when he wiped Robbie's arms with what we thought were antispectic wipes. They are very realistic. I also noticed the patch when he removed the needle from the arm that didn't bleed. I do think Robbie's apprehension was real though, he wouldn't have known and could have thought that the needles had passed through his arms. They wouldn't have told him in order to get a realistic response from him. He did look a little :puke2:

I thought it was quite good, quite memorable and had lots of atmosphere. I do think he was unaware of what was going to happen and I think he was 'out of it' as well. Robbie did look anxious and not too comfortable at times, I sensed he could have had a panic attack. I also think I know how it was done, I am pretty certain that I would be right about it too. :)

Can we vote more than once then Scotty.

Tomorrow he performs his final gig in South Africa, then its on to Dubai. I hope we can do what we have been able to do for both of the last 2 shows and tune in to SA radio for feedback. :cheer:

I will, I can't resist, I did see a small preview yesterday, he really did look lovely, and so trusting, not sure that I would be. :puke2:

Thanks for posting, pleased you sorted out how to put the pictures up Troy. Keep em coming. :cheer:

Its your Angels isn't it :cheer:

I have to admit, that I thought the TV performance "One Night with Robbie Williams" was brilliant, and I preferred how he sang swing on that to the acutal album. Why did they not include "My Way" that was ace. Having said that though I do think Robbie is a natural with the Swing standards. Anyway, I love Mr Bojangles/Have You Met Miss Jones and I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen.

I voted too Scotty, but it was hard, I could only manage 10. :o