Dear readers, this is my very first guest blog post (you can usually find me over at princess.ch) on Loads of Music, and believe me, this is a topic that always throws me back to my teenie-groupie-age. This is all about Robbie Williams One night at the Palladium.
The object of my desire: Mr. Robert Peter Williams. The British super-entertainer will be releasing his second Swing-album “Swing both ways” this Friday. Almost exactly 12 years after his Swing-debut “Swing when you’re winning”. His first Swing-album is still his most successful album to date. Plus it opened him doors to a much broader audience, not only his “left-over” and somewhat aged fans from back in the Take That days. My expectations, therefore, are extremely high.
Equipped with Cocktail-dress, high heels (just like the dress code ordered), and lots of excitement, I made my way to London last Friday. I was one of the lucky ones to be part of the unique concert “One Night at the Palladium” which was taped for the new live-DVD. My nervousness was starting to get out of hand… But right on time at 19:15 the show began! Stand-up comedian Ian Royce welcomed us and explained that due to the DVD-taping there will be a couple of stop & go’s. So through all changes in stage settings, outfit changes, and breaks Royce was there to keep us entertained. He often gave shout out’s to the celebs that were there. And there were quite a few: Adele, Alan Carr, Jonathan Wilkes (Rob’s best-buddy), and also Liam from One Direction *squuiieek* to only name a few of them.
Now it’s time for Robbie Williams at the Palladium
Now back to THE star of the evening! After a short intro, Mr. Williams started out with a classic: “Puttin on the Ritz” followed by his hit from back in 2000 “Supreme” in a special swing-version. The setlist looks a bit like a mixture of his old and his new swing album. Right after “Minnie the Moocher” and “Mr. Bojangles” the first duet from the new album is announced. Together with Rufus Wainwright, Robbie takes the stage to perform the album title song “Swing Both Ways”. Following this first highlight the songs “High Hopes” and “Soda Pop” which will be a duet with Michael Bublé (unfortunately not present at the show) which I am really looking forward to (check out the trailer further down). His next duet partner however was there and performed the song “Dream a Little Dream” from 1931. A magical song is sung with Lily Allen.
My personal highlight was definitely his expression of love to his little baby girl Teddy who turned 1 year old in September: “Thirteen months ago, a very special person came into my life. Her name is Theodora Rose Williams and she’s my daughter. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I took her to nursery for the first time two days ago. She learned to walk 10 days ago. She’s the love of my life. I wrote a song about her and this is it.” The Song “Go Gentle” is the first single off the new album. It’s about a little girl being protected by her dad throughout her life.
We all love a good duet!
The next big moment of the evening was the duet with Rob’s father Peter. Totally unexpected they sang “Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me” together on stage. A really special moment which the audience obviously enjoyed. The hit „Somethin’ Stupid” from Rob’s first swing album (a duet with Nicole Kidman) was performed by Rob and Miss Piggy from the Muppets. To finish off this incredible show, Mr. Williams brought out another classic tune: “Mack the Knife” a song from 1959 that was on Rob’s first swing album. Check out this version from the legendary DVD “Live at Royal Albert Hall”:
Unforgettable and amazing!
My conclusion? Unforgettable… Especially since you can really see and feel how happy Rob is. It seems as if he finally got to a stage in his life (after all the escapades) where he can just live and be happy. He loves his family and can do what he loves (and does it really well) – being an entertainer, daddy, and husband (maybe not always in this order). This concert was definitely one of my personal concert-highlights, especially since it will be captured on DVD and I will be able to look at it over and over again (apologies to my boyfriend in advance ;)) and tell myself: I WAS THERE!
Unfortunately, I cannot show you any pictures since there was a strict photo-film-ban, I guess they didn’t want any flashes, etc on the DVD. The only official pictures (so, no cell-phone pictures, etc.) can be found on Rob’s website. Go check out the official trailer, if this doesn’t win you over, I don’t know… I certainly cannot sit still listening to these songs 😉
Robbie Williams – One night at the Palladium: The Setlist
1. Intro – Space Oddity
2. Puttin on the Ritz
3. Swing Supreme
4. Minnie the Moocher
5. Mr Bojangles
6. Swings Both Ways (feat. Rufus Wainwright)
7. High Hopes
8. Soda Pop (–> Duet with Michael Bublé on the album)
9. Dream a Little Dream (feat. Lily Allen)
10. If I Only Had a Brain
11. I Wan’na Be Like You (Jungle Book) (–> Duet with Olly Murs on the album)
12. Go Gentle
13. No One Likes a Fat Pop Star
14. Somethin’ Stupid (feat. Miss Piggy)
15. Shine My Shoes
16. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me (feat. Pete Conway)
17. Creep
18. Ain’t That a Kick in the Head
19. Mack the Knife
20. Puttin on the Ritz (Encore)
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