Review: Robbie Williams at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle

Robbie Williams was back at Metro Radio Arena after a 14-year gap for the first of two shows. Gordon Barr was there

It had been nearly 14 years since we last saw Robbie Williams step out on a Newcastle stage.

Back then, also at the Arena, it was as part of his Sing When You’re Winning tour, when the performer was at the height of his fame.

Fast forward to 2014 and he is still entertaining us big style, only this time with more style, finesse, maturity and a little less of that trademark cockiness, replaced by a stronger self-awareness and warmer humour.

The Swings Both Ways show was all the better for it too.

It says something about the stature of Robbie Williams that at not one point did he feel the need to deliver us a Take That song.

There’s more than enough material in his own solo back catalogue to entertain us with, and boy did he do just that. Yet he did not rely on the old hits, rather, except for Angels, he condensed them into a swing-esque medley.

Songs from the Swings Both Ways CD formed the backbone of this two-part extravaganza, which kicked off in fine style with Shine My Shoes, quickly followed by Puttin’ On The Ritz and Ain’t That A Kick In The Head.

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Robbie Williams at the Metro Radio Arena

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Any worries his back would play up again were soon set aside as RW, who looked like he had come straight from a 2014 Rat Pack reunion, treated us to some canny dance moves.

It was big band all the way, with a theatrical staging, an energetic dance troupe and a few guest appearances, not least from Robbie’s dad for a duet on Do Nothin’ ‘Til You Hear From Me, while Guy Chambers made several appearances too.

Members of the Stagecoach theatre school joined him on stage for High Hopes, and several women had him sign their bodies, while Vicky from Newcastle enjoyed a mock on-stage wedding to the superstar.

There were localisms too, as he declared the land of kebabs and curries to be Longbenton, before taking to a high wire in fat suit to sing No-one Likes a Fat Pop Star.

The tails (minus the top hat) were swapped in Act 2 for a sailor’s outfit as we were told we were being taken on the cruise of a lifetime.

Indeed, Robbie does seem to be sailing the crest of a swing wave at the moment and the crowd lapped it up.

He’s back at the Arena tonight. Tickets are still available. Click here for info on tickets, parking and all you need to know about the gig.

Set List

Act One

Shine My Shoes

Puttin’ On the Ritz

Ain’t That a Kick in the Head

Minnie The Moocher

Swing Supreme

No One Likes a Fat Pop Star

That’s Amore

Mr. Bojangles

Ignition

I Wanna Be Like You

High Hopes

Swings Both Ways

Act 2

Soda Pop

Trouble / Hit the Road Jack / Reet Petite / Shout

I Will Talk and Hollywood Will Listen

Go Gentle

Do Nothin’ ‘Til You Hear From Me

Empire State of Mind

New York, New York

Let Me Entertain You/Millennium / Come Undone / Old Before I Die / Candy

My Way

Angels

Sensational

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