Robbie Williams is back in Sydney, and tonight’s show at Accor Stadium is a reminder of why the former Take That star remains one of Britain’s greatest entertainers. More than three decades into his career, he still knows exactly how to work a crowd, and his fans are here for every minute of it.

Manchester indie-pop outfit Lottery Winners get the evening underway, delivering an entertaining opening set packed with humour and infectious energy. They even tackle a version of Williams’ ‘Angels’, jokingly warning the audience not to tell Robbie they’ve covered one of his biggest hits. I make a mental note to catch them when they tour Australia again next year.

Next up is Australia’s own G Flip, fresh from their sold-out Dream Ride tour. They waste no time making their presence felt, delivering a high-energy performance that comfortably fills the enormous venue. G Flip’s combination of powerhouse drumming, big pop hooks and sheer enthusiasm is proving increasingly difficult to ignore. They’re going from strength to strength, and tonight they look entirely at home on a stadium stage.

Then there’s Robbie. And really, what more can be said about a performer who has spent the better part of 30 years perfecting the art of entertaining a crowd?

One thing- he knows how to make an entrance. Dressed in an astronaut suit, at one stage Williams is suspended upside down as he makes his way towards the stage. It’s gloriously theatrical, slightly ridiculous and completely in keeping with an artist who has never been afraid to make a spectacle of himself.

Williams is backed by an impressive ensemble of musicians, dancers and backing vocalists, whose precision, energy and professionalism ensure that every element of this ambitious production runs like clockwork.

But beneath the showmanship is a genuine connection with his audience. I meet a woman who has seen Williams perform more than 90 times, a staggering number that says plenty about the loyalty he inspires. Throughout the evening, he acknowledges that devotion, reaching into the crowd to touch outstretched hands and throwing T-shirts to delighted fans.

Between songs, Williams talks about his wife and four children, offering glimpses of the family man behind the larger-than-life pop star. It’s this ability to switch between outrageous entertainer and surprisingly relatable bloke that has always been central to his appeal.

His latest album, BRITPOP, released in January, sees him reconnect with the musical landscape of the 1990s, with contributions from Chris Martin, Gaz Coombes, Tony Iommi and former Take That bandmate Gary Barlow. It’s another chapter in a career that has produced 16 UK number one albums, 18 BRIT Awards and more than 90 million album sales worldwide.

Those figures are impressive, but they only tell part of the story. Watching Williams command a Sydney crowd tonight, it’s clear that his greatest asset remains his personality. He’s funny, outrageous, self-aware and completely comfortable being the centre of attention.

There are plenty of pop stars who can fill a stadium. Far fewer can make an audience feel they’re part of the show. Robbie Williams has been doing it for decades, and tonight proves he hasn’t lost the knack.

The tour moves to Newcastle, Brisbane and New Zealand next, tickets HERE.

Images Deb Pelser

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