Robbie Williams initially rose to fame in the 1990s as a member of the British boy band Take That but it was his solo career that propelled him to global stardom.
Known for his charismatic stage presence and powerful vocals, Williams’ music spans various genres, including pop, rock, and swing. Songs like Angels, Feel, and Rock DJ have become iconic worldwide anthems.
We caught up with him ahead of his show in the capital on October 18 and spoke about his love for the UAE and what fans can expect.
Robbie Williams, thank you so much for joining dscvr.ae. We are so excited to see you in Abu Dhabi next month. You’re bringing your 25 hits tour to the capital – are you looking forward to it?
I’m very much looking forward to the show, I’ve had a bit of time off as I’ve been touring since October. And I’ve managed to now recoup and rebuild. So I’m ready for a big show.
You’re a big fan of for UAE, you’re often performing and being spotted in Dubai. This time around though it’s all about Abu Dhabi, when were you last here?
I’m in the UAE, at least a couple of times a year, and maybe more in the future, actually a lot more in the future. Abu Dhabi I was there probably a year ago, Dubai, probably the same, maybe more recent than that. But I love the food, love the weather. Love the opportunity out there. So, you know, I’m a big fan.
Tell us a bit more about the tour, why did you decide to take that on the road, and what’s been the reaction so far for the shows that you’ve played?
This particular show I like to add in a bit of comedy and do a lot of chatting. Instead of that putting people off, people have been enjoying what I have to say and enjoying how I interact with the crowd. And there’s not many people interacting with the crowd, in that size venue. It feels really pleasing to see them enjoying my brand of entertainment, and I am getting very close to being the entertainer that I hope to have been when I was at least 13. So it’s been going down well.
Have you noticed a range of ages in the audience? From the very first fans to the generation that’s been brought up listening to your music by their parents – you just seem to have the perfect mix.
Yeah! It’s overwhelming and strange. Sometimes in between songs, I’m like “How old are you?” and they’ll be like “21” And I’m like how has that happened? But it fills my heart that there’s a another generation of people that have been introduced to me and my music, and how I entertain by their Mums, Dads and Grandmas and Granddad’s. So it feels good.
Your touring life when you’re on the road is probably a lot different 25 years on now you’ve got your family and your kids. Do they ever come and join you when you’re on the road? What’s it like for them seeing Dad up there on stage?
They often do. The youngest two haven’t been to a gig yet because it’s past their bedtime. Teddy, my oldest just thinks it’s the best thing that ever has happened to anybody ever, which of course it is. And my son Charlie is just not bothered at all. You know, he falls asleep or he wanders off or he gets his iPad out. I remember being onstage in front of 125,000 people last year in in Munich and just looking out and just seeing my son face down in an iPad. And I was like, well, there you go.
Talking of technology you’ve announced your dipping into metaverse world. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
I’ve been very slow to get involved with technology and very, very slow to get involved with social media. I’ve been waiting for inspiration to take hold of me and inform me of who I can be and how I can do it. Because with social media those sort of pout faced lemons sucking pictures day after day that most people put up are really, really boring. So with my Instagram for the last few months, I’ve been doing my own thing. I just see it as having your own TV show that is five seconds long. And that I’m addicted to it.
Then with the metaverse, like I say, it’s taken me forever. I didn’t have a phone at all until about five years ago. So while everybody was using their phone and doing social media, I was very, very much entrenched in the 90s thinking, “look at these idiots, these attention seeking idiots”. And now I am that attention seeking idiot. And I seek that attention in the metaverse and on social media, and I’m really enjoying it.
One thing we did spot on your social media recently was a reunion with former Take That bandmate Mark Owen. They have just announced a tour in the UK, is the door always open for you, is it a never say never situation?
Yeah you never say never. A full tour or a full reunion is not really on the cards but you never know what is presented to you in what fashion, and how you do something that will be different. I did re-join and had the best time ever but I think that if we did it again there would need to be some sort of different way of doing it. As of today I have not imagined what that is. Maybe somebody will imagine that for us.
There’s a Netflix documentary coming out later this year all about you and your life. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
Yeah, I love Netflix I’ve been a big fan of it for a long time. And Ridley Scott’s company [British filmmaker] and Netflix combined said, “we want to do a documentary about you”. Another fortuitous thing that has happened to me my luck has been sensational in this lifetime.
My worry was that it was going to be another documentary that fits form of all the documentaries that you’ve ever seen before and I didn’t want that. I wanted it to be different, even if it’s not very good, I wanted to be different. I think we have achieved a different kind of format that’s probably not been seen in documentaries ever. For me the process was very traumatic as I’m reliving moments in my past where it’s the equivalent of slowing down to watch the car crash, but you’re actually in the car crash. Hopefully, we have done something that will keep people hooked and it will be binge worthy.
@netflix let us (if you don’t mind) entertain you! here’s your first look at the new four-part #RobbieWilliams documentary. coming to #netflix ♬ original sound – Netflix
Are you going to have any time to relax while you’re in Abu Dhabi? Have you got any plans whilst you’re here or is it straight back on the road?
I’m not sure! Maybe I should stay out there and have some sun before we come back to Europe and experience the winters… that I don’t like.
What’s your message to those that haven’t yet got tickets to the show?
Get excited and come to see it in the flesh!
Tickets are on sale and available from Live Nation.
DSCVR: Robbie Williams at Etihad Arena on Wednesday, 18 October. Yas Bay Waterfront, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. @etihadarena.ae @livenationme
