Morning:
13°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Rick Pearson's rating
Reader rating
Description: The singer performs songs from his forthcoming album Reality Killed The Video Star.
Phone: 0844482 8008
Website: www.roundhouse.org.uk
Email: info@roundhouse.org.uk
Trains: Tube: Chalk Farm 
, Tube / Bus: 24, 27, 29, 31, 134, 135, 168, 214, 253, 274, C2 
Extra info: Food, Pub
Letting him entertain them: Robbie Williams cracked jokes between belting out a selection of old favourites
The fourth year of the BBC Electric Proms will play host to Dizzee Rascal and Dame Shirley Bassey this week — but there’s no doubting who its star attraction was.
Robert Peter Williams, returning to the stage after a three-year hiatus via a shaky X Factor appearance, came to the Roundhouse last night for one of the most eagerly anticipated shows of the year. Outside the venue, the queue, which had a male/female ratio roughly equivalent to that of a closing down sale at Topshop, snaked for miles down Chalk Farm Road.
Inside the Roundhouse, in front of an audience that included Sir Ian McKellen and Dragons Den star Peter Jones, the Robbie franchise was open for business once more.
While he may be rehabilitated from his addiction to prescription drugs, the ex-Take That man is not yet back to full strength as a performer.
Once the confident colossus of pop, the new Robbie is a much nervier proposition: a 35-year-old, “with a few grey hairs”, who has to prove himself once more.
Gallery: Robbie Williams kicks off Electric Proms
Things got off to a shaky start with Bodies, one of many new tracks aired on the night from his forthcoming album, Reality Killed The Video Star (a reference to The Buggles’ 1979 hit, Video Killed The Radio Star). Williams sang and danced self-consciously, looking and sounding like a man still in search of his missing mojo. Where lesser performers might have crumbled, Robbie rallied.
Come Undone proved that his soaring, rough-edged tenor was still intact. The singer subtly changed the words in the chorus to “I’m still your son”, to the delight of women who still want to mother him.
Ever the joker, Williams was full of wisecracks between songs, dedicating Feel to an aunt who’s looking down on him. “She’s not dead; she’s just condescending,” he quipped.
After a brief foray into swing, Williams hit us with the big announcement of the night — dedicating No Regrets to “my new best mate, Gary Barlow”. As well as mending broken friendships with ex-bandmates, Robbie’s found himself a woman. And it was to his new muse, American actress Ayda Field, that he dedicated the horn-heavy soul of Won’t Do That. Following this with the upcoming single, You Know Me — surely a future No 1 with its swinging, singalong chorus and heartfelt lyrics — the Robbie of old was coming into view.
And by the time we reached a gloriously camp cover of Video Killed The Radio Star, via the forever fabulous Angels, he sounded like he might finally be back for good.
WHAT THE OTHER CRITICS SAY:
The Mirror — 3am
‘Robbie Williams is back, cockier and more rock ’n’ roll than ever.’
The Sun — Gordon Smart
‘The pressure was on to prove he’s still got it. I’m relieved to say he certainly has, and maybe a bit more besides.’
The Times — Caitlin Moran
‘He not only aced his core appeal, but introduced about as fine a piece of pop as has been in the Top 10 in the last 10 years.’
The Guardian — Alexis Petridis
‘For a man who now apparently suffers from stage fright so acute that he has no plans to tour for the foreseeable future, he seemed entirely confident.”
The Express — Emily Garnham
‘A confident and at times emotional Williams proved he is as slick a showman as he ever was.’
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Al of Ealing,
I know what you're getting at, but to compare Robbie Williams with Matt Monro, even to make a point is, I'm afraid just not on. Matt was probably the one truly great popular singer this country has produced. He was not called the singer's singer" for nothing.
Today's performers (I don't think you can dignify them with the word singer), of whom Robbie Williams is a prime example, barely know what a song is, let alone how to put one over.
But I agree with you; Williams is to Rock n Roll what Bobby Crush is to Jerry Lee.
- Steve, London, UK
Williams Rock n Roll? Ha Ha I think not
He's a novelty act who's a cross between Matt Monroe and Norman Wisdom
- Al Stuart, ealing
'Once the confident colossus of pop'...Most of this confidence was due to his his constant battle to try & prove himself bigger & better than his former group.
Hopefully today we can hear the true Robbie and the mellow tones of a performer who can trust to believe in himself...he is very talented!
I wish him luck.
- Jade, London
