Robbie Williams in top form in Swings Both Ways tour at Rod Laver Arena

ROBBIE Williams is doing a swing tour because, unlike most of today’s pop stars, he can. He’s right at home doing the swing thing, but he’s never taken a full swing tour as far from home until now.

Robbie Williams performing at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Brendan Francis.

ROBBIE Williams is doing a swing tour because, unlike most of today’s pop stars, he can.

He’s right at home doing the swing thing, but he’s never taken a full swing tour as far from home until now.

If you’ve come to see a Robbie Williams Greatest Hits show, you should have read your ticket more closely.

The Swing Both Ways tour showcases the swing album of the same name ... complete with tap dancers, tuxedos, dad jokes, Rat Pack swagger and rampant levels of showbiz cheese and jazz hands.

In an arena where people pay hundreds to watch a DJ press play on a laptop, it’s nice to see an old fashioned really big band on stage.

Robbie Williams at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Brendan Francis.

It’s so old-school there’s more covers than Robbie originals - everything from Puttin’ on the Ritz, Minnie the Moocher, That’s Amore, High Hopes (with a children’s choir) and Mr Bojangles to R.Kelly’s Ignition, done barbershop quartet style.

Robbie loves these songs and this genre, and it shows.

He’s a different man compared to his last visit here in 2006 - when that tour ended in Melbourne Williams went directly into rehab.

But the passion is back. And the trademark humour hasn’t left him.

“Remember me in the ’90s?” he asked the crowd. “Riding the charts like an obese Justin Bieber. Still got laid.”

Robbie Williams in full showman style at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Brendan Francis.

For No One Likes a Fat Popstar (which could only be a Robbie original) he’s elevated above the stage in a fat suit that causes testicular restriction.

“I want to have another kid,” he says before he and his genitals descend safely.

His musical soulmate, Guy Chambers, is also back on board and back in the band, even if they bypass most of the iconic hits they wrote in favour of swing material for this tour.

The Swing Both Ways project was his way of winning back some of the fans who’ve slipped away despite his music being as strong as ever.

Robbie Williams with his trademark flair at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Brendan Francis.

Recent original single Candy, a UK No.1, was on the set list despite falling flat in Perth last week.

Australian radio, who once supported everything he did, didn’t play it. They were seemingly too busy with such credible, long-term artists like the bloke who did Gangnam Style.

Last year’s single Go Gentle may not fit on radio, but you’ll never hear a more beautiful song from new father to new daughter.

The Swing tour does squeeze in non-swing hits via a medley including Rock DJ and Come Undone. And of course Robbie can’t end a concert without playing Angels.

Robbie Williams on stage at Rod Laver Arena. Picture: Brendan Francis.

Robbie’s a playful mix of ’70s British variety TV and camp pantomime with ’50s Vegas crooner smack bang in 2014.

All he wants to do is entertain you, a task he takes on relentlessly, even if it means wearing a monkey mask.

And in a world of dull pop stars minus personality, we need Robbie Williams more than ever, even in swinger mode.

Robbie Williams plays Rod Laver Arena again tonight.

Originally published as Robbie Williams in top form in Swings Both Ways tour at Rod Laver Arena