Robbie Williams pays tribute to John Farnham at Sydney gig for XXV tour

Robbie Williams has blown away 38,000 fans at his hotly anticipated Sydney show before inciting an epic crowd singalong in tribute to the Aussie legend who’s battling cancer.

Kathy McCabe

@McCabeRadar

3 min read

November 17, 2023 - 5:20AM

News Corp Australia Network

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Stadium concert king Robbie Williams cemented his honorary Australian status performing unofficial national anthem You’re The Voice at the opening Australian concert of his XXV Tour in Sydney on Thursday.

Williams incited an epic crowd singalong as he reprised the John Farnham classic he performed at his AFL Grand Final set last year in tribute to the national music treasure as he was undergoing treatment for cancer.

“I just want to give a big shout out to John … we’re all thinking of you and sending love,” he said.

He followed that encore moment by facilitating the engagement of fans Daniel and Lauren.

“Thank god she said yes!” he said, congratulating the couple as the proposal moment was broadcast on the giant video screens.

The Let Me Entertain You superstar has crafted an entertainment masterclass with a dash of public therapy session for his XXV Tour.

“Tonight will be therapy for me and entertainment for you … Sydney, are you with me?” he said.

And indeed they were, with him for the comedy and the tragedy which he delivered with that effortless ease of a showman who was born for the stage.

Robbie Williams on stage during his concert at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Robbie Williams put on a mammoth show for more than 38,000 fans. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The beloved pop star, whose raw Netflix documentary series about his tormented struggles with fame and addiction is at No. 1 this week, shared candid chats about family and his mental health with more than 38,000 adoring fans at Allianz Stadium.

While serious and stoic during those moments, Williams devoted the lion’s share of his stage time to curating a joyous romp through an enviable list of hits, enlisting the eager audience as his mega backing choir.

Williams have been feeling the love from fans during his XXV world tour. Picture: AFP.

“I am the happiest I have ever been … I f … ing love you, Australia,” he said.

He also namechecked his late mate Shane Warne, making the observation that the Australian cricket legend exploded on the global sport scene in the same era as Take That became one of the UK’s biggest boy bands.

Australia may have been a little slow to embrace his solo career after his split with Take That, getting on board for his third album Sing When You’re Winning, but their passion for the cheeky chappy of Britpop hasn’t waned in the two decades since he started touring here.

The opening acts were both a nod to his past and to his future. The first warm-up set came from Lufthaus, his electronic side project with his Melbourne musician mates Tim Metcalfe and Flynn Francis while the second act was Gaz Coombes, the frontman of 90s British rockers Supergrass.

Robbie Williams sends his sparks to Sydney

The energy in the stadium rose when he burst onto stage with Hey Wow Yeah Yeah, from his 2012 album Take The Crown, and kicked up another gear with Let Me Entertain You, a romp through R & B classic Land of 1000 Dances and 1999 crowd-pleaser hit Strong.

There was something for every fan of the various chapters of his 33-year career stretching back with a nod to Take That hits Do What You Like, Could It Be Magic and Back For Good, broken up with his rendition of the Oasis hit Don’t Look Back In Anger.

The all killer, no filler setlist also featured his solo favourites including Come Undone, Candy, Feel, Kids and Rock DJ.

You’re The Voice opened the encore and also delivered that warm musical hug of Angels with everyone in full voice and the stadium glittering with phone lights.

And then, with tears in his eyes, he led the crowd in an acapella medley and declared “Australia, I f … ing adore you!”

Williams entertained the Australian media ahead of the tour kick off in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Williams earlier said Australia is the country “where I’ve just been allowed to be the creature that I’ve always wanted to be” when the tall poppy syndrome in UK attacked him.

As the Australian leg of his tour kicked off, Williams is revelling in the embrace of a “warm hug” from the world in reaction to his Netflix documentary.

“As with the documentary, I’ve been seen and I feel as though Australia has always seen him and as though as it’s an adopted home in my heart and soul because I’m not scared or embarrassed or ashamed to be me here,” he said ahead of the tour kick-off this week.

“If anybody talks about Australia around me or if I’m talking about Australia … my eyes light up and I just beam and I’m very grateful for the love at a time when I felt as though I wasn’t being loved.”