Robbie Williams plays ‘Angels’ at Melbourne show to honour fan who fell and died

Robbie Williams has launched his Melbourne shows by paying tribute to Shane Warne and John Farnham, but it was a moving Angels rendition for a woman who fell and died at an earlier gig that stood out.

Robbie Williams paid tribute to local heroes Shane Warne, John Farnham and Tom De Koning at his show at AAMI Park on Wednesday night.

However, it was another lesser-known figure that Williams dedicated his most famous song to: Robyn Hall, a 70-year-old woman who died after a fall at the pop superstar’s show in Sydney.

“I am you and you are me and we are each other when we come together — when something happens like this, it breaks my heart,” Williams said.

“I’ve been thinking about it an awful lot. I’ve thought about it all through the show tonight. I just want to give a big shout out and lots of love from me and my band to Robyn and Robyn’s family.

“Let’s all sing. She was somebody just like you, who came to the gig, just like you did tonight. She deserves a big song, and tonight, this is for her.”

Robbie Williams wowed fans at AAMI Park on Wednesday night. Picture: Brett Schewitz.

Williams paid special tribute to Robyn Hall who fell and died at his Sydney show. Picture: Brett Schewitz.

Then, Williams, and 40,000 backing singers, performed a powerful, rousing version of Angels.

Elsewhere, Williams paid homage to the late spin king Shane Warne, standing at centre stage, one hand raised and pointed to the heavens and leading a crowd chant of the cricket legend’s name.

Williams, a Carlton Football Club fan, also snuck a De Koning reference into the intro of Come Undone. “De Koning’s in the air, leaving players on the ground,” he sang.

A loving nod to Farnham tribute came via a sincere reading of You’re The Voice.

Williams XXV covers 25 years of hits. Picture: Brett Schewitz.

Williams also paid tribute to Shane Warne, John Farnham and Tom De Koning. Picture: Brett Schewitz.

Williams’ tour, XXV, is exactly what it says on the box: 25 years of hits, the occasional miss, but ultimately triumph and survival in the brutal world of showbiz.

“The highest highs, the lowest lows, the sex, the drugs, the scandal,” Williams said playfully.

“Tonight will be therapy for me, but entertaining for you. I need to know, am I among friends, Melbourne? Am I safe to share with you?”

He played the hits, including Let Me Entertain You, Better Man, Kids, Feel and Rock DJ.

But he also shared unfiltered stories about his “trouble maker” role in the boy band Take That, the dark demons that almost derailed him, and his wife, and their four children, who saved him.

Williams also applauded his fans for always being there in his bleakest moments of self-doubt.

“I can’t be s**t, or an awful person, or embarrassing, if all these people buy tickets and they come and see me,” he said.

“So, for the many times I’ve used you to get me through, thank you, you beautiful people.”

Robbie Williams plays his second and final show at AAMI Park on Thursday.