Robbie Williams’ album XXV climbs to No.2 on Aria Chart after AFL Grand Final performance
Robbie Williams has had a win of his own this week thanks to his sizzling greatest hits set at the AFL Grand Final.
Music
Don't miss out on the headlines from Music. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Robbie Williams has scored a big bonus to his multimillion dollar fee thanks to his acclaimed pop masterclass at the AFL Grand Final last weekend.
Winning the hearts of millions of Australians with heartfelt tributes to John Farnham and Shane Warne during his sizzling greatest hits set has boosted sales of his new album XXV.
The record, which features new orchestral arrangements of hits including Angels, Rock DJ and his Kylie Minogue duet Kids - which he performed with Delta Goodrem at the MCG - rocketed to No.2 from No.19 on the ARIA charts this week.
It was kept out of the top spot by the debut of 5SOS5, the fifth album from Australian pop rockers 5 Seconds of Summer. All five of their studio records have reached No.1.
JOHN FARNHAM ‘TOUCHED’ BY ROBBIE’S AFL TRIBUTE
John Farnham’s family has issued a statement after Robbie Williams’ performance at the AFL Grand Final, in which he dedicated a song to the Australian music legend.
The singer’s wife Jill and sons Rob and James revealed he was watching from hospital, where he is recovering from marathon surgery for mouth cancer.
“We were delighted to see Robbie Williams dedicate his performance of You’re The Voice to John,” they said.
“John was watching from hospital and was deeply touched by that very generous gesture. He thoroughly enjoyed Robbie’s performance too.”
Williams also dedicated his hit Feel to his friend, late cricket legend Shane Warne. Two of his three children Brooke and Jackson, were in the stands for the performance.
Williams delivered one of the greatest AFL grand final performances of all time ahead of the Geelong versus Sydney showdown.
Impossible to miss in his bright pink suit, Williams rose above the ground on a hydraulic platform singing his signature opener Let Me Entertain You.
“I’m going to be phenomenal, so you better be good,” he told the crowd.
He was phenomenal, and the audience was very good, raising their voices at a volume rarely heard at a pre-match performance.
Williams achieved the rare feat of uniting the crowd and the armchair critics, with everyone swelling in song on his chart-topping classic Angels.
“This next song is dedicated to one of Australia’s greatest rock stars Shane Warne. Love you, Warnie,” he said.
The UK pop legend also paid tribute to Warne, who was a close friend, while he was on his Australian tour in May, when he got the crowd to chant “Warnie” ahead of singing his hit, Feel.
"Hello, Australia. I'm Robbie Williams.
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 24, 2022
Over the next twenty minutes I'm gonna be phenomenal... so you better be good!"
🤩🤩🤩 pic.twitter.com/rpNVG9xDlR
Robbie Williams dedicates 'Angels' to Shane Warne 🕊 pic.twitter.com/4M8HA5aejT
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 24, 2022
Warne’s children Jackson and Brooke were in the crowd when Williams performed.
Williams’ set at the AFL Grand Final was a greatest hits affair but the astute singer hilariously set up a small section of his latest single Lost by telling the crowd “this is the obligatory new song, we will get through it together”.
Working the cameras like the consummate showman while also engaging with the packed back sections of the MCG audience, Williams knew he had them in the palm of his hand as he went “back to the hits” with the soaring fan favourite Feel.
And as heralded a couple of weeks ago, he further upped his connection with his loyal Australian fans – and the hypercritical footy audience – by performing the “unofficial Australian anthem” You’re The Voice.
“Let’s all sing it for John and his family,” he said. The audience obeyed the request, singing louder than any grand final crowd ever.
Farnham is recovering from having marathon surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his throat.
Viewers lit up social media with their praise. Among them was Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, who gave Williams a green tick of approval on Twitter.
Robbie Williams ✅ #AFLGF
— Dylan Alcott (@DylanAlcott) September 24, 2022
One fan tweeted a sentiment shared by many: “It only took the AFL 50 million years to get the entertainment right!”
Others described him as an “amazing entertainer” and “an absolute superstar”.
In spectacular showbiz style he finished off the 20 minute set, as Delta Goodrem joined in a matching pink bustier and pants ensemble to rock out on the duet Kids.
Williams was always going to bring his A game for the grand final, delivering a masterclass in how to win at the big gig.
Katie Noonan sang Advance Australia Fair ahead of the opening bounce for the decider between the Geelong Cats and Sydney Swans.
The AFL grand final is the biggest audience Australian musicians get in front of every year; it’s a prized gig.
In recent years the mini concert has adopted a theme of showcasing classics of the Australian soundtrack, performed by artists from across the decades.
Indie pop artist and special event allrounder G Flip, opened the half time set with a drum solo, which doubled as a Calvin Klein underwear commercial as the camera focused on the musician’s back rather than their drumming.
Calvin Klein sales 📈📈 #Gfip
— Saâ“‚ï¸ultcamel (@Samuel_Steel8) September 24, 2022
G Flip took up the Australian mini-music marathon again with a reinvention of Jet’s inescapable 2003 hit Are You Gonna Be My Girl? with an Oi Oi Oi chant outro.
While the pyros flanking the sets served to add some rock star glam, fireworks in the daylight are truly a waste of money.
Some viewers on Twitter described the halftime acts as “lacking” and “woke”, while others said it was where they got to see the “real headliners”.
The next performance brought together Melbourne’s global indie rock stars The Temper Trap with rising First Nations soulful pop singer Budjerah and Papua New Guinea-born r&b queen Ngaiire to sing the 2008 smash hit Sweet Disposition.
The halftime concert concluded with Goanna’s Solid Rock, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
The focus of the performance, which included the chorus sung in First Nation language, was on the Indigenous guest artists beside Goanna on the stage, Christine Anu, Emma Donovan and rapper Tasman Keith.
More Coverage
Originally published as Robbie Williams’ album XXV climbs to No.2 on Aria Chart after AFL Grand Final performance
Join the conversation
‘Ultimate humiliation’: Kamahl reveals horrific childhood abuse
Legendary singer Kamahl won the hearts of millions across his 70-year career. But now for the first time, he details the scars he has been carrying.
Read more
Famous Aussies land major roles in Jesus Christ Superstar
Two well-known singers have landed the most coveted roles in musical theatre, starring alongside Marcia Hines, John Farnham and Kate Ceberano.
Read more
Fans rage over Grammys snubs: ‘Sabotaged’
As Beyoncé and Taylor Swift break Grammy Award nominations, artists such as Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa were overlooked – and fans are outraged.
Read more
Why 90s star is always in Australia
A major hit maker from the 1990s revealed his new connection to Australia during a concert in Sydney on Thursday.
Read more
Rocker’s drug joke after helping boy at Oz gig
Chris Martin made a cheeky drug joke onstage as he paused Coldplay’s Sydney concert after spotting a young boy being crushed in the crowd.
Read more
Lopez addresses ‘intense year’ amid divorce
The actress and singer was blunt in her description of the past several months, which saw her file for divorce from Ben Affleck.
Read more