Robbie Williams concert – a review
by Petronilla Hohenwarter & Nigel Stonham
Do you want to grow old with me?
Let me start by saying YES.
Robbie Williams was at Krieau in Vienna last night and we were there. It was a show full of contrasts.
Featuring Robbie as both prince charming and as a rude boy. Featuring both shouted lyrics and crooning melodic acapalla. Robbie the angel. Robbie the sinner.
And were we with you? Yes! Were you with us? Most of the show, yes, but not for all of it. And yes – we do want grow old with you Robbie!
I love Robbie Williams with almost as much passion as I love Vienna – city of my dreams. As he appeared and rode the wire in crucifix position, I smiled at his boyish grin and thought – “what a ponce”, which I think was the impression he wanted so it worked.
His use of the “f” word in the opening sentences, however, referring to himself and to Vienna sadly put me right off.
As he started singing, or perhaps we should say – shouting, to compete with the base beat pounding our ears I watched his chubby cheeks and seriously worried about whether he would last two hours without a heart attack.
The song with Olly Murs was a joy, as was Olly’s warm up show. Our view was not the best, obscured among other things by people using their cameras to record him over the heads of the crowds. It seems now that if you cannot see from the audience at least you can imply to your friends that you did.
“Me and my monkey” is lovely. None of us were surprised it was the bloggers’ choice.
When sung last night, Robbie warned anyone who could not speak English would be lost for 7 minutes. Well, never mind them – I speak English was still lost. I could barelyeven comprehend a third of the words. So – as so often in Austria when I don’t understand the Austrians – I switched off.
The best bits for us were the guitar solos with him singing without a pounding base, alongside his showmanship, energy and general movements around the stage.
What was also great was Robbie’s engagement with the crowd in the final moments as we sang his songs with him, and for him – certainly not out of pity, but also sadly not with the joy I had hoped for.
Expectation is important for when it comes to happiness. If you have low expectations they will usually be surpassed and you will end happy.
High expectations, however, are sometimes hard to meet. I am happy, since i will live to see Robbie another day.
As we walked hand in hand through the prater, supped a quiet beer and ate a small sausage, we thought again of Robbie, we were indeed thankful that we had been there.
So – thank you Robbie. We love you. Take good care because we too want you to grow old – with you!.
Robbie’s next shows are listed on tickets.robbiewilliams.com .
Be there – or miss out!