Photo: WENN
It was disappointing that Robbie Williams didn't pop up from the middle of the weird circular stage that was in the middle of the O2 Arena - instead walking over to it - but all disappointments quickly vanished as soon as the boyband survivor started singing 'Let Me Entertain You' with the utmost energy.
It was a wise choice to immediately launch into one of his best known hits - and none would know that better than Robbie. The atmosphere was unreal and it was almost moving to hear Robbie singing the words back to the crowd, who were so enthusiastic that a lesser man would have been drowned out. Luckily, Robbie Williams is no lesser man.
While the 360 stage meant that people were staring at his back or side a lot of the time - particularly during the part of the night when Robbie gave a speech from a mock pulpit in front of a flaming stained glass window (literally on fire) - it soon didn't even matter. And the same goes for the dad dancing, too.
Robbie Williams excels at stage banter that coming from anyone else would be embarrassing and yet he manages to make it just the right kind of sleazy. From a shake of his hips to asking different sections of the audience if they 'feel him', he then asked if everyone in the 'ring' was okay - because "I am going to be pleasuring that ring all evening." With anyone else, that would be awkward and yet somehow Robbie manages to pull it off with aplomb.
The stage talk managed to encompass different topics, and was still met with a roar from the crowd each time - with anecdotes about the Queen mistaking him for Pudsey's dog trainer, to the obligatory Take That mentions, plus a comment about sleeping with girls on the game; "well, Geri Halliwell wasn't technically on the game..."
'Candy', his latest number one hit, managed to avoid the teeth-achingly sweet edge to it when performed live, and the enthusiasm from the audience buoyed it up. However the greatest reaction was, of course, saved for his classics - She's The One saw a sea of swaying bodies, while Rock DJ had everyone on their feet.
'Mr Bojangles' saw a reunion with Guy Chambers, who didn't seem overly happy to be there, although anyone would look maudlin next to Robbie's almost manic energy. He did absolutely rock the piano, though.
While Robbie did of course sing some newer material - 'Not like The Others' and 'Be A Boy' made an appearance - he managed to fit in all of his best known songs too. 'Millenium', 'Come Undone' and 'Feel' all got a great response, although 'Kids' unfortunately lost that extra greatness without the inclusion of Kylie.
The highlight of the night had to be 'Angels', saved for the encore. Arguably Robbie's best known hit, he dedicated it to his daughter, in what was an unusually sincere speech. "This one goes out to my Teddy, she’s two months and eight days old, and she’s a corker. I love being a Dad."
The stage was spectacular all by itself - from a lit up circle and weird emblems of light, to disco ball casts of Robbie's head and shoulders, and at one point there was even a giant crown that Robbie pranced around in as it slowly lifted from the stage.
Robbie Williams is one of those classic and timeless popstars, almost from a bygone age. An showman, performer and above all a singer - it's somewhat obvious but no less true to say that last night? He definitely entertained us.
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