It’s hard to think of anyone before or since that has commanded the exact niche of British culture that Robbie Williams occupies. One of the biggest selling and most decorated artists in UK history, with a record 13 Brit Awards and 75 million album sales under his belt, he’s also something of a proud throwback – as likely to pop out a vaudevillian routine or a splash of Sinatra as he is to go full pop star wattage.
Playing Arsenal’s 60,000-capacity Emirates Stadium last night for the first of two massive headline dates, the 51-year-old leant further into his unique persona than ever. As he told the crowd midway through the set whilst wearing a coat resembling a gigantic baby pink bath scrunchie: ”Embrace your cringe. My cringe is my crown.”
