Robbie Williams, Gaz Coombes, Sneaky Sound System, Lufthaus @ VAILO Adelaide 500, Adelaide 26/11/2023
The VAILO Adelaide 500 was an epic four days for our city with plenty of upside economically and socially lifting the collective spirits after a tough 2023 for many. The After Race Concerts were great and the final night’s entertainment had plenty to get excited about with everyone’s favourite Robbie Williams, Supergrass front man Gaz Coombes, Sneaky Sound System and and Lufthaus. It was a massive crowd that tried to navigate their way through the hustle and bustle to find the best possible vantage point. It was jammed packed and at a guess there would of been well over fifty thousand there. Lines for drinks and snacks stretched for an eternity with some opting to make do without.
Handpicked by Robbie Williams electronica group Lufthaus provided a great contrast to the other acts on the line up offering something a little more unique. Tim Metcalfe and Flynn Francis are the masterminds behind this outfit who has collaborated previously with Robbie Williams. Their music heavily inspired the city of Berlin merging the elements of art, music and technology that held my attention for the most part and what made it interesting was their version of The Proclaimers I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) and the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This). Festival staple Sneaky Sound System really know how to fire up the crowd getting hips shaking and feet shuffling. Vocalist Connie Mitchell would have stopped traffic in her bright orange jumpsuit. It was all about the dance vibes and the massive crowd were really in to it especially singles We Love, Big, I Love and UFO.
While most were excited about the main act I was very much looking forward to seeing Supergrass front man Gaz Coombes hit the stage. Elite performance which I felt was under appreciated by the masses. Even Gaz took a moment several times during his set to reflect on how many people were out there even saying “from fast car and now the guitars”. There was even a point in the set where he stopped to see asked someone was in some state of distress if they were OK. His band were top shelf and for me the set seemed way to short but hearing my favourites Don’t Say It’s Over and the title track from his new album Turn The Car Around made my night complete. I honestly didn’t think we would get to hear a few Supergrass classics in Richard III, Moving and Pumping On Your Stereo. I seriously hope that Gaz returns for his own tour at some point.
Headliners don’t get any bigger than Robbie Williams and VAILO Adelaide 500 race organisers would have to be quietly chuffed with the pulling power he has as it felt like half of Adelaide was there. There was a genuine sense of excitement as the main oval was packed with everyone wanting to get up close for a glimpse of the great man. The lead up music heightened the excitement getting everyone in a great moment after a big day track side. The production was incredible and opening with Hey Wow Yeah Yeah and the opening words “My name is Robbie Williams, this is my band, this is my arse, are you with me?” lifting the metaphoric roof with Let Me Entertain You. That he did. Suggesting that the number rule of entertaining is to love your audience, having tried in to the 90s to love everyone individually and almost getting there.
Land of 1000 Dances was awesome with the crowd getting involved on the “na-na-nas” after looking puffed saying that he “is to old for this shit”. The affinity between Robbie Williams and Australian fans is rock solid and no doubt we would adopt him if we could. Williams said that performing was therapy for him and entertainment for us. He really knew how to engage and work the crowd playing all the greatest hits from a long esteemed career. Poor chap down the front Andrew who was renamed Adrian, clearly dragged along to the show by his wife, became a focal point for some funny banter during the show. Strong and Come Undone were great and as Williams jumped from the stage to get close to the fans one lady was referred to as the “cocklady” who got perhaps a little over familiar and might have ended up with some “Robbie Covid” which there is no vaccine for (according to Williams).
Williams did allow himself to be vulnerable with the crowd being open with his mental health challenges throughout his career saying that right now this is the happiest he has been with a wife of eighteen years and four lovely children. That connect with the crowd was strong and it is admirable that he is able to share that journey which is what he described this live experience as. “If you’re a bogan and you know it clap your hands” was a funny tongue in cheek moment. So many great moments from the Oasis cover Don’t Look Back In Anger backed by a fifty thousand plus backing singers, Take That cover Back For Good, Better Man, Candy and Feel… the set was loaded with hits and songs virtually everyone except Andrew, I mean Adrian didn’t know could sing. The main set finished on Kids and Rock DJ.
The encore was a highlight with Williams returning sporting a mullet playing an awesome version of John Farnham’s You’re The Voice. This was a memorable moment and John Farnham would be stoked with his version. World Party cover She’s The One was stunning as was Angels. As the band left the stage Williams remained to sing A capella a melody of hits Let Me Entertain You / Strong / Come Undone / Better Man / Feel / Angels to bring the VAILO Adelaide 500 to a close. Joining the thousands for the slow walk back in to town it allowed me to talk to my daughter about how awesome this night was.
Live Review By Rob Lyon