Robbie Williams rips into ABC ‘twits’ at free Melbourne concert after he ‘got in trouble’ for ‘overpromoting’ new biopic during NYE performance
Robbie Williams unleashed at ABC-TV and other news outlets on Thursday after he was criticised for ‘overpromoting’ his new biopic Better Man during his New Year’s Eve performance in Sydney.
The UK pop star, 50, was speaking at the Royal Exhibition Building ahead of his free Melbourne concert in Federation Square when he slammed the network.
Telling his critics to ‘f*** off’, the hitmaker said he wasn’t going to come to Australia just to ‘sing Angels again’ unless he could promote his new movie.
‘Is anybody aware that I got in trouble for overpromoting my film on the TV? What the f*** did they think I was there for?’ he fumed at the speaking event.
‘Get on a plane, come down and sing Angels again? F*** off! I’m here to sell my f***ing movie, you twits. You book Robbie Williams, you get Robbie Williams.’
Robbie then dialled it back when he realised the backlash was over taxpayer funds being spent on the singer promoting his movie to the masses.
Robbie Williams, 50, unleashed at ABC-TV and other news outlets on Thursday after he was criticised for ‘overpromoting’ his new biopic Better Man
‘Is the ABC funded by you guys, is that what it is? Oh, soz Australia,’ he said.
Williams divided ABC viewers on Tuesday night during his New Year’s Eve performance in front of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
The British pop superstar spared no opportunity to promote his new biopic, Better Man, launching into a shameless plug mid-set.
It was before his performance of song Better Man that Robbie gave a rave review to his own movie of same name.
‘Some critics are calling it the movie of the century! Not my words, except they are because I just made that up,’ he said to the crowd.
The move divided viewers, with many annoyed the ABC—a government owned, tax payer funded television station—spent a pretty penny on Robbie’s performance.
‘Did my tax dollars pay for this lazy Robbie Williams set? What the f***. PR for a movie during a set as well?!’ wrote one person on X—formerly known as Twitter.
Williams divided ABC viewers on Tuesday night during his New Year’s Eve performance in front of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge.
‘Robbie Williams is busy posing & promoting himself, how about singing a song,’ added another alongside a thumbs down emoji.
‘Your tax dollars hard at work with this Robbie Williams performance,’ posted another.
It comes after Robbie took Melbourne by storm on Thursday afternoon when he performed a free concert at Federation Square.
The English popstar packed the venue to bursting with fans who camped out for hours to catch a glimpse of the singer-songwriter at the surprise performance.
With standing spots going to those who were first in, heartbroken fans who missed out were forced to watch Robbie perform on screen at Birrarung Marr Park.
The iHeartLIVE concert was completely free for onlookers as Robbie broke out his biggest hits to promote his new bio-pic Better Man.
Fed Square quickly reached max capacity as fans rushed to secure a spot at the concert, with hundreds left lounging on blankets on a hilltop over the river.
The award-winning hitmaker opened the show with his 1997 smash hit Let Me Entertain You as he stepped out in a crisp white blazer and bedazzled sunglasses.
Robbie took Melbourne by storm on Thursday afternoon when he performed a free concert at Federation Square
The English popstar packed the venue to bursting with fans who camped out for hours to catch a glimpse of the singer-songwriter at the surprise performance
The iHeartLIVE concert was completely free for onlookers as Robbie broke out his biggest hits to promote his new bio-pic Better Man
Fans in attendance quickly took to X—formerly Twitter—to share their experience, with one person writing: ‘Just seen Robbie Williams perform live. Impressive artist.’
‘Free Robbie William’s concert at Fed Square? Yeah, f***it,’ another added.
A third said: ‘God bless crazy people who go live on social media. Robbie Williams is f***ing brilliant.’
Other Melburnians were left stunned when they stumbled across a sudden pop concert during their day out in the city.
‘Was just walking through my city and saw Robbie Williams performing tf,’ one person said.
‘Commute home just got delayed because Robbie Williams is playing a random free gig in the middle of the city. So, ended up hearing Angels live whilst waiting for my tram,’ another wrote.
Footage and images from the concert saw screaming fans packed shoulder to shoulder as they watched Robbie own the stage.
And the singer proved he’s as charming as he looks, as he took the time to share quips with audience members between songs.
Fed Square quickly reached max capacity as fans rushed to secure a spot at the concert, with hundreds left lounging on blankets on a hilltop over the river
Fans in attendance quickly took to X—formerly Twitter—to share their experience, with one person writing: ‘Just seen Robbie Williams perform live. Impressive artist’
Footage and images from the concert saw screaming fans packed shoulder to shoulder as they watched Robbie own the stage
The award-winning hitmaker opened the show with his 1997 smash hit Let Me Entertain You as he stepped out in a crisp white blazer and bedazzled sunglasses
He later stripped down to a white tank top which showed off his numerous tattoos
‘What’s making me laugh about this whole thing is the police horses here because of the menopausal audience that I attract,’ he joked at one stage.
‘They’re violent f***ers.’
One front row fan named Emily broke down in tears when she was addressed by Robbie, revealing it was her first time seeing him live because she’s never been able to afford tickets to his past concerts.
Moved by her tears, Robbie dedicated his song She’s The One to his fan, supplementing the lyric ‘somebody’ with ‘Emily’.
‘This is what you call pandering to the locals,’ he cheekily quipped.
The all-ages concert kicked off at 5pm on Thursday, with Robbie moving to the Astor Theatre in Windsor when it wraps to participate in a Q&A before a screening of his bio-pic.
During his stay in Melbourne, Robbie will also receive a key to the city by Lord Mayor Nick Reece in recognition for the contribution his film made to the city.
The clip Better Man was filmed in Melbourne, creating 2,929 jobs and raking in $142 million for Victoria.
Robbie arrived at Fed Square to a horde of screaming fans
The all-ages concert kicked off at 5pm on Thursday, with Robbie moving to the Astor Theatre in Windsor when it wraps to participate in a Q&A before a screening of his bio-pic
During his stay in Melbourne, Robbie will also receive a key to the city by Lord Mayor Nick Reece in recognition for the contribution his film made to the city
It follows Robbie’s rise to fame in Europe and the UK, with Jonno Davies playing the hitmaker in the form of a CGI monkey.
According to a spokesperson for the city of Melbourne, only 40 keys to the city have been handed out in history, with Robbie joining the likes of Muhammad Ali, Dame Edna, and Olivia Newton John in receiving the honour.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece said: ‘There’s no better man to have a key to our city than legendary British pop singer Robbie Williams.
‘From one Carlton tragic to another, I can’t wait to share the stage with Robbie and create yet another iconic Melbourne moment for all of us to cherish.’
