Robbie sets Cape Town on fire [review Capetown]

Quoted from: http://www.tonight.co.za
With thanks to Butterfly4711

'April 17, 2006
By Anél Powell

Robbie Williams made good on his chart-topping song's promise when he entertained a 35 000-strong crowd at the packed Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
From start to finish - almost two hours later - Williams enthralled the crowd on Thursday night with his energy, self-deprecating humour and witty impersonations of fellow performers, such as his own former boy band Take That and veteran singer Mick Jagger. "How does he do it, I'm only 32 and I'm knackered," he said with an impish grin. It was interjections and interactions such as these that endeared the roguish rocker to the crowd.
"It feels as if he is singing directly to me," said one audience member. That is the magic of Williams who, while a master entertainer, is by no means the world's best singer.
It's the immediacy and intimacy of his performance that made Thursday's concert a tour de force.Local band Freshlyground, who must rate as South Africa's best national treasure since Madiba, warmed up the crowd.
The eclectic band never fail to impress, and their moving ballad I'd Like was a fitting end to their seven-set piece.
To chants of "Robbie", the diminutive rock star who has yet to crack the American music charts, appeared in a burst of flames and smoke on stage.As expected, he promoted his new CD, Intensive Care, mixed with favourites such as Let Me Entertain You, Rock DJ and a snippet of the sexy Hot Fudge.
What Williams lacks in height, he compensates with his pervasive presence. He interacted with the crowd throughout, speaking glowingly of Cape Town and our hospitality. By turning the song Strong into a karaoke, the whole stadium got a chance to sing along.
He took a swipe at the media for reporting that he did not want to meet Nelson Mandela.But the highlight of the evening was when he spotted a young boy in the audience with "Robbie" on his forehead. Williams called the awestruck boy and his father, onto the stage, allowing them to watch his final song, Angel from the best seat in the stadium.'