UK: The Ego Has Landed (1998)

Kicking off his second UK tour, Robbie was still riding high on the phenomenal success of Angels, which had single-handedly propelled him into the stratosphere of national superstardom!

Suddenly, he was packing out venues and touts were selling tickets at double and triple their face value. With his status soaring from ‘ex-Take That star' to credible solo artist, his predominantly female crowds were starting to bring their boyfriends and a new fan-base was promptly formed.

Robbie was loving his life on the road. With a tight-knit band that doubled up as a temporary family, they were all great friends, travelling from venue to venue on one bus with minimal security.

Nothing had really changed with regards to the shows and the size of the venues...the bigger stage show was being saved for the forthcoming arena tour, which was being planned for early '99.

Quoted in his fanzine, Solo, he said: "No matter how gruelling touring is, I find it really rewarding...It's a very special time for me now and nothing's going to spoil it. I'm relaxed and I feel like I'm finally getting it right. This is the highest I've ever been, I'm on top of the world and I'm feeling great."

Let Me Entertain You
I Wouldn't Normally Do This Kind Of Thing
Clean
South Of The Border
Baby Girl Window
One Of God's Better People
There She Goes
Killing Me
Life Thru a Lens
Teenage Millionaire
Lazy Days
Ego a Go Go
Old Before I Die
Angels
Back For Good

Band Line Up:

Gary Nuttall
Chris Sharrock
Guy Chambers
Alex Dickson
Fil Eisler

Reviews

"This is going to be Robbie's summer. With a rash of gigs lined up before he heads for Glastonbury - that mythical site where, three summers ago, he did first spatter dung on his squeaky-clean Take That brethren - he is striding like some latterday Prince Hal to claim a crown of fame that actually fits him."
The Independent, May 1998

"A version of Take That's signature song, Back For Good, rearranged as a ludicrous punk thrash seemed a little graceless, and a reprise of Let Me Entertain You was perhaps one final onslaught too many, but there was no doubting the galvanising effect on the fans. This was a show which marked the blossoming of a major star."
The Times, May 1998

"This is probably the first gig Robbie has played where he's performed entirely on his own terms. The audience are old enough to be waving lighters in the air during the ballads for a start. And as the Robster points out, "People are throwing beer cans instead of teddies." Everything has turned around to the point where even "Life Thru A Lens" no longer sounds like the Manics' "Australia" - rather "Australia" sounds like "Life Thru A Lens"."
Melody Maker, May 1998.