The Show Off Must Go On
1 October 1997
NORWICH, UK: UEA
2 October 1997
SOUTHAMPTON, UK: GUILDHALL
4 October 1997
NEWPORT, UK: NEWPORT CENTRE
5 October 1997
WOLVERHAMPTON, UK: CIVIC HALL
6 October 1997
MANCHESTER, UK: ACADEMY
8 October 1997
LIVERPOOL, UK: ROYAL COURT
9 October 1997
LEEDS, UK: TOWN & COUNTRY
10 October 1997
GLASGOW, UK: BARROWLANDS
2 October 1997
NEWCASTLE, UK: MAYFAIR
13 October 1997
NOTTINGHAM, UK: ROCK CITY
14 October 1997
SOUTHEND, UK: CLIFFS PAVILION
16 October 1997
LONDON, UK: HAMMERSMITH PALAIS
18 October 1997
CAMBRIDGE, UK: CORN EXCHANGE
20 October 1997
WATFORD, UK: COLISEUM
22 October 1997
DUBLIN, IRELAND: OLYMPIA
7 November 1997
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS: MELKWEG
9 November 1997
BERLIN, GERMANY
10 November 1997
HAMBURG, GERMANY
12 November 1997
COLOGNE, GERMANY
14 November 1997
NUREMBURG, GERMANY
17 November 1997
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
21 November 1997
FLORENCE, ITALY
26 November 1997
BARCELONA, SPAIN
27 November 1997
MADRID, SPAIN: AQUALUNG
"Tonight he is God, his idolic on-stage presence never faltering for a second, lapping up every single scream... At one point during the hysteria I actually see a pair of pants being hurled towards the stage, proving that that tired old rock cliché is completely alive in Robbie World."
The Guardian, October 1997
Shortly after the release of Life Thru a Lens, Robbie hit the road for his first ever solo tour - a daunting experience to say the least!
After a few lost years away from Take That, he was ready for a fresh start. Set up with new management and a successful song writing partnership, the future was looking bright.
Norwich was Robbie's first stop. Loyal Take That fans were still flocking in droves to see him - but the next step was to establish a new fan base as people began to recognise the unique talents of Robbie Williams, solo artist!
With the tour confined to smaller venues, London's Hammersmith Palais held the biggest crowds of the tour. Preparations were basic and entourage was minimal. Manager David Enthoven explained: "At the beginning we put the band out and were given a stage to play on and that was it."
Before setting out, Robbie offered a sneaky insight to readers of his fanzine, Solo: "To be honest, the tour is the one thing that's keeping me going right now, getting back on stage will be like coming home. I haven't been able to do what I do best for two years - and that's entertain people.There's going to be an acoustic set in the show and I'll do some covers, including Take That songs. I'll probably do a thrash version of Could It Be Magic, but I'll also be playing all my new stuff from the album."
The Show Off Must Go On moved on to Europe shortly after its UK leg, selling out venues and attracting some curious fans.
Still pre-Angels, a pensive Robbie was riddled with insecurities and feeling doubtful that his solo career would ever take off. Tour manager Franksy recalls: "I remember walking round a lake with him in Italy - it was around the time of his court battle with his former manager and he really thought he was going to be bankrupt. I just had to keep convincing him that it was going to happen. He was so down about it all."
With only a coach each for the band and crew respectively, entourage was minimal, dressing room space was cramped and rehearsals were almost unheard of!
Setlist
Let Me Entertain You
Lazy Days
Killing Me
Baby Girl Window
One of God's Better People
Ego a Go Go
South of the Border
Angels
Teenage Millionaire
Life Thru a Lens
Kooks
Back for Good
Old Before I Die