Watch Williams and Soft Play share the love as the ‚Angels‘ icon tells us: „If hedonism is Jaffa Cake-based or Cadbury’s Fruit And Nut, then I’m in“
Robbie Williams has spoken to NME about working with Black Sabbath‘s Tony Iommi, his new album ‘BRITPOP’, his bromance with Soft Play, and the chances of making an appearance at Glastonbury. Watch our video interview with Williams above.
Fresh from announcing his new record ‘BRITPOP’ with the huge single ‘Rocket’ featuring metal legend Iommi, Williams was in London yesterday (Thursday May 22) where he received the Icon Award at the Ivors 2025.
“I’m trying to be in the moment and not let the moment take me,” he told NME shortly after. “I was allowed in, so at least I’m not on the outside looking in.”
Asked about collaborating with Iommi for his comeback single, the ‘Angels’ hitmaker replied: “How lucky am I? The audacity for both of us – [one of Black Sabbath] featuring on a Robbie Williams song. God bless him for doing that, and God bless me for my audacity!”
And new album ‘BRITPOP’ – will that recapture all the noise, energy, colour and hedonism of the halcyon days of the ’90s?
“If hedonism is Jaffa Cake-based or Cadbury’s Fruit And Nut, then I’m in,” Williams replied. “Everything else I’ve got to park until I die. If I don’t park it, it’ll kill me.”
Elaborating on his guitar-heavy new sound, he continued: “I was playing it safe and I’ve not been driving my own car. I’ve not had my hands on the wheel through second-thinking myself and guessing what people like. I just wanted to do something that I like.”
With a tour of his own fast approaching (“You can expect the world’s Number One light entertainer – entertaining you in a light way that ranges from light to heavy depending on how many drinks you’ve had,” he joked), he downplayed the chances of him embodying the Britpop spirit and attending the reunion tour of his former rivals Oasis.
“Not only will you not be seeing me at any Oasis shows, you will not be seeing me at any shows full stop,” he admitted. “I’m a wonderful agoraphobe, and a very happy agoraphobe.”
After playing together at Hyde Park last summer, Williams was introduced to the Ivors with a speech from superfans Soft Play – who also joined us for our interview backstage.
“These lads appeal to the 14-year-old version of me that wanted to rage hard, be cool, shout, be aggressive in a kind way – which is what you are. You’re aggressive in the kindest way possible,” said Williams, turning to the punk duo. “There is a bit of a love-fest. I don’t get to hang out with them as much as I would like to. Hopefully they’ll come and join me on tour for a little bit.
“This is a shout-out to the 14-year-old me going, ‘Look at the people I like liking me’.”
A post shared by SOFT PLAY (@softplayplaysoft)
“He soundtracked a big portion of our lives with bangers, and now he’s our mate and we love him,” said singer and drummer Isaac Holman, before guitarist Laurie Vincent added: “Just in the Volvo V70 as a kid, I didn’t listen to anything more than Robbie – and he’s our dad.”
Could a supergroup performance at Glastonbury be on the cards? “Maybe…” replied Williams, coyly.
Williams is set to release ‘BRITPOP’ this autumn following his upcoming UK tour kicking off this month. The tour will then continue across Europe with dates in countries including Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Sweden. Find a list of new dates below, and visit here to buy tickets.
MAY
31 – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
JUNE
06 – Emirates Stadium, London
07 – Emirates Stadium, London
10 – Co-op Live, Manchester – SOLD OUT
11 – Co-op Live, Manchester – SOLD OUT
13 – Royal Crescent, Bath – SOLD OUT
14 – Royal Crescent, Bath – SOLD OUT
AUGUST
20 – Come Together Festival, Newcastle
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