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"Mind-bendingly incredible": Robbie Williams talks 16 number one albums, BRITPOP tour

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 19 Mar 2026, 10:00am
Photo / Jason Hetherington
Photo / Jason Hetherington

"Mind-bendingly incredible": Robbie Williams talks 16 number one albums, BRITPOP tour

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Thu, 19 Mar 2026, 10:00am

British pop legend Robbie Williams is coming to entertain New Zealand this November. 

The artist behind Angels, Rock DJ, and Let Me Entertain You has confirmed two New Zealand shows for his BRITPOP world tour, opening at Eden Park on November 24. 

He'll follow it up at the new Christchurch Te Kaha Stadium on the 28th, becoming the first international artist to perform there. 

BRITPOP is the 16th album of Williams’ solo career and its success saw him surpass the Beatles, becoming the artist with the most number one albums in UK chart history.  

“I’ve had 16 number one albums, which feels mind-bendingly incredible,” he told Mike Hosking. 

“But because I’d had 15 number ones, you know, I think there was an exhale that there was a 16th number one, and I think the panic and the worry was, what if it isn’t, what if I don’t get to experience that again?” 

“I suppose the intoxication is not in the experiencing 16 number ones, it’s the exhale at not being number two.”  

Williams has been performing since 1990, first as a member of Take That, and then launching his solo career in 1996, and despite his awards and success, there’s something pushing him onwards.  

“The hole is unfillable, but still I persevere,” he told Hosking.  

“I’m not quite sure 100% of what it is that I’m running from and what it is that needs to be, you know this hole that needs to be filled, but what I am enjoying now is the journey.” 

Speaking of the journey, Williams is heading back on the road later this year for the BRITPOP tour, and he takes the responsibility of performing “incredibly seriously”. 

“Every show is the most important show – the next show is always the most important show.” 

“I don't wanna let me down and I don’t wanna let my audience down.” 

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