Robbie Williams brings out Greater Manchester rocker on first night of UK tour in 'full circle' moment
'This was the wildest moment of my life'
A Greater Manchester musician has said he has experienced a ‘full circle moment’ after Robbie Williams invited him up on stage in front of 60,000 people on the first night of his huge UK tour.
The iconic singer kicked off his Britpop Tour at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland on Saturday night (May 31) featuring a host of some of his biggest hits, as well as material from his upcoming thirteenth album.
Throughout the tour, which will include two nights at Manchester’s Co-op Live on June 10 and 11, Robbie will be supported by Leigh band The Lottery Winners, who secured their second number one album earlier this year.
The indie-pop quartet’s frontman Thom Rylance was invited up on stage with Robbie during the Edinburgh show to perform a guitar-led rendition of songs, including Let Love Be Your Energy and Candy.
Following their duet together, in which they joked that their double act would be called ‘The Balls’, Robbie was then joined on stage by former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus for a rendition of Take That’s version of Relight My Fire.
Taking to social media after the performance, Thom could barely contain himself as he described the experience as a ‘full circle moment’ for him. "This was the wildest moment of my life so far,” he said in a video on Instagram.
“The first song I ever sang in public was on a primary school trip and it was by Robbie Williams, and then I got to do this with him in a stadium in front of 60,000 people.”
Fans also took to Thom’s Instagram to share not only how special the duet was but also how impressed they had been by The Lottery Winners during their support slot. One person said: “It’s great of Robbie to support you guys on these stadium shows.”
Another said: “An incredibly well deserved full circle moment!" Another wrote: "So proud of ya mate. you deserve all the success. Buzzing for ya." One person commented: "Never heard of you until yesterday. Your set was amazing, stage presence amazing, band was amazing...well deserved lad.”
Another said: “Absolutely loved you guys, you have no idea!! Your energy was something else, can see why Rob chose you to support!!! We'll be coming to see you on tour for sure.”
The band previously spoke to the Manchester Evening News about how supporting Robbie on tour was a ‘pinch-me’ moment. Thom said: ““This tour means so much to us. It’s absolutely massive - look at the venues.
“We’re going to throw everything we have at it and it’s going to turn us into superstars in our own right. We’re very grateful to Robbie for the opportunity.”