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Robbie Williams is finally heading to Istanbul. The internationally acclaimed British pop star will perform in the city for the first time on Oct. 7, closing out his ‘Live 2025’ tour at ITU Stadium.
Having previously given his first Türkiye concert in the coastal town of Bodrum, Williams now aims to connect with his fans in one of the country’s largest cultural hubs.
Speaking to Hurriyet, one of Türkiye’s newspapers, in an online interview, Williams acknowledged his late arrival to Istanbul’s music scene, calling it a “rude” delay.
He added that Türkiye holds special significance for him as his wife is half Turkish, and therefore, his children are “a quarter Turkish.”
His family connection to the country, he said, makes it feel deeply personal, even if he has not spent much time there before.
The singer also spoke about his emotional connection with Türkiye, describing the atmosphere as warm and welcoming from the moment he landed on his last visit.
He said he felt as if the country had the spirit of a family and praised what he saw as a deep authenticity and natural passion among the people.
Drawing a comparison to his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent in the U.K.—famous for its pottery industry—he noted a shared earthiness with Turkish culture.
In a promotional video for the upcoming Istanbul concert, Williams said he feels “like one of you,” a sentiment he reaffirmed by sharing how touched he was by the enthusiasm of his Turkish fans.
Tickets for the show are selling fast, which he said brings him “great warmth.”
At 51, Williams described it as a privilege that people are still interested in him, promising a performance that would more than justify the ticket price.
“They’ll feel like they got double, even triple, what they paid for,” he said.
Although many might expect the pop star to explore the country during his visit, Williams said this trip will be strictly business.
He plans to stay focused on delivering the best possible performance, maintaining his voice, physical health, and mental clarity. While he looks forward to catching up with a few friends in Türkiye, the concert remains his top priority.
Beyond the stage, Williams described himself as someone who lives mostly inside his own mind. A father of four, he spends much of his time at home, reading and learning.
Although he admires people who travel and explore history, architecture, or cuisine, he prefers a more introspective way of experiencing the world.
With his Netflix documentary series, the musical Better Man, and the release of his album XXV, Williams has marked over 25 years in the music business—36 if including his early years with the band Take That.
He shared that overcoming addiction and learning how the mind works has brought him both joy and gratitude, especially knowing he still has loyal fans in Türkiye.
Williams also teased new musical projects. A new rock’n’roll single is set to be released soon, possibly before the Istanbul concert, and he has been preparing to share a Britpop album featuring tracks he has been saving for years.
Now that his film is complete, he feels ready to let the music be heard. “Hopefully, people are ready to listen,” he said.
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