Brit pop icon will release debut solo dance album as Lufthaus in months
ROBBIE WILLIAMS’ fans are getting a warm-up from the star’s electro dance band Lufthaus before every concert on his Euro tour.
Now I can reveal that the group, also made up of Tim Metcalfe and Flynn Francis, will be releasing their debut album this year.
It is a whole new musical direction for Robbie.
A source said: “The album will be out in the autumn. It is a momentous time for Robbie, Tim and Flynn.
“This is a real passion project for Rob and he has loved being able to create new music which is the polar opposite of his back catalogue.
"Lufthaus are ready to make their mark on the dance music industry and Robbie thinks the group can go far.
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“Tim and Robbie are performing as Lufthaus ahead of Robbie’s solo set on his tour and the reception has been incredible.”
The trio dropped a new single, called Unlovable, in January.
It was a follow-up to their debut track Sway, which came out last year.
Robbie formed the group during lockdown and now they are going from strength to strength.
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‘More spiritual’
In a recent interview, Flynn revealed how the trio like to work, with Robbie laying down vocals in his own studio.
He said: “We will make a piece of music, sometimes come up with top-line ideas and then send them over to Rob.
“Rob has come up with some amazing melodies and lyrics over these songs.
“People really like this side of Rob’s writing, and his voice sounds incredible across all the tracks.”
Speaking about the tunes, former Take That star Robbie added: “It’s without the nod and the wink that you might have heard in a Robbie Williams track.
“It’s more spiritual, about the melody of being a human being. It’s for those who know there’s more worth knowing.”
Speaking to Mixmag about his love of dance music, Robbie added: “It’s always been part of my life, one way or another.
“In 1990, acid house was a big phenomenon and I was part of that culture with my friends. We pretty much left school and partied our a***s off.
“Nineties dance music is a big influence for me.”
Given his state during a lot of the Nineties, I’m quite surprised he can remember that much about it.
Madonna is so in glove
I CAN’T imagine what Madonna would have in common with a boxer who is more than half her age.
But the 64-year-old superstar has confirmed her romance with Josh Popper, 29, by sharing a photo on Instagram of them kissing while wearing balaclavas.
He co-founded a boxing studio in New York and was introduced to Madonna after he started training her son, David Banda.
In recent weeks she has shared photos of Josh on her Instagram page and attended two of his fights.
That new romance might be enough to get David riled up in the ring.
Joss has gig cig craving
JOSS STONE had to restart her song Right To Be Wrong during a London Palladium gig after daydreaming about wanting a ciggie.
She said of the momentary lapse: “I haven’t had a fag in a month and there’s all this smoke from a smoke machine and I can’t concentrate. I need a rollie.”
The concert on Tuesday was part of her 20th anniversary trek, the Soul Tour.
Reflecting on her career, Joss, who was barely out of school when she made her musical debut, said: “I didn’t know what I was doing. I was so young, I practised in front of everyone
“I was a teenager wanting to write songs about hating school or about the latest boy I was in love with. I went through a stage where I didn’t want to be told what to do.”
Ace look, Pink
IT’S game, set and matching kit for Pink as she takes part in a charity tennis match.
Her hot-pink shoes and dress were better co-ordinated than some of her moves, as she took a tumble at one point.
But that didn’t stop her saluting fans.
The Trustfall singer was taking part in the 19th Desert Smash charity tournament at the La Quinta Resort in California to raise cash for musicians’ charity the Playing For Change Foundation.
It builds performing art schools for children around the world.
American Pink was partnered with Nicole Scherzinger's Bulgarian tennis star ex Grigor Dimitrov for a fun game.
They were competing against US singer Robin Thicke and Belarusian pro player Victoria Azarenka.
Despite her clumsy fall, it looks like Pink was a smash hit.
Sam makes a quick £2m
SAM FENDER made £2million from just 15 shows, new financial paperwork shows.
Documents from Companies House reveal The Seventeen Going Under singer raked in the cash from his eight-date arena tour last spring and seven shows the previous year.
The total figure at his firm SF Live LLP was made through ticket sales and profits from merchandise.
Sam then paid a whopping £104,000 tax bill out of the sum.
A source said: “Sam is at the top of his game and is making an absolute fortune.
“His tour last year was really successful but his team are gearing up for even bigger and better things in the future.
“He had some time off last year but has slowly been thinking about his next record.”
In June, he will perform his first headline stadium shows, with two nights at St James’ Park in Newcastle.
By then, it will have been two years since he released second album Seventeen Going Under.
If fans get their way, there will be a few songs premiered at those huge summer concerts.
All Eyes on Ed as he teases his new song
ED SHEERAN will drop the first single – Eyes Closed – from his next album in a fortnight.
The singer announced the tune’s release yesterday, revealing it will be out on March 24.
Teasing lyrics from the latest track, Ed wrote: “Time is moving so slow and I don’t know what else that I can do.”
He added: “I’m dancing with my eyes closed, everywhere I look I still see you.”
The song will feature on his new album Subtract, which is due to be released on May 5.
Ed will premiere the single when he kicks off six arena shows in Manchester on March 23.
EMILY In Paris co-stars Ashley Park and Paul Forman have got together in real life.
Their characters are in a tricky love triangle in the Netflix comedy drama, which stars Lily Collins in the title role, but the pair have become an item after shooting the third series.
In the show, Ashley plays Emily’s best friend Mindy Chen, who has a dalliance with Nicolas de Leon, played by Paul.
But their relationship is in danger because of how close she is to her ex, Benoit.
A source said: “Ashley and Paul’s characters don’t have the easiest ride in the show but sparks are flying in their personal lives.
“They are practically inseparable now. It’s a bit tricky because he lives in Europe and she’s based in the US, but they make it work.
“There has been a lot of travelling but before long they hope to both be back on set in Paris for the next series.”
They will just have to hope their relationship lasts on screen too.
Twigs’ Paris match
FKA TWIGS looked like she got dressed in the dark for her latest appearance at Paris Fashion Week.
But the singer, who wore this mini-dress and multi-coloured coat, has a new admirer, who must be a fan of her kooky dress sense.
She has gone public with new boyfriend Jordan Hemingway, who is a photographer and director.
Twigs, who was with him in the French capital, wrote on Instagram: “His name is Jordan Hemingway, a beautiful artist whose heart has restored my faith in love.”
I told last summer that she had split from The 1975 frontman Matty Healy after three years.
Before that she had a relationship with Transformers actor Shia LaBeouf.
Things are certainly looking up now.
COUNTRY sensation Breland got more than he bargained for when he used a Shania Twain hit as inspiration on track Natural last year.
The American singer, who performs at C2C festival at London’s O2 Arena tomorrow, said: “That song is special because I sampled Man! I Feel Like A Woman by Shania Twain.
"I didn’t think she would approve the interpolation because she historically doesn’t do that.
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“But not only did she approve it, she enjoyed the song so much that she invited us out on tour with her this summer.
“It’s a pretty crazy opportunity.”