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Dizzee Rascal is set to perform at the
Electric Proms |
Is Robbie ready to plug in?
PREVIEW: ELECTRIC PROMS
Roundhouse
ROBBIE Williams cut a slightly tragic figure during his X-Factor appearance at the weekend. There was a hint of desperation, fear, relief and overwhelming gratitude that the crowd didn’t stone him during his big comeback.
Negative though these observations sound, it bodes well for Robbie’s resurrection when he opens the Electric Proms next Tuesday. Someone who’s that willing to please is likely to put a huge effort into his first UK performance since 2006 – reality talent shows withstanding.
And in keeping with the Electric Proms tradition of “creating new moments in music”, there’ll be strings, a horn section and a full band.
The Proms has sadly shrunk this year, restricting itself to one venue, albeit probably one of the best, The Roundhouse, and with fewer acts.
Africa Express, last year’s uncontestable high point featuring more than 100 artists, inexplicably didn’t make the cut.
But Dame Shirley Bassey, Smokey Robinson, Dizzee Rascal, Florence and the Machine, Doves, Metronomy, Magazine, Richard Hawley and, of course, Robbie, are all locked in.
There’s even rumours Camden favourites N-Dubz will be making an appearance at some point during Wednesday's 1Xtra night.
Diva Dame Shirley will be backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra for her only live show this year celebrating 50 years at the top. Playing on the Friday, she will belt out her most famous tracks and songs from new album The Performance.
Richard Hawley, who supports, was joined onstage by Lisa Marie-Presley last week – will he be able to tempt her to the Roundhouse?
American soul legend Smokey Robinson takes the Saturday, having hammered out new arrangements with the BBC Concert orchestra for a night of classic soul and Motown.
Mercury Music prize winner Dizzee Rascal has been scaling unbelievable heights in recent months and his Proms show is set to be the crowning glory.
Ever transforming, it’ll be the first time Mr Rascal has performed a full-length live show with a band and orchestra. He’s playing the Wednesday backed by live band the Young Punx and the Heritage Orchestra’s 16-piece string section.
Doves will be working with choral arranger Avshalom Caspi to interpret their tracks for a brand new performance with the 40-strong London Bulgarian Choir on the Thursday, reworking their music especially for the BBC Electric Proms audience.
Post-punk legends Magazine support, turning the evening into a Manc-fest.
At the same time, in the studio theatre, critics’ flavour of the year, flame-haired Florence and the Machine and Metronomy will be giving the main show some serious competition.
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