Robbie Williams has told fans that a new album is coming soon and revealed he is also working on “building hotels”.
The musician spoke about hopes for new music at the screening of his new biopic, A better manin the United States, and said he was “waiting to find out exactly when the film would come out before” announcing anything about a new album.
The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on Monday (September 2) and comes nearly a year after a Netflix documentary series about his life was released. The title is taken from a single he released in 2000, and the story documents his rise to fame with Take That, as well as his time as a solo artist.
Speaking at the screening, he also said that while more details about the album would be available soon, he has also looked towards developing new buildings like hotels.
“I build hotels, I want to build a university, I have my own clothing line coming out, I have beverages,” he said (via Le Daily Star). “I’m going to be busier than ever.”
While he remained vague about the “hotels” being announced, the “Angels” singer has teased the initiative in the past. Last year, he appeared on Wondery’s Brydon & Co podcast and said he was planning to build a luxury hotel in Dubai after a bad experience at a Las Vegas property.
“I was at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas on a residency. I remember waking up and being charged $240 for breakfast. There were two croissants, a bowl of bran flakes and a coffee and I was like, ‘Fuck you,’” he said (via Online mail).
“I got angry and I thought, ‘I’m going to build my own hotel.’ That’s what I thought when I got angry about the price of that breakfast,” he added. “Then I thought about Dubai and I thought, ‘Well, there are no residencies for artists like me in Dubai.’ And then I thought, ‘Oh, that’s interesting, I’m going to do that. I’m going to start that.’”
“That kind of idea and that level of ambition made me want to do something… I dreamed so big, what if I dreamed even bigger? And at the end of the day, there’s money, but that’s not the main reason I’m doing it.”
As for the foray into the beverage industry, the first reports were published in 2022, when The beverage sector Williams has reportedly filed an application to register the trademark “Rude Rise” for a selection of alcoholic beverages.
Despite being sober for over 20 years, the singer has filed an application with the UK Intellectual Property Office to be able to market wines, alcopops and spirits under the brand. The name is a nod to his song “Rudebox” and, once approved, he will own the brand for 10 years.
His nods to a clothing brand are likely tied to recent reports shared by The Mirror earlier this summer, which reported that the “Rock DJ” star may finally be launching his lifestyle line “Hopeium” after settling a trademark dispute with Yves Saint Laurent.
YSL had previously objected to the name because of similarities to its Black Opium fragrance. The dispute was eventually resolved after two years.
Robbie Williams performs at Pinkpop Festival on June 17, 2023 in Landgraaf, Netherlands. (Photo by Didier Messens/Redferns)
When the new album is released, it will mark his 13th as a solo artist and his first full-length album since 2019’s “The Christmas Present.”
In other Williams news, earlier this year it was reported that the singer is set to be interviewed as part of Louis Theroux’s upcoming documentary series Boybands Forever, alongside Brian McFadden (Westlife) and members of Blue, Five, 911 and Damage.
Ahead of that, he reflected on his awkward and “gross” encounter with Cher, revealed he’s “written a lot of songs” for a new release and shed light on his history of self-harm and depression.
He also confirmed that his dance side project Lufthaus – which sees him team up with Flynn Francis and Tim Metcalfe – will make its UK live debut at Creamfields 2024.
In 2022, he spoke to ZikNation ahead of the release of his album ‘XXV,’ and reflected on how the music industry has become more forgiving of artists in the spotlight in recent years.
“I think we lived in a more fun time. It was more heady, more controversial, more headline-grabbing,” he recalls. “It was like wrestling, and I love it. That was a fun part of the industry back then… being mean. Being opinionated, toxic or not, is just more interesting than what’s happening now, or what’s allowed to happen… I kind of miss that time.”
“Even though it was meant for me, it’s like… we’re not allowed to do that kind of shit anymore and that’s a shame.”
