The man behind the flow of Robbie Williams' shows

As a singer, Robbie Williams is known for his big hits - Let Me Entertain You, Rock DJ and, of course, Angels.

But when the music star goes on stage, what happens behind the scenes? Karl Brazil knows, as he is the singer's musical director and drummer who is, in his words, responsible for the "flow of the shows".

He said there were pre-show "wedding reception discos" on the recent world tour, before a performance in front of thousands.

"What we do before the shows, is a have a little pre-disco," Brazil said.

"We have a playlist, we get together in a room with flashing lights and vibe each other up.

"So by the time we get on stage, it looks like we have been at a wedding reception together, it's fantastic."

Williams has been playing shows across the globe as part of his BRITPOP 2026 stadium tour, due to conclude in New Zealand in November.

Throughout it, Brazil, from Solihull in the West Midlands, said set lists changed depending on different destinations.

"If someone buys a ticket for a show, they have got to hear the hits, so of course we make sure that the set list is right for each territory. Because Rob is so big everywhere. Thirty years of music, you have to make sure," the 49-year-old added.

"We look at it with huge detail, every show.

"For example, Candy, huge [in Europe]. But when we go to Australia, it's not that known. It's not something that needs to be in the show out there."

The on-stage tour team consists of a 10-piece band, eight dancers and Williams himself.

While performing on the current stadium tour, the drummer said he made sure to be "there for Rob" with his "eyes on everything as the driving force".

He added that the performers were all friends, working together each night to put on a unique show.

"Each band member has to be great at what they do, they have to be as good on stage and off stage," Brazil said.

"I think it's really important, like with any team, the togetherness is so important.

"When people see us on stage, they can see that we get on and that we're friends."

Throughout the years, Brazil has been musical director for several other high-profile music artists such as 5 Seconds of Summer, Five, Rita Ora, and he had toured and recorded as drummer for James Blunt, Ed Sheeran, Elton John and Niall Horan.

Another artist he worked with recently was Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, drumming on his latest album From the Dark.

"This started back in the Covid era. I went into the studio, didn't know what was going to come of it," Brazil said.

"I'm delighted to say I made the record, and the first day I went in and Tony was there we got on so well. Tony really let me express myself.

"I thoroughly enjoyed being on this record, it's a massive career highlight."

Brazil said the new album had in his view "gone down a storm", with Iommi himself describing the collaboration as "something different, but really honoured".

Iommi added that the recording was rooted in talent from Birmingham.

"The great thing, the whole thing has come from Birmingham," he said,

"All the merchandise, all made in Birmingham. We've tried to keep the whole thing wrapped around Birmingham."

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