Let Me Entertain You singer Robbie, who will be supported by Elbow at next year’s gig in Croker, previously performed the Joe classic at Aviva Stadium in 2017.
The former Take That superstar had a connection with Joe as his entertainer father, Pete, was a close personal friend of the Mullingar legend and they performed on the same UK circuit in the early days.
Pete previously told the Sunday World the story of how baby Robbie was evicted from his bedroom one night to give Joe a bed when he stayed overnight as a guest.
He said at the time: “Joe would come up to Stoke-on-Trent to play golf with me and he stayed at my house. The first time he came, Rob was a few months old and he was in his cot in his own room. We brought the cot out of the bedroom and into our room and Joe slept in Rob’s bedroom.”
Speaking at his press conference in Croke Park, Robbie said: “Because of this story, this connection, outdoor at the Aviva I did Good Looking Woman and it was so much fun.
“And when you do something like that it’s a little stunt, it’s a tip of the hat, it’s ticking a box…but I would ask the people of Ireland, can I do it again?”
Robbie Williams at a press briefing in Croke Park. Photo: Collins
When asked, if he had the chance what Irish star would he choose as a cameo surprise at his Croke Park concert, Robbie instantly opted for Bono.
Playing ‘kill, collab, karaoke’ with Spin radio’s showbiz presenter Shannen Keenan, Robbie admitted that he’s never heard of The Wolfe Tones who he put in the kill category.
“I’ve turned 50 and I’m so out of it…I’m not aware of who The Wolfe Tones are,” he laughed. “Are they brand new, The Wolfe Tones? First of all I would apologies to The Wolfe Tones, I’m sure they are incredible, I’m killing you…just because that’s easy for me, because I have no guilt, I don’t know them.”
And for the record he would collaborate with Bono and sing karaoke with Niall Horan on Slow Hands.
At Croker, Robbie, who has ancestral roots in Ireland – his maternal grandfather, Jack Farrell, was born in Kilkenny – said: “I grew up in England, but I’ve always felt Irish, and in a way it’s always a coming home.
“There is something special about the audience here. There is a heart that beats and an energy that is created. There are other countries and other audiences that do incredible things.
“Here it’s unique to the heart of the country, the energy that is created and the energy I get back.
“There is a love and a passion and a wildness. And it’s the wildness that is intoxicating. Because I understand the wildness. I’m from north of the wall too.”
The singer, whose biopic, Better Man, will be in the cinemas next month – Robbie’s character is a CGI monkey – is itching to play Croker.
“I’m 50 now, but I feel like a brand new artist,” he says. “I feel very grateful and I am buzzing to be back in here. It’s not lost on me, this opportunity and what it means…the storied, historical venue and that I will be part of its story yet again, at such a ripe old age, I’m very grateful.”
Tickets for Robbie Williams at Croke Park on Saturday, August 23, 2025, go on sale this Friday at 10am via @ticketmaster.ie priced from €77.25 to €152.25 subject to service charge.
