Robbie Williams has told fans that a new album is coming soon, and revealed that he is also working on “building hotels”.
The musician spoke about the hopes of new material while at a screening of his new biopic, Better Man, in the US, and said that he was “waiting to know when exactly the film [was] coming out before” announcing anything about a new album.
The film premiered at Telluride Film Festival on Monday (2 September), and comes nearly a year after the release of a Netflix documentary series about his life. 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 will be coming soon, he has also turned his sights to developing new buildings like hotels.
“I am building hotels, I want to build a university, I have got my own clothing line coming out, I have got drinks,” he said (via Daily Star). “I am going to be busier than I have ever been.”
While he was vague about the reported “hotels” on the way, the ‘Angels’ singer has touched upon the endeavour in the past. Last year, he made an appearance on Wondery’s Brydon & podcast, and said that he was planning to build a luxury hotel in Dubai following a bad experience at a Las Vegas establishment.
“I was in the Wynn Hotel in Vegas doing a residency. I remember waking up and being charged $240 for breakfast. And it was like two croissants, a bowl of bran flakes and a coffee and I was like, fuck off,” he said (via MailOnline).
“And I got really angry and then I was just like, I’ll build my own hotel. That was the thought from getting angry about this breakfast costing too much,” he added. “I then thought Dubai and then I thought, actually, there are no residences for artists like me in Dubai. And then I thought, ah, that’s interesting, I’m going to do that. I’m going to start that.
“So that sort of idea and that level of ambition lights a fire underneath my arse… I dreamed this big, what happens if I dream even bigger? And at the end of that is money, but it’s not the primary driving force behind the reason to do it.”
As for the venture into the drinks industry, reports first arose in 2022, when The Drinks Business reported that Williams had applied to trademark the name ‘Rude Rise’ for a selection of alcoholic beverages.
Despite being sober for over two decades, the singer filed an application with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to be able to market wines, alcopops and spirits under the brand. The name comes as a nod to his song ‘Rudebox’, and once cleared he will own the brand name for 10 years.
His nods to a clothing brand are likely related to recent reports shared by The Mirror earlier this summer, which reported that the ‘Rock DJ’ star could finally launch his ‘Hopeium’ lifestyle range after settling a trademarks dispute with Yves Saint Laurent.
YSL had previously opposed the name due to the similarities to its perfume Black Opium. It was finally resolved after two years.
When the new album arrives, it’ll 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.
Before then, he reflected on his awkward and “rude” encounter with Cher, revealed that he has “written loads 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 join forces with Flynn Francis and Tim Metcalfe – would be making their UK live debut at Creamfields 2024.
Back in 2022, he spoke to NME ahead of the release of his ‘XXV’ album, and reflected on how the music industry has become more kind to artists in the public eye in recent years.
“I think that we lived in a more fun time. It was more heady, more controversial, more saying things for the sake of grabbing headlines,” he recalled. “It was like wrestling – and I love that. It was a fun aspect of the industry at the time… wearing your spite on your sleeve. Wearing your opinions on your sleeve, be they toxic or not, is just more interesting than what’s happening now, or is being allowed to happen… I kind of miss those days.
“Even though that was aimed at me, it’s like… we’re not allowed to do that shit anymore and it’s a shame.”
