The Northern Express Herald

Robbie Williams calls Kiwi music critic a 'baby eater'

Herald online

Robbie Williams performs at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Photo/Getty

A Wellington music critic has been branded a "baby eater" by Robbie Williams after writing a scathing music review of the British pop star's recent concert.

Williams is in town for a two-date New Zealand tour that wraps up in Auckland tonight.

He played his first show at Wellington's Basin Reserve on Saturday night, including hits from throughout his career like She's The One and Rock DJ.

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But the show wasn't well received by a reviewer for local newspaper The Dominion Post, who called Williams a "ham-fisted hack" and said the gig "showed just how far you can take karaoke if you've got the cheekbones".

A cover of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody was singled out for particular criticism.

"Watching his thin sketch of a voice being plastered over the original was a bit like seeing an upturned smile drawn onto the mouth of the Mona Lisa. With crayons," wrote controversial critic Simon Sweetman.

Williams obviously read the review, taking to his verified Twitter account to make a personal attack against Sweetman.

He called him "Sweatman," and branded him a "baby eater" next to a photo of the critic holding a baby up in a record store.

Simon Sweatman: Baby eater @BlogOnTheTracks pic.twitter.com/ozgtaF4P2R

— Robbie Williams (@robbiewilliams) November 1, 2015

Fans seemed to agree with Williams, taking to Twitter to lash out at Sweetman's review.

@robbiewilliams @BlogOnTheTracks this article is just such a joke!!!! I've been there and it's incredible! Hubby even loved it !

— Jenna in Washington (@FLGIRLIE) November 1, 2015

@robbiewilliams @BlogOnTheTracks this doesn't even deserve to be called review. It's completey subjective - a disclosure of his envy.

— Ann (@Anny_62) November 1, 2015

@robbiewilliams he clearly saw a different gig to me! As you rocked it šŸ‘šŸ˜€šŸ˜˜

— Marley Showler (@MarleyShowler) November 1, 2015

Williams performs at Vector Arena in Auckland tonight.

- nzherald.co.nz