From the moment Robbie Williams strode onto the stage in his white jacket and sparkling sunglasses, a crowd of thousands was in the palm of his hand.
"Melbourne, it's good to see you - folks, this is my city," he declared as he launched into opening number Let Me Entertain You.
Fans packed the city's Federation Square to see the free gig on Thursday evening, staged to promote his biopic Better Man.
"You better take some Kleenex because it's a very sexy movie - I think you know what I'm saying," he said.
During 45 minutes of showmanship, Williams took his audience through some of his best-known hits including Better Man, Feel and Angels, followed by a cover of Frank Sinatra's My Way.
He also sang a new tune from the film's soundtrack, Forbidden Road, which has been nominated for a Golden Globe for best original song.
Some in the crowd of thousands had already been to the cinema to see Better Man - and a handful were extras in the film's concert scenes.
The feature was filmed primarily in Melbourne and was the first film shot at Stage Six at Docklands Studios.
It tells of Williams' rise to pop stardom and dramatic fall, with Williams portrayed by Jonno Davies using a CGI-animated chimpanzee.
Williams addressed media before the gig, describing the movie as the "biggest sales pitch" he's been on and joking it was the "best film of the century".
"It'll go in order of The Godfather, Better Man: The Robbie Williams Story," he told reporters.
The feature is the biggest production in the state's history, with 3000 jobs and more than $142 million spent, according to the Victorian government.
Williams also struck a reflective tone while talking up the film.
"It's a narcissist dream all about me. I wrote the songs, I said the words, I lived the life," the English singer said.
"My favourite part about the movie, and it's strange at the same time, it's touching people on a very profound level.
"It is the greatest hits of my trauma."
Hundreds waited all day in the sun to see Williams perform, including fan Hazel, who waited six hours and copped some sunburn on the massive tattoo of the star singer covering her back.
"We love Robbie Williams. I got this done at the start of last year. It took two full days and it hurt a lot," she said.
Better Man was directed by Melbourne's Michael Gracey and also stars Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman, Raechelle Banno, Alison Steadman and Kate Mulvany.
Williams is fresh from a nationally televised performance staged in Sydney to celebrate New Year's Eve.
