Robbie Williams sings for fans in Lima
Robbie Williams' surprise singalong after Peru gig cancelled
Saturday, 26 September 2026
Warm-up
- Have you ever had plans cancelled? What happened?
- Do you like live music? Why or why not?
- What would you do if a show stopped suddenly?
Vocabulary
- impromptu
- done without planning; sudden and not prepared
- singalong
- an event where people sing together with a performer
- venue
- a place where an event or concert happens
- comply
- to do what a rule or law says you must do
- regulation
- an official rule made by an authority
- authorities
- official people or organisations with power to decide
- cancelled
- stopped from happening after it was planned
- capital
- the main city of a country where the government is
Reading
Robbie Williams gave an impromptu show outside a hotel in Peru's capital, Lima, after his stadium concert was cancelled. Authorities said the Arena 1 Park gig could not go ahead because the venue did not comply with safety regulations.
Fans gathered on the street, and Robbie told them he was "broken-hearted". He then led a short singalong with the cheering crowds. People were singing and filming as he performed a few lines from his songs.
The surprise moment did not replace the big show, but it gave fans something to remember. Many had come hoping to see a full concert. Instead, they saw a star trying to thank them, even when plans had changed at the last minute.
Comprehension
- Where did Robbie Williams sing for fans?
- Why was the Arena 1 Park concert cancelled?
- What did Robbie say about how he felt?
- How did the fans react during the street moment?
- Did the impromptu moment replace the full concert?
Grammar focus
Past continuous
Use was/were + verb-ing to talk about actions that were happening at a particular time in the past or while another action occurred. (Example 2 constructed.)
- People were singing and filming as he performed a few lines from his songs.
- Visitors were waiting outside the hotel when the music started.
Grammar exercise
Complete the sentences with the correct past continuous form.
- Fans (cheer) ___ loudly while the show was outside.
- Visitors (gather) ___ on the street before the impromptu show.
- He (perform) ___ a few lines as people watched.
- Crowds (talk) ___ about the cancellation during the afternoon.
- Authorities (explain) ___ why the gig could not go ahead.
Discussion
- Have you ever seen a street performance? Describe it.
- Is safety a good reason to cancel a concert? Why?
- Would you wait outside a hotel to see a singer? Why?
- What could organisers do for fans after a cancellation?
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