Biography
Lufthaus unites pop superstar Robbie Williams with his longtime associates Tim Metcalfe and Flynn Francis in a project devoted to melodic, vocal-driven techno and progressive house. The trio inked a deal with Armada, the imprint founded by trance figurehead Armin van Buuren, and issued its opening track “Sway” at the start of 2022, confirming Williams as lead singer shortly after its arrival. Further cuts such as “Unlovable” and “Alcohol” appeared before the collective unveiled its first album, Visions, Vol. 1, in October 2023.
Williams developed a taste for club sounds when acid house swept through Britain in the late ’80s. He explored dance-pop during his years with chart-dominating boy band Take That and later returned to rhythmic textures across a string of successful solo releases. The partnership with Australian songwriters and producers Metcalfe and Francis began while shaping the 2012 record Take the Crown. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 lockdowns, Williams voiced plans to open a combined venue and art space in Berlin modeled on Berghain and expressed interest in forming a band while taking up DJ duties. Captivated by the city’s nightlife, he started exchanging material remotely with Francis, who resides there, and Metcalfe, placing equal weight on lyrics and hypnotic grooves.
Operating as Lufthaus, the group placed “Sway” on Armada early in 2022 and soon afterward publicly identified Williams as its vocalist. Subsequent offerings included “To the Light” and “Soul Seekers,” after which the project supported Williams on his XXV arena run marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of his solo career. Throughout 2023 the outfit continued to issue singles and remixes, among them “Unlovable,” “Alcohol,” and a fresh take on “Sway.” Visions, Vol. 1 landed in October, featuring guest vocals by Sophie Ellis-Bextor on the track “Immortal.”
Williams developed a taste for club sounds when acid house swept through Britain in the late ’80s. He explored dance-pop during his years with chart-dominating boy band Take That and later returned to rhythmic textures across a string of successful solo releases. The partnership with Australian songwriters and producers Metcalfe and Francis began while shaping the 2012 record Take the Crown. In 2020, amid the COVID-19 lockdowns, Williams voiced plans to open a combined venue and art space in Berlin modeled on Berghain and expressed interest in forming a band while taking up DJ duties. Captivated by the city’s nightlife, he started exchanging material remotely with Francis, who resides there, and Metcalfe, placing equal weight on lyrics and hypnotic grooves.
Operating as Lufthaus, the group placed “Sway” on Armada early in 2022 and soon afterward publicly identified Williams as its vocalist. Subsequent offerings included “To the Light” and “Soul Seekers,” after which the project supported Williams on his XXV arena run marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of his solo career. Throughout 2023 the outfit continued to issue singles and remixes, among them “Unlovable,” “Alcohol,” and a fresh take on “Sway.” Visions, Vol. 1 landed in October, featuring guest vocals by Sophie Ellis-Bextor on the track “Immortal.”
Albums
Singles
