Win tickets to see Westlife at Metro Radio Arena 

It's been a sell out event for months . . . yet your Sunday Sun has managed to get hold of the hottest tickets in town.

We’ve got 15 pairs of tickets to see Westlife at the Metro Radio Arena on Tuesday night up for grabs in a competition that will send boy band fans delirious.

The Irish superstars – Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne – have been wowing fans on their UK tour, which rolls into Newcastle for two nights from tomorrow.

Since first forming back in 1998 the boys, originally signed by Simon Cowell, have become the only act in UK history to have their first seven singles go straight to Number 1 and they have sold more than 44 million records worldwide.

However, ahead of their new tour they admitted to recording what they describe as a whole host of “terrible” songs during their career.

The quartet say there are a number of tracks they are ashamed to count among their back catalogue, despite being one of the most successful acts in British music history.

“We’ve certainly made a lot of mistakes. We’ve recorded songs that we should never have recorded, confessed Nicky Byrne.

“We look back on some of them and think, ‘Oh God, that was terrible’.

Shane Filan says the group had become “lazy” and often didn’t stand up for what they believed in.

“Sitting in rooms and nodding our heads and doing everything that was asked of us was what we did for years and years.

“But we are happy to speak now, to say, ‘I think we should do this’. We’ve become men over the last few years.”

Your Sunday Sun is now giving you the chance to win one of 15 pairs of tickets to see how they’ve matured into one of the best live groups around, this Tuesday night.

Winners will be informed on Bank Holiday Monday, so please ensure that you are available on the number you use to enter.

Tickets must be collected from the Sunday Sun office on the Groat Market, Newcastle, NE1 1ED on Tuesday between the hours of 9am to 5pm.

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THIS COMPETITION

Text SSWIN4 followed by a space, then your correct answer, name, house number and postcode to 84080 or call the competition line on 0901 229 2254 (please take care when dialling).

QUESTION: Which Billy Joel song was a Westlife cover track?

a) Uptown Girl b) When You’re Looking Like That c) Home

Calls cost 25p from a BT landline, other networks may vary. Text entry costs 25p plus your standard network charge. Lines close at midnight tonight. The first fifteen correct entries drawn at random on Monday, May 31, 2010 will receive the prize as offered. Usual Trinity Mirror promotion rules apply, available at www.sundaysun.co.uk/legal. We reserve the right to draw another winner if we cannot get in touch with selected winner.

Fuente: http://www.sundaysun.co.uk

Happy 30th Birthday Mark!

 We'd like to pass on our congratulations to Mark who is celebrating his 30th birthday today!


To celebrate we want you guys to record your birthday well wishes and tweet the links to us @westlifemusic with the hashtag #HappyBirthdayMark

The best videos will be posted on the official website at the end of today!

No worries if you don't use twitter though... Just leave your YouTube link in the Forum.

We hope everyone has a great time in Manchester tonight!

Westlife HQ x


Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Mansfield to cash in on Westlife

A SPECTACULAR summer concert by Irish pop superstars Westlife could raise up to a quarter of a million pounds for Mansfield's economy.

Chad revealed last week that the Irish group, who have sold more than 43m records globally, will be playing at Mansfield Town's Field Mill stadium on Saturday 21st August.

And within a week club bosses say they have already sold more than 3,500 tickets.

It is hoped the event could be Mansfield's biggest ever pay day, with food and drink outlets and other businesses set to cash in.

Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton said: "If we get weather like we have been experiencing, everyone in the town centre should have a bumper today. The town's people and businesses could make up to £250,000, which is big business.

"Westlife will attract the biggest ever crowd to our business community, and especially the town centre.

"It will be the biggest event Mansfield has ever seen. We saw a great day when Rebecca Adlington brought home two gold medals, and numerically, this will be just as big."

Mr Egginton says he hopes the town will co-ordinate its efforts to make the most of the day, and has already started discussions with Portland Retail Park about parking, while a park-and-ride service will operate from the Civic Centre to Field Mill.

"It will be a day to remember when we see an act which we never thought would come to Mansfield."

Westlife will be the second massive act to play at Field Mill, following the X Factor finalists on 11th June.

And this week club bosses have reduced the price for the X factor concert to just £5 for under-16s.

Stags chairman Andy Perry said: "As this is the start of our first major concerts at Field Mill Stadium, we thought it would be great to see as many of our young people at our very first concert.

"To see five artists of this calibre anywhere in the country for just £5 cannot be matched.

"We have also teamed up with D.A.R.E who will help promote this fantastic opportunity and receive a commission for every £5 ticket sold."

Tickets for Westlife can be bought at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.stagsclubshop.com, or by contacting 01623 482482.

Fuente: http://www.chad.co.uk

Westlife to play in the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am 2010

Westlife have confirmed they’ll play in the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am on the 5th and 6th July 2010.

The band will join a host of leading celebrities including Hugh Grant, Samuel L. Jackson, Aidan Quinn, Michael Flatley and Kyle McLachlan along with sporting greats such as AP McCoy, Martin O’Neill, Niall Quinn, Paul O’Connell, Harry and Jamie Redknapp at Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort next July.

The aim of the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am is to support mid-western charities and groups in their work with the underprivileged and disadvantaged. All proceeds are donated in their entirety towards the development of these services.

Spectators can choose from one of eight different coloured “two-day entrance caps” representing Ireland, Munster Rugby and each of the Munster counties. Tickets are selling fast – get yours NOW from www.jpmcmanusproam.com

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Westlife stars Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne enjoy training session with Celtic

Westlife's Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan indulged their love of football on a visit to Celtic's training ground yesterday.

The boys were thrilled to visit their heroes' state-of-the-art facility in Lennoxtown.

They donned Celtic training strips as they practised for the UNICEF Soccer Aid match on June 6. Football-daft Nicky said: "It's an amazing place. I've been to a few training grounds but this has really taken shape and is becoming one of the best in the country.

"I've been to training grounds at Manchester United and Fulham, along with Leeds United, who I used to play for. They did a similar thing in 2001, building on acres of land with pitches, synthetic pitches and a medical centre.

"Now that Celtic have this facility, it looks pretty special."

The boys were driven to Lennoxtown from their plush city hotel in a chauffeur-driven people carrier.

Westlife play the last of their three Where We Are tour shows at Glasgow's SECC tonight.

Fuente: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Movie stars have joined the line-up for Soccer Aid at Old Trafford on 6 June

 Wayne's World and Austin Powers star Mike Myers, Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson and Australian-born actor Simon Baker will be in the Rest of the World squad, taking on an England side featuring Robbie Williams and ex-internationals Alan Shearer, David Seaman, Teddy Sheringham and Jamie Redknapp.

The Rest of the World team will also feature actor Michael Sheen, chef Gordon Ramsay, TV presenter Gethin Jones, comedian Patrick Kielty, Westlife members Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne, cricketing legend Brian Lara, boxing champion Joe Calzaghe and Heroes star James Kyson-Lee. The celebrities will be joined by football legends including Zinedine Zidane, Jens Lehmann, Henrik Larsson and Ryan Giggs. Kenny Dalglish will coach the super squad with the help of Ian Rush.

England's squad includes GMTV presenter Ben Shephard, actor and TV presenter Bradley Walsh, presenter and DJ Jamie Theakston, boxing hero Ricky Hatton, and actor Damian Lewis. Comic genius James Corden will be the assistant manager.

You can book tickets online / on 0844 576 2010. Funds raised from sales and TV viewer donations will go to global children's charity UNICEF.

Click acá para ver el video 

Fuente: http://www.manutd.com

Boy band fans flock to Glasgow for first of three Westlife shows

You just have to follow the sea of cowboy hats and glowsticks to know that a boy band is in town.

Marching on Glasgow’s SECC last night was an army of dedicated Westlife fans who have been coming back year after year.

Last night’s concert was the first of three, for which more than 20,000 fans are expected.

If the crowd at the opening show was anything to go by, it seems generations of families will be turning out to see the Irish superstars.

Amanda Wyllie, 36, from Maybole, South Ayrshire, was responsible for roping her mother in 10 years ago. The pair now come along with Amanda’s daughter Keira, five.

Amanda said: “I suppose I started it all and now we have three generations coming along. They appeal to us all and we all have our favourites. It is difficult to say but they are just amazing to watch.”

Fan Maureen Anderson, from Cumnock, in Ayrshire, will celebrate her 70th birthday this summer, and was looking forward to seeing the group for the first time.

She said: “We have been fans for years. Anyone can enjoy their music.”

Her friend Morag Herbertson, 68, from Glasgow, was also excited about seeing them in concert.

“We will be shouting and cheering along,” she said. “You can’t help but like a band like Westlife although you sometimes get a bit of a teasing.” Hairdresser Kay MacIver, 40, from Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, said: “My husband always buys me two tickets at Christmas and I take one of my friends. It just makes you want to have a great night.”

Fuente: http://www.heraldscotland.com

Westlife, Cardiff International Arena

The lads crowded around an electric guitar-playing Kian Egan, as they belted out the words of The Boys are Back in Town.

It was Westlife¹s first time back in Cardiff after taking a two year break from performing, but for the 4,000 or so crammed into the CIA, it was if they¹d never been away.

Indeed, most of the younger fans probably cannot even remember life without the Irish four-piece, with Mark Feehily contemplating where the 11 years have gone since they released Flying Without Wings.

He did the lion¹s share of the singing along with Shane Filan, while the two blondes- Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan- wooed the crowd as they waved and grinned to a cacophony of screams and whistles.

In between belting out their own hits as well as Black Eyed Peas¹ I Got a Feeling and Sex is on Fire by Kings of Leon, they gushed about how happy they were to be back in Cardiff.

Mark, because of the ever-vocal Welsh public and Kian because of his new-found love of TV show Gavin and Stacey. While, for Shane, it brought back memories of ³the best day of my life², when he was in the Welsh capital last March to watch Ireland capture rugby¹s Grand Slam.

The crowd were on their feet throughout. Come the end, most were cheering, a few sobbing, hoping the lads from the emerald isle don¹t leave it so long this time before they are next back in town 

Fuente: http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk

Westlife - Here we are

Westlife are coming to Sky Box Office this week in a live and exclusive one-off show. Here you can see our behind-the-scenes film of the band preparing for one of the biggest gigs of their lives!

Click here for part one.

Click here for part two.

Fuente: http://movies.sky.com

Westlife Live on Sky Box Office

Don’t worry if you missed Westlife’s live concert on Sky Box Office/HD – it’s available to watch again.

The concert by the boys at London’s O2 arena is available on Sky Box Office/HD for seven days after Friday’s live broadcast.

That means you’ve got until Friday May 21 to catch it showing on the Sky Box Office Events Channel 743 (or 752 for HD viewers)

So, if you weren't able to attend the concert, don’t worry because you won’t be missing out. 

Just press the Sky Box Office button.

For further information call 08442 410888 or go to channel 700
(Or if you're calling from the ROI call 0818 220 225)

Fuente: http://movies.sky.com

Mark Feehily: 'I want to have children' 

Westlife’s Mark Feehily tells new! all about his wedding plans and his hopes to start a family

Mark Feehily and the Westlife boys aren’t exactly known for being outrageous.

So when we sat down with Mark Feehily to find out about his recent engagement to former V singer Kevin McDaid, 26, we weren’t expecting him to tell us they’re getting married in a dungeon wearing leather hot pants. And he didn’t.

In fact, he played it so safe and kept their plans so under wraps that we were forced instead to probe him about stalkers, having babies and Brian McFadden.

Mark, 29, is prettier in the flesh than he appears on TV – his eyelashes are long enough to swing from. He’s polite, serious and, after coming out and meeting Kevin five years ago, seems happier than ever.

Indeed, when the couple got engaged in February, he could barely contain himself on Twitter. “It’s true! Myself and Kevin are engaged! Exciting times ahead!” he wrote.

We’re here to discuss Westlife’s forthcoming pay-per-view gig on Sky, but there are far more pressing concerns – namely, the engagement.

Here, Mark tells new! how he feels about popping the question, and why he doesn’t miss Brian McFadden…

Congratulations on getting engaged. How are you feeling about the wedding?

Thank you! There’s nothing planned as of yet, it’s just an engagement. We’re enjoying being engaged and obviously we’re excited about various different concepts for the wedding, but nothing has been decided upon. Both of us are very creative-minded people with a million ideas, so there’ll be a lot of time before we lock down exactly what it will be.

But will it be big and lavish?

I’d be lying if I said I had any idea.

You could arrive at your wedding by helicopter…

Well, I don’t have one, but Shane [Filan] does. Maybe I could borrow his…

What about outfits?

We haven’t planned anything [laughing]! I could make it up if you want.

Yeah, make it up! So who proposed?

That’s private. We may talk about it one day but I haven’t spoken to Kevin yet about that.

Do you want to have kids?

I’m surrounded by children because Shane and Nicky [Byrne] have kids. I love kids and there’s nothing like the gift of bringing up your own kids. It would be nice if I got to the place where I was ready to bring up a kid.

What’s Kevin doing now?

He’s a photographer and has been for the last three or four years. He’s getting more work these days and he’s done a lot of people’s album artwork. He did all the new Jedward pictures, so I’m very excited for him.

There was a story about you having a Facebook stalker, is that true?

Well, not on Facebook. There’s been a couple of situations on Twitter, and in real life, where there are some people who seem to have issues of their own that manifested in the form of abuse towards me. But it’s something I’ve become accustomed to over the years. There’s always one. There are also millions of sane, gorgeous fans, too, so it’s only one in a million.

Since you came out, do you get much more flirtatious attention from men?

Well, the nature of Westlife is a lot more centred on female attention, but I’ve seen more guys in the audience since I came out. A lot of people would appreciate the honesty of me coming out, and I think a lot of gay guys that wouldn’t have paid attention to the records before maybe turned their heads a bit, and feel they relate more to the members.

How are you feeling about turning 30 this month?

I’m feeling very positive about it – I’m much happier now than I was at 20 or 21.

How did Stephen Gately’s death affect you?

We knew Stephen to a certain extent but not as closely as people might assume. The reality is, we didn’t even live in the same part of Ireland. But it was very sad and tragic.

Do you still see your former bandmate Brian McFadden?

Well, he lives in Australia, so you can imagine how much we see him. The last time we saw him was at Stephen’s funeral, but we don’t see him a lot. He’s very much moved on in his life.

Westlife Live From The O2 is on Friday, May 14 on Sky Box Office/HD Events Channel at 8pm. Catch replays from Saturday, May 15. Westlife – Here We Are on Monday, May 10 on Sky Movies Family/HD at 4pm

Fuente: www.new-magazine.co.uk

New Westlife Date Announced!

Due to unbelievable demand, we are very excited to announce that Westlife

now have an extra date scheduled for the Where We Are Tour!

Saturday 21st August 2010 will now see Westlife play at Mansfield FC,

Mansfield.

The show starts at 9:00pm and tickets are available NOW through

www.ticketmaster.co.uk or on 0844 4631875. Good luck!

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Westlife MegaFan: Real Life Stories:  Mary Maclaclan

One of Westlife's very own forum members was interviewed in the run up to Westlife's amazing performance at the O2 that was broadcast live on Sky Box Office.

You can read ShanesFoxyLady's interview again on Sky Real Lives or watch the whole show again on Sky BoxOffice until Friday 21st May.

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Westlife homecoming tickets still on sale

  

Tickets for Westlifes home coming summer concert are still available this afternoon.
The Sligo stars will take to the stage at Lissadell House on the 30th of July as part of a mini festival involving Canadian singer songwriter Leonard Cohen.
It’s the first time the band has played their home town in seven years.
Tickets went on sale at 9am this morning, with crowds gathering at third wave music on O’Connell Street in Sligo since the early hours.
Manager Brian Caliendo outlines how they ensured everyone got tickets.

Fuente: http://oceanfm.ie

Westlife wow fans at the LG Arena

They may have been going strong for 12 years, but Irish pop sensations Westlife can still effortlessly whip a crowd into a frenzy.

At Birmingham’s LG Arena last night, the lads showed other boy bands just how it’s done – and what has brought them such longevity in the music industry.

From the start, the adoring sell-out crowd was on its feet singing and dancing to some if the group’s best known hits and a few surprise songs too. To ear-piercing screams and impressive lighting effects, the boys burst on to the stage with a bang to the title track of the tour, Where We Are.

Fans were transported back to the beginning of the group’s career with a performance of their first hit Swear it All Over Again, as well as other older favourites such as Uptown Girl.

The lads at one point took the tempo down a notch for a quieter set, which included Barry Manilow hit Mandy and If I Let You Go, where the four piece- made up of Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily – got the chance to show off their full vocal range.

Best known these days for being perched on stools and belting our ballads, the band showed off a different side when they performed an up-tempo mash up of pop hits.

This kind of medley has become a popular staple of most recent Westlife shows, and last night was no exception.

Fans were moved when the boys returned for their encore, dressed in smart suits, to perform their smash hit ballad Flying Without Wings.

You Raise Me Up – a song which has been covered more than 125 times – brought the curtain down on the evening along with deafening applause.

Westlife have grown up but it looks like this is one boy band that will be around for a good few years yet.

 

Fuente: http://www.expressandstar.com

Westlife admit they have made mistakes

Westlife have admitted that they "made a lot of mistakes" down through the years, saying that they "should never have recorded" some of their songs.

According to The Sun, Nicky Byrne said: "We've certainly made a lot of mistakes."

"We've recorded songs that we should never have recorded. We look back on some of them and think, 'Oh God, that was terrible'."

"Sitting in rooms and nodding our heads and doing everything that was asked of us was what we did for years and years."

"But we are happy to speak now, to say, 'I think we should do this'. We've become men over the last few years."

Shane Filan said: "You get to a stage when you get a bit lazy."

"But then we'll go back into the studio and realise the last record was a bit lazy and do better on the next one."

Fuente: http://www.rte.ie

PREVIEW WESTLIFE LIVE ON SKY 

Fans who have bought tickets for Westlife's concert at Ashton Gate on Thursday, June 17th can get a sneak preview of what to expect at the Bristol show on TV tonight.

The Irish band's concert at London's O2 Arena this evening is being broadcast live on Sky Box Office from 8pm. For further information visit www.sky.com/westlife

Prior to the show, Sky One will be screening a 30-minute documentary on the group - 'Westlife - Here We Are' - including behind-the-scenes footage from their current Where We Are UIK tour.

Meanwhile, tickets for the boys' concert at Bristol City's home ground in June are on sale priced £35-50. They can be purchased online at ashtongatestadium.co.uk or seetickets.com or ticketmaster.co.uk; by phoning the stadium hotline 0871 222 6666 (option 1, then listening out for "concert tickets") or in person at Ashton Gate Stadium.

But with demand high only a few tickets now remain in the higher price band, which is for seats closest to the stage,

Westlife are the most successful pop group to have come out of Ireland, selling 43 million records worldwide including 14 UK number ones - a record only bettered by Elvis and The Beatles. The Bristol concert follows the band's UK tour, which starts this Sunday.

The main support act is yet to be confirmed. For more information on the summer event click here.

Fuente: http://www.bcfc.co.uk

WESTLIFE INSPIRED BY RAUNCHY FANS

WESTLIFE have been inspired by their ­raunchy fans to make their next album one for the bedroom.

After seeing the crowds wave filthy banners at them on their current arena tour, the Irish lads want their fans to make sweet music to what will be their 11th release.

Nicky Byrne, 31, pictured right, told me backstage at their sell-out O2 Arena gig: “The banners have become raunchier and most don’t leave anything to the imagination.

“Liverpool and Sheffield are ­definitely the dirtiest crowds. So the next album is going to be one for the bedroom with lots of juicy and sensual tracks.”

Kian Egan, 30, and Nicky expect a baby boom across the nation, thanks to their new album.

Mark added: “You can ­listen to it while you’re ­conceiving. Lots of people have called their sons and daughters after us already.

“We’re in meetings this week for the next album and have lots of ideas as we want to get out by the end of the year.”

Nicky admitted: “Touring is our baby. When we promote a single it’s normally a big ballad so we’re limited to what you can do with the live ­performances.

“So touring is like getting out of school on our ­summer holidays where we can go daft.”

Shane revealed he will once again pair up with manager and X Factor judge Louis Walsh, 57, for the TV show’s new series.

He said: “If we have a new single out we’d love to ­perform on the show too.”

Fuente: http://www.dailystar.co.uk

MULTI-PLATINUM selling boyband Westlife has been confirmed as this year's headline at the Midlands Music Festival being held in Tamworth in July.

The internationally-successful Irish group – namely Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne – will perform on July 18.

The group is the only act in UK history to have their first seven singles go straight to Number 1, and they have gone on to sell over 44 million records worldwide.

And with 14 UK number one singles to choose from, along with ten albums, the boys will have no shortage of material to perform live at the event.

Westlife were originally signed by Simon Cowell in 1998 and are currently managed by Louis Walsh.

A festival spokesman said: "Mark, Shane, Kian and Nicky will be performing a full live 90 minute set that will bring down the curtain on this year's festival in truly spectacular style.

"The lads will perform some memorable tracks from the early smash hits like Flying without wings, Fool Again and My Love right through to their recent smash hit single What About Now."

He added: "The excitement is building to what is sure to be a spectacular performance and one not to miss."

The band appears on the second day of the festival and also joining the line-up will be The Saturdays, Scouting for Girls, Alexandra Burke, Olly Murs, Taio Cruz, Chipmunk and Peter Andre.

Fuente: http://www.thisislichfield.co.uk

Tickets for Westlife Sligo date on sale Monday

  

Tickets for Westlife’s highly anticipated homecoming concert in Sligo this summer will go on sale next Monday at 9am.
They will take to the stage at Lissadell House as part of a weekend musical extravaganza at the end of July.
It’s the first time the historic estate will hold a music concert and marks Westlife’s first Sligo date in seven years.
It’s hoped the influx of music-lovers will have a positive knock-on effect for tourism in South Donegal.
Ticket prices for the concert start at 55euro and will be available from Ticketmaster.
The only non-Sligo member of the group, Nicky Byrne said the Lissadell concert will be very special for Westlife.

Fuente: http://oceanfm.ie

ROCK 'n' roll brawling isn't really what you come to expect on a WESTLIFE tour.

Connect 4 competitions and a quiet pint of Guinness, maybe.

But NICKY BYRNE was rushed to hospital when a play-fight got out of hand after their gig in Liverpool at the weekend.

He was wrestling bandmate KIAN EGAN to the floor when he smashed his head through a glass table.

Numpty.

He ended up with five stitches and a bad headache. He said: "All fun and stupid lads joking. I'm healing already."

Fuente: http://www.thesun.co.uk

Westlife live from the 02

See Westlife live in your living room on the 14th of May, on Sky Box Office!

On Friday 14th May, Sky Box Office will broadcast Westlife’s spectacular live show, live from London's O2 arena. In electrifying high definition, Sky Box Office gives you a front row seat at the forthcoming Where We Are Tour.  This is a must-see for fans that can't make it to the gig, want a sneak preview or want to experience the show again one more time! 

Sky will also go backstage with the boys as they prepare for their tour in Westlife - Here We Are, showing on Sky Movies in the run up to the concert. 

Live on SBO/HD Events Channel 743, Friday 14 May 20.00

Catch replays of the concert from Saturday 15 May

Westlife - Here We Are - Monday 10 May 16.00, Sky Movies Family/HD

Sky Box Office is available to all Sky digital customers.

ORDERING INFORMATION                   

You can order this event for £14.99 (€ 17) using your digital remote control   

·         Push the box office button on your sky remote

·         Select events

·         Use the arrow buttons to highlight the event

·         Press select and the buy screen will be displayed

·         Press select to confirm your order

·         And Enter your pin if prompted

For further information call 08442 410888 or visit www.sky.com/westlife 

(Or if your calling from the ROI call 0818 220 225)

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Westlife star Nicky Byrne was hospitalised on Friday night after the group performed at Liverpool's Echo Arena

The singer needed five stitches after smashing his head on a glass table in a mock fight with bandmate Kian Egan.

Writing on Twitter yesterday, Byrne commented: "Thanks to all who are concerned about the scar on my head! Kian and a security tried to pick me up. But after fending one off I wrestled Kian to the ground and hit my head off a glass table in the process!

"All fun and stupid lads jokin about! Thanks to all in Liverpool A&E! I'm healing already and thanks for all your concerns!"

The 31-year-old then joked that he received "a certificate of bravery" in hospital along with his five stitches.

Speaking of the moment that Byrne was injured, a source told The Mirror: "There was blood everywhere. It looked horrific."

Westlife's current 'Where We Are' tour runs until August.

Fuente: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk

Westlife, Sheffield Arena - REVIEW 

WESTLIFE are certainly Flying Without Wings again.

After a two-year break from the road the chart topping band packed out Sheffield's Arena last night in the first week of their latest national tour - with their cover of The Boys Are Back In Town an appropriate choice to get the gig in full swing.

Appearing on stage to deafening applause and screams from their adoring fans, Westlife's Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne belted out hit after hit from their 12 years spent at the top of the charts including You Raise Me Up, What About Now, If I Let You Go and I'm Already There.

They also sang their most popular covers - Uptown Girl, Mandy and Home - but what got the crowd on their feet more than anything was a set in the middle of the gig when the band swapped their usual ballads for a more current sound and had fun on the stage performing covers of I've Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas, Sex Is On Fire by Kings of Leon and Halo by Beyonce.

The ditched their usual suits for leather jackets and jeans for the set and rocked out with the crowd.

Kian's guitar solo for the Boys Are Back In Town was also something different for their loyal fans who have followed them round the country since they shot to fame in 1998, as were acapella sections performed in My Love and I'm Never Gonna Say Goodbye.

With the gig based around a space and futuristic theme one of the showstoppers of the night was the moment a giant robot on stage exploded with pyrotechnic fireworks setting the stage alight before a confetti shower covered the crowd.

Mark, one of the two main singers, said the first week on tour had been "amazing" with the boys feeling like they have never been away.

"We have not been on tour for two years. We were a bit nervous coming back on tour but it's like we never left," he added.

Kian, whose brother Gavin - a Sheffield schoolteacher - was in the crowd, said: "It's absolutely brilliant to be back on tour."

With World Of Our Own one of the hits performed last night, the title to the song says it all...Westlife really are in a league of their own.

The band is also set to perform in Sheffield tonight.

Fuente: http://www.thestar.co.uk

Walsh and Egan to launch new girl band

The 'X-Factor' judge Louis Walsh and Westlife singer Kian Egan are to take part in a reality TV show following their attempts to launch a new girl band.

The pair will feature in a two-part ITV2 programme called 'The Management', reports the Breaking News website.

Walsh previously put together Girls Aloud and Egan is currently managing a girl group featuring his wife Jodi Albert.

They are currently hunting for wannabe singers to be in the band.
The show will air in October of this year.

Fuente: http://www.rte.ie

Review: Westlife at Liverpool's ECHO Arena 

WESTLIFE'S Nicky Byrne saw his dream come true as he sang You'll Never Walk Alone with 10,000 fans at the group’s Liverpool concert on Friday.
In between hits, the blond heart-throb confessed: "I've always wanted to do this!" before kicking off a rendition of the Liverpool FC anthem.
Bandmate Kian said: "It's a pleasure to be back here in Liverpool, one of the best arenas because of all the lovely Scousers.
"You know the reason you make so much noise is because you're so close to the Irish."
A full-house welcomed the boys back to the Echo Arena for their Where We Are tour, which included new tunes Shadows and How to Break a Heart, as well as You Raise Me Up and Flying Without Wings.
Die-hard fans in home-made T-shirts were on their feet throughout the 23-strong set. New additions to the band's repertoire of covers included the Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire and Beyoncé's Halo – but Uptown Girl and Mandy were thankfully not forgotten.
Amid a futuristic light show, the boys had three costume changes, including studded black biker jackets and a single Michael Jackson-esque glove, multi-coloured bomber jackets with jeans, and finally a classic black suit and tie for the encore of You Raise Me Up and I'll See You Again dedicated to recently deceased family members.
As the boys have hit their thirties, got married and had babies, they've realised less is more. There's no dashing round the stage with dance routines typical of a boy band now.
Instead, it's the odd synchronised nod of the head or shrug of the shoulder in time with the music which sends fans wild. And do they go wild, Even the woman next to me who thought she was coming to see Boyzone enjoyed the show.

Fuente: http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk

Irish stars Westlife play the Liverpool Echo Arena 

POP royalty Westlife brought their brand of mum-pleasing ballads to the ECHO arena.
Coming back with their first live tour for two years, the unstoppable Irish troubadours offered a family show which pleased their varied fan base of eight to 80-year-olds.
Since they formed in 1998, the group, famously co-managed by X Factor judge Louis Walsh and Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, have sold over 36m records globally and been awarded 28 platinum discs.
They have also notched up a record-breaking 14 number one hits, beaten only by Elvis and The Beatles.
It gave the band a mighty back catalogue to choose from last night for the still youthful-looking lads, now many of them dads.
It was also Irish Night at Aintree Racecourse last night, headlined by Dublin rockers Aslan, who played for racegoers to celebrate the city’s Irish culture.

Fuente: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Announcing another Westlife Tour Date

Westlife have just announced another 'Where We Are'
Tour date at Tamworth Castle on 18th July.

Westlife will headline the day and other acts on the bill will include The Saturdays, Scouting for Girls, Chipmunk, Alexandra Burke, Taio Cruz, Level 42, Billy Ocean, Sister Sledge, Aswad, Peter Andre.

 

Tickets are available from
http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/

or
0844 248 5016

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Music magazines would crucify us if we overtake The Beatles tally on No1 singles, says Westlife's Kian Egan

WESTLIFE reckon they'll be crucified if they manage to equal The Beatles' tally of 17 No.1 UK singles.

The Irish boy band are only three tunes away with 14 No.1s.

They still have a bit to go to equal Elvis record-breaking tally of 21 No.1 singles.

But the boys already know the clamour that will greet them if they catch up with the Fab Four.

"I could just imagine the music magazines and newspapers crucifying us if we overtook The Beatles or Elvis," said Kian Egan, 30.

"We'd be annihilated, but it would be fun."

The boys - Kian, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne - have been one of the UK's top groups since 1999 and their first No.1, Swear It Again.

That year, they had four No.1s and three in 2000. Those seven consecutive No.1s equalled The Beatles record.

Westlife are only in their late twenties and early thirties so have plenty of time and a strong enough fan base to equal The Beatles' No.1 total.

Mark, 29, admits they are excited and said: "We have broken records in the past but that would be major history. That would be something that would take a long time for someone to rival us. It's taken us so long to get close and it would be amazing.

"But it's not something we would rely on to happen.

"We can't live our lives trying to beat that record and see it as a failure if we don't.

"But we are very, very close."

Westlife missed a chance to close the gap with The Beatles last year when their last single, What About Now, went to No.2. Their seventh studio album Where We Are also went to No.2 but Kian and Mark aren't worried. At least they say they're not.

And their strong fan base confirms they are still a force in British pop. Their Where We Are tour will play three nights at the SECC in Glasgow from May 24.

Next Friday, May 14, they will broadcast a live show from London's O2 Arena on Sky Box Office.

Mark said: "We are still standing in there.

"We have a sold-out tour and our last album sold over a million copies. So we are still happy."

Managed by Louis Walsh, their record label boss is Simon Cowell.

Both have steered the band into performing mushy ballads and a heap of cover versions. It's an image they are ready to break.

Before the band released Where We Are last year, they claimed they were trying out a new direction, away from their typical ballads and cover versions.

So were they disappointed that Where We Are was the first album since debut Westlife in 1999 not to go to No.1? And that the last No.1 single they had was 2006's The Rose?

"We still sell more than most pop acts in the UK so technically it's still a massive success," pointed out Mark. "But it's hard to compete against the giant success we had years ago, especially the way the music industry is at the moment.

"But it would hard to not call a No.2 album and a No.2 single a success.

"We consider it so and so does our record company.

"Of course, a No.2 isn't as good as No.1. But I think what matters is that you sell enough records to make another one.

"If you are in any act, you don't want to get dropped. You want to be able to continue, do a tour and make another album.

"We know better than anyone that it's silly to live competing with ourselves.

"We can't assume that because we were successful, we still will be.

"That's why we have so much drive and ambition to continue to be successful.

"You have to look forwards, not backwards."

Much of Westlife's outlook on life comes from a renewed sense of purpose after the deaths last year of Kian and Nicky's dads and of Boyzone's Stephen Gately, at just 33 from a heart defect.

Stephen was the first boyband star to come out as gay and Mark followed his lead five years ago.

He is now engaged to boyfriend Kevin McDaid.

Like the rest of Westlife, Mark didn't know Stephen especially well, but his death changed his way of thinking.

He said: "When you have been able to carve out a successful career over a period of time, you end up playing safe and being afraid to take risks.

"You wait around, put things off and worry so much about maintaining your career.

"When Stephen died, I realised it could be all over in the morning without warning. That's a very scary thought and it made me realise that I should just get on with stuff.

"It made me think, 'Why do you put things off or worry whether to buy a car? Just do it. Live your life. Don't put anything off until next year and stop worrying to much.' "

Was Mark's engagement a reaction to Stephen's death?

"No, it was happening anyway," said Mark. "But his death made me realise I had to get on with my life. It's about not being scared to do things."

Kian agreed that although none of Westlife knew Stephen particularly well, they were affected most at the funeral when they saw people they were close to so upset.

He said: "To see Louis crumble and Ronan and the Boyzone lads so upset, it really hit us."

Westlife are growing up. Shane, Nicky and Kian are married. Shane has three kids. Nicky has twins.

But although Mark is engaged, there will be no wedding bells anytime soon.

"People put engagement and wedding too close together," he said.

"At the moment, we are enjoying the engagement.

But it's not been an easy road for Westlife. Kian, Mark and Shane started in a six-strong Sligo group called IOYOU. Shane's mum helped them get together with Louis in July 1998. But before Simon signed them to BMG, the other three members were dumped and Nicky and Brian McFadden from Dublin brought in.

But after their success, Brian quit the band in 2004 and, like Take That and the Spice Girls, Westlife could have split, too.

But they didn't although they did an album of swing covers, Allow Us To Be Frank, which Mark calls a "weird time" and an album he'd like to forget.

Nowadays, they have competition from JLS, who are Westlife's first real threat for the biggest boy band tag.

But after 12 years at the top and over 40 million albums sold, the Irish lads reckon JLS still have a lot to achieve.

Kian said: "I'm happy to compete. There's no point in sitting down and not do our thing.

"We are very different to JLS. It's also their first year. If you manage to get a great album together in your first year and have talent, which they do, you will have an even bigger second year because that's how trends work.

"But we are happy to concentrate on ourselves and look back and remember our first few years and how crazy it was.

"The best way to look at it is to compare our first year and songs like Swear Again and Flying Without Wings and having seven No.1s straight."

That might be a subtle dig. While JLS's debut album beat Robbie Williams to the top spot and their first two singles went to No.1, their third, One Shot, only got to No.6. But Kian isn't taking anything away from The X Factor runners-up.

"The boys are living the dream, travelling and visiting places you don't even know the name of. But it's different when you are in your 12th year.

"It's a different type of success and we are at a different part of our career. It's tougher to constantly stay at the top of your game and record better songs."

If you haven't got tickets for Westlife's SECC shows at the end of the month, Sky are offering the next best thing.

Next Friday, May 14, a live special show by the boys from London's O2 Arena will be screened on Sky Box Office. It will also be on HD.

Are the band going to get some Botox for those close-ups? "What are you suggesting?" laughed Kian.

"We aren't in shape?" "We are on tour so we have been training for the show. This is going to be a good night for our fans."

Westlife play Glasgow's SECC on May 24, 25 and 26. On Friday, May 14 Sky Box Office will broadcast Westlife Live From The O2, a live gig by Westlife from London's O2Arena.

To see the shows check out: Westlife Live From The O2 on SBO/HD Events Channel, Friday, May 14 at 8pm. Catch replays from Saturday, May 15. A backstage special in the lead up to the show called Westlife - Here We Are is on Monday, May 10, 4pm on Sky Movies Family/HD.

Fuente: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk

Westlife: We're A 'Manband'

Westlife have been around for 12 years but they're not worried about their young competition.

Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne are happy to call themselves a "manband".

The band have enjoyed 14 UK number one singles and sold over 43 million records worldwide.

And now they're getting ready to hit the road again with 22 tour dates across the UK and Westlife Live From The O2 at 8pm on Friday 14th May on Sky Box Office. We catch up with the group ahead of their Where We Are tour this summer.

Which part of the tour are you looking forward to the most?

Nicky: "Touring is one of the most exciting parts of what we do as Westlife. You go out and meet the fans, sing live - there really isn't a better part of the job.

"Over the 12 years we've been together we've built up quite a relationship with the fans and we like to have a bit of fun and banter on stage.

So what can fans expect?

Nicky: "Being on tour is different to a typical run-of-the-mill TV performance and being broadcast live on Sky Box Office will be extra special because there will be added pressure - mistakes are there to be seen!"

Shane: "When we go on tour we always do a medley of out-there songs and this year is a really good one. It's the part of the show where fans get to see us doing things we don't normally do."

You say you've built up a good relationship with fans - what's the most crazy thing a fan has done?

Shane: "We've had death threats, we've had a few stalkers. Mark's had a couple of dodgy stalkers."

Mark: "Some fans have christened their children after us - that's very romantic isn't it?"

Do you miss performing with Brian?

Nicky: "No." (laughs)

Shane: "There will be some moments that bring back memories and remind us of the times we had with Brian, but as a band we've been without him for a long time and we're still good friends. We've moved on, it's like going to school with someone and then you both go to colleges, you go your separate ways."

How do you relax on tour?

Nicky: "We have bubble baths!"

Mark: "During the day we have the opportunity to go to the gym, go for walks, exercise."

So you're clean-living guys?

Nicky: "In general we like a night out and have a drink but we look after ourselves on tour - you have to look after your body."

Kian: "We used to go mad on tours in the first few years but now we can only do that if you have a guaranteed day off the next day. You don't want to be going on stage with a hangover so we try to keep it down to one night a week."

How did you feel about Take That reforming?

Kian: "To see bands like Take That do well is a positive thing. For a long time pop music seemed to be on the way out and rock and rap music was taking over, so for Take That to come back and have success proves there's room for different types of music. Boybands, or Manbands, whatever you want to call us, can be successful again."

Are you worried about being in a different market with younger bands like JLS?

Mark: "We came out in 1999 and since then there's been Busted, Blue, F!VE, JLS, and a lot of other bands. I think we've proven there's room for more than one - we don't worry about other acts, we're busy taking care of ourselves."

If you weren't all in relationships, which celebrities would catch your eye?

Kian: "Gisele is very pretty."

Shane: "For me the prettiest-looking celebrity would be Charlize Theron, she's incredible looking. Katherine Heigl is also beautiful - I had to have two."

Nicky: "I like the older woman at the moment, I think a little bit of Sandra Bullock could be nice."

Are you best friends?

Nicky: "We've kind of grown-up together, we're even closer than some brothers, but we all have a separate set of friends - if the band broke up now we wouldn't see each other every day, we'd hook up in time. We get on amazingly or else we wouldn't still be around."

Who spends the most time in front of mirror on tour?

Nicky: "Mark!"

Mark: "Yes it could be true - in terms of getting ready for show, I like to relax and get ready slowly. So potentially I could spend longer in front of the mirror."

Have you got any extravagant riders?

Mark: "Not really, just fruit, chocolate and a few beers."

Kian, are you and Jodi (Albert) planning to have kids soon?

Kian: "Jodi's in a new girlband with Mercury records and they're coming out this summer so the focus is more on that.

"The name of the band is a secret at the moment but they're supporting Westlife on the tour and will be previewed on Sky Box Office."

Westlife Live From The O2 and begins at 8pm on Friday 14th May on Sky Box Office.

Fuente :http://showbiz.sky.com

Westlife joins celebrity mourners at funeral of father-of-five radio presenter Gerry Ryan

Broadcaster and father-of-five Gerry Ryan was warmly remembered yesterday as a textbook super-dad and motormouth DJ too bright for this world.
He endeared himself to thousands of listeners as the voice of Irish radio
But it was his celebrity friends who summed up ‘the big man’ best when they paid tribute to Gerry Ryan at his funeral yesterday.
Irish president Mary McAleese, a friend after lecturing Ryan in Trinity College and working in RTE, former Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, designer John Rocha and pop group Westlife were among dozens of high-profile mourners.

Other celebrity pals who turned up to pay tribute included Boyzone’s Keith Duffy his wife Lisa, and Yvonne Keating the wife of Boyzone's Ronan Keating.
Westlife’s Shane, Kian, Nicky and Mark all arrived moments before the ceremony in a blacked out van and quickly entered the church in preparation for their moving rendition of ‘Your Raise me Up’ which they sung at the end of the ceremony.
The pop group gave their tribute in song, performing You Raise Me Up with members of the gospel choir.
U2, Ryan's favourite group who he supported throughout their career, sent a message from New York. 'Calling from New York on the Ryan Line, Ryan Line still open,' said lead singer Bono before the band performed their track With Or Without You.
'Goodbye Gerry, see you down the road,' the frontman said.

Fuente: http://www.dailymail.co.uk

Westlife to sing at funeral as Gerry has the last laugh

Gerry Ryan always wanted his family and friends to remember him with laughter – so he provided one last giggle, even in death.
In typical Gerry humour, a brass plaque on his coffin features a famous movie line: “Open the pod bay doors, HAL.”
The line comes from the Stanley Kubrick film, 2001: A Space Odyssey. And although the moment in the film marks an eerie conflict between an astronaut and the supercomputer HAL- 9000, the movie raises the idea of life beyond death.
The 2FM chat show host made his final journey home to his family in Clontarf yesterday evening.
Late yesterday afternoon, his partner Melanie visited Gerry in the funeral home.
WAKED
His body will be waked privately and a funeral mass will take place at 11.30am tomorrow after which Gerry Ryan will be laid to rest.
The rich mahogany coffin was carried into his home as his family and friends gathered around to mark the life of the legendary broadcaster.
Westlife will perform at the funeral tomorrow, which will be broadcast live on 2fm.
Final preparations were being made today for the service. It will be “sober and dignified” in accordance with the wishes of his family, chief celebrant Fr Michael Collins said today.
A string quartet from the National Symphony Orchestra will play classical music in the Church of St John the Baptist on Clontarf Road before Mass begins. A gospel choir will sing hymns during the Mass.
Westlife are expected to sing You Raise Me Up during communion. All the music arrangements are being coordinated by Fr Dermod McCarthy of RTE, one of five priests who will concelebrate the Mass.
There will be no ‘celebrity’ speaker and the homily will be delivered by Fr Brian D’Arcy who has ministered to members of the showbusiness and media community for decades.
Fr Collins was chosen by the family as chief celebrant on the strength of an 11-year friendship with Gerry which began when Gerry interviewed him about his book, The Story of Christianity, in 1999. Fr Collins was later transferred to Rome but Gerry frequently interviewed him there about church matters.
“Gerry used to refer to me as ‘Our Man in the Vatican’. Gerry was a very interesting man and one of the funniest people I ever met. People either loved or hated him but the majority of people had a soft spot for him,” said Fr Collins, who is based in Blackrock in Dublin.
“The family have asked that the funeral Mass be a sober event. I know that Gerry loved the traditions of the church and the whole pomp and ceremony. I know he probably would have liked a Verdi Mass with full orchestration but the church is not big enough. It only holds about 500 people,” said Fr Collins.
“He got his interest in faith from his mother who was a very religious woman and who was a strong influence on his life. Maureen had enormous faith,” he said.
PRIESTS
The other priests participating will be Fr Jack Harris, who taught Gerry in St Paul’s secondary school in Raheny and has links with RTE, and the moderator of the parish, Fr Cormac McIlraith.
Fr McIlraith said: “RTE people have been preparing the church for the broadcasting of the Mass. The gardai are expecting a lot of people to arrive and loudspeakers are being erected across the road in the big car park. It’s a busy main road so the guards will probably be on duty outside.”
He said that the church, built in 1830, was not big enough to cater for large crowds. The church has strong links with the Ryan family. Gerry and Morah were married in the church and Gerry’s mother funeral took place there three years ago.
Gerry spoke affectionately in the church about his mother during the Mass. He will be buried alongside her at Dardistown cemetery. The family had requested that the burial be a private occasion.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made by people to a charity of their own personal choice.
Fr McIlraith said that all five Ryan children had received the sacraments in the church and that Gerry had met with him on some of these occasions. “He was always very, very courteous on those occasions,” he said.

Fuente: http://www.herald.ie

Westlife Merchandise

Westlife.com has just added lots of new official tour merchandise! Make sure you visit the official site and click on the store button now!

You'll be able to find a new range of t-shirts, vests, tour programmes, jewellery and badges.

Check out the official Westlife Merchandise Online Shop here: http://westlife.officialmerchshop.com/

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Westlife Tour Update!
 
Westlife have added another tour date into the "Where We Are" diary!

The new show is on Friday 30th July at Lissadel House, Sligo, Ireland.

As of yet there is no on sale date however so stay tuned to Westlife.com to find out when you can get your tickets.

We are also announcing that support for the Tour will be from "WOW" and "Wonderland"

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Westlife’s Kian looking forward to home gig

Westlife’s Kian Egan said the band are looking forward to performing in their home town during the summer.
The Sligo stars confirmed they will play Lissadell House on the 30th of July as part of a major musical weekend in the North West.
Canadian singer/ songwriter Leonard Cohen will also play at the historic estate during the mini music festival.
Kian Egan said when the promoters got in touch with the band about the gig they jumped at the chance to play in Sligo.

Fuente: http://oceanfm.ie

Call for Sligo to capitalise on Lissadell concerts

There has been a call on businesses in the North West to capitalise on the benefits which three summer concerts in Sligo will bring.
Following the confirmation today that Westlife will play Lissadell House on the 30th of July, Failte Ireland North West said it will prove an ideal opportunity to showcase the region.
The announcement came as Leonard Cohen has sold out two dates at the historic estate the same weekend.
Thousands of revellers are expected in Sligo for the weekend musical extravaganza.
Martina Bromley from Failte Ireland North West said it provides a great opportunity to highlight all the region has to offer.

Fuente: http://oceanfm.ie

What about that! Westlife rock the Odyssey

WESTLIFE were back at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast this week, bigger and better than ever as they returned to the city following a two year break from touring

The boys were obviously thrilled to be back on stage again, almost as thrilled as the thousands of fans who packed into the Odyssey to see them during three sold out nights at the venue.

Looking and sounding great, the Westlife boys danced their hearts out during the two-hour spectacle, which featured tracks from their new album 'Where We Are', some of the band's greatest hits and even a Glee style medley of Black Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling, Beyonce's Halo and Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire in an energetic routine.

A spectactular computerised laser display kicked off the show, counting down the seconds until Shane, Nicky, Kian and Mark appeared on stage, where they opened the concert with Where We Are, the title track of their latest album, before moving on to the massive hit What About Now? and then picking up the pace with a rocking rendition of When You're Looking Like That.

The fans were already having the time of their lives, singing and dancing along and the noise only got louder as the guys went through hit after hit including My Love, where they showed off their vocal ability by finishing the song acapella, Uptown Girl, Swear It Again, Mandy and a mash-up of If I Let You Go and Air Supply's All Out Of Love.

A quick costume change later and the boys were back with fantastic versions of Home and I'm Already There, as well as new hits Shadows and Reach Out.

Picking up the energy, the guys added another string to their bow with a dance routine that proved they have well and truly ditched the stools. A medley of Black Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling, a dance version of Beyonce's Halo, Thin Lizzy's The Boys Are Back In Town, which featured Kian on electric guitar and Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire had the Odyssey rocking and the audience breathless by the end of the set.

Watched by their families, the guys paid tribute to their loved ones and the fans who have supported them since they began in 1998. With such a back catalogue, it is always going to be difficult to fit in all of their hits, but the biggest selling band of the decade managed to do just that with a good blend of the old and the new finishing the night with the huge hits What Makes A Man, Flying Without Wings and World Of Our Own, before saying their goodbyes.

As chants of 'Westlife' reverberated around the room, the action began for the encore. With crosses filling the screens, the boys returned to the stage dressed in black suits as they prepared to pay a moving tribute to their loved ones. Having been together for the past 13 years, it is only inevitable that the band have become like family to each other and the group paid a fitting tribute to both Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne's father's Kevin and Nicky Senior who sadly passed away last year. Finishing the evening with the hauntingly beautiful I'll See You Again, a song dedicated to both men, photos of Kian and Nicky with their father's flashed across the screen as both men stood beside each other, seeking comfort in what must have been a difficult performance. The band then ended the night with a superb performance of You Raise Me Up, the song the group performed at the funerals of both men, continuing their tribute and completing a magnificent show.

It was great to see Westlife back at the Odyssey once again following their hiatus, and they proved why they are one of the best loved and most successful boy bands out there as they put on their best show ever.

Local fans will now be looking forward to the guys returning once again, the question will be when that is, although from the reaction from fans they would be saying, 'What about now?'

Fuente: http://www.lisburntoday.co.uk

Belfast goes crazy for Westlife

You know a band are popular when the crowd is going nuts before they've even taken the stage.

The party atmosphere at last night's first of three Westlife shows at the Odyssey Arena began with the appearance of the boy band members on the video screens.

Shane got a cheer. Kian got a roar. Nicky got a deafening, bloodcurdling scream. And Mark ... Well, Mark seems to be Westlife's Ringo, but the response was still louder than you would get for Kiss, Metallica and Green Day put together.

Westlife's entrance would have shamed these rock titans, too. The intro music was like the Star Wars theme having a fight with the Superman theme, while the stage set looked like the Armagh Planetarium on crack.

The four singers appeared onstage clad top to toe in studded black leather, sporting haircuts that probably cost more than my car.

They kicked off with a one-two punch of über-ballad What About Now and the actually-quite-rocking When You're Looking Like That.

This set the formula for the evening — a ballad followed by an upbeat tune, and the fans loved every minute of it.

The capacity crowd was made up mainly of girls from six to 60, but there were a few dads and husbands in there, too — and everyone sang themselves hoarse.

It was impossible to resist the bouncy charm of anthems like Mandy, Shadows and Billy Joel's Uptown Girl.

 

They even had a crack at Thin Lizzy's The Boys Are Back in Town (with Kian on guitar!), and it wasn't half bad.

The show was the opening night of the tour to promote Westlife's new album Where We Are, but it was just as much a greatest hits set.

And what hits. You don't sell 40 million records and score 14 number ones — almost as many as the Beatles — without knowing a good tune when Louis Walsh hears one.

Boyzone may be cuter. Take That may be quirkier. But Westlife are certainly the most charismatic of the boy bands, and they had the Belfast audience in the palm of their hands for the duration of this two-hour extravaganza.

No expense had been spared. There were costume changes, at least three major set changes and what looked like the plans for the Death Star on the video screens.

But the focus was on the four guys. Their dancing wasn't up to much, but they were clearly having the time of their lives up there. When Nicky asked if the crowd had missed them, I thought my glasses were going to shatter with the volume of the response.

Indeed, the fans were so loud it was hard to tell how the boys' voices are holding up after an astonishing 11 years at the top of their game.

Boyzone may be cuter. Take That may be quirkier. But Westlife are certainly the most charismatic of the boy bands, and they had the Belfast audience in the palm of their hands for the duration of this two-hour extravaganza.

Fuente: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk