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