WESTLIFE MAKE IT A HOT, SUMMER NIGHT

They came on to fireworks, played Sex On Fire and left thousands of fans screaming for more on a hot, summer's night.

A crowd of 10,000 sang, danced, cried and played the odd vuvuzela through a two-hour set of greatest hits by Ireland's most successful band at Ashton Gate this evening - and the show contained a few surprises.

It was Westlife's first visit to Bristol in 12 years and they made the most of it, playing 20 songs to an ecstatic crowd who had waited so long see their heroes back in the West country, regaling some lucky fans with 'Happy Birthday'.and cracking jokes about Nicky Byrne's recent penalty-misses in the Socceraid charity match.

After a black curtain fell to reveal the now-grown-up hearthrobs for opener Where We Are, the boys - dressed moodily in black - had the mainly female crowd signing along to What About Now before rocking into When You're Looking Like That.

Westlife's Kian Egan in action during the opening number

They slowed down the pace with their number one hit My Love - replete with mass arm waving - and the first big reaction of night greeted their cover of Billy Joel's Uptown Girl, which even had the directors box on its feet.

As the sun set behind the Atyeo Stand stage, an acapella Swear It Again, piano-led Mandy and slow-dance If I Let You Go had the crowd in reflective mood.

The Bristol skies started to darken along with the synthised intro to Shadow and the band's first costume change saw them perform the hands-in-the-air Home and ballad I'm Already There.

The concert attracted a 10,000 crowd to City's home ground

The crowd were back on their feet jumping as the 30-somethings - now clad in colured leather jackets and surrounded by giant inflatables - proved they still had their finger on the pulse by rolling out surprise covers of Black Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling and Beyonce's Halo. A further cover of Thin Lizzy's Boys Are Back In Town - with band-member Kian Egan on guitar - showed a nod to their Irish roots before the rock-out continued with a raunchy cover of Kings of Leon hit Sex On Fire, in what was arguably the highlight of the show.

One of the biggest cheers of the night greeted football-mad Nicky Byrne's query: 'Are there any Bristol City fans here tonight?'; and the biggest boos to the follow-up question: 'Are there any Bristol Rovers fans?'

 After a quick breather, it was back to their own material with What Makes A Man - complete with fireworks - 1999 smash hit Flying Without Wings and fellow number one World Of Our Own getting the big crowd singing along word perfect before fireworks saw the band exit the stage down the Atyeo Stand tunnel.

With glow-sticks held aloft in the crowd and the staged bathed in purple light, the band returned dressed in smart black suits for an emotional encore of I'll See You Again and You Raise Me Up.

The fans enjoy the sunshine at Ashton Gate this evening

"Good evening Bristol, it's nice to have the sun out. It's been 12 years since we were last in Bristol, let's hope it's not another 12 years before we come back," Shane Filan told the audience, and 10,000 happy fans will no doubt feel the same way. 
 

Earlier Bristol youngsters The Fuel - winners of the Evening Post support act competition - got a chance to play the big stage, before all-girl band Wonderland - managed by Louis Walsh and Egan - played a well-received 30-minute set.

The show was another example of Ashton Gate's ability to attract the biggest names in music and group managing director Doug Harman said: "It was a very enjoyable concert and, with the weather impeccable, the perfect summer night for thousands of Westlife fans here tonight.

All-girl Wonderland were the main support act to Westlife

"Ashton Gate Stadium remains the only venue in the region capable of attracting artists of Westlife's calibre and watching so many people singing along and enjoying the show makes all the hard work worthwhile.

"We were very pleased with the turnout and special credit must go to all our staff for the effort they put in to make it a success.

"The work doesn't stop here, however, as we now look forward to welcoming top UK comedian Bill Bailey to Bristol for a stand-up show on Saturday night for what promises to be another memorable evening."

Bristol youngsters The Fuel played a rousing opening set

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