Westlife 'can't wait' for hometown gig

Westlife singer Kian Egan has said that "it feels surreal to be getting up this morning and preparing to play a concert in his home town."

The four piece will take to the stage this evening at Lissadell House, to perform as part of a three day music weekend in Sligo

The 'You Raise Me Up' singers have not played their home town for seven years and according to Ocean FM, Kian has said that he "can't wait" for the event.

Mark Feehily also expressed his excitement by tweeting: "Sligo here we go! We are home!! Rain Rain stay away, let the fun commence! xxx".

Canadian legend and songwriter Leonard Cohen will take to the stage on Saturday and Sunday night, with an estimated crowd of 30,000 fans expected to gather on the historic estate over the course of the three nights.

Fuente: http://www.rte.ie

Westlife can’t wait to take to Lissadell stage

Westlife’s Kian Egan said it feels surreal to be getting up this morning and preparing to play a concert in his home town.
Sligo’s famous sons take to the stage this evening as part of a three day musical extravaganza in the North West.
While legendary Canadian songwriter Leonard Cohen will perform to the masses on Saturday and Sunday night.
Lissadell House will be transformed as 30,000 fans descend on the grounds for the three day event.
It’s been seven years since Westlife played in their native Sligo and Kian said they can’t wait.

Fuente: http://oceanfm.ie

Win tickets to Westlife at Sandown Park racecourse!

We're giving Fans the chance to win a pair of tickets to see Westlife performing live at Sandown Park racecourse on Thursday 5th August!

Simply click here to enter! Good luck!

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Final countdown to Lissadell concerts

The countdown continues to the biggest musical event of the year in the North West.

Thousands of revellers are expected to descend on Sligo for the highly anticipated Lissadell concerts.


There is only one day left until the three day musical extravaganza of the year kicks off at Lissadell House here in Sligo.

Last minute preparations are underway and excitement is building ahead of the three day mini festival.

30,000 fans are expected to descend on the historic estate to catch Sligo¢s own Westlife take to the stage for their homecoming concert tomorrow with legendary Leonard Cohen entertaining the masses for two sold out gigs on Saturday and Sunday.

A traffic management plan has been put in place for the event

Those travelling by car are advised that the only access to the concert venue is off the N15 Sligo Bundoran Road at Mullaghnaneane Cross, about 2 KM south of Grange.

There are no drop-off facilities for cars as they will only be allowed to exit the venue when the concert is underway.

Concert goers travelling by bus will be brought to the Bus Park at Lissadell while those opting for taxis will be brought to Oxfield Park and a shuttle bus service will run from there to the concert venue.

People with disabilities are asked to travel to Oxfield Park, and specially designated buses will bring them to the concert venue.

Gates open at 4pm for each concert and the message is to get their early in order to make the most of the Lissadell experience.

Fuente: http://www.oceanfm.ie

Win tickets to see Westlife perform at Sandown Park Racecourse

Irish hearthrobs Westlife perform live in concert at Sandown Park Racecourse on Thursday, August 5.

After an evening of racing, they will treat the crowd to hits from their latest album as well as old favourites.

The Surrey Comet has teamed up with the racecourse to offer a pair of tickets to four lucky readers.

Westlife, who start a UK tour this summer, called the Where We Are tour, is the only act in UK history to have their first seven singles go straight to number one and have sold more than 45m records worldwide.

The band took a year off in 2008, after a run of 14 number one singles and 10 chart-topping albums, and spent much of 2009 creating their new album.

Band member Shane Filan said: "We've been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After 11 years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story."

Tickets start at £5 for children under nine, up to £32 for an adult premier ticket. To book, call 01372 470047 or visit sandown.co.uk.

For a chance to win tickets, answer the following question: What is the name of Westlife's new album?

Email your answer to drankin@london.newsquest.co.uk before midnight on Sunday, August 1.


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

It's Petslife! Boys to bring pooches to Sligo gig

WESTLIFE are going to party with their families and close friends behind the stage at their Lissadell House concert on Friday -- and their pets will also get in on the act.

The boys are set to bring their pet pooches along for the show. They have specifically asked for dog bones and other dog food in their "must-have" list of backstage supplies at their first concert in seven years in Sligo, home county to three of the four singers.

Backstage sources revealed Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky have also asked for a supply of chewing-gum. They have also asked for Lucozade Sportdrink before taking the stage in front of 10,000 fans.

Leonard Cohen, a WB Yeats fanatic who plays the venue on Saturday and Sunday nights, hasn't sought any special behind-stage packages.

Graveyard

He's expected to pay a private visit to Yeats' grave in nearby Drumcliffe Church graveyard.


Organisers making final preparations at the concert site -- a fielded amphitheatre in the grounds of Lissadell House -- yesterday were confident about the comfort and security for 30,000 fans over the weekend. Site manager Robbie Butler emphasised there was no comparison with the Duisburg Love Parade in Germany last Saturday when 19 people were trampled to death in a narrow space.

He said: "Lissadell is a good, natural amphitheatre with open fields all around. If there's an unlikely call for evacuation it could be done without anybody even leaving the site."


Every one of the 10,000 fans will be seated on each of three nights, and those higher up will have a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Ben Bulben on the other.


Westlife will have two support acts, Kian Egan's wife Jodi Albert and her band and Shane Filan's brother-in-law Glenn Cal, a musician who regularly plays in Sligo pubs.


Cohen will perform for three hours without support acts at Lissadell's first big show.


Sligo expects to make ¤3m out of the weekend, with a town-centre street party thrown in for good measure on Saturday afternoon.

Lissadell's owners Edward Walsh and his wife Constance Cassidy hope concerts will become an annual event but much of that depends on a rights-of-way dispute with Sligo County Council.


Fuente: http://www.herald.ie

Natasha set to meet pop stars Westlife at their homecoming gig in Sligo

LOCAL woman Natasha Woods will be the envy of girls all around the world this Friday when she gets to meet pop sensations Westlife at their homecoming concert in Lissadell House in Sligo.


The 27-year-old mother of two felt she was Flying Without Wings last week when she won a 2FM competition to meet Mark, Shane, Kian and Nicky at their gig this coming weekend


Natasha beat off competition from several other callers to the Colm and Lucy show to land the prize on Tuesday last, which includes a meet and greet with the band and an overnight stay in the Clarion Hotel.
Speaking about her prize, Natasha said she was over the moon and couldn't wait to meet one of her favourite bands.

"I'm just ecstatic," she said. "It's not like me at all because I never win anything."
Natasha has been a major Westlife fan for years and it was that devotion to the band that helped her land the prize as her superior knowledge of their songs proved the difference in the end.


"There were four of us in a semi-final and they'd play a bit of a song and then cut it out so we had to fill in the lines when they called our name out and if you got it wrong you were out.


"I got through to the final with one other girl and the song was World Of Our Own. She was called out first and sang the wrong words so I kind of knew at that stage I had it."

Natasha, who manages Exhibit in the Marshes, also revealed that it was a huge stroke of luck that she even got to enter the competition at all.

"I normally work Monday to Friday but I had to cover for one of the other girls that weekend so I was off on the Tuesday, which I'd never normally be. Had I been in work I wouldn't have even heard about the competition because we don't even have a radio."
The only dilemma left facing Natasha after her win was who to bring with her.


"I said on radio that it would be either my husband or my sister but it just doesn't suit either of them so I'll be going with my best friend Amy Callaghan," she said.



Fuente: http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie

Westlife four set for Sandown show

IF there are two things the Irish are particularly good at, it¢s horse racing and having a great time over a good tune. Sandown Park, in Esher, has combined both for a great day out on Thursday, August 5 featuring Irish pop group sensation Westlife playing live after the races.

The band formed by young talented heartthrobs are touring the UK with the Where We Are tour and crowds at Sandown will be able to enjoy hits from the eponymous album as well as a mix of their classic songs.

Made up of Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne, Westlife are the only group in UK history to have their first seven singles go straight to Number 1 and have since gone on to sell over 45 million records worldwide.

They are also credited with being the “second biggest selling artist” and the “biggest selling band of the decade” in the UK.

Spending much of 2009 hidden away in studios across Europe and the US, Westlife have been quietly creating their most exciting album to date. Where We Are features work from pop¢s finest craftsmen, including Grammy-nominated Ryan Tedder, who has worked with Leona Lewis and Beyonce, and Steve Robson, who has worked with James Morrison and Take That.

Tickets booked in advance are: £32 Premier, £27 Grandstand, £15 for children aged between 10-17 years old, £5 for children aged between 0-9 years old.

Call Sandown Park on 01372 470047 or visit www.sandown.co.uk.

Groups of 12 or more adults get 20% off admission price.

Fuente:  http://www.getsurrey.co.uk

Win the chance to meet Westlife at Mansfield gig

MANSFIELD is set to host its biggest ever live music event when Irish heart-throbs Westlife come to Field Mill on 21st August - and you can be there to meet them. This week's Chad - out on Wednesday - has a greay easy-to-enter competition to win tickets to the gig - plus the chance to meet the Irish superstars.

 Westlife are coming to Mansfield's Field Mill in August - and you could meet them

Don't miss your copy of this week's Chad for the chance to win a great prize.

A total of 15,000 tickets went on sale for the concert priced between £35-45 per ticket. Tickets can be bought online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.stagsclubshop.com or by contacting the stadium hotline on Mansfield 482 482.


  

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

Supporting acts announced for Lisadell concerts

Preparations are continuing for this weekend’s musical festival in Sligo.
Five 40 ton trucks have already arrived in Sligo to prepare the site for the event. A 30 man crew has started preparing the stage for Westlife and Leonard Cohen
Music Gower’s to Sligo’s extravaganza festival are being urged to allow plenty of time to ensure they get the utmost out of their trip to Lissadell house this bank holiday weekend.
Its expected around 30,000 fans will flock to the Yeats County to see West life and Lenora Cohen during the three day event.
Concert goers are encouraged to take ht bus to avoid traffic congestion and delays. For those driving by car to Lissadell house there are 2 car parks with free parking at the venue.
Gates open at 4pm for all 3 concerts and patrons are advised to go early to enjoy the food stands across the site.
On Friday night it’s very a family affair as the supporting acts include Kian Egans wife Jodi from girl band Wonderland-and Shane Filans relative Glen Call kick off the proceedings at 7pm while westlife take centre stage at 8.30. The concert is due to finish up at approximately 10.15
While music legend Leonard Cohan takes to the stage at 7.30 pm each night with the event due to conclude just before 11 o’clock
Isabella Cassidy the manager of Lissadell house says she is very excited about the event.
Fuente: http://oceanfm.ie

The light of evening, Lissadell . . . and 10,000 wailing Westlife fans

LOUIS Walsh says he would have managed WB Yeats, "if he had been big enough".
Westlife manager Louis, who will be at their show in Lissadell House near Sligo next Friday, said that he "would have gladly looked after the career of Yeats if he gave me 20 per cent of his earnings. And he would have been my first poet!"
He said he was "absolutely delighted" that his former partner John Reynolds, co-manager with Louis back in the early days of Boyzone, had sold out the gig.
Louis added that he would have liked to have managed Leonard Cohen, who plays next Saturday and Sunday in Lissadell House and, unlike Cohen's previous manager, he wouldn't have allegedly stolen all his money. "And Ireland is tax-free for artists!" he added.
Meanwhile, Reynolds said: "It is an honour to be putting these shows on, but equally important is the venue. It's a magical place."
The last time Cohen played Ireland all the members of U2 and their manager, Paul McGuinness, attended, as did Enya, the Honourable Garech de Brun, Daniel Day-Lewis and Rebecca Miller, Jim Sheridan, Neil Jordan and Bertie Ahern and Michael McDowell. Don't be surprised, then, who you might see in the west next weekend.
For those not up on their history -- ie Westlife fans -- the Lissadell estate in Co Sligo is a former home of the Countess Constance Markievicz and was a regular place of quiet contemplation for Ireland's most famous poet, William Butler Yeats.
Isobel Cassidy -- who runs the estate and whose sister Constance Cassidy owns Lissadell House with husband Edward Walsh -- said: "The excitement in Sligo at the moment is almost tangible; the last two or three years have been a real challenge for people and these concerts mean a lot to Sligo and the north-west."
What has tarnished this jewel in the crown is a very public court case. Last year, proceedings against Sligo County Council were brought by barristers Constance Cassidy and Edward Walsh over the public rights of way along certain routes at Lissadell.
"It's just finished after 58 days at hearing in the High Court," said Isobel Cassidy. "We are all just very happy that Lissadell is alive. When John put it to us that it was Leonard Cohen [who was going to play the venue] and how inspired he is by Yeats and that it would be Westlife coming home to Sligo, it was something we just couldn't not do. And we're so glad now that we are doing it because the area of Sligo and the west is alive with positivity about Leonard Cohen coming here."
The stage for Cohen and Westlife is set in a natural amphitheatre right beside Lissadell House, with the massive Ben Bulben mountain as the backdrop to the stage, and the shining Atlantic in Sligo Bay to the right.
Local lad Shane Filan is almost embarrassingly excited about his band Westlife's show. It is a homecoming show for him (and two of the other members of Westlife -- Kian Egan and Mark Feehily -- who hail from Sligo).
"In 2003, when it came up for sale, Louis came over one day with the Irish Independent property supplement with Lissadell House on the front. 'You should buy that,' he said -- typical Louis. I went and had a look at it just out of curiosity but it would have been a huge undertaking. It was also €3m," said Filan.
"Apparently, Bono had flown down in a helicopter to have a look at it, because he is a big Yeats fan.
"But I was never interested because I had already started work on my dream house in Sligo, the house I'm living in very happily with my wife and kids now. Life is good."
The year started with Shane and his wife, Gillian, having their first son, Patrick, a brother for their four-year-old daughter Nicole.
"So that was great to be at home with the new baby," said Filan. "It was a big family year for me. But then Kian's dad got sick and he was dealing with that the whole time. It was hard to see that. Then he died and then Stephen [Gately] died and then Nicky [Byrne's] dad. There was so much sorrow and sadness in the year."
"All those deaths brought us together, made us stronger. It was a terrible shock. The mood of the band wasn't good during that period. It was a horrendous time, but we pulled through."
Westlife, July 30; Leonard Cohen, July 31 and August 1 at Lissadell House. Tickets, from €80 including booking fee on sale at Ticketmaster and usual outlets
Fuente: http://www.independent.ie

Competition: Race you!

We've got four pairs of tickets to Ladies Day at Newbury Racecourse to give away

Get the girls together, dig out your best frock and head to Ladies Day at Newbury racecourse on August 14.

With style spotters searching the crowd for the ladies rocking the hottest looks, make sure you look hot to trot!
We've got four sets of tickets, worth £130 a pair, to give away.
You'll get entry to the races as well as the Party In The Paddock, where Westlife are performing. And they'll be champagne too.
For your chance to win simply fill in the form below, before midnight on Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Win a pair of tickets to Ladies Day at Newbury Racecourse here

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

Competition: Meet chart toppers Westlife

CHART topping Irish boyband Westlife are to play an outdoor concert in the region and we're giving YOU and a guest the chance to meet them.

One lucky Star reader and a guest will get tickets for the show and meet Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Mark Feehily and Kian Egan.
Ireland's own Fab Four have played to millions of fans in concerts around the world.

But now they are about to thrill fans at East Midlands' latest concert venue, Mansfield Town's football ground - or known as Field Mill stadium - on Saturday, August 21.

Westlife are only the second act to play there, following the X Factor finalists in June. But this is the biggest day in Mansfield's musical history.

No pop group can compare to Westlife's extraordinary success. In their 12 years at the top, they have sold over 43 million records globally.
In the UK alone they have scored nine multi-platinum albums and a record breaking 14 chart-topping hits, behind only Elvis and The Beatles.

Westlife triumphantly returned to the UK charts with the release of their single Home – a cover of the Michael Buble ballad, showcasing the smooth vocal talents of the band.

Concert fans can expect to hear all their biggest hits and favourite album tracks from their vast catalogue, including as Flying Without Wings, Uptown Girl, Queen Of My Heart and World Of Our Own.

It's the biggest ever live music event in Mansfield at the new music venue, where X-Factor finalists recently played. A total of 15,000 tickets are on sale for Westlife.

Mansfield Town chairman Andrew Perry said: "For a town of our size to bring in the likes of Westlife is something special. They are usually an act seen in big cities. To have them here at Mansfield is wonderful. We've never seen anything like this before.

"It's also a great boost to the economy. It will benefit the local business community and raise the profile of the town as a whole."
A park and ride service will operate on the day from the Civic Centre to Field Mill Stadium.

The Star is providing tickets and return coach transport to the concert, at £50 per person. For details call Sheffield 0114-252 1299.
General tickets are £36 to £45, may include booking order. Platinum VIP tickets are now limited. Buy in person, call the stadium hotline on 01623 482 482, book online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or at www.stagsclubshop.com

n For a chance to win our meet and greet plus a pair of tickets, enter by text or online, by deadline on Friday, August 6, 2010, 10am.
Text STARED6 and leave a space, followed by your full name, house number and postcode, then send to 64343.

Texts cost £1 plus your standard network charge. This will be charged to your mobile phone bill. Get the bill payer's permission. Do not text after deadline as you may still be charged and your entry will not be entered into our draw.

Or enter for free online, where you will find full terms and conditions, data protection details about how we may use your information for marketing, or how you can opt-out, visit www.thestar.co.uk/competitions

Usual SNL terms and conditions apply.
Fuente: http://www.thestar.co.uk

Midlands Music Festival, “A Success”

 Exhausted organisers of the Midlands Music Festival have declared the event a huge success with almost 30,000 descending on the festival in the Castle Grounds.

The two day event which was held in aid of the Just 1 Life charity saw chart superstars from the 80¢s right through to the modern day descend on the huge stage erected on the grounds, in front of Tamworth Castle, with pop megastars, Westlife closing the gig on Sunday evening to a capacity crowd.

Sunday saw press from all over the country descend on Tamworth, which fortunately stayed sunny for the duration of the festival, in hopes of capturing the perfect moment from the superstars that were around. They weren¢t disappointed, with Alexandra Burke making most of the tabloids on Monday morning with her risky outfit.

 Alexandra Burke made it into most of the national press
Whilst last years lineup was great, this years was a lot stronger. Throughout the Saturday, 80¢s legends like Level 42, Sister Sledge, Hot Chocolate and Billy Ocean played to a crowd, reliving their younger years (me included). Even with the wait for Billy Ocean (caused by equipment issues), they were in good spirit, chanting the names of the stars. Whilst Saturday was a late night for many in Tamworth, many of the people I spoke too, didn¢t mind hearing Billy Ocean late into the evening.

Sunday was a whole different affair. Over 20,000 descended on the Castle Grounds to take in the A List lineup including, The Saturdays, Alexandra Burke, Peter Andre, Scouting for Girls and Westlife. You could hearing the screaming fans walking through the town centre. The lineup didn¢t disappoint. The arena was heaving, as was the press area and back stage.

Hopefully Tamworth sold it¢s self to the crowd. Many of whom travelled across the country to come to Tamworth. Speaking to the crowd, some had spent the entire evening camping on Saturday night, to get front row for Westlife.

Director of Communications Damien Sanders was exhausted and delighted at the end of Westlife¢s barn-storming performance as top of the bill on Sunday:

“Not only was the Festival a musical inspiration but to see almost 30,000 people over 2 days having such a fantastic time was an exciting and exhilarating experience. The artists on both days could not have been more accommodating and working with them was a dream!

“Every performer was committed to the show. On Saturday Level 42 put on a storming set while Sister Sledge and Alexander O¢Neal added that funky twist. Billy Ocean, in the end, delivered a sensational set providing exactly what you expect from such a seasoned performer.

“Sunday just went from strength to strength with every artist getting a tremendous response. Scouting For Girls have that contemporary, across the board appeal, while Peter Andre is a legend in his own reality show – and his involvement in the Tamworth event was filmed for the forthcoming TV series!

“Westlife stormed away with the climax of the Festival and the audience didn¢t want them to leave - it was standing room only for just over 22,000.”

Of course, this wasn¢t just about the music. The serious underlying reason for the festival was raising money for Just 1 Life, the Tamworth based charity that raise money to help babies born prematurely. Jem Sanders, founder of Just 1 Life said:

“I started the charity to raise funds for premature babies after my personal experience. I never thought we¢d get to this level – giving people a great deal of joy and pleasure while helping tiny babies in need! Who knows what we can do next after this storming success?”
Fuente: www.tamworthblog.co.uk

Where We Are: Future Tours

Wow, so many responses and requests from you guys! You guys really got thinking on this one and there was a real buzz about what songs you would like to see Westlife cover. So, we compiled a list of your favourites and some our personal favourites from all your suggestions. Here it goes..

a.. Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars.
b.. Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father.
c.. Keane - Somewhere Only We Know.
d.. Lionel Ritchie - Stuck On You.
e.. Pink - Just Like A Pill.
f.. The Beatles - Hey Jude.
g.. The Darkness - Love Is Only A Feeling.
h.. Frankie Goes To Hollywood - The Power Of Love.
i.. Bryan Adams - Everything I Do, I Do It For You.
j.. Lastly, A medley of songs from popular musicals. This was a really popular suggestion, with Grease, Mamma Mia and Dirty Dancing among the favourites.

Thanks for all your amazing responses and share your thoughts here!
Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Kian to share stage with Jodi

WESTLIFE star Kian Egan will be sharing the Lissadell stage with his wife, Jodi Albert, whose band Wonderland will support the Sligo boyband on July 31.

The five-piece girl group, who were formed in 2008 and are co-managed by Kian and Westlife manager Louis Walsh, were the first acts confirmed as support for the Westlife show in Lissadell on Friday night, July 31.

It is not the first time that Westlife and Wonderland have shared the billing. At Westlife's Croke Park gigs earlier this summer, Jodi and her bandmates played in front of the tens of thousands of Westlife fans.

Wonderland will release their debut album before the end of 2010 and will be the subject of an ITV documentary in October.

The confirmation that Wonderland would be joining the line-up for Lissadell was made by Mark Feehily, speaking to the Sligo Weekender.

More details of that interview will be available next week in our special Lissadell Concert souvenir supplement.

Fuente:  www.sligoweekender.ie

Westlife close this years Midlands Music Festival

Westlife in Tamworth @ Midlands Music Festival

Westlife wowed over 20,000 fans this evening (Sunday July 18)by performing a full 90 minute set, bringing the Midland Music Festival to a close.
This year saw the festival spread over two days, with the head liners undoubtedly being the boy band from Ireland.
Many people had camped over night to get their front row position to watch the boys.  We have plenty more photos coming for you over the next few days.
Fuente: http://www.tamworthblog.co.uk

Westlife team up with Take That producer

Westlife are reportedly teaming up with the producer who is behind Take That's recent comeback.

The Irish pop group are working on their new album with top American producer John Shanks, reports the Irish Daily Star.
A source told the newspaper: "It's a major coup for Westlife to get this producer - he's produced all the big acts from Bon Jovi to the Backstreet Boys and Take That.
"They wanted him for their last album but weren't able to get him. They're thrilled that he's agreed to work with them on this album."
Shanks worked on the Take That albums 'Beautiful World' and 'The Circus' and wrote their number one hits 'Greatest Day and Patience'.
Westlife flew to London last week to begin work on their new record, which they plan to release in November.
Fuente: http://www.rte.ie

Tickets remain for Madness and Razorlight

NEWMARKET has sold out for the Friday night concert fixture featuring Westlife on August 13, but racegoers can still buy tickets for Madness and Razorlight.
Only a small number of premier enclosure tickets remain for Madness on August 6 and capacity is fast being reached in the garden enclosure and grandstand and paddock for Razorlight on Friday.
Tickets can be booked online at newmarketracecourses.co.uk, or by calling 0844 579 3010.
Fuente: http://www.racingpost.com

Vuvuzelas banned at Tamworth music festival

A music festival in Tamworth says it is the first to ban vuvuzelas, calling them a "nightmare in the making".

Officials are the Midlands Music Festival say security will remove any of the monotone instruments found in revellers' backpacks.
The loud, droning, plastic trumpets were a feature of the recent football World Cup in South Africa.
Director Damien Sanders said the potential of Westlife being drowned out was "an absolute nightmare".
'Walk off stage' Some 44,000 people are expected at this weekend's event at Tamworth Castle Pleasure Grounds.
Spokesman Mike Owen added: "We were slightly concerned when we had someone say, 'I'm bringing my vuvuzela team'.
"We thought 'wait a minute'.
"I don't think the artists would appreciate this. They would have every right to walk off stage."
Fuente: http://www.bbc.co.uk

Westlife's Nicky back on RTÉ 2fm

Westlife singer Nicky Byrne is returning to RTÉ 2fm later this month to co-host Michael Cahill's Sunday evening show.

Byrne presented 'Celebrity Sunday' shows on RTÉ 2fm earlier this year and returns to the airwaves on Sunday, 25 July at 5pm.
He will also co-host with Michael Cahill on 1, 8 and 15 August, with each show looking at the hits and news stories of a different decade.
Commenting, Byrne said: "It's great to be back on RTÉ 2FM co-hosting with Michael Cahill. He did ask in return if he could be in Westlife for a few weeks, but I had to say I'd get back to him on that one! Don't think he can dance... Maybe if he's got a black suit he might fit the bill.
"We've got lots of surprises in store on air, though, so make sure to join us Sundays at 5pm on RTÉ 2FM."
Fuente: http://www.rte.ie

Time to start getting the new Westlife album together

 
Back in London... Time to start getting the new Westlife album together!!! Exciting!!! Chill time is OVER!!!

Fuente: http://www.twitter.com/KianEganWL

Westlife to light up Lissadell House

Westlife to light up Lissadell

Excitement among Westlife fans is slowly approaching fever pitch ahead of the lads much-hyped ‘Homecoming’ concert in the beautiful grounds of Lisadell House, Sligo, on Friday, July 30.
In the week ahead of the show, the scale of the production will be brought home to locals with a bang when five (yes, five) 40-ton trucks will roll into Sligo, carrying a 30-strong crew and masses of equipment. These workers will be tasked with assembling a massive 42-metre stage – a replica of the one the band performed on at Croke Park.
The stage will feature a huge lighting rig, a state-of-the-art sound system and six cameras that will shoot the band’s live performance and beam it to two colossal high-definition screens. Over all, the production of the show will use in excess of 3,000 metres of cable.
As the night draws to a close and darkness descends on Lisadell, fans can expect a major showstopper as a giant robot (yes, robot) explodes with pyrotechnic fireworks setting the stage alight before a confetti shower covers the crowd.
It is over seven years since the Westlife boys have played in their hometown of Sligo, and they are said to be delighted at the prospect of playing in such a special venue.
The once derelict historic and stately Lissadell House – ‘that grey old mansion’ as WB Yeats called it – has been lovingly restored to its former majestic glory over the last seven years.
This summer marks the first ever series of concerts in its grounds, with Westlife passing the reins to the legendary Leonard Cohen for Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1.

Tickets, costing from €55.50, are available from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets.
Fuente: http://www.mayonews.ie

Peas at Oxegen festival in Punchestown

Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas headline the Vodafone stage on day three of the Oxegen Music festival at Punchestown race course in Co Kildare

Torrential rain left 75,000 fans soaked as the Oxegen festival climaxed with an explosive performance by rappper Eminem last night.
Despite the rain, fans rated the three-day festival as a success.
“The rain at Oxegen almost makes it. It stops everyone being so concerned with how they're looking and makes them concentrate on the music,” said Rachel Hamilton (21), who with boyfriend Joseph McAnally (22), from Stamullen, Co Meath, cancelled their holiday to attend the event.
“Like last night when Muse were playing on the main stage. It was great, everybody standing together in the rain watching them.
“The weather made their stage show even better with the raindrops getting caught in the light,” added Joseph.
“This is my third time at Oxegen and it's rained every time,” remarked the couple's friend Eric Strong (22) also from Stamullen.
The wet conditions did produce mud but nowhere near the scale that has turned this and other Irish festival sites into quagmires in previous years. This was due to work on the site by production crews from Saturday night through Sunday morning.
“The crews had contingency plans for every eventuality. Knowing about the rain in advance, they were able to implement them,” said Justin Green of concert promoter MCD
“As soon as the arena closed on Saturday night, site crews moved in and reinforced the ground across the whole site.”
However, these repairs led to a 30-minute delay in the concert arena opening up yesterday at 1.30pm.
Fala Buggy (19) from Chapelizod, Dublin, and Sonia Zhao (18) of Palmerstown, Dublin, were among the first on the repaired site for the opening main stage band, veteran Liverpudlian act Echo & The Bunnymen.
“We've been cold and wet all weekend. We've enjoyed it but it was lovely with the sun being out today,” said Sonia.
2010 was the year the World Cup came to Oxegen, with campers kept awake all night by incessant blowing of vuvuzela horns.
Last night, football lovers could watch the final of the tournament as the Netherlands v Spain game was relayed live on a 100-sqm HD screen on the Nokia Live Stage in the blue campsite.
However, Brid Callaghan (30), one of hundreds at Oxegen yesterday in either Meath or Louth GAA shirts, was more interested in the result of the Leinster football final at Croke Park.
“I love music so I couldn't miss this,” she said.
“But most of my friends are at the match and will be texting me,” said Brid, who didn't regret her decision due to the impressive sets from Dizzee Rascal, Florence & The Machine and Kasabian.
The sporting theme continued at Oxegen with stars of field and track joining in the music.
Irish rugby stars Jamie Heaslip, Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe and Cian Healy helped to provide a percussive climax to a set from UK act Mumford & Sons, after being brought on stage to bang drums for their final song ‘Cave'.
Other VIPs included Newcastle United football team — on a break from training at nearby Carton House — US singer Beyonce, who was spotted at the side of the stage for her husband Jay-Z's dynamite set on Friday night, ‘Sherlock Holmes' actress Rachel McAdams, and Westlife's Mark Feehily.
US rapper Eminem brought Oxegen 2010 to a close last night with a bang, setting off pyrotechnics as he finished up his first concert in Ireland in seven years.
Shortly after, cold, wet and muddied revellers packed up their soaking tents and made a beeline for dry clothes and warm beds.
Fuente: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk

Westlife and Tina Turner prove top of the pops at funerals in city

Westlife's You Raise Me Up is one of the tracks chosen most often by mourners at Lincoln Crematorium.

HAUNTING musical notes to echo pain felt by the congregation are something many of us associate with a funeral.

But the host of songs now available and a more relaxed view of seeing off a loved one means classical overtures destined to bring people to tears have been replaced with more well known pop tracks.
The Echo reported two years ago how pop hits had become some of the most well-played songs at a funeral.
And now a new tracklist from staff at Lincoln Crematorium show songs played in 2008 have now been ditched in favour of other emotionally wrought chart toppers.

A top ten list previously included Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, The Carnival Is Over by The Seekers, I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston and Angels by Robbie Williams.
They have now been replaced by Westlife's You Raise Me Up and Vera Lynn's war-time classic We'll Meet Again.
And Lincoln residents in mourning have also opted for classical music greats, Elgar's Nimrod and Pachelbel's Canon in D major – although they are the only two "traditional" tracks played.
Nick Barton, bereavement services officer at the City Of Lincoln Council, said: "We have quite a large library of music covering classical music, hymns and popular music that is used at services.
"There are more and more families now choosing to use music that has a special meaning to the family or the deceased. We have had CDs with people singing their favourite songs, and we once had a steam train enthusiast who had the sound of his favourite locomotive coming towards the station, passing through and continuing on its journey.
"We don't have a list of songs we do not allow, but we wouldn't want songs that could be offensive to others at the service or any that contain bad language."
Well-known tracks like Over The Rainbow, by Eva Cassidy, Tina Turner's Simply The Best and the appropriately titled Time To Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman are still played regularly.
Russell Hubbard, 37, of Bardney, said he would choose With Or Without You by U2 to be played at his funeral.
He said: "I'd choose this song. obviously because I like it but also because it is quite deep and meaningful.
Radio presenter Tom Davies, of Wragby Road, Lincoln, said Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star would be his choice.
He said: "I'd like to think I'd left something behind for others and it symbolises a kind of guiding light."
Fuente: http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk

Where We Are: Future Tours

The Where We Are tour is soon to enter its last couple of months and we are celebrating what has been an amazing tour so far with tour themed questions.

In this weeks post we are thinking about future Westlife Tours and want to know:

What song would you love to hear Westlife cover in a future tour?

As usual we will be posting a collection of your answers towards the end of the week.

Westlife HQ

Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Win tickets to Westlife’s Sligo homecoming gig at Lissadell House

The Mayo News has a pair of tickets to Westlife’s concert, ‘The Homecoming’, at Lissadell House, Co Sligo, on Friday, July 30 to give away.


Excitement among Westlife’s fans is slowly approaching fever pitch ahead of their ‘Homecoming’ concert in grounds of Lisadell House, Sligo, on Friday, July 30.
It’s over seven years since Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan have played in their hometown of Sligo, and they are said to be delighted at the prospect of playing in such an unusual venue. The once derelict Lissadell House has been restored to its former majestic glory over the last seven years. This summer marks the first ever series of concerts in its grounds, with Westlife passing the reigns to the legendary Leonard Cohen for Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1.

To be in with a chance to win tickets to the concert just fill in the form here. Good luck!

Entries must be received by 4pm on Friday, July 23.
Fuente: http://www.mayonews.ie

Westlife nursing home to go ahead

AGEING Westlife fans can look forward to future care after singer Shane Filan's nursing home development in his home town was given the green light.

An Bord Pleanala has approved the ¤5m nursing home project at Knappagh Road close to Sligo town centre, despite objections by local residents' groups.

Shafin Development, owned by Shane Filan and his brother Finbarr, will shortly go ahead with the construction of the 80-bed facility, which it hopes to complete by next June.

The brothers are also about to begin construction of a 50-bed nursing home in Dromahair and a neighbourhood centre in Carraroe at a combined cost of ¤10m.

The three developments could create upwards of 300 jobs and inject ¤6m or more into the local economy, the brothers have estimated.

"That's similar to a factory opening in Sligo, so there is something to be positive about," said Shane.

But planning permission for the nursing home did not receive universal approval. Residents living next to the proposed home yesterday expressed concerns that An Bord Pleanala had excluded observations made by the HSE as a condition of the planning permission.

Rathedmond Residents' Association spokesman Jim O'Sullivan said residents would not rule out seeking a judicial review if their fears were not allayed.

However, Finbarr Filan insisted the home would meet the required standards.
Fuente: http://www.independent.ie

Happy Birthday Shane Video winner!

To celebrate Shane's 31st Birthday we wanted to get fans to make him a special birthday message and we were flooded with amazing entries.

It was very hard to get through all the stunning videos you guys made and pick a winner. Unfortunately there could only be one winner of the signed T-shirt.

The winning entry was sent in by the Kulpreet Virdi.




There were also lots of other amazing videos that you can also take a look at by going to http://twitter.com and searching #happybirthdayshanevideo.

Thank you everyone for your amazing videos!

Westlife HQ
Fuente: http://www.westlife.com

Nicky & Shane at JP McManus Pro-Am

LIMERICK, IRELAND - JULY 05: Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan of Westlife during the first round of The JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am event at the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort on July 5, 2010 in Limerick, Ireland.






Fuente: http://www.daylife.com

Happy birthday Shane

We'd like to pass on our congratulations to Shane who is celebrating his 31st birthday today!

To celebrate we want you guys to record your birthday messages in a video and tweet the links to us @westlifemusic with the hashtag #HappyBirthdayShaneVideo

The best videos will be posted on the official website!

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

As an extra little incentive we're going to be giving away a signed tshirt from the lads to the best video! So get filming and the winners will be announced later today!

Westlife HQ x
Fuente:  http://www.westlife.com

Two sellout north pop concerts attract crowds totalling 31,000

More than 19,000 expected to see Rod Stewart in Inverness

More than 31,000 music fans will flock to two sellout concerts in the Highlands during the summer.

By yesterday morning only three tickets were left for rock legend Rod Stewart’s gig at Inverness Caley Thistle’s stadium on July 17, where more than 19,000 people will attend – outselling megastar Elton John.

And Westlife’s open-air concert at Cawdor Castle is also proving a runaway success, with more than 12,000 expected on August 28.

Organisers said they were still trying to arrange for the release of more tickets for both events, but warned that only a handful of extra seats would be available.

Les Kidger, of promoters CK Events, said: “At midnight on Friday, we had three tickets left on Ticketmaster for Rod Stewart.

“We think we might manage to get about 100 more released next week. That will mean that there will be more than 19,000 people attending the concert.

“When we announced the concert in December we knew there would be a lot of demand and we anticipated a sellout. But it’s great to see so much interest.”

Rod Stewart’s gig is the second to be held at the Caley Thistle stadium and will beat the record crowd for Rocketman Elton John.

Ticket sales for the Inverness concert have proved the fastest-selling of Stewart’s UK tour. D&E Coaches will provide a shuttle bus service from the city centre to the stadium.

Mr Kidger added that there were 52 tickets left for Westlife who are appearing at the first concert staged at Cawdor Castle.

Ayrshire duo the MacDonald Brothers and all-girl quintet Wonderland will support the Irish stars.

He said: “We are trying to finalise the layout of the gig and may be able to get a few more tickets released. There will be more than 12,000 people at the concert.”

The Macdonald Brothers will perform with the Stars From the X-Factor show at Cawdor the night before.

And Mr Kidger said that tickets for that gig were also selling well.

It is thought that around 6,000 fans will see performances by infamous twins Jedward, finalist Stacey Solomon, Danyl Johnson, Jamie “Afro” Archer and Ruth Lorenzo.

Mr Kidger added: “It’s a different audience for this gig, but will have a reduced audience from Westlife. It gives us the chance to test the infrastructure.”

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

Pro-am putts Limerick to fore

INTERNATIONAL stars and world class golfers are heading to Limerick to participate in the fifth staging of the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am, which tees off on Monday, July 5 in the grandeur of Adare Manor.
Twelve of the world's top 15 ranked players, including Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington, Erni Els and Rory McIlroy, as well as world number one Tiger Woods, will be joined by an illustrious list of global stars including lSamuel L Jackson, Michael Douglas and Hugh Grant along with popstars Westlife.
Summing up local enthusiasm for this major sporting event, Richard Butler, cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council said the contribution the event brings to the region is immeasurable.
"There is no other sporting event like it in the country and it is the only opportunity most Irish people will have to see these world-class players in action", he told the Limerick Post.
"The nearest to it is the British Open and most will never get there. The boost it brings not only to the economy but to local charities can't be compared. The charities will tell you they could never raise the kind of money that the Pro-Am pump into them".
On the last occasion of the Pro-Am, hosted by in excess of €30 million was raised for nominated charities in the Mid West region and it is expected that a similar figure will be achieved from this year's event.
Mr McManus has confirmed that there have been more requests to play in this year's tournament than spaces available.
The inaugural Pro-Am made its debut in 1990 and since then the star studded event has gone from strength to strength, putting Limerick on the map  as a destination for the stars and drawing in thousands of spectators, with 30,000 fans expected next Monday and Tuesday, which will bring a significant and much needed boost to the economy.
A spokesperson confirms that the colours of Munster and Ireland will be dappled across the greenery of the Adare setting as spectators choose caps from one of eight different colours, representing Ireland and each of the counties in Munster, at a cost of €50 for entrance to both days of the event.
Bringing the tournament bang up to date, McManus wasted no time in introducing an iPhone application which is available free of charge to download, offering up to date information and previews of the event and once again promoting the region.
With a staggering €55 million raised for local charities since its inception and providing an immeasurable boost to the local economy,  it is widely acknowledged that the JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am has made an outstanding contribution to Limerick life and has portrayed a glowing image of the region around the world.
Fuente: http://www.limerickpost.ie