TOP OF THE POP FITS
revealed; Irelands big showbiz money spinners
Byline: PAUL MARTIN
EUR2 will be singing all the way to the bank again this year with music industry
experts predicting the band will be top of the profits over the next 12 months.
The rockers, led by Bono, are expected to make a combined fortune of E120million
- dwarfing their Irish rivals Westlife and The Corrs.
The superstars will be rolling in it thanks to an 80-date world tour, single
releases and merchandise sales.
And according to insiders Michael Flatley will be dancing a merry jig close
behind with a mega-payday thanks to a comeback tour.
Here's what the top sources in the business are predicting for our biggest
stars.
U2
THE Dubliners made a dramatic comeback at the end of 2003 with a No1 single and
album - but that's nothing compared to what they'll be cooking up this year.
The band will head off on tour in March, pocketing millions from sell-out
stadium shows around the world.
Sales of their How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb album are set to explode again
when they hit the road and that will boost single releases.
With a massive merchandising cash-in expected from their American and European
tour it's little wonder EUR2 will be trouncing the competition.
Our source explained: "They are still the biggest band in the world when it
comes to making money. Nobody can touch them in the music business and 2005 will
be their most profitable year ever."
CASH PREDICTION: E120million
WESTLIFE
LAST year started on rocky ground for the singers when Brian McFadden
sensationally quit the group.
But they bounced back and enjoyed another huge sell out tour and brought in more
than E40million in the process.
Now they're preparing for another flurry of live shows in the UK and Ireland -
and that will ensure they are still one of the best paid pop bands in the
business.
Making an estimated E120,000 a show between them, and with their Rat Pack album
expected to sell well for at least another six months, the Westlife boys have
plenty to celebrate.
Our expert said: "Between live shows and sales of things like T-shirts and other
merchandise at their gigs, they'll have enough to retire on."
CASH PREDICTION: E20million
MICHAEL FLATLEY
THE Lord Of The Dance announced he was retiring three years ago - but his big
comeback means even more money for the Cork-based star.
Flatley has been working on a new stage show that will hit Las Vegas and other
major venues around the world this year.
Although the star is notoriously private about his earnings, insiders say he'll
make up to E80million from sponsorship and ticket sales.
He is also planning to make the show into a special DVD feature at the end of
the year which will net him a further E20million.
Along with his multiple business deals, Flatley could have his most profitable
year ever.
CASH PREDICTION: E100million
BRIAN McFADDEN
DESPITE going solo and making a bigger share of his touring and album profits,
Brian won't reap the financial windfall that he enjoyed in Westlife.
His profit from touring will depend on what kind of venues he can sell out. At
the minute those seem to be smaller capacity arenas around Ireland and the UK.
Album sales haven't been spectacular either.
Our source said: "He's still getting royalties from Westlife albums so that will
keep him ticking along nicely."
CASH PREDICTION: E500,000
THE CORRS
IT could be a quiet enough year for the Corrs as they recover from a huge world
tour over the past six months.
Sales of their Borrowed Heaven album are still looking good around the globe and
they'll make additional money from a few one-off concert appearances.
Our expert said: "It's not going to be a mega-year for the Dundalk group but
they'll make a cool million each from album royalties."
CASH PREDICTION: E3million
NADINE COYLE
THE Derry singer has splashed out on a new Mercedes and swish apartment in North
London in the past four months.
Now she'll be enjoying more big spending sprees with Girls Aloud set for their
first tour.
Our source said: "They are playing fairly modest venues but they'll make more
money this year than ever. Nadine will get a share of around E500,000 from the
tour and also some money for her song writing on their latest album."
CASH PREDICTION: E1million
LOUIS WALSH
THE music mogul has his finger in every pie these days, from pop bands to opera
acts and TV shows.
This year he'll make a sizeable profit from his acts that include Westlife,
Girls Aloud and new group G4 hitting the road for tours and releasing new
albums.
He is also lining up yet another appearance as a judge on the next series of X
Factor.
Louis will need to manage his money as well as his bands.
CASH PREDICTION: E2million