Westlife Allow us to be Frank
With the
lights dimmed and curtains drawn, Ireland 's Westlife begin a sweet serenade -
the Ol' blue eyes style. If the cover picture of their latest album, Westlife
Allow us to be Frank, was anything to go by, then this was certainly going
to be a treat. Their phenomenal success in the pop music industry is
largely due to their dedicated supporters all over the world. Selling over 34
million records worldwide and winning numerous awards, they still continue to
break and set music records.
Their latest offering sees them charting new territory when they imitate 12 of
Frank Sinatra's classics. Born in New Jersey in 1915, Sinatra won nine Grammy
awards throughout his career
Quite surprisingly the second track on the album, Fly me to the moon¨ had
me gracefully stepping around the lounge enough to make me run out and buy
a pair of those peep-toe stilettos that seem to be the new trend. Feeling
transported into an era of smoky rooms, bow-ties and swirling dresses, I
embarrassingly began practicing the rusty jive steps I learnt in high school.
The renditions that followed were less than memorable, as they sounded flat and
uninspired. However, ¡§Smile¡¨ is an uplifting tune that can bring you out of a
bad mood in an instant.
The last three tracks are ones that become instant favourites on this album
Clementine¨ a cheeky song about a miner's daughter and, That's Life¨ are upbeat,
catchy tunes in which Westlife delivers good vocal performances. When I fall in
love¨ is a romantic song for those still basking in the afterglow of
Valentines Day.
My father had taken a liking to this offering from Westlife, even though he
usually belts out harsh criticisms for any of the bubblegum generation¨ who dare
try to rehash original and classic material. Going all out in the big-band
style, some of the instruments used included the saxophone, trombone, violins,
drums, violas, percussion, clarinets, guitars and trumpets.
Westlife used to be a five member band, but now only four remain because Bryan
McFadden left the group in March last year to spend more time with his family.
The departure has not affected the popularity of the group, not even with the
infamous Simon Cowell - the feared Pop Idols judge - who remains one of their
driving forces.
Overall, this is a pleasant album for those rainy Sunday afternoons and strictly
for Westlife fans only.
Westlife will be in South Africa in April for their Greatest Hits Tour¨. Our
shores play host to them first when they perform at the Westridge Park Tennis
stadium on April 5.
source -
DITonline, South Africa
posted - 24th February
Meteor Awards sold out
The 2005 Meteor Ireland Music Awards on Thursday, to be hosted by Ed Byrne, is
sold out. Acts performing on the night already confirmed include Snoop Dogg, The
Thrills, The Devlins, Bell x1, Aslan, Lucie Silvas, Brian McFadden & Delta
Goodrem, Westlife, Declan O¡¦Rourke and Juliette (Lewis) & The Licks.
Caprice, Tom Craig (aka Tommy Harris in Coronation Street), Louis Walsh,
Hazel Kaneswaren, comedian Des Bishop, Samantha Mumba, DP Fitzgerald and
Emma Griffiths from MTV, Mark Cagney, Gerry Ryan, Pat Kenny, Orlaith
Rafter and Jamie Belton from Fair City will attend The Meteors and present
awards.
In all 16 Meteor Ireland Music Awards will be presented this year.
source -: Irish Examiner
posted - 22nd February
More presenters join Meteor Awards
Des Bishop, 'You're a Star' judge Hazel Kaneswaren, 'Coronation Street'
actor Tom Craig and Louis Walsh are to present awards at the Meteor
Ireland Music Awards this week.
They will join other guest presenters Samantha Mumba, 'Fair City' duo
Jamie Belton and Orlaith Rafter and Caprice at the show, which takes
place in Dublin's Point Theatre on Thursday 24 February and is hosted by
Ed Byrne.
Among the artists set to perform at the awards show are: Westlife,
Aslan, The Thrills, Paddy Casey, Bell X1, Snoop Dogg, Brian McFadden and
Delta Goodrem.
16 awards will be presented at this year's show.
source - R.T.E
posted - 22nd February
Westlife Honoured With iPods...
These days there are many ways to be honoured in ShowBiz with award ceremonies
for everything but it seems you know you've really made it when you get your own
customised iPod... When U2 got their latest album pre-loaded on to the coolest
accessory of the moment, i.e. Apple iPods, with a total branding blitz
across the box we thought: now that's BIG-TIME!
But now Irish record breaking boyband Westlife have been similarly
honoured with their own iPods to celebrate their 41st sellout show at The
Point Theatre. Shane, Nicky, Kian and Mark were like kids on Christmas morning
when they came out to unveil a plaque at The Point yesterday and were
handed the sexy iPod music players in their Westlife branded boxes. Mark
grabbed his first but was quickly followed by Shane and the rest of the lads to
inspect their very own Westlife branded MP3 players.
Westlife's management told the press: "We and the Point are delighted to
be marking this historic record. Over 1 million people have seen Westlife
at the Point. No other artist has come close to breaking this record and
we look forward to Westlife breaking their own record over and over
again."
Lets hope the boys make it to 50!
source - showbiz ireland
posted - 19th February
Going for the Byrne
MANY a star would have thrown a showbiz tantrum, but you've got to hand it to
Nicky Byrne for maintaining a Zen like composure at a Belfast restaurant when
autograph hunters were on the prowl. The millionaire singer was enjoying a spot
of dinner in city centre Japanese restaurant Zen with his wife Georgina Ahern.
But halfway through the meal he wes spotted and before you could say 'say-onara'
Nicky was beseiged with fans.
My spies tell me he was more than happy to scribble down his signature as he
enjoyed his sushi. "He was signing away for about 10 minutes" said one customer.
"Then everyone left him to get on with his meal"
source -Irish Mirror
posted - 19th February
Show us your tour pics
Now that the boys are back out on tour, for the first time since we
relaunched Westlife.com, it might be a good time for most of you to get to
know the Fan Images and Fan Reviews sections of the Community area.
These sections exist to allow you to upload your own pictures of the band -
maybe when you've grabbed a photo with them yourself, or when you've sneaked a
shot from the audience - and share them with everyone else.
When you upload your image, you can also link it to a concert, by selecting the
appropriate date from the drop-down list. This allows everyone to view all pics
associated with the same show.
The reviews process is very similar. One thing we would ask is that you
use proper sentences, punctuation and grammer - all reviews (and pics) have to
be approved by the site admin before they go live, and if this means correcting
lots of errors, or having to re-write everthing in lower case (if it's been
written in CAPS), or turning txt speak into normal sentences - well, it's
less likely to happen!
source - www.westlife.com
posted - 19th February
A chance to meet the BOYS!
Westlife are at the Metro Radio Arena on March 12, and today the Chronicle is
giving you the chance to meet the chart-toppers as well as see the show.
The Irish stars are embarking on a No 1s tour, so the show will be packed full
of their biggest sellers, as well as tracks from their latest album, Allow Us To
Be Frank.
Westlife have played the Arena more times than any other act, and play the venue
on both March 11 and 12. The `meet and greet' and tickets for one Chronicle
reader and guest are for the latter show.
To enter our competition, simply answer the question below and send your answer
on a postcard, along with your name, address and daytime phone number to
Westlife Competition, c/o Gordon Barr, Evening Chronicle, Groat Market,
Newcastle, NE1 1ED, to arrive by February 25, 2005.
The first correct entry drawn at random will receive the prizes as offered.
Usual competition rules apply (available on request or visit
www.icNewcastle.co.uk/ termsandconditions) and the editor's decision is final.
Question: What is the name of Westlife's latest album?
source - icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk
posted - 17th February
Quartet Westlife here soon
The love crooners of boy-band Westlife will be arriving in South Africa in less
than two months and I guarantee you girls are swooning. If there's one
thing I can applaud this Irish group for is that not only do they create love
anthems but the calibre of their lyrics are wholesome, family orientated and
worth singing along to.
Westlife have performed to more than three million fans on four sell-out arena
tours, to become the biggest selling arena tour act ever. Globally they
have sold more than 34 million records, picked up two Brit Awards, an MTV
Europe Award and six Irish Meteor Awards (Best Pop Act for four years
consecutively).
Most recently they scooped another prize at the World Music Awards in Las
Vegas as Ireland¡¦s best-selling act of the year. This must indeed be a
nugget of gold opportunity for former Pop Idols winner Heinz Winckler, who
is the support act for the quartet in PE.
The tour starts in Durban on April 5 (Westridge Park Tennis Stadium); then
moves to Port Elizabeth on April 7 (Vodacom NMMU Indoor Sports Centre);
Cape Towns on April 8 (Bellville Velodrome) and Johannesburg on April 10
(The Coca-Cola Dome).
Ticket prices vary: Durban ¡V R150, R225 and R275; PE ¡V R175, R225 and R275;
Cape Town ¡V R150, R235 and R300; Johannesburg ¡V R165, R235 and R320.
Book at Computicket Call Centre at 083 915 8000 or the Shoprite Checkers
Call Centre at 083 918 0001.
source - Post South Africa
posted - 17th February
Caprice, Mumba and Fair City due at Meteor Awards
Caprice, Samantha Mumba and Fair City stars Orlaith Rafter and
Jamie Belton have confirmed that they will present awards at this years Meteor
Ireland Music Awards. The awards will be hosted by Ed Byrne at The Point on
Thursday, February 24.
Performers at the star-studded music extravaganza include Snoop Dogg, Westlife,
The Thrills, Lucie Silvas, Brian McFadden & Delta Goodrem, Bell x1, Juliette
Lewis & The Licks, Paddy Casey, Declan O¡¦Rourke, The Devlins and Lifetime
Achievement Award winners Aslan.
In all 16 Meteor Ireland Music Awards will be presented this year. The public
can vote for short listed nominees in five categories by SMS text and
www.meteor.ie including Best Irish DJ, Best Irish Pop Act, Best Irish Band, Best
Irish Female and Best Irish Male.
Voting closes on Sunday, February 20.
source - Ireland Online
posted - 17th February
Farrell to get his kit on for aid.
The Mirror (London, England); 2/4/2005 Byline: JAN DISLEY
MOVIE star Colin Farrell is to swap the footlights for floodlights as he takes
to a new field. The bad boy actor will show off his soccer skills at
Anfield in a charity match to raise /1.4million for the tsunami disaster.
Farrell, 28, tops the list of stars lined up for the game which will involve
Liverpool FC legends such as Kenny Daglish and Kevin Keegan.
Singer Bryan McFadden confirmed he will play and he is likely to be joined in by
his former Westlife bandmates.
Another major draw could be Robbie Williams, who is understood to have told
event organisers he will take part subject to completing the recording of his
next album. Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland star Jason McAteer is
the man behind the benefit match. An insider said: "Jason is ploughing
through his contact book. He has approached some really big names and the
feedback has been positive. There is expected to be a big Irish contingent
taking part."
source - mirror online
posted - 16th February
WESTLIFE heart-throb SHANE FILAN is set to become a father for
the first time this year (05). The FLYING WITHOUT WINGS singer, 25, and his wife
of 14 months, GILLIAN, 25, are expecting their first child in June (05).
Filan enthuses, "I'm absolutely thrilled - this is a dream come
true.
"This is the best news in the world for us. We can't believe we are going to
have a baby. We are on cloud nine."
source - contact music
posted - 16th February
Westlife expecting baby!
Shane Filan is set to become a father for the first time. According to Ireland
On-line, Shane and his wife Gillian are expecting the baby this Summer. Shane
was said to be absolutely thrilled. Congrats from hit40uk.com!
source - hit40uk
posted - 16th February
View what a scorcher
RANDY Showbiz stars will enjoy two weeks of sun, sea and sex in TV's hottest
new show - Celebrity love Island Ten showbiz stars will head to a paradise
island in the Caribbean or South Seas with the aim of finding love. An ITV1
insider said last night: "This is going to be OK! on the beach." Those in the
frame appear include Daily star babes Lucy Pinder 21 and Michelle Marsh 22, Abi
Titmuss 29, and Liberty X's Michelle Heaton, 24.
Others who fit the bill include ex-Eastender Christopher Parker 21; Corrie's Danny Young and ex-Hollyoaks babes Jodi Albert 21, and Tiffany Mulheron, 20. The insider said: "It will feature 10 young, single good-looking celebs- the sort you see in OK! magazine- on a paradise Island. We want it to be very glamorous." The contestants will take part in romance themed games and challenges, with an interactive element. The new show will be shown nightly this summer on an ITV1 peak-time slot.
source - Daily Star newspaper
posted 16th February
Shane Filan to become a father
Sligo showbiz couple Shane and Gillian Filan are expecting their first child.
The couple, who announced their news on Friday last in Belfast, looked
ecstatic as they told the waiting media that Gillian was 13 weeks
pregnant. Westlife singer Shane had just performed to a sell-out crowd in
the Odyssey Arena in Belfast.
The couple, both 25, pretended to be on a detox diet over Christmas, so as to avoid drinking while they were out socialising. Shane said: We are absolutely thrilled with the news. It is a dream come true. Gillian discovered she was pregnant, just before Christmas. We knew over Christmas but we wanted to wait until after 12 weeks to tell everyone. The first scan is coming up soon and we just can't wait to see it.¨ Shane described the moment that Gillian told him she was pregnant. We just burst out crying and couldn't stop hugging each other. It was one of the best moments of my life.¨
The couple got married 13 months ago in a lavish ceremony in
Ashford Castle on December 28, 2003.I still can't believe it. The hardest part
was keeping it a secret from family. We told them a couple of days ago. ¨The
couple revealed that the baby was planned. I will be off for the last few months
of Gillian's pregnancy and able to look after her, so the timing is great.¨ The
couple have also just moved into their home in Carraroe.
source - Sligoweekender
posted - 12th February
McFadden - Joins former group and Delta Goodrem on the bill
Westlife, Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem are the latest acts to join the bill
for the 2005 Meteor Ireland Music Awards. Declan O'Rourke and Juliette Lewis and
the Licks will also join the likes of The Thrills, Bell X1, Aslan, Snoop Dogg
and Lucie Silvas on the bill for the awards show, which takes place at Dublin's
Point Theatre on Thursday 24 February.
The Meteor Ireland Music Awards will be televised by RTE and shown on RTE Two on
Sunday 27 February at 9pm.Tickets for the show are still on sale, priced £30.
source - RTE
posted - 12th February
Brian breaks the good news
Westlife's Shane Filan will make a "super dad," says former band member Brian
McFadden. Brian was speaking after Shane and wife Gillian announced the news
that they're expecting their first baby.
Shane is godfather to Brian's daughter Lily-Sue and, according to the Dublin
singer, takes his duties very seriously.
"I'm delighted for them both and I just know Shane will be a super dad,"
said Brian. "He's very fatherly with Lily and she dotes on him, so he'll do a
great
job." Brian heard the couple's good news at the recent ChildLine concert in
Dublin, when he met the Westlife boys backstage.
"I was in the dressing room and asked Shane and Nicky if either of them were
thinking of starting a family yet," he said. "You should have seen the way Nicky
looked at Shane!"
Brian's been busy promoting his current single, Almost Here, with girlfriend
Delta Goodrem, but he took time out this week to bring his two daughters, Lily
Sue and Molly, home to Dublin.
"It was Lily's birthday last Tuesday and Kerry had a party for her in
Warrington, so I brought her back to Dublin this week for a party with the Irish
contingency," he said.
Brian's heading off to Australia next month for a promotional tour, then will
stop off in Sri Lanka on the way back, to help with some aid work for the
tsunami relief.
"I've a friend who's an aid worker out there, so I'm going to spend time with
him, doing a bit of work," he said. "I'm going incognito - I'm not performing or
anything like that, just helping out for a bit. "It'll be a different
challenge, but I'm looking forward to it."
Brian plays the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on July 4. Fans of Brian McFadden who
saw him play his first solo concert at the Empire Music Hall in Belfast
last November can catch themselves enjoying the show on a
soon-to-be-released DVD. Brian had such a great time playing the venue he
decided to feature it
in his new DVD, which he hopes to release along with his second album.
source - Belfast Telegraph
posted - 12th February
Westlife to perform in Bahrain
TOP boy band Westlife are coming to Bahrain. Mirage Promotions
is presenting the Irish band's debut Bahrain performance in on April 13. Nicky
Byrne, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan and Shane Filan have just released their brand
new Rat Pack-themed album Allow Us To Be Frank.
The album is a collection of the band's favourite classics from the golden 'Rat
Pack' era, featuring tracks originally performed by legends such as Dean Martin,
Sammy Davis Jr and Frank Sinatra.
Westlife have sold over 34 million records globally; had five multi-platinum
albums in the UK alone; scored a record breaking 12 UK number ones, picked up
two BRIT Awards, an MTV Europe Award and six Irish Meteor Awards (Best Pop Act
for four years consecutively). Finalised details of the Bahrain concert will be
announced soon.
Meanwhile, Mirage Promotions announced that tickets for the first Gulf concert
by Destiny's Child will be available in Bahrain soon. Destiny's Child will be
performing in Dubai on May 12. The concert, part of the Destiny Fulfilled... And
Lovin' It tour, features Beyonce Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
source - Gulf News, Bahrain
posted - 11th February
Westlife and Brian in Worst Naomi Award Winners list
With the Brits around the corner, the music industry has taken time out to name
and shame the WORST acts in music. Blue picked up the dubious honour of worst
British Group in the annual Naomi awards - with Rachel Stevens worst
female.
The awards - named after Naomi Campbell and her short-lived singing
'career' - honour the "truly terrible" acts of the past 12 months. They
are voted anonymously by record company executives, producers, managers
and music journalists.
Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus had the worst British album with The Meaning of
Love and now defunct Busted were named worst British attempt at rock. Jamie
Cullum was worst British male, with Brian McFadden earning the title of
worst international male. Blazin' Squad won least convincing `urban' act for the
second year running.
The special award for outstandingly bad contribution to music went to Louis
Walsh, the man responsible for Westlife and Girls Aloud. Simon George, music and
marketing director of sponsor Music Choice, said: "Most awards take
themselves too seriously. The Naomis recognise those who shouldn't have
enjoyed what little success they have had."
Naomi Award Winners:
Worst British Group - Blue
Worst British Male - Jamie Cullum
Worst British Female - Rachel Stevens
Worst British Single - I Believe My Heart by Duncan James and Keedie
Worst British Album - The Meaning of Love by Michelle McManus
Worst International Male - Brian McFadden
Worst International Female - Nadia
Worst International Group - Westlife
Worst International Album - The Long Road Back by Peter Andre
Worst International Breakthrough - DJ Casper
Worst British Breakthrough Act - McFly
Worst British Attempt at Rock - Busted
Worst Pop Act - Sam and Mark
Worst Live Act - Pete Doherty
Least Convincing `Urban' Act - Blazin' Squad
Outstandingly Bad Contribution to Music - Louis Walsh
source - Sky News
posted - 11th February
Meet Westlife on their No1's UK Tour this spring
A pair of tickets to be won for every town in the tour, plus one of the
nine lucky winners will meet the band too!
After playing to 3 million fans over 4 years, with incredible live shows,
Westlife are the biggest selling arena tour act ever. Their last 2 tours have
taken the live experience to a new level - impressive stage designs,
pyrotechnics and some of the best loved songs in music. 2004¡¦s critically
acclaimed Turnaround Tour was a huge success that that saw the boys perform over
70 shows in 5 months.
The No1's tour will see the band perform all their greatest hits from over the
years including Hey Whatever, Unbreakable, Uptown Girl, Against All Odds, and
Flying Without Wings. Extra dates have been added throughout the UK to keep up
with demand. Don't miss out on a great night - packed with Number One Hits!
source - cclive.co.uk
posted - 11th February
Walsh plans reality TV show starring G4, Girls Aloud and Westlife
Music svengali LOUIS WALSH is planning a new British TV documentary starring
classical boyband G4, and he's hoping GIRLS ALOUD and Irish superstars WESTLIFE
will participate.
Walsh, who was a judge alongside SIMON COWELL and SHARON OSBOURNE on recent UK
reality show THE X FACTOR, hopes a programme showing the rise of four-piece G4
will pull in millions of UK viewers.
Record label SONY signed G4 for $1.9 million (GBP1 million) after the boyband
reached the final of The X Factor in December (04). An insider says, "G4 were
immensely popular with the public on The X Factor. Louis thinks it would be
brilliant for there to be a follow- up show, outlining what they've been up to
since.
"He's determined to make G4 follow Westlife to the top of the charts."
source - contact music.com
posted - 11th February
Westlife Back to Their Best...
It seems the Westlife boys have finally stepped out from behind the shadow of
Brian McFadden's shock departure from the band and are back to their best...
It's almost an annual event on the calendar: a string of record breaking
sold-out Westlife concerts at The Point Theatre. And from the reaction from last
night show it seems that the boys are now respected as a four-peice and most
fans have put the whole breakup affair to the back of their minds.
And with news like Shane Filan's wife Gillian announcing that she is with child
and rumours that Kian Egan's girlfriend Jodi Albert wants him to propose to her
on Valentines Day, Westlife fans have enough things to gossip about...
Also on the bill supporting Westlife last night were up-and-coming boy band Zoo
who just pipped Brian McFadden & Delta Goodrem's single to the top of the Irish
chart with a remake of Alice Cooper's Poison.
Westlife will be playing at The Point for another couple of nights and let's
hope they'll be back next year!
source - Showbizireland
posted - 11th February
Jodi Kian on romance
Sexy Jodi Albert hopes her Westlife lover is going to pop the
question... and if this sexy outfit doesn't convince him, what will? Kian has a
perfect opportunity to take the plunge. He's whisking Jodi away to a romantic
Dublin castle on Valentine's Day.
"Kian told me he has a surprise for me," said the ex-Hollyoaks star. "He can be
very romantic. We're very much in love and I'd marry Kian tomorrow. He's already
planned our family - with five kids. I said no way, so he's compromised and
we're having four."
She says she and Kian, 24, have a very strong, trusting relationship. "It's hard
to see each other with our jobs but I fly to our house in Sligo whenever I can
to cuddle up and eat popcorn," she said. But if the love of her life ever tries
to stop her sexy photoshoots she'll put her foot down. "If he tried to tell me
what to do he'd get the boot," she warns.
Jodi, 21, now hopes to make the move from Hollyoaks to Hollywood. Teasingly, she
says: "I'm sworn to secrecy over my new job but I start filming at the end of
the month."
source -
sundaymirror.co.uk
posted - 6th February
scan credit - Leanne Millar
IRISH MIRROR - Front page By Paul Martin
Westlife star Shane Filan is to become a father he revealed last night.
The 25 year old singer told the Mirror his wife Gillian is 13 weeks pregnant and
declared: 'I'm absolutely thrilled-this is a dream come true."
Sligo girl Gillian, also 25, discovered she was expecting just before Christmas.
But the couple only told close family members two days ago. Shane added: "This
is the best news in the world for us.
"We cant believe we are going to have a little baby. We are on cloud nine."
Shane and Gillian Filan wept tears of joy when they discovered
she was pregnant. The Westlife star said: "We just burst out crying and couldn't
stop hugging each other. It was one of the best moments of my life.
"We knew over Christmas but we wanted to wait until after 12 weeks to tell
everyone. All over Christmas and New Year we had to pretend that we were on a
detox diet so we had an excuse not to be drinking. I gave it up too to make it
more convincing.
"The first scan is coming up soon and we just cant wait to see it."
Shane performed at Westlife's latest sell-out show in the Odyssey Arena,
Belfast, last night as Gillian watched from the wings. The 25-year old said :"I
cant believe it to be honest. The hardest part was keeping it a secret from
everyone. We announced it to the family a couple of days ago and they are
delighted. I told all the Westlife boys today and they are thrilled too."
The couple, who have been married 13 months revealed the pregnancy was planned.
Shane added: " I will be off the last few months of the pregnancy and able to
look after Gillian so the timing is great.
"Its going to be fantastic because we have just moved into our new home in
Sligo." Shane will be the only current member of Westlife to be a dad. Brian
McFadden has two daughters, Molly and Lily Sue, with estranged wife Kerry Katona,
but he quit the group last year.
credit - byrnes dirty hippie ( official boards )
source - Irish
Mirror
posted - 5th February
Nicky's got team spirit
Westlife Nicky Byrne has revealed that he hopes to start a family in the next
few years with wife, Georgina. Blond Nicky, 26, who's been with the
Taoiseach's daughter since they were both at school, wants to be a dad by the
time he's 28. But family plans will take a back seat over the next two
years as Georgina is intending to start up her own business as a personal
trainer. And she'll need to be in tip-top condition if Nicky has his way,
for the Dubliner wants four or five children!
"I'd really like to be a dad by the time I'm around 28," the former Leeds goalie
told me.
"I don't want to leave it too long, because if I have wee boys, I want to be
able to kick a ball around with them. In fact, if I have girls, I want to
be able to kick a ball round with them too!"
source- Belfast Telegraph
posted - 5th February
Odyssey set for Westlife masterclass
By Maureen Coleman
01 February 2005
Westlife were today staying tight-lipped about plans for their
spectacular stage show at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast tonight. But speaking
ahead of the first of three concerts here, the boys promised their Number Ones
Tour would be the "classiest" yet. The band arrived in Belfast early last week,
taking over the Arena for rehearsals.
The massive stage was shipped into Belfast from the north of England while
catering facilities were also set up on site. Band member Nicky Byrne said he
was looking forward to tonight's show and was full of praise for the Odyssey
Arena.
"It's the perfect place to kick the tour off," he said.
"We love playing Belfast and Dublin, because the home crowds are always so
great, but the Point's getting a bit old now and Dublin really needs somewhere
like the Odyssey."
Nicky refused to reveal too much about tonight's show, but said: "In my opinion
this tour is the richest, classiest one so far. It looks amazing and we've a
great medley of songs lined up too."
source - belfast telegraph
posted - 1st February
Childline a massive success
There must be vast amounts of pressure on the organisers of the annual Cheerios Childline concert to book top acts from the Pop World each year but time-after-time they manage to pull it out of the bag...
Childline is probably in the top-five media events of year in Ireland - it
just goes without saying that there is going to be a fantastic celebrity turnout
And this year there was the added treat of having Brian McFadden on the same
bill as his former band mates Westlife and his new love Delta Goodrem in front
of a potentially harsh crowd...And although people are saying Delta got booed
off-the-stage we can tell you that there were a few boos and hisses but that was
mostly drowned out by a majority of cheering.
And for us Brian and Delta's performance was probably the best part of the show
as this talented couple were among the few acts actually singing live!
Other things noteworthy of gossip at the marathon show, hosted by Kian (cheesy
T-shirt) Egan and girlfriend Jodi (jobs for the boys) Albert, was Nadine Coyle
from Girls Aloud refusing to come out for the photocall as she had a cold-sore
on her lip...
Oh, Westlife hunk Nicky Byrne seems to have taken a leaf out of fellow band
member Mark's book by going for the bleach-blonde look. Maybe he should have put
some of that hair-dye on his ginger beard aswell?
source -
showbiz ireland
posted - 1st February
Brits Voting Closed
Voting for the 'Best Pop' Brit Award has now closed - thankyou very much
to everyone who put efforts in to win it for Westlife. We just have to wait and
see what happens on Feb 9th now!
source - www.westlife.com
posted - 1st February
Give Brian a break, pleads his Westlife pal Nicky
Band heartbroken after marriage break-up By
Maureen Coleman / 31 January 2005
Westlife's Nicky Byrne today told of the band's heartache over the split of former member Brian McFadden from wife Kerry. The couple - parents of two young daughters - announced their separation last year, just months after Brian dramatically quit the band. Since then, Kerry has reportedly been treated for depression at the Priory Clinic in London, while Brian has been romantically linked with Australian singer Delta Goodrem.
Speaking about the marriage break-up, Nicky Byrne said it had been a "devastating" time for the pair. And he said it had been difficult for the band, who considered both Brian and Kerry to be their good friends.
"It was obviously very hard on them both and hard for us too, because we're friends with both of them and didn't want to take sides," he said. "We've been there for them both and we've always let them know that we'll support them both, as long as they need it."
Nicky said 2004 had been an "incredibly emotional" year for Brian. But he expressed concern that the adverse publicity surrounding the marriage break-up and his relationship with Delta, would have on his solo career.
"There's been so much bad press about Brian and I'd just worry that the public may turn against him," he said. "People warm to Kerry, she's from a working-class background and she's worked really hard to get where she is and people can relate to her. There's been a lot of bad stuff written about Brian since and I really hope this doesn't affect his career. He's very talented and deserves the credit for that." Nicky said he had not met Brian's new love yet, but he gave the duet the pair have released together, Almost Here, the thumbs up.
"The rest of the band met Delta briefly but I haven't yet," he said. "I do like the single they've done together. I think it's the best so far of his three solos. I think he deserves to do well and I hope the public give him a break." Westlife kick off their Number Ones Tour at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast tomorrow night.
source - Belfast telegraph
posted 1st February
Walsh plans a reality show starring G4, Girls Aloud and
Westlife
Music svengali LOUIS WALSH is planning a new British TV documentary starring
classical boyband G4, and he's hoping GIRLS ALOUD and Irish superstars WESTLIFE
will participate. Walsh, who was a judge alongside SIMON COWELL and SHARON
OSBOURNE on recent UK reality show THE X FACTOR, hopes a programme showing the
rise of four-piece G4 will pull in millions of UK viewers.
Record label SONY signed G4 for $1.9 million (GBP1 million) after the boyband
reached the final of The X Factor in December (04). An insider says, "G4 were
immensely popular with the public on The X Factor. Louis thinks it would be
brilliant for there to be a follow- up show, outlining what they've been up to
since.
"He's determined to make G4 follow Westlife to the top of the charts."
posted 1st Feb
Music Life: Frank-ly running out of steam
Is the life-span of long-lasting Irish boyband super group, Westlife, nearing
its end? By anyone else's standards, the foursome - Shane Filan, Mark Feehily,
Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan - remain resiliently successful in the notoriously
fickle world of teen chart pop.
The group kicks off a 37-date European tour at one of their favourite
stomping grounds - Belfast's Odyssey Arena, this Tuesday. Since the Sligo-Dublin
outfit emerged as Boyzone's successors in the late Nineties, Westlife have
packed out the Odyssey on 35 occasions, far more times than any other act.
Their four tours have been seen by three million people, making this
boyband very rich young men, with estimated personal fortunes of € ¦£5m apiece.
Westlife's first seven singles debuted at Number One, followed by another five UK chart toppers, within four-and-a-half years. So, why then do some industry observers reckon that the previously Unbreakable' Westlife juggernaut is finally running out of steam? In the past two years, the bar stool balladeering boyband favourites have hit the UK top spot only twice out of six single releases - with Unbreakable and Mandy.
The departure of group member, Brian McFadden days before they started their
Turnaround 2004 tour in Belfast last March also contributed to the feeling
of fortunes beginning to falter. Manager, Louis Walsh's attempt to broaden his
manufactured music outfit's appeal, with a Rat Pack-style album, simply
hasn't matched their old sales standards. The set, Allow Us To Be Frank,
featuring versions of old songs such as Smile and Mack The Knife, stalled
at Number Three last November, beaten by Britney Spears and Eminem.
It seems misguided that Westlife should perform such crooning chestnuts, when Robbie Williams did it years ago, and with some Pop Idol contestants, Rod Stewart and Jamie Cullum all clogging up the market place with similar swing-styled sets before them. The album currently stands at Number 53 in the charts, and is the first Westlife album NOT to hit the top spot since their self-titled debut release in November 1999. It is also surely significant that the upcoming Westlife tour has been slimmed down, compared with their past marathon, record-breaking tours. The group sold out one dozen dates in Belfast's Odyssey Arena in 2002, eleven in 2003 and seven in 2004. But, tickets for their trio of shows at the same venue next week are still available. The dilemma facing them now is how can a boyband mature, appealing to fans who are getting older themselves, while reaching out to an entirely new sales' base.
In blunt sales terms, the Frank Sinatra-styled experiment hasn't worked. Thousands of their Ulster fans will still, no doubt, have the time of their lives at the spectacular concerts. But what's next for the Life boys? Frank-ly, that's uncertain, to say the least. ?Westlife kick off The No 1s Tour, with three shows at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Tickets, priced at € ¦£31.50, are available from the venue box office, Tel No 028-90739074 and Ticketmaster outlets.
source - Sunday Life
posted - 31st January 2005