APRIL 2005

It's Not War - Exclusive Shane's fury at Westlife feud rumours

FURIOUS Westlife star Shane Filan has hit back at rumours the band are at war with each other. The singer, 25, was shocked to read a number of reports that the group were on the verge of splitting after fights in their London hotel. But in a call from his holiday in Dubai yesterday the star insisted: "We're not splitting up and there is no war.

"These stories are a load of rubbish and we don't know where they came from. I got the call the other day on holiday saying there were reports that we're having a huge feud and we had been fighting at the Conrad hotel. I want to tell the fans this is absolute rubbish and we are getting on fine.

"There was no fight and we're not going to split up. We've never got on better than we do now. These fights were actually meant to have happened when we weren't even in the same country. I've been on holiday for the past 10 days and haven't seen the other lads for two weeks. But everything is 100 per cent fine between us."

Westlife have fought countless rumours that they were splitting over the past five years. They have just completed a world tour and are now planning a new album. Shane, who is expecting a baby in August with wife Gillian, 24, added: "I think every time it gets to an end of a tour certain journalists start presuming it's the end of the band.

"They want a dramatic story to add to speculation we are splitting so they make out that we are fighting. None of the lads have laid a finger on each other - we have too much respect for each other to do that. I know the journalists who wrote these things and it's the same ones who made up stuff and were wrong in the past. I just wanted to take the opportunity to set the record straight."

Shane said he is now concentrating on the birth of his first child. He revealed: "Both Gillian and I are very excited. This is everything we ever wanted."

source - Irish Mirror
posted - 26th April

Westlife: Tour Rehearsal Gallery

The No. 1's tour may be finished, but you can take a peak at the boys behind the scenes in the Gallery section. We've just added a bunch of shots of Westlife in choreography rehearsals -hope you like them.

source - www.westlife.com
posted - 26th April

The end of the tour

The Number 1's World Tour has now come to an end and I'm sure those of you that were lucky enough to make it to any of the concerts will agree it was one to remember. The boys had a fantastic time and really enjoyed performing to fans from all over the World. South Africa was amazing, as was everywhere - your support definitely didn't go unnoticed. Right now the band are taking a well deserved rest but they'll be back in a couple of months to start recording a new album.

source - www.westlife.com
posted - 26th April

Allow Us To Be Frank - Westlife

This long-running Irish boyband still has many fans around the globe, even after the departure of Brian McFadden for solo territory.

With this album the boys have pulled a Robbie Williams by diving headlong into swinging retro territory. Classic Ratpack songs with a strong leaning towards those of Sinatra get their competent once-over, with everything from Fly Me To the Moon, Ain't That A Kick In The Head and The Way You Look Tonight to Mack The Knife, I Left My Heart In San Francisco, That's Life and the Chaplin track everybody does, Smile If you missed Westlife on their recent SA tour, you can still pick up this album to see a different dimension to them.

source -tonight.co.zaposted - 26th April

HI, KIAN HERE

WE'VE been having a real blast in foreign parts on our world tour - but don't believe all the stories you've read about us. Just a week or two ago I heard on the grapevine from home that I was lucky to escape with my life after being chased by a lion.

It was a massive story, which surprised me. In fact, I'm told it make front page headlines. Can't have been much else happening that day. Luckily, I was never in any danger from any wild animal in South Africa. Fortunately, I'm in constant contact with my family back home so they knew it wasn't a true story. They say there's no such thing as bad publicity, so who's complaining!

Rumours
Neither should you believe the rumours that we're goig to call it a day after our next album. We haven't made any such decision. That will be up to you, the fans. Once our fans keep on proving that they enjoy what we do by buying our album and turning up for our concerts, we'll keep on going. In fact, after doing a special album with Allow Us To Be Frank, we're looking forward to coming back with a batch of brand new songs.

source - Sunday World column
posted - 24th April 2005

Mark's hotel romp with 2 fans; Westlife star's tryst quashes gay rumours.
The Mirror (London, England); 4/15/2005 Byline: PAUL MARTIN

WESTLIFE star Mark Feehily quashed speculation about his sexuality after enjoying a rendezvous with two female fans in his Amsterdam hotel room. The 24-year-old singer invited the girls back to his suite - but was left red-faced when fans blew his cover on an internet site. The star was seen dancing and kissing two admirers in a 5am bedroom encounter, then drew the curtains and switched the lights off.

Website showbizireland.com has been inundated with messages from people who claim to have seen the encounter. Onlookers who were camped outside the band's hotel witnessed it all - because Mark forgot to pull the curtains for 90 minutes. One fan said: "I am from Holland and stayed at the same hotel as Westlife and I know what happened with Mark.

"The night after the show he brought two girls with him to his room. I can't tell what happened in his room... but you can guess!" Another observer commented: "They danced and kissed from 5am, with the window and curtains open, until 6.30am when the lights went off."

An Irish fan, who attended their concert earlier that evening, said: "It's not just a story. I was there and saw him with the two girls... dunno what they did together, maybe they just played cards or something like that?
"But me and 20 other fans saw him and the two girls going to his room!" An Irish fan calling herself Sweetie Shane added: "It definitely was Mark. I saw him and the two girls with my own eyes! Our Mark isn't as innocent as he looks."

Last year Sligo lad Mark laughed off rumours he was gay and insisted he would settle down with a woman when the time is right. He is the only member of the band not in a serious relationship - Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne have married while Kian Egan is dating Hollyoaks beauty Jodi Albert. In comparison, Mark's love life has remained something of a mystery.

He was rumoured to be dating Girls Aloud babe Kimberly Walsh last November but the pair refused to confirm the news. He dated a model Lauren Gold for six months in 2000 but they blamed their split on busy schedules. He has also dated Page 3 glamour model Ebony and early in 2004 was rumoured to be going out with Cathy Newell from Irish girl group Bellefire. But he flatly denied he was gay and said last year: "Being in a boyband, you get asked that all the time. I think it's funny.
"I'm not gay - people can say what they like about me."

source - Irish Mirror
posted 16th April 2005

Shane the builder, can he be a property tycoon? yes he can!
Byline: Paul Martin - The Mirror (London, England); 4/13/2005

MOVE over Bob The Builder - Westlife star Shane Filan is to become one of Ireland's top property tycoons, I can reveal. The star has launched a multi-million euro development company with his brother Finbar called Shafin Development. And he's already planning a spectacular estate of homes close to his home town of Sligo to launch his empire.

It's a bold move for the pop singer, who already co-owns a group of Morgan clothes stores in Ireland. Shane told me: "This is something I have always dreamed of doing - it's very exciting.
"I can't say too much but yes, it is true, I am moving into property development with my brother."

Sources say Shane will have a 'hands-on' role in the development - although don't expect him to swap his microphone for a shovel and cement just yet. Shane and Finbar, who was best man at his brother's wedding in 2003 - have already secured their first development in Dromahair, Co Leitrim.

The first phase of 24 houses will be situated by a lake, 11 miles from Sligo, on the shores of Loughgill. They have joined forces with McInerneys Construction - one of the biggest home builders in the country - and top architect Vincent Hannon. Sources say it's Shane's latest shrewd move to become both a chart-topping pop star and big business man. "He knows what he is doing and his brother is very clued in to the property market too," said a friend of the star.
"They are very ambitious and there's no secret that property development is a very lucrative business."

Last night Shane's brother told me: "With the high prices of houses in Sligo town now people are going to be moving a bit further out and that's why we think these houses will be popular."

source - Irish Mirror
posted 15th April 2005

WESTST'RIFE"

Kian, Shane and Nicky in 2am hotel punch-up

The Westlife boys have to come to blows after a massive booze up. I can reveal that Kian Egan, Shane Filan & Nicky Byrne, had to be pulled apart during a bar brawl in a London Hotel. And tempers are running so high between the lads, I fear this could mean the band is close to calling it a day.

They got into the scrap at their london Hotel after their sell-out gig at Wembley in February. Just after 2am, Kian & Nicky kicked off before Shane joined in the argument. They were soon throwing drunken punches at each other & had to be pulled apart. A source revealed: "The boys lost it after days of getting on each others nerves.

"Mark Feehily & Shane are in competition as the main vocalist & both see themselves as the most talented of the four. And Nicky & Kian are annoying each other because they see themselves as the spokesman & frontman. Things are not how they used to be between the lads"

The trouble comes a year after former bandmate Brian McFadden left to go solo. Now the boys, who have had an astonishing 12 No1's, are trying to arrange showdown talks with their record company boss Simon Cowell in LA to discuss their future.

Their manager Louis Walsh will also be flying out for the first round of talks next week. The source added: "Their priorities have all changed. Nicky wants to start a family, Shane has a baby on the way & Mark has just lost interest.

"Kian is really the only one who is still completely focused on the job. THey have spent so much time together there is now a feeling that they need some time apart." After just having recorded a new song with Newlyweds star Jessica Simpson, the band's only commitment is for one more album, pencilled in for studio time in August.

But sources close to the boy band say the rivalries developing mean they are likely to go their own way once the record is complete. Well that's if they don't kill each other first.

source - sun newspaper
posted 14th April

Westlife wow fans

MORE than 2,000 fans turned out for Irish boy band Westlife's first Bahrain concert last night. The show was presented at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa by Mirage Promotions and Bahrain Duty Free.

Radio Bahrain DJ Sammy the Wammy warmed up the crowd and introduced the evening's support act - the up and coming duo Bombay Rockers. The concert was supported by the GDN, Bahrain This Month, Orbit, the Ritz-Carlton and Hava Java.

source - Gulf Daily News
posted - 14th April

Westlife in Ibn Battuta Mall

To commemorate the opening of Ibn Battuta Mall, a unique shopping and entertainment destination, popular Irish vocal band Westlife will be stopping by to meet and greet visitors to the mall at 4:30pm on Thursday the 14th of April. The boys will be in Ibn Battuta Mall for an autograph signing session in China Court and will be looking forward to coming face to face with their UAE fans.

The retail mix and the entertainment elements at Ibn Battuta Mall have been conceived to celebrate Dubai's increasing role as one of the world's top shopping destinations. As a treat to shoppers, while stocks last, the first 1000 people to spend over AED. 500 at any store in Ibn Battuta Mall will receive a VIP Westlife concert ticket for the show at Dubai Media City! Tickets can be redeemed by presenting your receipts at the Customer Service Desks in China Court or Tunisia Court (Conditions apply).

As a special treat, Bombay Rockers, who will be opening the show for Westlife, will also be visiting the Mall on Friday 15th April at 3:30pm in India Court. Don't miss your chance to say hello to the boys!

source - Strategiy, United Arab Emirates
posted - 14th April

Westlife ticket joy for pupils

TWO British School students won tickets for the Westlife concert being held at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa on Wednesday. Year four student Liesl Wium, aged nine, and reception student Kate Williamson, five, were selected at random in a draw at the school yesterday.

The tickets were donated by Mirage Promotions for the school's Easter celebrations organised by the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA). PTA committee members Lynn Reutenf, Liane Williams, Amelita Keevan, Adele Badr, Debbie Davies and Stephanie Esterhuizen attended the draw.

source - Gulf Daily News
posted - 14th April

Thursday 7 April: Vodacom NMMU Indoor Sport Centre (Port Elizabeth) at 17h00 and 20h00 Early show: Gates open 16h00, concert starts 17h00, no support act. Second show: Support act (Heinz Winckler) on stage at 20h00, Westlife on stage at 21h00

Friday 8 April: Bellville Velodrome (Cape Town) at 20h00 Gates open 18h00, support act (Heinz Winckler) on stage at 20h00, Westlife on stage at 21h00

Sunday 10 April: The Coca-Cola Dome (Johannesburg) at 19h00 Gates open 17h30, support act (Heinz Winckler) on stage at 19h00,
Westlife on stage at 20h00

source - tashitagg.com
posted - 14th April

Sick Kimmie ‘blown over’

A PORT Elizabeth schoolgirl, who has been battling leukaemia for more than a year, had her dream come true last night when she met Westlife, her favourite pop stars Kim-Kelly Plaatjies, 17, was already waiting excitedly backstage at the UPE Indoor Sport Centre when the four-member group entered, walked straight up to her and hugged her before the first concert. Struggling to speak because of her excitement, Kim-Kelly said she was “blown over”.

Kimmie, as she is known to her fellow grade 10 pupils at Sanctor High school, was diagnosed with leukaemia in February 2004 and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment since. She lives in Salsoneville with her grandparents and her sister.

Kim-Kelly is a beneficiary of the “Reach for a Dream” foundation, a national organisation which helps make the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses come true. She was chosen to meet Westlife because she had mentioned it was a dream she never thought would come true. Even though the group had only a little time before the concert, they spared a moment for the teenager, handed over a signed copy of their latest CD and wished her well.

“Kimmie, we’re pleased to meet you. Thank you for being here and we wish you well,” group member Kian Egan said. She replied: “Thank you so much to Westlife for making me feel special for one day, especially to my organisation for making us see that there is a better world out there for sick children like me.” Kim-Kelly, who likes music and dancing, said her favourite Westlife track is their first single, Swear it all over again.

source - Herald
posted - 8th April 2005

Westlife in South Africa

Westlife are in town. The young lads from Ireland kicked off their SA tour in Durban on Tuesday night. Rumour has it that it was an extraordinary concert, with a mix of their hits along with rat pack golden oldies.

Many people have been wary about seeing Westlife without Brian McFadden. But according to fans who have witnessed their latest tour, Westlife are much more refined as a foursome.

They are performing at three more venues across the country this week. Tickets vary in price from R340 to R180 and are available from Computicket. However, the second show in PE is sold out.

Thursday 7 April: Vodacom NMMU Indoor Sport Centre (Port Elizabeth) at 17h00 and 20h00
Early show: Gates open 16h00, concert starts 17h00, no support act.

Second show: Support act (Heinz Winckler) on stage at 20h00, Westlife
on stage at 21h00
Friday 8 April: Bellville Velodrome (Cape Town) at 20h00

Gates open 18h00, support act (Heinz Winckler) on stage at 20h00,
Westlife on stage at 21h00

Sunday 10 April: The Coca-Cola Dome (Johannesburg) at 19h00
Gates open 17h30, support act (Heinz Winckler) on stage at 19h00,
Westlife on stage at 20h00

source - tashitagg.com posted - 8th April

Westlife add extra show for Eastern Cape fans

OWING to the astonishing demand for tickets for Westlife's Greatest Hits Tour, a second show has been added, in Port Elizabeth. The additional performance is a matinee and has been scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, April 7) at 5pm. Tickets sell for R175, R225 and R275 each while a R50 student discount applies only to those with valid student cards. Brought to you by Big Concerts in association with Algoa FM, this popular boy band has headed south this month for an extensive South African tour.

Westlife have performed to over three million fans on four sell-out arena tours to become the biggest selling arena tour act ever. Globally they have sold over 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 picked up another prize at the World Music Awards in Las Vegas as Irelands best-selling act of the year.

Those who saw Westlife perform live in South Africa (to three sold-out shows) in 2001 have described them as everything that is good about pop music¨ and their concerts as sensational Westlife take a breather today en route to the Friendly City after performing at Westridge Park Tennis Stadium in Durban yesterday.

The next stop is the Vodacom NMMU Indoor Sports Centre in Port Elizabeth where the band will perform a marathon two shows straight after each other at 5pm and again at 8pm. Eastern Cape fans have limited time to grab those tickets still available for the 5pm show. The 8pm show was sold out soon after sales opened.

Book at Computicket or Shoprite Checkers or on the Computicket Internet site www.computicket .com, call the Computicket Call Centre on 083 915
8000, or the Shoprite Checkers Call Centre on 083 918 0001. Tickets are also available from Shoprite and Checkers Money Market
counters.

On Friday, Capetonians will get a chance to see them in the flesh when they perform their penultimate show at the Bellville Velodrome. Joburgers will bid the foursome a fond farewell on Sunday for the last show in South Africa at the Coca-Cola Dome.

source - dispatch.co.za
posted - 8th April

Big boy band play their best By Sylvester Haskins

Irish super group Westlife have returned to South Africa for their second tour in four years. The popular boy band will be performing in Johannesburg at the Coca Cola Dome on Sunday. The performance forms part of their Greatest Hits tour. The group performed in South Africa as part of their first world tour in 2001.Mark Feehily expressed the band's excitement at the prospect of returning to the country.

"We came over here on our very first world tour and we had a really good experience. We actually recorded a video for the song Looking Like That over here . We just love the place, the vibe, the culture and the atmosphere." The group have garnered an enormous local fan base after five album releases.

"We were amazed that so many people knew us and our music. We did our first show over there (SA) and there were 20 000 fans who came to see us and sang along to our music," reminisces Feehily.The group's first five singles went straight to the top of the UK charts, earning the band an entry into the Guinness Book of World Records.

"We have been fortunate enough in our career to have had 12 number one songs," he says. The boy band has managed to sell 34-million albums since their self-titled debut release in 1999, and have consistently sold-out concert venues - making the pop music outfit the biggest selling arena tour act ever. The Irish crooners' last album, Allow Us to Be Frank, saw the quartet taking on the music of the "big band" era and that of the infamous rat pack trio of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

"This album actually did better than our last album in the UK, but fans in other parts did not quite understand the concept. In some places it worked and in some places it did not." With Brian McFadden leaving the group to pursue solo interests and with an album of old-school cover tunes being their last project, critics predicted Westlife's demise Feehily assures fans that the Westlife locomotive will keep on travelling the world.

"The reason we have stayed together for so many years is because we are really close. We are all friends and will stay together as long as the public enjoys the music." A follow-up project to Allow Us To Be Frank will be recorded soon.

"Once we come off the tour we will go into studio for a couple of weeks to record new material. We already have three amazing songs for the album. Our goal is to keep making good music that people will enjoy. We want to stay at the top," he says triumphantly.

source - source - tonight.co.za
posted 6th April

Westlife keeping a low profile in SA
April 5, 2005 By Gilda Van Schalkwyk and Ayanda Mhlongo

Ireland's supergroup Westlife have made their second trip to South African shores and this time round their concert is completely sold out in Durban. Playing at only one venue when they were here in 2001, the group will be performing at four different venues. Having landed at Durban International Airport yesterday, exhausted, the boys were faced with 17 interviews and seemed to take them all in stride ahead of their first performance of the tour here in Durban.

Staying at the luxurious Hilton Hotel, the band were either elusively hidden in their hotel rooms or secretly traipsing around Durban. Either way, they were out of sight and the hotel staff were supposedly unaware of their whereabouts. One could not blame the poor lads if they were fast asleep as they faced interviews in quick succession soon after they landed. Sources say that the group are usually party animals, yet all seemed quiet at the hotel yesterday.

However, South Africans are sure to get more than a glimpse of them tomorrow night at Westridge Tennis Stadium. The group will no doubt sing some of the old favourites as well as songs from their new album entitled Allow Us To Be Frank, a collection of classics in memory of musical greats like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jnr. Their first single was in 1999, and the song Swear it Again went straight to number one and to date they have basked in the glory of a total of 12 number one songs.

Once the news that the band was booked into the Hilton Hotel hit the Daily News newsroom, a team of reporters decided to head down to the hotel with the hope that they would run into the band. With our spirits high we left for the Hilton, with no plan of action - we just crossed fingers tight and hoped to bump into at least one or two of the members.

When we arrived at the hotel everything was normal but there was no sign that the band was even near. We decided to just wait for a while and observe. We hoped that one of them would decide to take a walk downstairs and we would then see them.One of the waitresses said she heard that the band was at the hotel but she had not been on duty when they arrived.

"They will probably just remain in their rooms as they have the option of calling for room service," she said.

I must admit our spirits were dampened when we heard that and as we had spent close to an hour at the hotel, chances of seeing the hunks were becoming slim. The hotel staff at the reception desk could only tell us that the band was booked into the hotel.We left the hotel disappointed as our mission to see the Irish hunks was unsuccessful.

source - tonight.co.za
posted -5th April

Westlife set to wow SA

One of the world's biggest pop vocal groups, Westlife hits SA this week for an extensive tour. Kicking off in Durban the 5th of April they then head to Port Elizabeth on the 7th, Cape Town on the 8th and Johannesburg on the 10th.

After an unprecedented five-year run of hits, the Irish stars have risen from pop newcomers at 1998¡¦s Smash Hits Awards to Britain's most successful chart group. Their first single Swear It Again went straight to number one in April 1999, swiftly followed by If I Let You Go and Flying Without Wings. Within a year they had made UK chart history with their fifth chart topper in a row, Fool Again. Before long they secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only band to have topped the charts seven times in a row.

The records have kept coming ever since ¡n every sense. They were the first ever UK-based band to boast four number ones in a single year. Four of their albums have gone straight to number one! They are the only recording artists in the history of the awards to win the prestigious Record of the Year three times.

They have performed to over 3 million fans on four sell-out arena tours to become the biggest selling arena tour act ever. They 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 6 Irish Meteor Awards (Best Pop Act for 4 years consecutively).

source - Africa.com
posted - 5th April

Westlife heading South!!!!!!

The boys have finished the UK leg of their tour; they are now in Europe where the reaction has been amazing. They are also heading down to South Africa for concerts in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The DVD filming that took place in Sheffield was amazing and Westlife would like to thank their fans for such a brilliant atmosphere on the night as well as the fantastic banners! We hope that the winners of the
competition had a great time at the meet and greet.

source - www.westlife.com
posted - 5th April

Louis Walsh is threatening to expose a host of stars in a new book.

The X Factor judge has signed a six-figure deal to write an autobiography reports The Sun. Louis manages Westlife and Girls Aloud. He also managed Boyzone before they split.

He said: "Not one of them is safe. It is going to be warts and all. Sex, drugs, boyfriends, girlfriends, wives - everyone is in the firing line. I have been offered a lot of money to do it but I won't be writing it for at least another year because I'm tied up with the X Factor and Westlife's new album."

source - Ananova
posted - 3rd April

Paunch-carrying wee Irish fella Louis Walsh has got Westlife, Boyzone and their Hollyoaks hanger-ons quaking in their boots with plans to write a sex, drugs and pop tell-all.T he X factor whinger who groomed the two Oirish bands and the Girls Aloud strumpets for stardom has realised there is cash to made from his prodigies' private lives. Sex, drugs, boyfriends, girlfriends, wives ¡V everyone is in the firing line¨ the silver-haired svengali fessed up to the Sun.

I have been offered a lot of money to do it but I won't be writing it for at least another year. The former Mrs Brian McFadden, Kerry Katona and Westlife's Kian Egan's top-heavy squeeze Jodi Albert are expected to get a literary dressing down by lil' Louis. Something which clothes-shunning FHM stalwart Jodi is no doubt used to by now.

source -MegaStar.co.uk
posted - 3rd April

Louis' Ronan-Beating

If it were possible to have a public health warning on a book, the one on Louis Walsh's biography should read 'Be careful, this book contains worryingly high levels of being very scathing, the following stars should not attempt to open it at all - Geri Halliwell, Ronan Keating, Pete Waterman, all of the rest of Boyzone...'

And that's why a publishing house has offered the Westlife/Girls Aloud manager a five-figure deal to tell his story, once his time with the 'Life (and very probably the Aloud too) has come to a close.

A book source has told the Mirror that Ronan might be better off going into hiding when the book comes out, cos it won't contain many passages about how fantastic he is. They said: "Louis will write about the controlling girlfriends and wives as well as what really goes on behind the scenes...There's no love lost between Louis and Ronan so there'll be some juicy revelations." Is it too early to start our Xmas list for the year 2008?

source - BBC-TOTPposted - 3rd April

Tour Update

The boys have finished the UK leg of their tour; they are now in Europe where the reaction has been amazing. They are also heading down to South Africa for concerts in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The DVD filming that took place in Sheffield was amazing and Westlife would like to thank their fans for such a brilliant atmosphere on the night as well as the fantastic banners! We hope that the winners of the competition had a great time at the meet and greet.

source - www.westlife.com
posted - 1st April

Fans rushing for tickets

TICKETS are reportedly selling fast for the Westlife concert on April 13, at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.They are BD22 each and are on sale at Hava Java in Seef Mall and Al A'ali Shopping Complex and at the Dilmun Club, Saar.Mirage Promotions and Bahrain Duty Free are presenting the concert, with the support of the GDN, Bahrain This Month, Orbit, the Ritz-Carlton and Hava Java.

Fans of all ages can expect to hear the very best of Westlife, with special guests Bombay Rockers from Denmark.The Irish boy band, made up of Nick Byrne, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan and Shane Filan - have just released their new Rat Pack themed album Allow Us To Be Frank.This 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 David Jr and Frank Sinatra.Allow Us To Be Frank pays homage to those bourbon-filled years when the Rat Pack used to hang out and perform at The Sands Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas.

Westlife have performed to over three million fans on four sell-out arena tours, making them the biggest selling arena tour act ever.They have sold over 34m 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).

Look back through the pages of pop history and you find that the average lifespan of a boy band is shockingly short.Westlife have outlived all of them: The Osmonds, The Partridge Family, The Jackson Five; New Kids On The Block, Backstreet Boys, Take That; 'NSync, Boyzone and 5ive.

Westlife grew out of a band formed by Kian, Shane and Mark when they were performing in a local stage version of Grease in the west of Ireland. Originally a six-piece named IOU, they were spotted by pop impresario Louis Walsh, who groomed them as successors to his hit machine, Boyzone.

Shedding three of the members and bringing in Bryan and Nicky, they first came to public notice as Westside, rapidly becoming the rising stars of the Smash Hits Tour in the winter of 1998 - helped by the fact that their management team now included a young man called Ronan Keating. One small name change later (to avoid clashing with at least one US act performing as Westside) and they were on their way.

Their first single, Swear It Again, went straight to No 1 in April 1999, swiftly followed by If I Let You Go and Flying Without Wings. Within a year they had made UK chart history with their fifth chart topper in a row, Fool Again. Before long they secured a place in the Guinness World Records as the only band to have topped the charts seven times in a row.

In March last year, Bryan left the band to pursue a solo career.Many commentators predicted the end for the band, but again, Westlife confounded the doomsayers: they went straight out and performed one of their best ever received tours (the Turnaround Tour 2004).

Now they have returned with Allow Us To Be Frank and a renewed vigour that sees the boys aiming for plenty more years of music with Westlife.

Opening act, The Bombay Rockers have just released their debut album Introducing... Bombay Rockers!It is a mix of rhythm and blues, rap, hip hop and dance laced with streaks of bhangra/Punjabi elements.The show will be held at the Ritz-Carlton's beach garden.

Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 9pm.For more information, contact Mirage Promotions Bahrain on 17715277 or log on to www.miragepromotionsonline.com. 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 - 1st April

Oh Oh Trouble

There was a frosty atmosphere to say the least when Brian McFadden and Nicky Westlife came face to face with each other over the weekend. The former bandmates (and now, it seems, former friends) were taking part in a charity football match and played on the same the celebrity team, but both seemed more intent on swapping dirty looks rather than passes. The after-party got no better either with organisers under orders to keep the lads apart in case they felt the need to speak their minds to each other.

source - Pop World
posted - 1st April

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