Westlife discusses Take That

Now magazine readers will find an interview on Westlife in its latest issue. Discussing who is better, them or rival group Take That, Westlife's Nicky said: "In a dance-off, probably Take That." He added: "A sing-off is another question - I reckon we'd win!"

Both Westlife and Take That have reformed recently and will be heading on tour next year. The Irish band's latest album Gravity was released on November 22nd - Take That's release came earlier after they changed the date avoiding a clash. Westlife's tour will kick off in Cardiff next March, with dates in London, Newcastle, Nottingham and Liverpool among others. They will be heading back to their homeland to end their run of gigs, performing at the O2 Arena in Dublin on April 8th and 9th next year.

Westlife interview with The Sun

Published originally 11/21/10: Before the chart battle even started, Westlife admitted defeat to their younger counterparts, JLS. The Irish veterans' Gravity goes head-to-head with JLS' Outta This World today. And the manband believe they no longer have what it takes to compete with their young rivals. In an exclusive video chat, Nicky said,: "We expect JLS to win. Definitely. Twelve years in it's very different. When we were at JLS' age we had a very young fan base that rushed out and bought everything. We're learning that the older you get the more of a challenge it is. Fans are now older and don't buy every last thing you put on the shelf."

The group admitted they were forced to freshen up their act after Take That's comeback in 2006 revitalized the boy band industry. Shane said: "We've upped our game. We had too. Take That came back better than they were before. They've revitalised the pop world."

Kian added, "This album is another step on. There are different tempos and styles. There is a slight Erasure dance feel to it, big rocky moments and dramatic moments. We worked with a producer called John Shanks who made last two Take That albums and stepped us on a bit."

Nicky continued: "Take That are absolutely brilliant at the minute. They are untouchable to anyone in any part of the world. I think the last three years they've been better than us. Their songs and stuff like that. Up until this album. You just can't compete against the hype and someone like Robbie Williams coming back. The whole thing has become enormous. They've set an example. Over the past 24 months we've looked at that example and taken a leaf out of that book. No point in being lead and said by the label, you need to become a man and do what you want to do." He added: "Obviously Take That are ten years older than us and what I envy about them is that they tend to do everything right. Envious In a good way, not jealous. Obviously X Factor was the Take That show but it was amazing to be sharing the same stage. We were all at secondary school watching the guys at their height the first time round, wanting to be in Take That. It was amazing to even be on the same stage as them. The five of them back together and still competing."

Mark commented, "We respect Take That but I've never heard them ever talk about us. I know Gary Barlow and Mark Owen have come down to a gigs. Gary always used to come to see us in Manchester every year. We are genuinely fans and are going to see them next year on tour." He added: "We freshened ourselves up and I do think overall it's our best album ever."

The boys also said they are eying up an opportunity to sing at Prince William and Kate Middleton's 2011 royal wedding and told how their hard partying days are over.

11.28.2010

Westlife #1 in Ireland

Westlife continue to triump in their native country, Ireland, as their 11th album comes in at #1. Gravity is the group's 10th #1 album in the UK, following "Where We Are" which peaked at #2 last year. In Ireland, Take That is #2, and JLS is #4.

In the UK, Westlife enter the charts at #3 with "Gravity". They were beaten by the reunited Take That with "Progress" at #1 and JLS at #2.

Westlife say no to Brian

According to an article in The Sun, Brian McFadden was begging Westlife to let him rejoin them, so that they could challenge Take That in the charts. Brian, 30, who quit the Irish boyband in 2004, tweeted: "I had a dream I was back on stage with Westlife playing some crazy-sized football stadium. I would love to do an album and show JLS and Take That what we are made of."

The star, who now works in TV in Australia, said Westlife were his "brothers". But the four members are not up for a reunion. In an exclusive chat, Shane told the Sun: "I don't think it's even remotely interesting if Brian came back. Brian left because he didn't like being in the band. It wasn't because we fell out. For us as a band, we never split up. We've kept going and are very happy." He added: "If another person came in it would be like re-starting a new band. I don't know how it would work. Robbie Williams coming back to Take That was a big announcement. "He's te biggest male solo performer of the past 20 years. You can't compare it."

Kian added: "He doesn't live in this country and is not in the music industry any more."

Westlife: Simon Cowell picked our covers

Westlife have admitted they weren't sure about the two cover versions on their new album - but were persuaded by Simon Cowell to keep them on the record. The two covers on the album are Athlete's Chances and The Reason by Hoobastank. Once again, Simon is an executive producer. Shane said: "It's Simon Cowell's doing. Every year he puts a couple of songs out there and says that we should do versions. After we thought we'd finished the album, we sat down with him and he said 'Guys, trust me, it'll be a big song for you'. We weren't sure at first, but we lived with them, and sure enough he was right. It's more a trust thing with Simon. He has worked with us and picked each of our No 1 singles, so we want to show that we trust him."

5.30.2010

Concert at Mansfield, UK

A spectacular summer concert by Westlife could raise up to a 1/4 million pounds (US $360,000) for Mansfield's economy. Westlife is scheduled to perofrm on August 21, 2010 at the Mansfield Town's Field Mill stadium. And within a week club bosses say they have already sold more than 3,500 tickets. It is hoped the event could be Mansfield's biggest ever pay day, with food and drink outlets and other businesses set to cash in. Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton said: "If we get weather like we have been experiencing, everyone in the town centre should have a bumper today. The town's people and businesses could make up to £250,000, which is big business. Westlife will attract the biggest ever crowd to our business community, and especially the town centre. It will be the biggest event Mansfield has ever seen. We saw a great day when Rebecca Adlington brought home two gold medals, and numerically, this will be just as big."

Mr Egginton says he hopes the town will co-ordinate its efforts to make the most of the day, and has already started discussions with Portland Retail Park about parking, while a park-and-ride service will operate from the Civic Centre to Field Mill. "It will be a day to remember when we see an act which we never thought would come to Mansfield."

Westlife will be the second massive act to play at Field Mill, following the X Factor finalists on 11th June. And this week club bosses have reduced the price for the X factor concert to just £5 for under-16s. Stags chairman Andy Perry said: "As this is the start of our first major concerts at Field Mill Stadium, we thought it would be great to see as many of our young people at our very first concert. "To see five artists of this calibre anywhere in the country for just £5 cannot be matched. "We have also teamed up with D.A.R.E who will help promote this fantastic opportunity and receive a commission for every £5 ticket sold."

Westlife's new album

Westlife have revealed that their new album will be their raunchiest yet. The group are yet to finalize plans for their next album, but claimed that the idea to make an LP of "sensual tracks" was inspired by banners held up by fans at their concerts. "The banners have become raunchier and most don’t leave anything to the imagination," Nicky told the Daily Star. "Liverpool and Sheffield are definitely the dirtiest crowds. So the next album is going to be one for the bedroom with lots of juicy and sensual tracks."

Mark added: "You can listen to it while you’re conceiving. Lots of people have called their sons and daughters after us already. We’re in meetings this week for the next album and have lots of ideas as we want to get out by the end of the year." Shane Filan also confirmed that he will once again assist Louis Walsh as a guest judge on this year's X Factor.

Westlife at Glasgow SECC

You just have to follow the sea of cowboy hats and glowsticks to know that a boy band is in town. Marching on Glasgow’s SECC last night was an army of dedicated Westlife fans who have been coming back year after year. Last night’s concert was the first of three, for which more than 20,000 fans are expected. If the crowd at the opening show was anything to go by, it seems generations of families will be turning out to see the Irish superstars.

Amanda Wyllie, 36, from Maybole, South Ayrshire, was responsible for roping her mother in 10 years ago. The pair now come along with Amanda’s daughter Keira, five. Amanda said: “I suppose I started it all and now we have three generations coming along. They appeal to us all and we all have our favourites. It is difficult to say but they are just amazing to watch.”

Fan Maureen Anderson, from Cumnock, in Ayrshire, will celebrate her 70th birthday this summer, and was looking forward to seeing the group for the first time. She said: “We have been fans for years. Anyone can enjoy their music.” Her friend Morag Herbertson, 68, from Glasgow, was also excited about seeing them in concert. “We will be shouting and cheering along,” she said. “You can’t help but like a band like Westlife although you sometimes get a bit of a teasing.” Hairdresser Kay MacIver, 40, from Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis, said: “My husband always buys me two tickets at Christmas and I take one of my friends. It just makes you want to have a great night.”

Westlife at Glasgow SECC (Review)

You just have to follow the sea of cowboy hats and glowsticks to know a boy band is in the city. And marching on Glasgow’s SECC was an army of dedicated Westlife fans who have been coming back year after year. The first of three city shows for the Irish stars kicked off last night and thousands of women splashed out at the merchandise store – buying anything from key rings, to shopping bags and cuddly toys – before getting into a frenzy as the foursome took to the stage. Westlife have built up a faithful following, with fans seeming to range from four to 84. For one family, three generations of fans came along. Amanda Wyllie, 36, was responsible for roping her mum in 10 years ago. Now they come along with Amanda’s daughter Keira, five. And friends Kay MacIver and Laura Morrison, both 40, travelled from Stornoway, Lewis. Hairdresser Kay said: “My husband always buys me two tickets for Christmas and I take a friend. We might be in the older age group, but what does that matter?”

The sell-out gig kicked off with the title track of the tour, Where We Are. With sci-fi graphic imagery displayed on massive screens behind them, Westlife’s Terminator style outfits seemed a sign the boys were truly back. There was the old favourites from the early years with hits such as Swear It All Over Again and Uptown Girl. The powerful ballads the foursome have become known for had everyone swaying in their seats, but took on a more mellow tempo as they performed a quiet set, including Mandy and If I Let You Go. Not a band to shy away from covers, they performed a medley of the Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce and Kings of Leon. However, there was none of the flying through the air acrobatics this time – perhaps a sign budget cuts have reached the pop world. They wrapped up the night to with their smash hit You Raise Me Up. It was clear by the smiles as the audience made their way home, they had been truly lifted.

Westlife's new admission on their old hits

Westlife has revealed that they regret recording so many cover songs during their pop career, as they had been 'lazy' on many of their albums. They are well known for re-recording tracks by other artists, most famously taking on Barry Manilow's Mandy, Billy Joel's Uptown Girl and a cover of Phil Collins' Against All Odds, a duet with Mariah Carey.

Despite being the only act in UK history to see all of their first seven singles reach the number one spot in the British charts, singer Nicky Byrne admits the band has made some "mistakes" along the way. "We've certainly made a lot of mistakes. We've recorded songs that we should never have recorded. We look back on some of them and think, 'Oh God, that was terrible'," the Daily Express quoted him as telling the Sun. "Sitting in rooms and nodding our heads and doing everything that was asked of us was what we did for years and years. But we are happy to speak now, to say, 'I think we should do this.' We've become men over the last few years," he stated. Bandmate Shane Filan added: "You get to a stage when you get a bit lazy. But then we'll go back into the studio and realise the last record was a bit lazy and do better on the next one."

Nicky need stitches

5.11.10 Nicky was left nursing a sore head after Westlife's sell-out show in Liverpool's Echo Arena on Friday - and it was nothing to do with over-doing the booze. A "mock fight" ended with him being rushed to A&E to have five stitches in his bleeding bonce. We're told: "After the show, Kian and the tour manager decided to take on Nicky in a mock fight. Nicky wrestled Kian to the floor, but somehow managed to smash his head on a glass table. There was blood everywhere. It looked horrific.

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