No concert at Pearse

Contrary to rumours in the press this past weekend, local and national promoters have said a Westlife concert at Salthill’s Pearse Stadium is not in the works for this summer. Rumors began spreading late on Thursday that the hunky pop foursome would be the much anticipated, yet highly secretive, summer concert taking place at Pearse Stadium.

But by early Friday morning, shortly after papers began circulating the city, the rumours were already being squashed. Seamus Finnerty, the PRO for the Galway County Board of the GAA, said that “as of two weeks ago [at the Galway County Council meeting] there were no confirmed acts”. He said that discussions that evening were with regard to what date the prospective show would be held, with promoters trying to decide between two dates in order to apply for planning permission. He clarified that as far as he knew no acts had been confirmed at that time.

Speaking to Galway First on Friday, a media representative from MCD Productions, one of the main promoters for Westlife, said they were unaware of any such gig taking place this summer. A representative from Aiken Promotions, who had originally applied to Galway City Council for planning permission to stage two shows at the venue, also said they had heard nothing about the rumoured show before seeing it in the papers that day.

New concert date for New Zealand

With sold out shows already at Auckland’s Vector Arena, Wellington’s TSB Bank Arena & Christchurch’s Westpac Arena, Westlife have added a 5th and final concert on Monday, May 12 at Auckland’s, Aotea Centre. To continue the Mother's Day celebrations, exclusive Champagne Reserve seating will be offered, which will include a glass of Champagne and chocolates upon arrival at the venue and will go into a draw to meet the band. Tickets for this final and intimate show are going to sell fast and will be strictly limited. Tickets go on sale at THE EDGE® Box Office at 9am on Thursday 3rd April. 0800 BUY TICKETS (0800 289 842) or www.the-edge.co.nz

Westlife support hospice

Westlife took time out of their arena tour in Sheffield to launch a new fundraising challenge for poorly youngsters. The chart-topping Irish singers threw their support behind Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice's new campaign, The Golden Mile Challenge. The campaign will involve fundraisers collecting enough £1 coins to fill tubes which each contain 100 coins.

The challenge is to fill each tube in 100 days. Bluebell Wood fundraising bosses hope to fill 5,000 of the foot-long tubes - making a golden mile of £1 coins worth £500,000. The boys from Westlife released a joint statement saying: "We want to personally encourage everyone to take up the challenge to raise £100 each in 100 days for this vital local charity. Every penny raised will make a huge difference to the lives of local children with life limiting and life threatening conditions, and their families."

3.28.08

Westlife to perform at Pearce Stadium

Westlife are expected to be confirmed for a sell out concert in Pearse Stadium in Galway (Ireland) this summer. An announcement is due over the coming days that the record breaking boy band will appear at the 30,000 capacity Salthill venue on Saturday, June 21. And it is also expected that X Factor winner Shayne Ward will be named as the support act for the concert. The Pearse Stadium Committee would not confirm that Westlife will be the summer concert but a spokesman said that plans were at an advanced stage to hold a concert at the venue. It is expected that when tickets for the concert go on sale, they will be mopped up by adoring fans within a matter of hours. At the moment Westlife are on their ‘Back Home’ tour which includes dates in Belfast and Dublin in May and June.

Westlife on ITV Local Yorkshire

ITV Calendar in the UK is showing an interview with Westlife from Sheffield on tonight's programme. You can find the interview by clicking here

Private Westlife concert?

Robbie Keane has reportedly booked a well-known boy-band to perform in the summer at his wedding to model Claudine Palmer - but has ruled out reports that it's Arsenal. Keane is Ireland's top player and Westlife are Ireland's top boy-band so in making them 4-6 favourites, bookies Paddy Power are putting two and two together and making four rather than Five, who are a 40-1 shot.

Thing is, if you're marrying a gorgeous model the last thing you want on your wedding day is a bunch of good-looking blokes turning up. Ideally you would want the Manchester United squad. Years ending in '1' are, according to folklore, kindest to Spurs so maybe Tottenham striker Keane will go for 8-1 chances Boyzone. You can get 66-1 for Il Divo, but I never knew Pascal Chimbonda could sing.

Boy-band to perform at Robbie Keane's wedding: 4-6 Westlife, 11-8 Take That, 8-1 Boyzone, 20-1 Blue, 25-1 East 17, 40-1 Five, 50-1 Boyz II Men, 66-1 Il Divo, 80-1 Backstreet Boys, 500-1 Bros.

Mark and Kevin adopt a dog

With all the nappies, bottles, prams, and other infant paraphernalia flying about, it was only a matter of time before Mark Feehily and his life partner Kevin McDaid (collectively we're called them 'Marvin') got all paternal too. But instead of going all 'Brangelina' on us with numerous multi-national adoptions they have instead opted to purchase a Pug. Bravo boys. And the little lady in question is called Saffy McDaid Feehily. We spotted Marco and Kev taking their little bundle of joy out for walkies in Leeds this week where, the entire band is holed up in the Quebec Hotel. Altogether: Ahhhhhhhhh... Anyone up for a Doggie Date?

Sheffield competition

Westlife fans could bag themselves a pair of tickets for the band's final Sheffield show in May thanks to The Guide. Their 2008 tour started out as just one date, but following phenomenal demand the four-piece band added a third date at Sheffield Arena on Sunday 25th May.

And on arrival at London's Wembley Arena, it was declared that the boys had sold more tickets at the venue than any other act and had played a remarkable record number of 23 dates there. As well as performing a blend of their own tracks and covers, including Mandy, Flying Without Wings and Us Against The World, they will perform their recent hit single Home, which launched in October last year.

Tickets for the concert are now on sale and are priced £32.50 (subject to a booking fee) and can be purchased at the Sheffield Arena Box Office, by booking online at www.hallamfmarena.co.uk or by calling the credit card hotline on 0114 2565656.

***But if you fancy your chances of winning a pair of free tickets to see the boys in action, simply answer the following question.

Q) What is the name of Westlife's latest album and how many members are there in the band?

To enter this competition simply click here. The closing date for entries is Friday 4th April and winners will be contacted by telephone so do not forget to include a daytime contact number. Only one entry is permitted per household and normal Guardian competition rules apply.

Westlife hit Irish bar to mark end of Glasgow gigs

Westlife celebrated their four-night stint in Glasgow by going out to an Irish bar. Kian, Shane, Nicky and Mark played a blinding set at the city's SECC last week culminating with their final night on Saturday. While Shane and Kian stayed at the exclusive Mar Hall Hotel, Mark and Nicky decided to stay in separate accommodation in the city centre, preferring the hustle and bustle.

But the boys hadn't really let their hair down until Friday night when they decided to hit the town. Shane said: "Me and the boys are going out tonight to an Irish bar. We haven't really been out yet in Glasgow as we've been hanging out with family and friends, but we decided it was time to thank our crew by giving them a good night out."

The boys spent the majority of their time at Waxy O'Connor's bar in the city in a private area and left in the small hours of Saturday morning. Shane also revealed he is delighted that he'll be a father for the second time. He said: "I am thrilled at the news and I am looking forward to the birth of my new child. "We'll be having a few drinks to celebrate that tonight as well."

Yet another drinking story

You know you're getting past it when the Macdonald Brothers outdrink you. But that is exactly what has happened on Westlife's latest tour. The Ayrshire brothers are two of the nicest people in showbiz but they don't exactly have a big reputation for partying. But Craig and Brian, who played Glasgow with the Irish heart-throbs last night, have been showing the Westlife boys how it's done.

Craig said: "We are a bit more up for a drink than Westlife. After each show we've been kicking about with the crew and are quite keen to stay up late. Westlife, on the other hand, have gone back to the hotel after pretty much every gig. Shane takes his family with him wherever he goes and his newly pregnant wife has been by his side at every moment of the tour, as well as his wee daughter. They are a lovely family and Shane's wife told us she was expecting a baby. Nicky's partner has also been with him, although Kian and Mark haven't brought their partners yet. I suppose we are them eight years ago."

The Macs, who recently released their third album, With Love For Mother's Day, claim they are still happy being single. Brian said: "It's the best time in our lives and we are loving it." The guys are thrilled to have secured a deal with a label in Asia and Australia.

3.18.08

Westlife a top 10 Irish brand!

You woudn't think it....but in a vote by British consumers, Westlife is the 3rd favorite Irish import. Guinness, Baileys, Westlife and U2 are the British public's favourite Irish brands, according to a survey published on St Patrick's Day. Drink and pop music dominated the survey of 2162 British adults in YouGov research commissioned by London PR consultancy Eulogy!

Stephen Hughes, Enterprise Ireland director of northern Europe, said: ‘As the biggest export market for the Irish economy, it's critical that Irish brands are known, understood and welcomed in Britain. What's really interesting is the mix of old and new brands.' Among female respondents, Baileys was the most favoured brand, followed by Westlife. Baileys was also the most popular brand among the over-55s.

Top 10 Irish brands
Guinness 17%
Baileys 16%
Westlife 10%
U2 9%
Magners 6%
Jameson 5%
Boyzone 3%
Kerrygold 3%
Ryanair 3%
Murphy's Irish Stout 2%

Us Against the World falls to #18

It wasn't a great debut at #8...and in its 2nd week on the chart, the song falls 10 places to #18 on the UK Radio1 charts. Such a pity indeed.

3.10.08

Us Against the World debuts at #8

In the worst showing ever for Westlife, 'Us Against the World' made its debut at #8 in the UK charts. For the first time ever, a released single failed to make it into the top 5. And that's a shame too, as it is one of Westlife's better releases. It isn't a true debut, however. Officially, it is in its 5th week on the charts. Last week it was at #40. However, this is the first week, in which a physical CD release has been made in the UK. To look on the bright side, the album has sold brilliantly, which likely cut down on demand for the song.

3.09.08

A story on two not-your-average fans

Westlife mad sisters Joyce and June are united in their love for Shane Filan but meeting him would likely set them at war. “If we were to both meet Shane I think we’d be fighting over him,” laughed June, “I don’t think we’d be loving sisters for very long.”

Everyone has a pop star they fancy and for Joyce Ballantye and June Young it’s Westlife’s Sligo singer “with the million megawatt smile that can light up the darkest room” (or at least that’s what bandmate Mark Feehily says). Joyce, 46, and June, 61, have matching framed photographs of Shane in their living rooms and think nothing or shelling out £60-£70 each on the band every year they perform in Cardiff.

“As soon as we see the announcement in the Echo we go straight to the CIA to buy some tickets,” said June, a retired cleaner. “We probably spend £60-£70 a time because the tickets cost around £32, the T-shirts are about £18, the mugs are £10, an A4 photo is about £4 and the key rings are couple of quid as well. If they made Westlife trousers and shoes we’d probably buy those too.”

It’s those £4 A4 photographs that the Ely sisters have framed on their living room cabinets but having shopped around the country for Westlife knick-knacks they have made some happy finds. “I went to Blackpool in October and I found a Westlife pillow in a gift shop so that’s on my bed now,” said grandmother of five June, who lives with her partner Geoff. “It’s nice to cwtch into and it means I can say I have slept with Westlife.”

Unfortunately, the sisters’ seats in front of the Irish foursome at Cardiff International Arena on Sunday night are the closest they have ever got to the band in real life. “We’ve never met any of them, more’s the pity,” said Joyce, a full-time carer for her 86-year-old mother Barbara, who has Alzheimer’s disease. “If I didn’t have to get back to my mum I’d wait outside the stage door for them all night. But I get to see Shane every day this month because his face is on my calendar for March, which is nice because it’s my birthday.”

Because the sisters have always enjoyed the same music, they also share a love for The Everly Brothers and Billy Fury, it makes it easy to buy gifts for one another. June said: “We usually buy each other the latest Westlife album for Christmas and then just swap them over.”

Westlife perform at Cardiff International Arena Tonight, tomorrow and Monday before returning to the venue on May 20. There are a limited number of tickets still available, priced at £32.50, available from the CIA box office on 029 2022 4488.

3.08.08

Shane and Gillian expecting 2nd child

Shane and Gillian announced this week that they are expecting their 2nd child in September. The new baby will join sister Nicole, who is now 2 1/2. Shane told the Daily Mirror, "I can't believe I'm going to become a pop papa for the second time. We're going to be off from the band for a year from the summer so it seems like the perfect time to add to our family. I'm absolutely over the moon and it's going to be incredible to have two children. We didn't want to leave it too long to give Nicole a little brother or sister so it's perfect timing. Gillian is an amazing woman and I feel so proud to be having another child with her. It's going to be hectic in the Filan household with two little ones running around but we really can't wait. With the band taking a year off it is going to give me the chance to get really stuck in and be a great dad. I'll be able to give Gillian all the help she needs. All our friends and family are thrilled. Now we are just looking forward to whatever the future brings."

Kian's female preferences

Kian as you know is engaged to Jodi Albert. But he has recently been quoted as follows in regards to women:

He is quoted as saying: "It seems women nowadays think unless they're a size six then they're not pretty. It's sad and completely untrue. You look at women like Beyoncé Knowles and Jennifer Lopez and they're beautiful and sexy. They've got nice curves and big asses!"

Win Westlife tickets (UK)

Be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to see Westlife when they play at M.E.N. Arena by entering this exclusive competition. Fresh from the huge success of their massive album ‘Back Home’, the reigning kings of pop Westlife return with their brand new single ‘Us Against The World’, released March 3rd through Syco Music/SonyBMG. ‘Us Against The World’ is a beautiful, haunting ballad that perfectly showcases the smooth vocal talents of the band. With lush strings, soaring harmonies and an indelible melody, the track has already proved to be a firm favourite with Westlife fans and was the standout performance on their recent ITV prime time special ‘The Westlife Show: Live’. The track is the second single to be taken from Westlife’s new album ‘Back Home’, which entered the UK charts at No.1 last November, incredibly providing the band with their seventh UK No.1 album and spending eight weeks in the Top 10.

Enter the competition

Fire at Westlife concert in Newcastle

Westlife fans know the boys are hot, but even the most devoted were surprised to see the group's performance set the roof on fire. As the popsters sang their new single 'Us Against The World' at Newcastle Arena, a stray firework set the rigging alight and the boys had to flee for 10 minutes while firefighters tackled the blaze. Ever the pros, the lads came back and sang off-the-cuff versions of Take That's "Relight My Fire" and Prodigy's "Firestarter". Nicky told 3am: "It was a one in a million chance, but the fire service dealt with it and we got on with the show."

Westlife and Scandinavians

Shane and Nicky are both happily married men, but they like to be surrounded by beautiful blondes. 'If you want to find some good-looking women there are handfuls of them on every street corner in Sweden!' says Shane. And Nicky is quick to agree. 'Even the average-looking women are absolutely amazing,' he adds.

Mark prefers Scandanavian hunks. 'Of course Freddie Ljungberg is Swedish,' he says. 'His cheekbones are so sharp they could be used as a weapon! You can't take him on a plane.'

3.05.08

Brian's response

Brian released a statement on todaythrough his Australian record label denying that he ever approached his former bandmate. He said, "I never have and never will ask Westlife to rejoin them. My reasons for leaving Westlife still remain as strong today as when I left. I wish them the best but it's not for me and I've happily moved on."

Westlife gets a bigger tour bus

Westlife have been forced to hire a bigger tour bus - because their entourage of "Waggabies" has got so large. With their Back Home arena tour under way, the boy band are on the move a lot - and their loved ones are going with them.

Band member Nicky Byrne said: "All our partners spend so much time together on the road they are like a family. Alongside our wives and girlfriends, we've not got Westlife babies and a boyfriend too - we call them The Waggabies!"

Fellow bandmate Kian Egan also hinted he'd like the Irish hitmakers to perform an unlikely cover. "I'd love Westlife to cover Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N Roses," he said. "Playing the guitar solo in front of 10,000 people - it wouldn't get better than that!"

Fire on the set!

Westlife raised the temperature in more ways than one tonight after part of their stage set at the MetroRadio Arena in Newcastle caught fire. The incident came part way through their Back Home gig in front of a packed audience. A spokeswoman for the Arena said the incident was dealt with quickly and the concert continued without the need for any evacuation. The fire brigade were not needed. "A pyro went off and caused a small fire," the spokeswoman said. "But within 30 seconds it was extinguished by the venue's fire stewards."

The incident happened around 9.30pm, 45 minutes into the concert by the Irish combo. "Westlife actually mentioned it themselves while on stage to let the audience know that there was something happening," she said. "We have trained fire stewards and they dealt with it quickly. There's always a follow-up investigation of any incident that happens at an event.".

3.03.08

Westlife sets sales record

Westlife has set a record in Wellington, selling out in just three hours of going on sale at Ticketek on Saturday morning. Over 4000 tickets were sold before lunchtime. The promoter, Ian Magan from Pacific Entertainment, says he is thrilled that Wellington has responded in such a way. "This is a reaction befitting the a band of this calibre," says Magan. Magan advises that very good seats are still available in Auckland, New Plymouth and Christchurch. Tickets for the Auckland concert at Vector Arena can be purchased through TicketMaster while tickets for the concert at New Plymouth's TSB Stadium and Christchurch's TSB Arena can be purchased through Ticketek.

Westlife at the Echo Arena

When your audience fan base spans from seven to 70 and you’ve had more number one singles than your youngest fan has had hot school dinners, you know you must be on to a winning formula. Even after 10 years, it’s hard to see where Westlife have put a foot wrong. These days, it’s a more mature Irish quartet who entertain audiences with their chart-topping ballads and contemporary take on classic tracks. Their first visit to the Echo Arena signalled the beginning of their 10th anniversary tour – the Back Home Tour 2008.

Problems with ticket allocations by the ticketing agency proved frustrating for some angry fans who queued for up to an hour at the Arena box office – meaning some missed the first part of Westlife’s two-hour long set. But, in the build-up to the show, the atmosphere was electric and the packed Arena was lit up with flashing lights, wands and rabbit ears as excited fans took to their seats. And as the foursome launched into a number of new and cover tracks, screams echoed around the Arena.

Fans sang along to favourites including World of Our Own, What Makes a Man and Uptown Girl before the band changed the mood with contemporary versions of classic tracks including Barry Manilow’s Mandy; the Jackson 5’s Don’t Blame It on the Sunshine and Kool and the Gang’s Get, Down On it. The Arena was lit up with fireworks, lasers and an impressive light show. A minor technical glitch part way through led to a loss of sound and lighting, but singer Shane Filan apologised to the crowd and reassured them they would always remember Liverpool as the place they performed “the night the power went down”. The problem was fixed within minutes and the show continued without a hitch.

Westlife fill up at Carragher’s cafe

Westlife filled up with some healthy food before entertaining a sell-out crowd at the ECHO Arena. The Irish boy band popped into Jamie Carragher’s restaurant Café Sports England before the show. They tucked into smoothies and Reds star Jamie’s pasta dish, Penne Carragher, on Friday. Café Sports England manager Jenny Cook said: “People did notice them and were very excited. They came to the restaurant at about 4pm and stayed for a couple of hours.”

Kian, Mark, Shane and Nicky stayed at the Radisson SAS in Old Hall Street after the concert.

Ticket chaos hits Westlife concert

Ticket problems caused huge queues outside a Westlife concert in Liverpool last night. Hundreds of fans who bought tickets over the phone fromthe Ticketmaster agency dad to collect them from the ECHO Arena box office when they did not arrive through the post. Long queues built up outside and tempers flared as concertgoers had to wait in the wind and rain for more than an hour.

The gig was delayed by 25 minutes so every fan could take their seat. Kath Johnson, 55, from Liverpool city centre, said: “It has been horrendous. I have never known anything like it. I had to wait over an hour to get my ticket.” Arena general manager Tim Banfield apologised to fans, saying: “The tickets were not sold by the ECHO Arena and we have asked the ticket agent concerned to explain why this arose. Hundreds of fans arrived with email print-outs and credit cards, and we had to check every transaction manually.” The concert itself proved a big winner, with the queues and a two-minute power cut between songs in the middle of the gig failing to silence rows of screaming fans.

Brian still not welcome back

Brian -has called Westlife asking for a reunion tour - but they don't want him back. Ex-bandmate Kian tells me: "He left the group and you can't expect us to take him back. I told him: 'You're never going to be in Westlife again. Accept it!'"

Westlife monthly news archives