Latest Westlife News

note: thanks to the following websites for providing some of the news items found on this site - Worldpop | MTVasia | Music365 | The Sun | BBC | WENN

If you want to share your positive concert experiences, feel free to send it to us at westlife@previewstock.com and we will post it on this site and share it with other Westlife fans. Please include the date/concert venue that you attended. Also send any Westlife news we might have missed to that address above!

The Westlife news archives can be found at the bottom of the page

Westlife in Sao Paulo, Brazil
Westlife in Mexico!

10/05/01

Westlife will be appearing on SM:TV Live - 9:25am ITV1 on Saturday 10/6/01. They will be performing "When You're Looking Like That."

More from Westlife on the US

Nicky said, "We're broken everywhere except North America and we're dying to break the States. It's like a drug -- not that I've ever taken drugs! We won't be happy 'til we make it in the U.S." Nicky also admits that the US is harder because it's larger in size/population...and thus its harder to reach the entire country. He explained, "The other thing is you have to work really hard and be out there for ages. Over here, you play Parkinson (BBC chart show), SM:TV (Independent Television's kids show) and The Lottery Show (game show) and you reach the whole country."

9/29/01-9/30/01

Don't look for a Westlife and Elton collaboration anytime soon

Elton had some fairly evil words for Westlife (but saved the worst for Hear'say). He said, "They're [Hear'say] the ugliest band I've ever seen. If you're going to have a boy band or girl band then they've got to be good looking. The guy Danny looks like Shrek. I feel sorry for them. 'N Sync and Blue are good looking though. I like Backstreet Boys. Boyzone and Westlife aren't bad either but they breed so much crap."

Westlife.co.uk won the People's Choice Award...an award voted for by dotmusic users for the best music website. Remember, the official site changes to Westlife.com in a few days...and the boys have already taped an online message to fans regarding this fact.

More on the new album

Mark, Shane and Bryan told dotmusic how pleased they were with their awards for 'Best Band'...and revealed a bit more about their upcoming album. Shane said, "Queen Of My Heart' is our new single out November 5 and it's a very good song. It's a very slow ballad compared to all our other ballads that are slow cos this is very slow. It's got a very anthemic chorus. It's a bit different for Westlife but it's along the same line."

Bryan then burst into an rendition of the single with Mark joining before cruelly breaking off and saying: "Oh, you'll have to buy it!". Shane then said, "The album's very different. We wrote over half of it ourselves which we're very happy about. About half of it is uptempo which is good for our world tour next year. It's definitely better than the last two." Bryan commented, "You have to go and buy it cos it's an absolutely fantastic listen especially if you're driving."

dotmusic found out that Goofy and Mickey Mouse were their favourite characters and Bryan displayed one of his many hidden talents by giving them a Donald Duck impression. Kian was also caught discussing the proposed film projects that the band have been offered. "Four or five companies have come to us but I don't think we're going to do it for a while. Westlife has only started as far as we're concerned and it's nowhere near the end so if you make a film you want it to be the whole story and not just half of it."

Also, Atomic Kittens will NOT be releasing their single on the same week as Westlife. So that leaves Destiny's Child. The Atomic Kittens were unable to finish their video in time.

9/28/01

Westlife vow to crack America

Westlife have vowed to spend 6 months in the US next year. They are planning a massive publicity campaign that will include 3 single releases and a full tour. Nicky said, "Our big goal for next year is conquering America. We haven't given up and are determined to do it - we want to make it really big over there. We're prepared to do whatever it takes and that will mean spending up to six
months over there." As for the new songs, Nicky added, "They will definitely appeal more to an American crowd, and we think it's the recipe for success over there. But we know the odds are stacked against us because the likes of Robbie Williams and Boyzone weren't able to do anything big over there."

[note: I certainly hope this is a true story...but I'm taking a wait and see attitude on Westlife and the US...there are too many rumors out there]

The last time Westlife was in the US, they stopped by the shopping channel QVC to help sell their albums. The groups surprised callers by answering the phones themselves. Nicky said, "We went on air plugging our album and then afterwards we ran around the switchboards taking the orders." The group was excited to see the album sales roll in. He added, "We were cheering as we watched their computer screens lighting up as thousands of callers bought our album."

9/26/01

Dane Bowers at Bryan/Kerry's wedding

Dane Bowers (UK R&B/garage performer) is reported to be the performer at the Bryan and Kerry's wedding. He will travel to the location in Ireland at least a week before the spring wedding early next year to make sure the acoustics and his voice are just right.

A source said, "Dane Bowers has a load of really good ideas. He's thinking of something really romantic, a big show-stopper - one for the bride and groom that older relatives will still know. Maybe that one from 'Titanic'. Or the Lion one that Elton John sings from that cartoon. He's got a couple of jokey ones too - like the 'Birdie Song' and that. He's got a great sense of humour. But it'll good and clean and he'll make Kerry and Bryan happy. There'll be none of that rocky swearing stuff, I can tell you. There'll be no Gallagher brothers I can tell you!!!"

Madonna vs Westlife - Battle of the Albums

A big pooh to one of my favorite stars, Madonna. It seems that Madonna will be releasing another best of compilation on the exact same day as Westlife's "A World of Our Own." Both albums will be released on November 12. Madonna's album still does not have title, doesn't have a tracklisting and doesn't have artwork yet. Music industry sources are already claiming that Madonna will power ahead of Westlife...us fans will have to show some buying power here.

HMV head of music Jonathan Rees commented: "Madonna is clearly there for
number one. It's for everyone else to try to knock her off but it'll be a tall
order. Going for second place is the likes of the Gabrielle best of, Robbie Williams, Westlife and Michael Jackson possibly depending how the public takes to him."

This battle is similar to the one between Westlife and the Spice Girls last year. Westlife trounced the Spice Girls by selling 235,000 in the 1st week while the Spice Girls managed to sell just 73,000.

Smash Hits results of top 50 sexiest men

As you can see Kian made it at #2 and Shane made it at #7. The magazine goes on sale on Wednesday (today).

Top 10 females: 1 Rachel Stevens (S Club 7); 2 Britney Spears; 3 Jennifer Lopez; 4 Beyonce Knowles (Destiny's Child); 5 Natasha Hamilton (Atomic Kitten); 6 Kylie Minogue; 7 Lisa Scott Lee (Steps); 8 Eve; 9 Nelly Furtado; 10 Alesha Dixon (Mis-Teeq).

Top 10 males: 1 Ben Adams (a1); 2 Kian Egan (Westlife); 3 Eminem; 4 Lee Ryan (Blue); 5 Shaggy; 6 Ashley Parker Angel (O-Town); 7 Shane Filan (Westlife); 8 Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit); 9 Kelly Jones (Stereophonics); 10 J Brown (Five).

Westlife to perform at first ever TOTP Awards

Westlife, Hear'Say and Atomic Kitten will be some of the performers at the first ever Top of the Pops Awards. The awards will be held at the Manchester Evening News Arena on November 30 and will be presented by Jamie Theakston and a mystery guest. The event will be shown on BBC1 in early December.

TOTP producer and director Chris Cowey said the annual event would rival ITV's Brit awards. "You've got the Brits on one hand and the Smash Hits Awards on the other, this is going to be the best of both worlds."

Theakston said the event would be his biggest challenge to date. He said: "I'm really excited about it. I have done some big events in the past but I think this is the biggest and the most exciting." Viewers will vote for awards in eight of the categories, including Top Pop, Top Rock and Top Newcomer.

Westlife to perform at Pepsipop in the Netherlands

The performance is scheduled for October 6 at Rotterdamse Ahoy’. The line up includes appearances/performances by S Club 7 and Atomic Kitten. Presenting will be TMF-VJ Daphne en Michiel Huisman van Fontane.

9/25/01

Westlife scrap video after US terrorist attacks
[thanks to Agnes for sending the article]

Westlife have been forced to scrap their new £1million video after the terror attacks in the US. The footage, which shows the boys taking part in a stock car race, features violent explosions and showers of debris. One scene has Bryan caught up in a dramatic crash. His car slams straight into Kian's and Nicky abandons his race to save Bryan from the burning motor. The video, filmed in London earlier this month, was to accompany the group's new single Queen Of My Heart, which will be released on November 5.

Kian said backstage at the Disney Channel Kids' Awards in London yesterday, "There is no way we could show that video now, in light of what happened in America. So we decided to scrap it and have now gone back to the drawing board to try to think of another idea. We hope to start shooting the new video next week."

Mark commented, "It was a horrible thing that happened and our deepest sympathies go to all the families." Westlife were reunited for the first time in a month at the awards after Bryan took time off to be with new daughter Molly and fianceé Kerry Katona. Bryan said, "I've had hardly any sleep since Molly was born-I get about three hours a night now. But it's all worth it."

Westlife won Band of the Year and Best Male Group awards at the Disney Chanel Kids' Awards yesterday. And at the Awards show, they performed "Uptown Girl" and "When You're Looking Like That" (Congrats!) And even bigger news: Latest figures reveal that their last album, Coast To Coast, has sold an astonishing 7 Million copies.

Being rich does have its problems though. For tax purposes they now spend two days a week in Ireland-because duties are cheaper here than in the UK. Nicky explained, "We have to spend a lot of time in Dublin because of tax reasons. But we don't mind because we're at home which is a real bonus after being on promotional tours around the world. We never thought we'd have tax problems because we never thought we'd make it this far. It's all a dream come true. We all still pinch ourselves to make sure we're not going to wake up from our lives."

Westlife's success in the Philippines
[thanks to Nim for the info]

Westlife's worldwide success continues =) As of today, Westlife's "When You're Looking Like That" was the #1 song in the VID-OK HIT CHART for the 5th consecutive week!!!...beating 'N Sync's "Pop" at #5, BSB at #10, and O-Town's "All or Nothing" at #8. When You're Looking Like That is also the #1 most Requested MTV in the MTV Philippines Channel. Also, in a survey done by the No. 1 noontime TV show in the Philippines, the MTB (Magandang Tanghali Bayan) of ABS-CBN: The following question was asked: "Who is the most favorable boy band of the Filipinos?" #1? WESTLIFE. BSB was #2 and N Sync was #3. Maybe Westlife should pay another visit to the Philippines...after the US of course :p

Kian's Not Suing

(How I wish the US was a non-litigous country.) Kian has decided not to press charges against the thugs who attacked him outside a chip shop in Sligo earlier this year. He said, "Pictures of me with a black eye appeared in the papers at the time, but I'd love to have seen pictures of them. There were two of them and I gave as good as I got. At the end of the day I'm still here and they're the ones who'll be drinking cans of lager on the street at 3:00 a.m." Police in Sligo confirmed that he never officially reported the incident to them at the time and that the matter is now out of their hands.

9/22/01

Thanks to all the fans who have sent us Westlife info. We will post that info around Monday.

BMG buys Westlife.com

As of September 19, BMG is now the owner of westlife.com. To me, this strongly indicates a push to make Westlife a truly global group, including being a popular group within the US. And I have my fingers crossed, that I will actually be able to access this new site (and that it will actually load fast). I wonder how much they paid for westlife.com...

Westlife Aims For America Again

More quotes indicating that Westlife are gunning for the USA again. In a leaked TV interview scheduled for this weekend, the group are upbeat about their new single "Queen Of My Heart" and their 3rd album "World Of Our Own" topping the American charts.

Kian said, "There's been lots of stuff written saying Westlife can't break America, but Westlife haven't had time to break America." Nicky added, "O-Town had a No. 1 with 'All Or Nothing,' so it just showed us. That song was Westlife through and through. That's why we want to go back to America. It just convinces us now
that we will."

Kian slams The Stereophonics

Kian slammed the group's critics after singer Kelly Jones of Welsh rock band The Stereophonics was the latest to voice criticism. Kelly claimed that noone would remember the group in 3 years time. Kian's retort: "We don't give a crap what the critics say about us. We sell more records than The Stereophonics, so how can he slag us off?! People slag you off all the time, why would you bother responding? After all, Kelly did a duet with Tom Jones. I really don't give any attention to it whatsoever. People say we haven't conquered America yet, but that's rubbish. We haven't had time to break America. Westlife, Boyzone, and Hear'Say get songs from songwriters, but at the end of the day we're successful as well, and I think that annoys them."

Louis Walsh: No More Pop Acts!

Westlife's manager, Louis Walsh, has vowed not to take take on any more pop groups after he finds the winning band in the Irish version of Popstars. He said, "I'm going to be painfully honest with everybody. If they're crap I'll tell them so. That's not cruelty, that's just reality. I don't want people with drug habits, alcoholics or people with nagging girlfriends or boyfriends."

9/18/01

Westlife speak out about US tragedy
[thanks to Agnes for sending this in]

In the wake of the terrorist attacks on America, Westlife is feeling the knock on effects. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. This pales in comparison to what we have just witnessed. Our thoughts and condolences are with our fellow citizens who have lost their lives and with their friends and families.“

THE MANAGEMENT : “We thank God for His grace given to men to work diligently and extraordinarily under times of uncertainty. These men marched into the gravest of circumstances and did not waver, though the grim face of death looked right into their hearts and souls. Having already witnessed the sudden end of hopes and dreams of scores who'd leaped to their earlier deaths from the burdened and blackened skies above, these men followed their command to give unselfishly in a time when many were desperate and the hour at hand spelled trouble. We hope and trust these men will tell their stories of courage and hope; pain and desperation; grief and uncertainty. Theirs are the stories of America, whose foundational truths are built on the bravery of so many before us. They are the epitome of the American dream: to have the pursuit of happiness and prosperity. We are happy the lives of some were spared - rescued from a war-torn icon of the heart of America... the Big Apple. Their rescue is the beginning of hope for a nation questioning the possibility of life resuming as it once was. These brave men - who were crushed under the terrible weight of building materials, office equipment and the debris of the earth around in valiant efforts to maintain a sense of control in a desperate time - have been found alive to unify our hopes, our dreams and our intention to rebuild and to reconvene.“

Westlife admits group won't last forever

Westlife know that they won't last forever as a group, but they're hoping for a few more years of success. Nicky said, "There's supposed to be a shelf life of five years for a boy band, but I want to beat that because I know we can." Mark added, "That's the nature of this boy band thing - we're disposable. People say you're a great singer, you look good and all that, but I now the difference between Mark Feehily and 'Mark from Westlife'. The day I no longer know the difference is the day I enter the danger zone!"

As a side comment, the group have been together for about 3 years. The Backstreet Boys have been at it for like 8 years (don't pounce on me if I'm off a year or two) and N Sync have been at it for nearly as long. So there's hope yet!

9/16/01

Bryan paid just £1,500 for Kerry's engagement ring. Tradition says a man should spend a month's wages. Sunday People said in its article, "Maybe Bryan is worried he won't make as much money solo after talking about leaving Westlife."

"Westlife on Tour" by Eddie Rowley is the 3rd best selling rock and pop book in the UK. The top selling book is by Tommy Lee while the 2nd best selling book by Bjork. Westlife on Tour is listed at £14.99.

Westlife monthly news archives

September 2001 (2)
September 2001 (1)
August 2001
July 2001
June 2001
May 2001
April 2001
March 2001
February 2001
January 2001
August 2000