All about Nicky in this one

This is a sweet one from the Belfast Telegraph. You will note as you read further down, that there are only 3 remakes on this album, including "Home" by Michael Buble, and another one by American country act, Lonestar.

Westlife are ready to take on comeback kings Take That to prove they are still the princes of pop, Nicky Bryne said last night. According to the father-of-two, the return of the Manchester four-piece has spurred Westlife on and shown them that there are still plenty of years left to keep making music.

And he had words of warning for Gary Barlow, who made fun of Westlife's dancing skills while Take That were performing on stage at the Odyssey Arena last week: "If you want to slag us off, just don't do it in Belfast. Up to two years ago, before Take That came back, we were being called the grand-daddys of pop, so we're delighted that we're not the oldest boy band on the go now," he laughed. "And it's great for us because it means that we have a good 10 years left as well. The success of their album Beautiful World surprised everyone, especially Take That, but we're not frightened of them. Without them, we mightn't be here, they were the band that started it all off. They're like old boxing champs getting back in the ring again and if they want to fight us, that's fine. There's plenty of room for all of us. We heard Gary Barlow had a go at us in Belfast last week, saying we couldn't dance, but his comments didn't go down to well with the crowd. We laughed about that afterwards. I mean if Take That want to slag Westlife of, go ahead and do it in Dublin or Manchester or wherever, just don't do it in Belfast. We've very loyal fans there."

Nicky also welcomed the Spice Girls' reunion but said he didn't think this should give the go-ahead to other bands to get back together. "I think it's great for pop music that bands like Take That and the Spice Girls are getting back together. For too long, it's been all about guitar music and R 'n B, so it's nice to see some pop slipping back into the charts. Bands like Boyzone could get back together again, but I think you really needed to have been at the top of your game first time round to make a successful comeback. Those who weren't, shouldn't really bother."

Next month Westlife release their ninth album, Back Home, preceded by the single Home, a cover of the Michael Buble song. Already receiving much airplay and proving a big hit with the fans, Home looks set to give the record-breaking Irish band their 15th number one single. Nicky said the band had gone back to their pop roots with the new album, giving it a modern, fresh twist, and that he was "extremely proud" of the end product.

But he expressed disappointment that the Spice Girls had allegedly put back their album date release by a week to avoid coinciding with the release of Back Home. "The girls claim they were always planning to release their Greatest Hits after us but we were told it was originally going to be the same day," he said. "The media loves a good chart battle, but I think it would have been good to have two pop heavyweights going head to head. It wouldn't have worried us at all.

The new album, Nicky says, is "a great pop one" with tunes reminiscent of such Westlife classics as Flying Without Wings and Swear It Again. "Because of the success of the Love album it was suggested that we should do a Westlife Goes to The Movies one," he said. "While it wasn't a bad idea and we could see how marketable this was, we decided that it was time to do some fresh material. It's not about the money, we don't need to pick up any cheques. We wanted to do something we could be really proud of. When we're at our best, we're a great pop band. We really needed to look at ourselves and what we were doing. People get fed up with covers, so we agreed that we really needed to go back and make a great pop album. But we also needed to move with the times."

A host of top producers were brought in including Steve Mac, Quiz Larossi, Jorgen Elofsson and Maratone and Back Home came to life in a Swedish studio. Although most of the songs are new, Nicky admits there are three covers on it, including new single Home, as well as an old country song I'm Already There.

Nicky, who was missing his wife Georgina and six-month old twin sons Rocco and Jay at the time, was able to relate to the song and fell in love with it the minute he heard it. "I was the first one to arrive at the studio and the producer played this song for me," he said. "It was all about a father being away from his kid and it just really touched me. I thought he'd written the track, but he told me it was by an American country band called Lonestar. I called Louis Walsh and asked him if he had heard it. He said he had. I thought it was a fantastic song. Some of the best pop songs have been country songs, like I Will Always Love You. When I got home I played it on the laptop for Georgina. She cried, I cried. Then the next day Shane (Filan) told me he'd listened to it and cried too. We're all very in touch with our emotions!"

Becoming a father has turned Nicky's life upside down - but he wouldn't have it any other way. The twins were born eight weeks premature and after a tough few weeks spent in an intensive care unit in a Dublin hospital, the bouncing baby boys are now doing very well.

Nicky said: "It's just the most amazing feeling. I don't know what I'd do without them now," he said. "They're at that stage now when they're giggling and able to recognise me. They know Georgina well because she's with them all the time. But it's been tough too. No-one can prepare you for the sleep deprivation. They're starting to settle a bit more now. They're sleeping right through now to maybe 5am, 6am, 7am, when they wake for their next feed. Before that they were up at 11pm for a feed and then 3am as well. There's no break for Georgina at all, because when I'm feeding one, she's feeding the other. But we wouldn't have it any other way."

And the blond Dubliner said they had received great support from both their families, including his father-in-law, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. "We've nothing against nannies, but we decided we didn't want one for ourselves. We didn't want to leave them with a stranger. Were very lucky in that we've got wonderful families who have been a great help. Bertie loves being a grand-dad, he's very hands-on. We all had a family holiday in Kerry and it was great to have so much help around. Every time we go out, we have to think of everything in twos, two buggies, two nappies, two car seats. I have so much respect for people who have triplets. I don't know how they do it."

Nicky, a former footballer who played with Leeds United, said he had already taken the boys abroad. "We took them to Portugal a few months ago and they've been to Sweden and London so they're already little travellers picking up their air miles," he said. "When we got married in France we thought a baby would be the icing on the cake but we never imagined twins. And it's lovely to have two little boys as well. Maybe they'll turn out to be footballers. Who knows?"

10.20.07

There is nothing like a new album to bring on the Westlife headlines and news......here we go!

Also check out our westlife.org - General Forum for several links to new Westlife videos and contests by UK websites.

Westlife - plan for North America?

Is Westlife thinking about the US again? I think it's still a very unlikely plan. They've sold 38 million albums worldwide thus far, and if you say "Westlife" in this country, all you will get is a blank stare.

Nicky recently said, "We have nobody over there pushing for us but we also didn't have the songs recently. If there's ever an advantage of getting old in Westlife, it's the America market. For us to go any earlier we are really just a typical boy band to them. They don't know the history. If we went on Oprah Winfrey or Jay Leno with a cracking song that market can easily open up."

Shane revealed that they are thinking that the time will be right when they create their next album in two years' time. "I think we would but not at the moment. Probably in a couple of years when we've got a good enough album to it because of our plans for next year to have a year off. After that year off we plan to come back and make the best album we have ever made. Basically try and take on everyone."

Westlife to take a one year break

After working 10 years in a row, with a new album every year...Westlife have decided to take a one year break to spend time with loved ones and family. Can't blame them. Rest assured, Westlife is not breaking up at this point. In fact, I have found it a miraculous wonder that they have been able to put out an album every year, when the norm is more like every 2 years.

Irish pop group Westlife broke millions of young hearts today by announcing they are going to take a break for a year. The four members - Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily - will go their separate ways for 12 months after touring with their latest album Back Home. The record-breaking band, who have had 14 number one singles, have been at the top of their game for nine years now and feel it is time to take a break from recording and touring.

But Kian Egan promised fans this did not mean the end for the chart-topping group. In an interview with the Sun he said: "The minute people hear we're taking a break, they are going to say we are splitting up for good - which is not true. Myself and Jodi are going to go and do some travelling and I'm sure the other guys have plans as well. It will be the first time in years that there hasn't been a Westlife album vying for the Christmas number one, which will be a bit weird, but I think we have earned the time off."

Kian said he and Jodi planned to hire a camper van and tour Australia, while Nicky and Shane will use the break to spend more time with their families. Shane has one daughter, Nicole, with wife Gillian, while Nicky Bryne's wife Georgina Ahern gave birth to twin boys earlier this year.

Kian said the band was proud of their new work and looking forward to the album release. He said a world tour would follow and then the band would break up for a year. But he insisted they would be back. "We love Westlife and people still want to hear us, so we are not going anywhere. Why would we give that up?"

Back Home tour (2008)

Check our TV page for the dates for the UK concert tour...likely their last for two years, as they go on a one year hiatus. Given the popularity of their tour, you can expect more dates to be added.

Westlife vs Britney

Westlife insists Britney Spears will not stop their new album from reaching #1 in the UK charts - because fans are no longer interested in her music. The group is to release 'Back Home' on October 29, the week after Spears' comeback album 'Blackout' on October 22. Nicky said: "I would be surprised if Britney keeps us off number one, I don't think the interest in Britney's music is as big as it used to be. It's more about her personal life. I'm sure it's a good album but I think she's lost her core fan base."

In the US, Britney's first single "Gimme More" hit #3 on the Billboard charts, before falling to #6 this week. Looks like its not going to be a #1.

Kian on Bryan

Westlife reckon Brian McFadden will wish he'd never left the band when he sees them up on stage in Dublin next summer. The remaining 4 lads are planning a show in Ireland and say it would be great to see their ex-bandmate - who quit in 2004 - in the audience at the gig.

'I'm sure he will want to come and cheer us on,' says Kian. 'He will be there watching us perform kicking and screaming that he left the band.'

Mark on Westlife

Mark has hit back at accusations the band are too old to sell records - insisting their new album is their best yet. He is glad the pop band have gone back to their pop roots rather than trying to sound like a more grown-up version of themselves. He says: "We're going back to what we used to do. Everyone thinks we are all grown up now and old and none of us are. I'm only 27 so I'm not really that old. I think people have just got this perception that we are all older than we actually are."

Kinky gifts

Westlife receive incredibly raunchy presents from fans in the mail – including pubic hair, vibrators and even homemade porn. The group says some girls will do anything to get their attention. 'We have so many crazy fans,' Mark admits. 'One time I was sent a homemade porn video of a fan having sex. And I was once sent a sticky vibrator.'

Shane has received gifts that are just as alarming. 'There was one woman who sent us her pubic hair in an envelope,' he tells Bang Showbiz, 'and someone else sent us used tampons.'

Can someone say... ewww! What are people thinking?!!

Mel C. on Westlife

Spice Giel Melanie Chisholm has slammed Irish pop stars Westlife for claiming the reformed girlband pulled out of a chart battle with the Irish boyband. Kian insisted on Thursday both groups' albums were scheduled for release on November 5 - and that the Spice Girls moved their release date to avoid a head-to-head clash. He claimed the band was "running scared" and they would "take great pleasure in beating the Spice Girls", singling out Chisholm for criticism.

But Chisholm is adamant the Spice Girls do not need a chart battle to prove they are better than Westlife.

"I personally don't like Westlife," she said. "We've just sold out 17 nights at the O2 center…we've got nothing to prove!"

Westlife on their image

They are often painted as a clean cut band, but Westlife insist they are like any other group of young men and are "just normal". While many famous faces are falling off the wagon and going to rehab, Westlife are going from strength to strength and are soon to release their ninth album, Back Home. Shane says their attitude is all down to their family life. "We don't want to let our mums and dads down," he says. "It's the way we are brought up. That's why I haven't fallen off the wagon."

"I don't think we look at ourselves as a pop band," Nicky adds. "We don't do drugs, we don't go out every night of the week - we are just normal people - as normal as any other bunch of lads. We have been painted as a bit more clean cut. We've got good manners, but we're not angels by any means. A lot of people have a few drinks and they're in rehab. It's almost cool to be in rehab."

Can someone say Lindsay Lohan? Or the equally disastrous Britney Spears?

10.07.07

Spice Girls vs Westlife no more

The Spice Girls, seeing the impending doom of having to compete with Westlife yet again, have wisely stepped down. Originally both groups were to have released on November 5. The Spice Girls have vacated Nov 5 to Westlife, and will now release their Greatest Hits album on Nov 12. This is not the first time Westlife have challenged the Spice Girls in the charts - the two bands released new albums on the same day in November 2000, when 'Coast to Coast' thrashed sales of the girl group's last album, 'Forever,' by 163,000 copies in the first week.

"Home" video

As expected, westlife.com has posted a clip of the new video of "Home". Yahoo UK has the exclusive air of the full video, which has been out since October 5. I can't help but notice, they also have an exclusive Take That video.

Post Office

(from The Sun) Westlife have given a first-class performance in their debut telly commercial. The cheesy crooners are starring in a new ad campaign to plug the Post Office. The boys liven up a postmaster’s day by popping in — probably to send a parcel to their mams in Ireland. I’m surprised they didn’t get mobbed by their legions of fans there to pick up their pensions. The lads certainly played their roles to the letter. You would think Westlife had a new album to promote . . . oh, they have. The band have a new single and album out in time for Christmas. Can’t wait.

X Factor

Westlife and Simon Cowell are hoping the group’s comeback album will get a boost from The X Factor. It’s been nearly a year since the band’s last chart hit, and new single Home is out in October, followed by the new album. Home’s first airing was as background music during The X Factor auditions and the lads hope a programme showcasing the new album’s tracks will be screened just before the ITV talent show to boost sales.

A source said: “It will be a Saturday night type of show so it’d be great to run it before the semi-final or final of X Factor as the ratings have been so good.”

9.16.07

"Home" released to Dublin's Q102 FM (Ireland)

Q102 Live Feed

They have exclusive airplay until tomorrow (Monday), when it will be released to radio stations across the country.

During the interview with Q102, Louis Walsh let loose a few details about the song and album. It appears Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh still get along...and that Simon still has a hand in managing Westlife. "Home" was selected for the album and release by Simon. Louis didn't have a real say in that one. Westlife loved the song, and thought picking it was a no-brainer.

In addition, Louis thinks the new album will be called "Home". Kinda fitting that Louis released the single in their home country rather than on the UK airwaves.

And the song, albeit a remake originally made by Michael Buble, sounds splendid. I guarantee you'll be listening to it on a repeating loop.

9.13.07

"Home" release pushed back a week

Less than a week after the release date for "Home" was set, Westlife have moved back the release date by one week, for unknown reasons (at least to the public). Home will now be released on October 29. Another week for us to wait till we can buy the single. But the video will definitely be out on TV and the internet long before then, since that's been finished.

Fans won't be surprised about the delayed release. The "Love Album" last year was delayed by a week.

9.06.07

Yet another (#1) remake....

disclaimer: all opinions expressed below, are my own (read on)

The title says it all from my point of view. Yet this is classic Westlife. The first release from an album, for as long as I can remember, has been a remake. It's been years to say the least. But from a marketing standpoint, it is genius. They've guaranteed themselves a #1 hit. "Home" by Michael Buble will be the newest single to be released on October 22nd. Yes, Westlife does it again, with another October release of a single (patterns do become predictable after 10 years) to be followed by a November release of the album. The question is what day they choose. It will be a competitive November, with the Spice Girls supposedly releasing an album. Take That is also getting into the act with a late November re-release of albums with new remixes.

The boys have finished recording their new album. They have also finished filming the video for "Home". As noted before, this is an album of new songs (and probably a few remakes in between). And in classic form, I also expect "Home" to be a new #1 hit for Westlife. Did I mention patterns...?

8.12.07

New album

You should have all by now read this little tid bit from the official site.

"We’ve got very exciting news: the band are in the studio right now recording their next album! It’s going to be a brand new studio album, and the guys have been working with a whole host of top producers including Steve Mac, Quiz/Larossi, Per + David, Jorgen Elofsson and Maratone (Rami, Antor + Savan). Once the recording has finished at the end of August, the boys will be heading to a secret overseas location to shoot the video for the first single, as well as some fantastic new promotional pictures."

I think this is great news for fans =) Sounds like an original album, created with the help of Steve Mac and Jorgen Elofsson, which have turned out great pop hits and ballads for the lads as well as many other pop groups. Can't wait!

You know if you're a Westlife fan if...

Once again, we have stories of the things that fans will do. With Carlisle concert being held today, there were fans arriving the day prior to make sure they were first thru the gates. They start queuing up at midnight on Friday. The first to arrive in Bitts Park were a group of 10 friends who travelled from across northern England and Wales to meet up for the concert. Led by Debbie Moore, 41, of Grimsby, the friends apparently camped out at nine other Westlife concerts already this year and last year went to 14 (bejezzus!). Debbie said: “We got to know each other through the Westlife message boards. We go to every concert together.”

They came equipped with tents, sleeping bags and plenty of cider to keep out the cold. Debbie said: “We just sit out and have a laugh. We have done open air concerts in the pouring rain. It doesn’t bother us at all.”

They expect more friends to arrive throughout the day. “Dedicated - that’s what we are,” Debbie said, “Meeting up with friends is part of the fun. That’s why we do it.” And two German fans arrived on Saturday to join the queue outside the gate. Sindy Glebee, 20, travelled from Germany and her friend Janine Kock, 20, came from Ireland. It was the first time they had camped out before a concert and the girls had come with just blankets and warm clothes.

8.5.07

More tickets for Carlisle Live

7.23.07

Westlife vs. Spice Girls?

From the Sunday UK tabloid, "The People":
Westlife will apparently re-ignite their old battle with The Spice Girls, by releasing a new album on the same day. Westlife have traditionally released their album in either October or November...they've done so every year since 1999, a mighty feat to say the least.

The group have started recording stuiod tracks, and a source says, "hey've pencilled in a release date for later this year but will move it depending on what the girls do. They think it will be a good marketing ploy to recreate the great battle of 2000 and are sure they will get the No.1 spot."

Westlife's "Coast to Coast" easily outsold the Spice Girls' "Forever" seven years ago.

7.16.07

Rocco and Jay

All eyes were on Rocco and Jay yesterday as just about everyone was present at their christening. Below are 2 news articles about the event, plus a link to the RTE TV broadcast.

click here for link to the tv broadcast of the christening
the video link is located at the bottom of the RTE page.

(first article)
Bertie Ahern celebrated on the double yesterday with the christening of his twin grandsons and another victory for the Dubs. The proud grandad first attended Rocco and Jay's big bash in Malahide, north Dublin, before later shuttling to Croke Park where his beloved Dubs beat Laois to make it three Leinster titles in a row.

"There is a clash of events but we're going to organise both. We've the party arranged for after the match," he joked beforehand.

The twin boys, who are now almost three months old, slept soundly as new parents Georgina Ahern and Nicky Byrne arrived at St Sylvester's Church in the seaside village. "They're keeping us awake at night, but that's what it's all about," said a beaming Nicky.

And while their names may have raised some eyebrows at first, the Taoiseach said they are now "well known everywhere". But after a gruelling few months on the campaign trail, he said he would prefer to see his grandsons plump for entertainment over politics.

"Entertainment is a safer game," he said. The twins' Westlife uncles attracted a large following of fans outside the church as they drew up in a blacked-out van. Kian Egan attended with his girlfriend Jodie Albert while Shane Phelan arrived with his wife Gillian and their daughter Nicole, who will turn two shortly.

Meanwhile the fourth band member, Mark Feehily, remarked on how their lives have changed so much over the past few years. "Looking back, to think when we were 18 it was going to be like this, having kids and still being together nine years later . . . it's great," he said.

The first Westlife dad, Shane, said he had no advice for Nicky and Georgina on parenthood but said the band's family tour bus would be well able to accommodate two new guests.

"Having a baby is fantastic, it's a miracle, you take it when it comes. It's great that we can take the kids with us (on tour)."

While most of the 150 or so guests arrived promptly for the 2pm ceremony, Westlife manager and night owl Louis Walsh showed up some 45 minutes late. "I had a late night, I went to Barbra Streisand," he said by way of an excuse.

"I go to all the weddings and christenings. It's a big day, we're like a family now. Westlife . . . it's like a soap opera," he quipped before rushing inside. Georgina's younger sister and bestselling author Cecelia Ahern and Nicky's brother Adam were godparents to Rocco, while Nicky's sister and her husband, Gillian and Mark Gallagher, did the honours for Jay.

Speaking outside the church, Cecelia said both boys were "very well behaved" during the ceremony. Meanwhile, grandmother Miriam Ahern, who arrived with her partner restaurateur Terry McCoy in the same car as Cecelia and the Taoiseach, said that both boys were "thriving".

"It's an absolutely wonderful celebration, we're all very excited. Today is a real family day," she added. The only sour note to the day was when a photographer used a small camcorder to film in the church.

However, Nicky calmly dealt with the situation, asking for the camcorder and deleting the footage before turning the tables on the phalanx of press photographers by recording them.

(second article)

Between them, they still weigh less than a 10kg bag of spuds — but with family connections like these, they will never want for anything. Rocco and Jay Byrne's little christening party in Malahide, north Dublin, included a top restaurateur, a best-selling author and a multi-platinum boyband — and, oh yes, their grandad, the Taoiseach.

Proud parents Georgina Ahern and her husband, Nicky Byrne, had beaming smiles across their faces as they showed off their twin boys outside their local St Sylvester's Church. And pulling up just behind their silver Bentley was the black Mercedes containing Bertie and Cecelia Ahern, the girls' mother, Miriam, and her current partner, restaurateur Terry McCoy.

Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan were not far behind, with their partners, with band manager Louis Walsh following a little later. The sun shone brightly as Nicky and Georgina brought their precious twins into the church. Both babies were dressed in little white sailor suits, and did not seem remotely fazed by the cameras.

Nicky revealed how much the pair had grown – Jay was just 2lbs 13oz at birth and Rocco an even tinier 2lbs 11, he said, but as of last week they weighed a healthy bouncing 9lbs 6oz and 8lbs 11oz each. The boys were born six weeks prematurely by Caesarean section at Holles Street in April and spent their first month in hospital.

"It's a very special day," said Nicky. "We've had three months off to get them home and see them thrive. It's just fantastic. They grow so quickly, it's amazing." Georgina's father, Bertie, said he hoped his grandsons would go into the entertainment world rather than politics. "I think entertainment is a safer game," he joked.

The twins were baptised in St Silvester's Roman Catholic Church in the village of Malahide, Co. Dublin. He said he had been out to see the young family every Sunday for the past six or seven weeks, and had been thoroughly enjoying being a grandad. And while he admitted that the afternoon timing of the christening had caused him to miss seeing his beloved Dubs play in Croker, the Taoiseach vowed that party would go on "around and after the match".

There's only one team the twins will be supporting as they grow up, though – the front of the special order of service booklet bore a picture of the pair in tiny Dublin jerseys. Nicky Byrne Sr. said he hoped his grandchildren would follow his and his son's example, and get into football and music when they grew up. He said Nicky was a great father, who loved playing with the babies and having a house full of toys.

Around 150 close friends and family packed into the picturesque stone church. Opening the service, parish priest Fr Gerard Tanham said Nicky and Georgina were there in part "to give thanks for the gift of two lovely children". He said the baptism would give Rocco and Jay "the strength to be able to face whatever comes their way in life".

Cecelia Ahern was godmother to Rocco, while Nicky's younger brother, Adam, was his godfather. Jay's godmother was Nicky's sister, Gillian, and her husband, Mark Gallagher, was godfather. Louis Walsh, fresh from the previous night's Barbra Streisand concert, said that having children was all Nicky had ever wanted. "He's more excited about it than making a record," he added. "I go to all the weddings and christenings. We're like a family now. It's a big day for them."

Westlife member Mark Feehily: "Looking back to when we were 18, if we were told we'd all be having babies now we wouldn't have believed it. It would have been incomprehensible. But I think this is just the stage we are in now. It's great. You have to take it as it comes, and it's fantastic."

7.08.07

It's a slow news month as Westlife are in the midst of their summer break.

Westlife to perform in Carlisle (UK)

The open air event takes place at Bitts Park in the county capital on Sunday, August 12. The confirmed acts so far are Westlife, ex-Sugababes star Mutya Buena, X Factor winner Shayne Ward, and X Factor finalist Chico. The finals of the Stobart Factor will also be taking place at the event which will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display.

For tickets only contact The Sands Centre in Carlisle on 01228 625222. Tickets are also available online at www.ticketweb.co.uk, the 24 hour hotline is 08700 600 100.

westlife.org - 8th year and still going...

Nothing like a bit of self promotion, but westlife.org passed into its 8th year in existence. This site was started way back in June 2000, and is still entirely a one person endeavor. The fact that it is still up is amazing, given that I am prone to working 80 hour work weeks (yes, I have a real job these days). Can you still remember what you were doing in 2000? But of course that is beside the bigger point =) This also means that Westlife are now in their 9th year together...amazing isn't it, especially for a group pidgeon holed into the "boy band" class. I am, of course, still waiting for Westlife to make it across this side of the pond....not that I think it is ever going to happen again, but I can only hope. A big thank you, to all of you, for helping to keep this site going, by coming back and visiting! =) Without you, this site would have been gone a long time ago.

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