Latest Westlife News

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

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!

11/27/01

Westlife to team up with Mariah again

According to The Sun, Westlife are teaming up again with Mariah Carey to record another duet. But before that recording, the boys will be performing with Mariah at the Top of the Pops Awards on Friday. They will be singing "Never Too Far" together. Last year, they re-recorded "Against All Odds" which became a UK #1. Contrary to media reports, that song was never released in North America.

Louis Walsh, Westlife's manager said, "We reckon the duet’s a great idea. Mariah asked the lads and they wanted to show their support as they know she’s had a hard time lately. There was real chemistry when they worked on Against All Odds. We want to record with her again because it would be a great way to bolster her profile in the UK and introduce Westlife to the Americans.”

Westlife and Mariah will get together this weekend to discuss possible songs to record a duet. However, the boys would much rather write their own material with her. Plans are to go into a recording studio with a mutually agreed upon song early next year.

Westlife at ISPCC Breakfast

This past Sunday morning, some members of Westlife were at the ISPCC breakfast along with Eastenders and RTE. Nicky and Bryan went to the Berkeley Court Hotel in Dublin. The breakfast, which was in aid of the ISPCC, was hosted by chairwoman Clodagh Kean. Also there was a host of Irish stars including Gerry Ryan, Louise Loughman and Damien McCall.

UK Chart Data

Westlife's Queen of My Heart spends its 3rd week on the UK Singles chart at #4, dropping 2 spots from last week. S Club 7 has the #1 single with "Have You Ever". Over in the album charts, Robbie Williams has taken over the #1 spot, with Westlife's "World of Our Own" at #2.

Westlife's "Angel" Video

Westlife will be releasing the song "Angel"as a video only release. That means that no cd single will be released, but you will be able to watch the video on MTV and other music channels. The song is a cover of the original performed/written by Sarah McLachlan. Kian said, "We've been constantly releasing singles so now we decided to be more laidback and just to make this video for MTV and other music channels. A non-commercial video is probably the best way to call it since you need to buy the album to get the song. But it is not going to be a single. We don't want to overload the market."

In the video, Kian is shown with a little-known talent: playing the piano. He said, "It is shot in black and white with close ups on our faces and I play the piano. We haven't seen it yet but I think it will be very good."

Westlife vs. Steps and Starsailor

Controversy is something Westlife does not seem to shy away from. This time, Westlife has made the first move in dissing another group - the Steps. Nicky said, "I don't think they're churning out good music anymore. The songs they're releasing aren't as special as the stuff they did three or four years ago."

But those who giveth must also taketh. British indie rockers, Starsailor, recently slammed Westlife by claiming that they should write new songs. Lead singer James Walsh said, "It gets awkward when you get a band like them saying, 'I think our music is as important as the Beach Boys.' No it's not. If you're going to come out with a statement like that, go away for five years and come back with songs that are good enough. Just because everyone's waiting on you hand and foot, don't start thinking, 'I must be good. I must be really really good.'" He doesn't seem to have problems with other pop groups saying, "I prefer bands like S Club 7 and Steps who have more understanding of what they do and who they are. You see them in interviews and they're fun, because that's what kids wants to see. S Club have the TV show, and when it's all done they're still nice people."

There almost wasn't a Westlife

Louis Walsh revealed in an interview that sharp-tongued Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell almost let the groups slip through his fingers because he didn't like Shane. He said, "Simon refused to sign Westlife until a replacement was found. Then I suggested Shane should dye his hair - hoping Simon would would think it was a new singer - and it worked! Simon didn't recognise him until three months after the band was launched."

Where Dreams Come True DVD info

The DVD has been out for a few days, but just some of the details on what the video contains. It was filmed during their recent sold-out tour in Dublin and features 21 tracks performed live by the group! It also includes a bonus 5 rack live CD and an exclusive 30 minute tour documentary. If you live in North America, do NOT buy this. It will not play in your VCR or DVD player because of region codes. It will only play on VCR/DVD players bought in Europe.

11/22/01

Happy Thanksgiving to US fans =)

Westlife score another #1 album

Although Madonna could have presented a challenge for the boys newest album, she was no match at all. "World of Our Own", which was the #1 UK album this past week. "Queen of My Heart" fell to #2 as the 3rd single from Blue took the #1 spot.

Is Nicky getting married?

According to news reports, Nicky is secretly planning to marry Georgina next Christmas. At the top of the list of venues is Luttrellstown Castle in Dublin - the
scene of Victoria and David Beckham's lavish wedding ceremony in 1999. The wedding is sure to be star-studded with not only showbiz celebrities in attendance, but politicians too -- brunette Georgina is the daughter of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern. A friend of the couple reveals, "The plans are very hush-hush. But they've been seeing each other for seven years and it's a natural thing for them to do. They've already bought a house together and are practically a married couple anyway."

Concert gossip (thanks to Michelle for the info)

"Read in a recent newspaper article that in order for the life to beat the "Flying Without Wings" finale of the last concert they were talking about possibly popping up in the crowd somewhere!! Also going to perform "I Wanna Grow Old with You" on stage with a piano and whole big thing"

11/17/01

Westlife's Children in Need Performance

Almost £13 million was donated to Children In Need during the seven-hour star-studded TV spectacular. The BBC say it has raised over £600,000 more than last year. Organizers are hoping to rais over £20 million. The event featured performances by Cher, S Club 7 and Charlotte Church. Westlife launched the performance at the BBC TV Centre with a performance of Never Can Say Goodbye (a cover song originally sung by Gloria Gaynor), and then were whisked away in a private jet for a performance in Belfast's city center.

Westlife to have #1 album

Westlife are expected to be the #1 album, after some trepidation as to how Madonna's GHV2 would perform. No need to worry though. Westlife's album is currently outselling Madonna by 2:1, and sales are expected to top 150,000-200,000. However, Blue looks set to take over the #1 singles chart with their 3rd single release, "If You Come Back". They are also expected to have the #1 album spot when they release it on November 26.

Westlife Get Dirty?

Ever wanted to know Westlife behind the scenes? Well, a BBC documentary show, "Beyond Westlife" will let you in on it. And it isn't a pretty sight. Nicky warned, "There's a lot of swearing and rude language in it, so make sure your mother's not watching. You'll see us swearing, drinking and staying up late. Don't watch if you're easily offended. It's bound to surprise people, but that's what we're really like." Shane added, "The documentary will surprise people, but I think it's brilliant." Watch it on BBC on December 9, 2001.

Up to 20 concerts in Ireland

Westlife may now play up to 20 concerts in Ireland nex summer. The group have already sold 11 concert dates so far. Last weekend, Nicky was happy to have met his soccer hero's from Leeds United. He said, "I spent the day at the match with the Taoiseach and really enjoyed watch Ireland play. But, the highlight of the night was meeting all the players from Leeds some of who were over to watch the match. I used to play with the junior team before Westlife started but had to give up professional football due to my bad knee."

Mark blames record company

Mark has recently blamed BMG for the way that they market the group. Because of the marketing, groups of girls are constantly pursuing them. He said, that the girls have begun arriving at their gigs with an overnight bag, believing that they are going to be taken home by members of the group. He added,"It's all down to the way they sell us. Girls seem to think they have a chance of a date. We don't get our security to pick girls from the front so we can shag them."

Mark eyes Louis Walsh with skepticism

Westlife aim high

Westlife have a new goal in sight. And that is to break the record 17 #1's held by The Beatles and Elvis. Nicky said, "We've tied with the Spice Girls but what we really want is to beat the real legends."

Westlife monthly news archives

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