Adam Moss

"WE'RE going to take a break and do our own thing for a while after this tour. We may take a year or 18 months off but then we want to come back with the best Westlife album ever," says Nicky Byrne.

That break won't come until after the band, these days a four-piece after the departure of one time Mr Kerry Katona, Bryan McFadden, have equalled the appearance record at Europe's biggest concert hall, the M.E.N. Arena.

"It's great to know we're up there, level with Take That, holding the appearance record at the M.E.N. Arena. We love Take That. We grew up being fans of that band and really kind of modelled ourselves on them so to be up there on a level with them is just amazing.

"People are always trying to stir up some kind of rivalry between the two bands but there really isn't any rivalry at all.

"We were delighted when they got back together again although, to be honest, we weren't sure how successful the reunion could be.

"But they've come back stronger and even better than before - probably because they split up prematurely - way before they should have done - and still had lots to achieve. It is incredible how popular they have been since re-forming and we are genuinely pleased for them.

"The Take That lads are lovely guys too. Gary and Mark have both been to our shows when we've played in Manchester in the past and come and met us and chatted to us back stage before and after the show.

"We get on really well with them and I'm sure they'll probably come and say hello when we come back to Manchester on this tour."

Dublin's finest make a welcome return to Manchester for a pair of gigs next month and then return for another show in May - that record-equalling live appearance.

"We can't wait to get back there - we love playing at the M.E.N. Arena. The crowd is always so up for it," adds Nicky.

"And, of course, this time it will be even more special because it will be making history with the appearance record."

Decade

As regards the show itself, the group put together a decade ago by Louis Walsh has decided to shake things up.

"We have got a brand new band," says Nicky. "Our musical director is also a drummer so he has really shaken some of the older material - it's definitely got a rockier edge than it used to have, which should be fun."

The band and the boys are holed up in their Dublin rehearsal rooms currently putting the finishing touches to their routines and Nicky promises it will include more than a few surprises.

"I can't say to much because it will spoil the show," he says teasingly. "But, put it this way, we always do a medley section as part of our live act - we've become kind of known for them. This year it's a very special medley which should certainly get the audience's attention."

It could have all been very different of course. After Bryan McFadden quit in 2005, Westlife considered calling it a day.

"It was definitely a low-point for us," Nicky admits. "Record sales weren't as good as they had been after Bryan went and we dipped into doing an album of covers.

"We didn't really know what we wanted. But then we recorded You Raise Me Up and the album that came with it went ballistic.

"We realised that we were still relevant and that kind of saved us from splitting for good."

The band's favourite track of their own though is the forthcoming single Us Against The World, which is released February 25.

"It's the kind of song which Westlife is all about and is probably the best thing we have ever recorded. We all love that song," Nicky says.

It seems the public agree, as the accompanying album Back Home, has notched up incredible sales of 1m copies in just eight weeks.

No pop band can compare to Westlife's remarkable success - not even Take That. They have sold more than 40m records. In the UK alone they have scored nine multi-platinum albums and a record breaking 14 No.1 hits, bettered only by Elvis and The Beatles.

Now that's something to sing about.

Credit/Source: www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk


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