NEWS & UPDATES ~ JULY 2006

Westlife Thrill For Young Fans, Thanks To News - 31 July 2006

TWO lucky children got to meet their favourite pop stars, all thanks to The News.

Mum Carol Dixon, from Lee-on-the-Solent, won a competition in The Guide to see Westlife in concert and meet them backstage.

Son Matthew, 12, is a big fan of the Irish band and was stunned when she told him she had scooped two tickets for the concert at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight,

Carol also bought an extra ticket for daughter Emma, 11, so she could join in the fun.

'My son is a real Westlife fan. He used to say Westlife was what he wanted to be when he grew up,' she said.

'He has special needs and works hard to overcome his disabilities, so it was a real pleasure to see him enjoy the concert.

'It was fantastic. Matthew now has a signed programme and Emma made her own autograph book which the members of Westlife have signed.'

Credit/Source: www.portsmouthtoday.co.uk

Kian's Parachute Jump - 31 July 2006

Kian will be taking part in a tandem skydive this Wednesday 2nd August at 1pm to raise money for the Strandhill Indonesian Relief Fund.

The dive will take place at 1pm in Strandhill, Co. Sligo. You can turn up to support Kian on the day, or better still, donate some money to this worthwhile cause. Details can be found at www.sirf.org

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

Westlife’s Kian Egan To Jump From Plane With S.I.R.F. Team! - 31 July 2006

The S.I.R.F.team along with Kian will be doing tandem skydives - secured to an instructor and jumping from 10,000 feet.  Freefall will last approximately 30 secs before the giant canopy for two opens at 5,000ft.

The jump will be done with the help of the Irish Parachute Club, at their base in Co. Offaly.  www.skydive.ie.

The jump will be happening on Wednesday 2nd August at 1pm

Credit/Source: www.sirf.org

Westlife Star Puts Best Foot Forward For Skydive - 31 July 2006

DAREDEVIL wannabe Kian Egan insisted that he would be first to jump from a plane three miles up in his debut freefall skydive at the Irish Parachute Club in Co Offaly this week.

The Westlife singer, who ignored a plea from girlfriend Jodi Albert not to go flying without wings, agreed to the charity jump with pals though it will be his first-ever attempt.

"I want Jodi to be there", said Kian. "And lots of fans too." He said that by the time Jodi and his mum tried to talk him out of the dive it was too late to pull out even if he wanted to.

He had already announced that he was doing the jump to raise funds for victims of two recent earthquakes and a tsunami on Indonesia's main island, Java.

"Whatever fears I may have about the jump it's nothing compared to the ribbing I would have to take if I didn't do it," he said.

Westlife colleagues Nicky Byrne, Mark Fehily and Shane Filan have agreed to sponsor the jump at Clonbulloge to the tune of €1,000 each.

They were moved to help the people of Java after the islanders helped them last year when a friend of Kian's injured a leg while on holiday there. The fund has a website, www.sirf.org.

Credit/Source: www.unison.ie

New Review Added - 31 July 2006

I added a new review “Night Out With Show To Cherish” from Westlife’s concert in Kedleston on 22 July 2006 at the Tour News/Reviews page.

Villy

New Tour Fanpictures - 31 July 2006

I added 14 new Tour Fanpictures from Westlife’s concert at Osbourne House on 29 July 2006. Thanx Kay for letting me use them J

Credit/Source: Kay

“Amazing” Enters At No.34 - 31 July 2006

“Amazing” was a new entry this week at No.34 on the Official Australian Singles chart.

“You Raise Me Up” is No.17 and closed 34 weeks in the chart and “Face To Face” is up to No.38 after 21 weeks in the Official Australian Albums Chart.

Credit/Source: www.ariacharts.com.au

Review & Pictures From Kedleston - 30 July 2006

Hiya J I’m back and I’m so happy to finally be able to update the site! J

I added 10 more Official Tour Pictures and a review from Westlife’s concert at Kedleston Hall on 22 July 22006

Credit/Source: www.bbc.co.uk

100 Sexiest Blokes On Smash Hits - 30 July 2006

Nicky: 10

Shane: 19

Mark :36

Kian: 45

Kevin: 61

Credit/Source: Smash Hits

Note - 28 July 2006

Hiya everyone J

I hope you are all fine! Well I’m leaving now for a weekend trip so I won’t be able to update the site tomorrow… *sniff L*…I hope you’ll all have a lovely weekend! I will be back on Sunday! See you all then.

xxx

Villy

Meeting Westlife Story & Pictures - 28 July 2006

Lisa met Westlife at Kedleston Hall on 22 July 2006. Here is her story and pictures from the best day of her life J

The Best Day of My Life!!!

Even though it rained solid for about 2 hours non-stop, sheltering in the box office tent with some other die-hard Westlife fans it didn’t stop me from having the best time ever. Someone asked a steward if they could play some music, so we were stood in this little tent listening to Flying without Wings music & Hit You with the Real Thing. We were all singing at the top of our voices it was great!!! I love everything abut concerts, the atmosphere before, plus you get to meet some real nice people I like the fact that you don’t know them but you have something in common with them straight away – they love the same band as much as you do, & then you get talking about if you’ve ever met them, & previous concerts you’ve been to.

It was about 5pm (still raining!!) when the box office people came to the tent. Me & my mum were collecting tickets that we’d won plus a special meet & greet. At first the woman didn’t know what we were on about, but then she told us she was waiting for a phone call. She then explained to us we had to make our way over to the first aid tent at 8pm & wait for someone called John Young. When the gates opened I ran as fast as I could to get to the front & I did Wahoo!!!! J At this point it eventually stopped raining & we got talking to some really nice people stood behind us, my dad told them me & my mum were meeting them & they couldn’t believe it you could tell they were real happy for us. I discovered that day I never knew how time could drag, but at 7:45 me & my mum were waiting at the first aid tent. We were stood on our own for ages, but then 2 more people came a little girl who was 10 & her mum, we got talking to them about the lads, the little girl was mad on Shane & it was her dream to have her photo taken with him. Then at 8pm we saw John he took a register & everyone was here apart from one person we had to wait but she didn’t show up (I’m like how can you not turn up, I’d still come even if I’d broken my leg or something!!)

He then took us backstage & it’s not what you expect it to be at all, there was just a load of tents so it’s not that glamorous. They told us to wait at the side of the river & you could see under the stage & all the fans dancing to Bon Jovi- Living on a Prayer & Queen- Don’t stop me now!! I said to this lass who was meeting them I wish I was back there dancing cos it gets you hyped up but id rather be here any day. My mum told me to walk to the end to see if they were coming & I saw Shane through this barrier fence putting on his jacket I turned back to look at my mum & I’m like Shane’s up there!! From that moment I was shaking like mad, I felt sick with nerves but at the same time I was so excited that I was going to see my heroes.

It was 8:25 & big Dave walked past us bless him! & he moved us into the middle of the back of the stage so you could see up all the caravans. He told us to form a line. We then saw Shane, Nicky & Mark signing these little kids T-shirts & programs, & then they disappeared again. Then Dave started walking back down with Nicky & Shane behind them it was so weird cos they were actually coming to talk to you personally. Nicky came over to me & my mum first & I said “Nic I’ve got you a present”, he’s like looking all excited smiling “What is it? Is it my birthday present you’re a bit late aren’t you!” he said laughing. I said “No it’s just a present cos it’s the first time I’ve met you!” He told me he’d come & fetch it in a minute cos he’d got to start at the beginning of the line.
Shane came to me first & I’d bought Nicole a little giraffe teddy (it was so cute) I said to Shane “I hope you don’t mind but I’ve bought Nicole a little present” he said “No problem thanks a lot” The prezzie was in a pink bag, & I said “Sorry Shane about the pink bag”, which he thought was funny!!!! Then he signed my program & I had my photo took with him. I was thinking I’ve actually got my arm round Shane Filan’s waist please tell me Im not dreaming!!!! Then it was Kian who came up to us, he signed my tour program & I had my photo took with him. My mum said “Cheer up Ki, you look scared stiff”, he’s like “Scared? I’m just tired that’s all he hadn’t been able to sleep cos it’s been dead hot!” BLESS HIM!!!

Then it was me & the lovely Nixter he was talking to me for ages asking us where we were from & what our names were. My mum’s name is Nicky too so he’s asking her how she spells it which is exactly the same as his which was quite funny!! I gave him his prezzie which was a big box of Celebrations & he couldn’t stop saying thanks! On my photo with Nicky I’m proper laughing cos he kept squeezing my shoulder & being a real charmer I love him more than ever since meeting him!! He’s a real sweetie. Plus he was the only one who signed my tour program addressing it to me, he put “TO LISA, LOVE X NICKY BYRNE X” I got 2 kisses off him lol!!! I asked Nicky if he could wish my mum & dad “Happy Anniversary” for Monday cos that’s why we were here, he asked me their names he I told him he wouldn’t forget cos my mum’s called Nicky & my dad’s called Brian! He said “Yeah sure I’ll do that for them”

But then there’s my picture with Mark I’d got my arm round him, & he pulled me closer towards him, & his head is nearly touching mine, everyone who’s seen it has said we look like a couple lol if only things were different Markie!! It’s a gorgeous picture they all are, I’m having them blown up really big so they’re all going on my wall opposite my bed!! We only got 5 minutes with them but they were the best 5 minutes of my life ever it’ll take some beating!! We were walking back & Nicky was walking with us & he said “Enjoy the Show girls!!!” my mum said “You best give it some in Don’t Cha” & he just laughed. As we were walking back I saw Gina, Gilly & Nicole from a distance, they all looked gorgeous. And Nicole has got really fine blonde hair like her mum, she’s a beautiful baby!! J

We went back to where we stood & people were saying how did it go? I said “It was the best day ever!!” & burst into tears. It just feels like a dream I can’t describe to you guys how it feels, I know my dreams come true but I want it to happen again don’t think I’m being greedy but you’ll know how I feel if you’ve met them you just want to re-live it cos it’s so magical!! I was so happy for that little girl cos she had her photo took with Shane twice cos Shane said there was a delayed flash which was sweet cos he could have just left it, and she asked Shane if she could give him a kiss & he did I was so happy for her.

& as for Nicky he did one better then wishing my mum & dad “Happy Anniversary” he said “I met 2 people earlier and I’d like to dedicate them a song & one of them is celebrating her anniversary, so Nicky & Brian this songs for you!”, & he dedicated Seasons in the Sun to them! It was so sweet of him cos he did one better than we asked, I was crying, my mum was & even my dad had tears in his eyes!!!! It was the best day ever & even that’s underestimating it. It just feels like a dream but it was the most perfect day I’ve ever had!!! It was an experience I will never ever forget; nothing will ever beat the day when I met WESTLIFE!!!!!!!

Lisa xxxx

Credit/Source: Lisa

Tickets For The Singapore Concert On Sale - 28 July 2006

Make sure you will order your tickets for Westlife’s concert in Singapore (8 September 2006) as they are on sale today! I added an article and link for tickets at the Tour News/Reviews page.

I also added an article about the Butlins concert.

Villy

New Fanpictures - 27 July 2006

Nicole met Kian and Shane at the Edinburgh airport and got two lovely pictures with them. Thanx for sharing them with us J

Credit/Source: Nicole

New Concert Review - 27 July 2006

I added a new concert review “Review: Westlife At Blickling” of Westlife’s concert at Blickling on 15 July 2006. You can read it at the Tour News/Reviews page.

Villy

Mark On Clyde 1 Radio Station - 27 July 2006

Thanx Angela for the info:

Mark is talking on the Clyde 1 news today. It is on every hour on the hour.

You can listen online here

Credit/Source: Angela / www.clyde1.com

Kian On The Next Album - 26 July 2006

Westlife’s Kian Egan has blasted the pop industry’s top songwriters-and says a lack of good new material is why his boyband’s next album will be made up of other artists’ hits.

Revealing details of the group’s Love Songs exclusively to The Goss, Kian told us: “We decided to do an album of cover versions. When we sat down and listened to all the new songs available, we didn’t like any of them.” Hardest to find were “good uptempo tunes” for Westlife to sing. Kian said: ”They’re just not coming in anymore. Nobody is writing good uptempo songs these days, especially for pop bands like us. That’s why you don’t hear any in the charts.”

Faced with this musical black hole, the four-man group then decided the best thing to do would be to raid their record collections.
Kian said: “We each did a list of our favourite songs and then we put all our lists together. I can tell you we got a few surprises.”

Surprises which include Bonny Goldsboro’s 1968 classic Honey (I miss you), which westlife producer Steve Mac is currently re-recording with the group in a London studio.

Insiders claim if they pull it off, Honey could be Westlife’s biggest hit ever. Kian said: ”At one stage it was the biggest selling record of all time. So it’s definitely the kind of popular song we should be covering.”

We can reveal the tracks on the album, due out in November, are some smoochy classics.
They have done takes on Chicago’s ‘Hard To Say I’m Sorry’, Air Supply’s ‘All Out Of Love’ and Garth Brooks’ ‘The Dance’ aswell as tunes made famous by Celine Dion and Bryan Adams.
The lads got a boost this week when manager Louis Walsh revealed he had cancelled plans to launch a new Irish boyband.

Louis told The Goss: “It’s got nothing to do with Westlife. I just can’t be bothered. I’m enjoying life too much right now.” And asked for his take on why Westlife’s new album was all covers, he said: “To sell shaggin’ records. I am the manager you know?”

Credit/Source: The Daily Star

Westlife Tickets In Few Days - 26 July 2006

By Nhlanhla Mathunjwa

TICKETS for the show featuring Westlife will be on sale by next month.

The event is scheduled for the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre on December 30.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the organisers, Big 5 Entertainment, Maria de Sousa, tickets will be available in neighbouring countries a month before the show.

She said they will be given advertising rights by the group's management office (International Management Consultants Inc.) and these will be forwarded to local press to verify the authenticity of the show.

The show was initially planned for September 29. It was shifted to a later date recently after the organisers felt it was rather too close.

She mentioned that ticket prices have not been affected by the postponement

De Sousa said the postponement would give organisers enough time to come up with a better show.

VIP tickets for those who would like to have dinner with the celebrities will also to be available next month.

The tickets will be available in four categories

1. Normal tickets cost E 370 each.

2. VIP No.1 tickets cost E 570, including buffet dinner where the dress code will be white or black.

3. VIP No. 2 tickets for a table of 10 for E 10 000. Tables will have an unlimited supply of beverages and be closer to the action.

4. VIP No. 3 tickets of E 5000 each will buy you one seat. The ticket will also allow the owner to be on the same table with the artists.

Autographs and individual pictures will be part of the benefits.

Credit/Source: www.observer.org.sz

Westlife Shifted To December (Swaziland Concert Postponed!) - 26 July 2006

By Nhlanhla Mathunjwa

THE much talked about show featuring Westlife, which was scheduled to take place at Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre has been postponed.

It will now be held on December 30. According to organisers, the main reason behind this decision was that they felt it was rather too close to host the show on September 30 mainly because the public would need enough time to budget for a show of this magnitude.

The show organised by Big Five Entertainment, has managed to generate so much interest amongst members of the public.

The entertainment company's Relations Officer, Maria de Sousa, said the organising committee met and debated merits and demerits of the initial date and discovered that it was too close for most people.

spectacular

"We felt that we have not given Swazi people enough time to budget and prepare for the spectacular event. Therefore, we, together with our main sponsors decided to shift the show to the end of the year," de Sousa stated, adding that this was meant to allow locals at least three months to raise money to secure tickets.

She mentioned that postponing the event would also help them to make the show even bigger and exceptionally spectacular.

"One can also inform the public that Westlife will be touring South Africa towards the end of the year," she said. The European group of the moment will be performing in Durban, then Swaziland, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Garden Route Casino, Mossel Bay, Cape Town and finally in Namibia.

De Sousa pointed out that local people will have first preference when it comes to the buying of tickets because the group will be here specially for the Swazi people.

She then apologised to the nation for any inconveniences these sudden changes may have caused, but added that it was made in the best interest of the group's local fans.

Credit/Source: www.observer.org.sz

TOTP joins the music TV graveyard - 26 July 2006

Top of the Pops will count down the Top 40 singles chart for the last time on 30 July, 2006.

The pop programme has been running for 42 years, and in its time has seen off competition from dozens of imitators and impostors.

You can find about more about the ups and downs of pop music on UK television by clicking on the links below.

CD:UK – 1998 – 2006

CD:UK was an hour long sugar rush of pre-packaged pop designed to shock sleepy teenagers into action on Saturday mornings.

Presenters Ant and Dec - together with Cat Deeley - were in charge, frequently collapsing into fits of laughter as they introduced acts like Billie Piper, S Club 7 and Britney Spears.

They always seemed more interested in Oasis and U2, but the piercing screams that greeted every Westlife performance dictated that the programme focused squarely on the school disco market.

Occasionally that meant trouble, as when Christina Aguilera turned up in nothing but leather chaps and underwear - prompting a raft of complaints from parents.

The show lost some of its spark when Ant and Dec jumped ship in 2001, and Deeley followed suit in 2005.

CD:UK struggled on with new presenters until April 2006 when it was ignominiously replaced with a cookery programme. It has been reported the show will re-appear on Five later this year.

Credit/Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Pop Singers In Taiwan Try To Appease Spirits So Concerts Won't Be Spooked - 25 July 2006

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - Tuesday marked the beginning of the annual ghost festival in Taiwan, and performing pop stars will try to appease the spirits so their concerts won't be spooked, the local news media reported.

Tradition says the month-long festival kicks off when the gates of the netherworld are opened for ghosts to make their annual visit to Earth. It is also observed in other Chinese communities in Asia.

Taiwanese from all walks of life believe that feeding and entertaining ghosts during the festival leads to a year of peace and prosperity.

The Liberty Times newspaper said the American rap band Black Eyed Peas would burn incense sticks and make offerings of fruit, pork and chicken before their Tuesday night concert, the first in a string of musical events during the ghost festival.

Ghost month coincides with the seventh lunar month. This year it lasts until Sept. 21 because of leap year considerations in the lunar calendar.

Another performer observing ghost month this year will be Singapore heartthrob Stephanie Sun Yan Zi, Liberty Times said, adding that she will preside over a ghost-worshipping ceremony at concerts this Saturday and Sunday.

The newspaper quoted her producer, Chen Chen-chuan, as cautioning stage workers against saying anything that might annoy ghosts in the concert area.

Taiwanese TV reports said a third performer, Taiwanese band Nanchuan Mama, would carry lucky charms to scare away the ghosts at its Sept. 9 concert in Taipei, and Irish boy band Westlife would burn incense, link arms and pray for peace at their Taiwan performance the following day.

Credit/Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca

Isle Of Wight Ticket Competition - 25 July 2006

Fancy seeing Westlife play at Osbourne House on the Isle of Wight this Saturday (29th July)? We’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky person who answers the question below correctly.

What month was Kian born in?

Enter the competition HERE

IMPORTANT: The draw closes at 3.30pm on Wednesday 26th July. A winner will be notified by email immediately and must reply with their full postal address by 5pm to be eligible to receive the tickets, otherwise they will be allocated to someone else.

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

Amazing Out In Australia - 25 July 2006

Amazing was released in Australia on 22 July 2006 so all the Australian fans make sure you will but it.

Following the brilliant success of their Top Five single 'You Raise Me Up', Irish superstars Westlife return with something 'Amazing'.

Taken from their double Platinum album 'Face To Face', this is a soaring tune about the hope of protecting love: "While all the others had me thinking, we could be more than just amazing".

Featuring a brand new bonus track 'Miss You When I'm Dreaming' and the slick 'Amazing' video, currently on high rotation everywhere, this piece of pop perfection from these Platinum-selling princes is sure to be a firm favourite.

Don't miss Westlife when they tour Australia for the very first time in September 2006!

Buy it HERE online from HMV

Credit/Source: www.sonybmg.com.au / www.hmv.com.au

New Tour Fanpictures From Althorp House - 25 July 2006

Thanx Emm for letting me use her lovely pictures from Westlife’s concert at Althorp House on 23 July 2006.

You can see them at the Tour Fanpictures page J

Credit/Source: Emm

Review And Pictures From The Bath - 24 July 2006

One more review for today this time from Westlife’s concert in Bath on 16 July 2006 “Review: Westlife In Bath”. You can read it at the Tour News/Reviews page.

I also added 17 more Official Tour Pictures from the concert in Bath.

Credit/Source: www.bbc.co.uk

New Concert Reviews - 24 July 2006

You can read two new reviews “Hall Proves The Perfect Backdrop For A Long Weekend Of Pop Magic” and “Favourites Go Down Well” from Westlife’s concert at Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire on 22 July 2006 at the Tour News/Reviews page.

Villy

New Official Tour Pictures - 24 July 2006

I added 7 new Official Tour Pictures from Westlife’s concert

Credit/Source: www.isifa.com

Message For Everyone Who Went At Althorp House! - 23 July 2006

This message was posted by Emma as she’s been asked to post it:

“Shane took Nicole on stage at Althorp this evening and they sang Happy Birthday to her. I know lots of you will have taken pictures, and that you will want to post them.

I have been asked to ask you all NOT to post pictures of Nicole on these boards (The Official Boards), or any other forums.

I make no comment about taking her on stage and expecting people not to take photos and post them.”

Emma

New Fanpictures - 23 July 2006

Thanx Amanda and Janet for letting me use your pictures J

Amanda met the lads at their hotel in Edinburgh:

:

Janet got some lovely pictures from the Westlife concert in Edinburgh on 21 July 2006. You can see them at the Tour Fanpictures page and she also got a picture of Georgina at the concert:

Credit/Source: Amanda / Janet

Happy 1^st Birthday Little Nicole! - 23 July 2006

Awwww the little Westlife baby has her first birthday today! It’s already been one year since little Nicole was born! I remember I was crying and got so emotional when my mate called me to tell me Shane and Gillian became parents of a little girl! I hope she will have a happy and beautiful life and she will enjoy this day with mummy and daddy!

Villy

Long May They Rule - 22 July 2006

To many people Westlife are just another boy band that sit on stools and sing ballads - and this is true to a certain extent.

But for fans like me, they are much more than this - they are four Irish lads who produce good sing-along music and are pleasing on the eye.

Listening to a Westlife song takes me back to what I was doing at the moment in my life when it was released. Their classic upbeat songs, such as When You're Looking Like That, Uptown Girl and World of Our Own, can soon have you dancing around your house or filling a dancefloor.

And I am sure there are many more people out there who do actually like their music, but are afraid to admit it. Take, for example, my former male housemates.

I will never forget the Saturday when I arrived home to find them playing Uptown Girl at full volume and dancing around the living room.

And, when World of Our Own was played at the local pub, they'd grab a microphone and sing along - probably hoping that all the girls would swoon and think they were Shane or Nicky. They were drunk both times, but it still shows that Westlife's music is infectious and enjoyed by a variety of people.

I was a bit dubious when they first burst on to the pop scene in 1999 with the ballad Swear It Again, but I was soon hooked after hearing the song played frequently on the radio.

For me their best-ever song is their third single Flying Without Wings. There is nothing better than singing along to it while I'm driving. I have all their albums - Westlife, released in 1999, Coast to Coast (2000), World of Our Own (2001), Unbreakable (2002) Turnaround (2003), and Face to Face. I never bought the 2004 Ratpack album, Allow Us To Be Frank, because it didn't interest me. The boys should stop trying to be something they are not and stick to the good old cheese.

During the past seven years, the boys may have lost a member (Brian McFadden), got married or announced their homosexuality (Mark), but they have continued to reign the charts.

The sales statistics reveal Westlife can still produce a good tune and bring smiles to many millions of happy, singing fans.

Credit/Source: www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk

Anger At Ronan Keating ‘Noise’ - 22 July 2006

By Nafeesa Shan

RESIDENTS kept awake by Irish pop singer Ronan Keating blasting from a neighbour's stereo have told her: "You say it best when you play nothing at all."

Neighbours of Leanne Carr, of Nuttall Street, Accrington, have spent sleepless nights being forced to listen to Ronan and boyband Westlife pounding through the walls and out of the windows of the 23-year-old's terraced home.

At weekends the music has been so loud that it has been heard several houses down and across the street.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "The noise is only at the weekends and goes from Friday night, through Saturday, and finishes on a Monday morning. She has a lot of friends around there. I think they are up all night and then sleep it off during the day.

"One of my children came into our room once and asked my husband to tell them to turn it down - this was at six in the morning."

She added: "If someone goes round to tell them to be quiet it usually goes off for half an hour but then it cranks back up again."

Another neighbour, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: "Sometimes they listen to dance music and then you can just feel the bass, but they quite often play Ronan Keating and Westlife and it's so loud you can actually sing along with the words. You can't hear yourself think at times."

However, a court appearance has created a spell of peace and quiet for the residents. Hyndburn Council received several complaints about the music and served Carr with a noise abatement order. After failing to comply with its terms, Carr appeared at Hyndburn Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to breaching the notice. She was fined £125 and ordered to pay £100 costs.

One of the neighbours praised the result: "This week has been brilliant. It was very quiet over the weekend and we all got a good bit of sleep. She seems to be a very nice woman, she just plays her music too loud."

l "When You Say Nothing At All" was Ronan Keating's first solo after leaving Boyzone. The song was a smash hit in the summer of 1999 following its use in the British romantic comedy Notting Hill. It was at number one for two weeks and stayed in the charts for 15 weeks.

Credit/Source: www.thisislancashire.co.uk

Happy Birthday Jodi! - 22 July 2006

It is Jodi’s 23 birthday today! J I would like to wish her all the happiness and to have a lovely day with Kian and people she loves around her!

Villy

Pop Stars Charged By Rhino At Safari Park! - 21 July 2006

POP band Westlife were charged by a RHINO during a trip to Knowsley Safari Park.

The Irish four-piece were shocked when the animal bolted towards their vehicle during a visit to the park ahead of an appearance at Liverpool's Summer Pops on Monday night.

Park manager David Ross said: "The rhino certainly caused a bit of excitement in the car, and we had to beat a hasty retreat. She was sweltering in the heat poor thing, and I think we got a bit too close to her. It wasn't a full charge though thankfully!"

No-one was hurt during the incident, and the band's car was not hit. And David said the band – Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne – were very polite and fully enjoyed their trip.

He said: "The band were very nice blokes and I asked them what the secret to their success was, as it seems like they'd been around for ages, and they said it was because they were such good mates."

Earlier, they were treated to a slap up lunch with owner, the 19th Earl of Derby, swimming in his pool and playing frisbee on the lawn. The group left around 5pm to prepare for their show.

David added: "I didn't know in advance that they would be coming here, I think they just wanted somewhere to relax."

Credit/Source: www.sthelenstoday.net

Crowds Flock To Kedleston Hall To Enjoy Star-Studded Weekend Gigs - 21 July 2006

BY EMMA SHAW

Buy tomorrow's edition of the Evening Telegraph to receive your free four-page Westlife special.

It includes a discography, a review of their recent show at Chatsworth and an article by one of our reporters on why we should all learn to appreciate the talents of Westlife.

Also included is a picture special, with images of the Irish boyband at Chatsworth.

If you're a fan of Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily, then make sure you don't miss out.

It's a must for all fans, so make sure you remember to buy your copy of the Evening Telegraph tomorrow.

Saturday's paper also includes the latest book, CD, DVD and game reviews, and much more, in Qt Staying In.

KEDLESTON Hall is gearing up for what will be one of its busiest weekends of the year.

With three top international acts taking to the stage, music fans will be flocking to the stately home to spend a summer evening in style.

Tonight, Canadian rocker Bryan Adams will kick off proceedings, followed by Irish boyband Westlife on Saturday and pop-opera act Il Divo on Sunday.

Kedleston property manager Victoria Flanagan will be overseeing events at the weekend and will be on hand to help ensure that all the shows runs smoothly.

"It's certainly one of our busiest weekends," said Victoria, "probably on a par with the antiques fair in terms of numbers.

"The capacity for each concert is 9,000, so we could have up to 27,000 people at Kedleston over the weekend.

"But the outside promoter handles absolutely every-thing so as far as our staff are concerned, it will only be volunteers working selling raffle tickets."

Kedleston is no stranger to pop acts, having played host to both Will Young and Jools Holland in recent years. But this year's triple star turn is a first for the venue.

"This is our first outing using a big, well-known promoter using big, well-known acts," said Victoria. "It will be quite interesting to see how it goes.

"I think it's really good for the county for people to have somebody like Bryan Adams playing just down the road from where they live.

And it seems to be him we're getting the most calls for information about."

Victoria also hopes the concerts might attract more visitors to Kedleston Hall itself.

"The really sad thing about Kedleston is that it sits within five miles of the centre of Derby and I bet if you asked 10 people in the street about it, they wouldn't know what you were talking about.

"It gets over-shadowed by places like Chatsworth House, so the whole idea of something like this, in the grounds in front of the house, is that hopefully people will come back for a return visit at a later date."

The concert organisers began setting up last Friday, and, although Victoria admitted it has been hectic on site, she said the hall makes an ideal venue for outdoor shows.

"The promoters have said there's really good access in for all their equipment and it's also a natural ampitheatre.

"The stage is just down near the bridge, on a natural slope so you'll have good views of the stage wherever you are."

"There's plenty of flat car parking as well, and we're really being helped by the weather at the moment, too."

If the dry and sunny weather continues, there will be no danger of getting stuck in the mud, although Victoria warned that concert-goers should expect some delays getting in and out of Kedleston over the weekend.

"I don't think people should be under any illusion that it's going to be easy getting in and out. We have worked very closely with the police but people should be prepared for it to take them some time to get off site."

The mix of top artists performing over the weekend mean that tickets have been selling fast. But, at the time of writing tickets were still available for all three concerts.

And Victoria will be taking in each of them - whether she wants to or not.

"I live at the hall so I've not got much choice!" she revealed.

"I've got a lot of friends coming to see Bryan Adams and I'm sure it will be good. He's probably the one I'm most looking forward to - I've been playing my Bryan Adams CDs to get ready for it."

Two lucky Evening Telegraph readers will also be meeting the stars in the flesh.

We recently ran a competition for fans to win the chance to meet the members of Westlife and Il Divo, backstage at the Kedleston concerts.

Janet Charles, of Derby, is the winner of the Meet Il Divo competition and will be going backstage to meet the four siners on Sunday evening.

"I really like their music," said Janet. "I haven't seen them before so I'm looking forward to it.

"I am nervous about meeting them - I would have settled for just cheering them on. But it will be nice."

Ann Crean won the chance to meet Westlife on Saturday but unfortunately will be unable to attend.

Instead, she has passed her tickets on to friend Judy Allen, who is a fan.

Olivia Mason (13), of Chaddesden was the winner of our Meet Westlife competition at Chatsworth earlier this month. She has fond memories of the occasion.

"They were so nice," said Olivia. "They came out one by one, Shane first, and I didn't know what to say to him. Shane signed my jeans and all four of them signed my T-shirt."

Olivia's mum Beverley was also overawed.

"I can't believe it," she said.

"All of them posed for photos and were so nice I thought Olivia would cry. I was so worried for her, but she was OK."

Our Kedleston winners are sure to have just as memorable an evening.

Bryan Adams plays at Kedleston tonight (tickets £40), Westlife perform tomorrow (tickets £37.50) and Il Divo, with support from Hayley Westenra, take to the stage on Sunday (tickets £37.50).

Gates will open at 6.30pm and all the shows start at 7.30pm.

You can still buy tickets for all three Kedleston concerts

To book, call 0870 400 0688.

Evening Telegraph reporters will be at all three concerts and you can read their reviews, and see pictures from the weekend, in Monday's edition of the paper.

eshaw@derbytelegraph.co.uk

Credit/Source: www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk

Tour Pictures - 21 July 2006

I added 15 more official tour pictures from Westlife’s concert at Summer Liverpool Pops on 17 July 2006. You can see then at the Official Tour Pictures page.

Credit/Source: www.wireimage.com

Tour Article Added - 20 July 2006

I added a new article (Kian interview) “Get Ready To Scream As Westlife Take Stage” which you can read at the Tour News/Reviews page.

Villy

Derbyshire And Northampton Tickets Competition - 20 July 2006

We've got a pair of tickets for another two of Westlife's summer shows up for grabs!

• Derbyshire Tickets Competition
  We've got a pair of tickets for Westlife's show at Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire on 22nd July up for grabs! To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question:
  Enter Competition ›
  
• Northampton Tickets Competition
  We've got a pair of tickets to see Westlife at Althorp in Northampton on 23rd July up for grabs! To be in with a chance of winning, answer the following question:
  Enter Competition ›
  

But be quick - the competition closes tomorrow (Friday).

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

Welcome Back Westlife! - 20 July 2006

© Typed up by Kiwijem

August 2006

Westlife is back on the pop scene with a hot new album and is ready to dominate the world stage again.

Westlife has been one of the world’s biggest selling bands for the past eight years, shifting millions of records with numerous number one hits. The Irish superstars recently released its seventh album Face to Face. Shane Filan took time out of the group’s sell out European tour schedule to have an exclusive chat with Girlfriend about all things Westlife – including the departure of Brian McFadden.

For those who might have been living under a rock over the past few years, how did Westlife get started?
Westlife started out nearly eight years ago. We started off in the north west of Ireland – where we are from – and we started doing gigs and different musicals. We met through school and got the record deal and started making our first album seven years ago. Our first album did really well in New Zealand, and seven years later we are back with our seventh album, Face to Face.

What is the biggest obstacle Westlife has encountered since you started?
When Brian McFadden left the band a couple of years ago. That was really the only major hurdle we had to cross – it was a very weird time for us. We were about to start a tour and we left three weeks after Brian departed. That was the only thing that helped us get through because we didn’t really have time to think about it too much. We had to get on with the show, we had routines to learn and places to go. Other than that, we have been really lucky and it’s been plain sailing for us.

When Brian left the band, was there ever any thoughts of quitting?
No, not at all. At the time, the four of us were very excited about being in the band. Brian obviously wasn’t happy in the band and he had problems in his personal life as well. But the four of us were very happy so that was one thing that never really entered our minds. Looking back, I thank God we stayed together because this year has been the best year for Westlife so far success wise and happiness wise.

What has contributed to the staying power of Westlife?
As people, the four of us are really good friends. We have dealt with the fame and success and we have been true to ourselves. It is a job at the end of the day, so we don’t take too much notice of the hype. It’s great that we have it but we want to keep it rather than throw it away. We plan to go on for a long time yet and we have no plans to call it quits.

What advice do you have for up and coming musicians?
You have to work hard and take everything you can get. A lot of great bands have fallen out because of arguments within the band or someone wanting to go solo, so that can really kill off a band very quickly. Be true to each other and have a laugh while you’re doing it – every year is a bonus for every band, so just enjoy it.

Westlife has done songs with some pretty big artists such as Mariah Carey and Diana Ross – what was this like?
Diana Ross was great because she is such a legend! We spent the day with her making the video and that’s really the only time we saw her because we recorded the song separately. Mariah was very nice too. We got to do a few different performances with Mariah.

What do you have to say to your New Zealand fans?
Well, we haven’t been back to New Zealand in a long time. We hope you like the new album! It’s a pure pop album for all our fans. New Zealand is actually the first place we had an international number one with “Swear it Again.” We also did the launch of our first album there, so it’s hard to forget New Zealand when it comes to the history of Westlife. We are looking forward to getting back down there – we are heading to Australia in September and there’s talk of us doing a concert in Auckland, so if we could do that it would be great! If not, we will definitely have a new album out before Christmas and our plan is to come to your part of the world for promotion around November. We have a lot of fans there and would love to get back and say hello to everybody!

What goals do you guys have left as a band?
I think just being successful and sustaining our success is what we want to do. Getting back to Australia and New Zealand this year is great. They are two big countries and there are a lot of sales there for Westlife and it will be great to go back and tour. We are looking forward to it.

Credit/Source: Kiwijem / Girlfriend magazine

Tour News Added - 20 July 2006

I added a new article with competition “Audley End concert tickets up for grabs” which you can read at the Tour News/Reviews page.

Villy

Win Tickets Competition - 19 July 2006

Dermot O'Leary show on Radio 2 is giving away 10 tickets this Saturday 22 July 2006 to see Westlife live.

All you have to do is go to www.bbc.co.uk/radio2 and submit your contact details, then hopefully you will get picked to enter the competition. Otherwise you can call the show between 5 – 7pm on Saturday.

Credit/Source: thanx simonward48 for the info / www.bbc.co.uk

Pictures Added - 19 July 2006

Thanx to Kevin from the Kerry Katona Forum for these pictures:

Nicky, Georgina, Nicky’s parents & Georgina’s mum & sister:

Shane & Gillian:

Kian & Jodi:

Credit/Source: Kevin at the Kerry Katona Forum / www.rexfeatures.com / Matrix Photo Agency

Joined A Fanlisting - 18 July 2006

I joined a new fanlisting for Westlife’s song Love Takes Two ( which I really love! ) J

Villy

*EDITED one more review added* New Reviews - 18 July 2006

Head over to the Tour News/Reviews page to read two new reviews “Westlife Liverpool Summer Pops” and “Westlife, Summer Pops Liverpool” from Westlife’s concert in Liverpool Summer Pops on 17 July 2006.

Villy

Westlife Go On A Stately Safari - 18 July 2006

By Adrian Butler Daily Post Staff

WESTLIFE chose an unlikely venue to spend a day relaxing before their sell-out concert at the Summer Pops.

Instead of visiting the Albert Dock's bars or enjoying a shopping trip on Mathew Street, they spent the day with an earl at his stately home.

The Irish boy band lunched with the Earl of Derby at Knowsley Hall before getting a tour of his safari park.

The five-piece band arrived at the hall in time for a buffet lunch with the earl.

They then went swimming in Knowsley Hall's pool, and relaxed on the lawns, touring the grounds and playing Frisbee.

In the afternoon, Knowsley Safari Park manager David Ross gave them a VIP tour in his car, where they saw the 120-strong troupe of baboons and the rest of the park's animals.

The group left around 5pm to begin preparation for their show.

The hall is becoming known as something of a haunt for pop stars.

Last month, veteran rockers Status Quo played an outdoor concert in its grounds.

Two years ago Kylie Minogue was invited to a dinner there in aid of the NSPCC's Safe Place Appeal, and last year comic Joan Rivers toured the hall with the Daily Post's Peter Elson.

A spokesman for the Earl said: "I think they wanted somewhere to relax in private."

Last night was the band's only Summer Pops appearance, with tickets selling out among their devoted fans.

Since 1998 Westlife have had 13 UK number one singles, including Flying without Wings and Seasons in the Sun. They have sold nearly 40m albums worldwide and have seven multi-platinum albums.

adrian.butler@liverpool.com

Credit/Source: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk

*EDITED ~ more pictures added* New

Also, thanx to Angela we have 46 new tour fanpictures from Westlife’s concert at Blickling Hall on 15 July 2006 which you can see at the Tour Fanpictures page.

Credit/Source: www.isifa.com / Angela / www.filmmagic.com / Connie for getting the ones from Film Magic

New Review Added - 17 July 2006

Chantelle typed up a review from Westlife’s concert at The Bath on 16 July. You can read it at the Tour News/Reviews page.

Thanx Chantelle for letting me use the article.

Villy

New Jodi Fanpicture - 17 July 2006

Thanx Faith for letting me use it J

Faith met Jodi on 30 June 2006:

Credit/Source: Faith

*EDITED* Tour Pictures And News - 17 July 2006

Head over to the:

Tour News/Reviews page to read a review ( Blickling Hall – 15 July 2006 ) and news “Listings: Critics' Choice” and “Westlife 06”

Official Tour Pictures page to see new pictures from Cardiff Cooper’s Field ( 14 July 2006 ) and The Bath ( 16 July 2006 )

Credit/Source: www.gettyimages.com / www.isifa.com / www.rexfeatures.com / www.wenn.com

For China’s Young, Boyband Beats State Drama - 17 July 2006

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Xiao Weixin didn't make it to Westlife's debut concert in China, but not for lack of trying. Shanghai Grand Stage, the flashy modern auditorium where the concert took place in June, holds 8,000 to 10,000, and ticket prices ranged from 150 yuan (10 pounds) to 1,580 yuan (107 pounds).

Two days before the Irish boy-band's show, almost every ticket was gone.

"I tried to get tickets online the day before but they were all sold out. I was prepared to pay 400 yuan for a ticket," said Xiao, 21, a student at Shanghai Normal University.

Boy bands, with their soft-pop love-ballads and clean-cut image, have been a major hit among China's young.

Few pastimes are more popular among well-heeled urban youth than karaoke, and boy bands such as Westlife and Boyzone, or more local counterparts such as Taiwan's Mayday, are standard fare.

"Take me to your heart", a dulcet love-ballad most recently covered by Denmark's "Michael learns to Rock", is played in shops, restaurants, malls, elevators and even buses in China, so much so that locals all know the tune.

According to one Beijing newspaper, Westlife has a China fan club numbering more than 50,000. The band's latest album, "Face to Face", released in 2005, sold more than 10,000 legal copies in China, the report said.

That doesn't include pirates, which dominate China's music market.

"Most of my friends and colleagues like Western pop music as we appreciate their sense of taste," said Samuel Zhu, a recent graduate of Shanghai's elite Fudan University

"Traditional Chinese music is very out-dated and I find most of the lyrics rather immature and stupid," said Zhu.

Just 20 minutes away by car from the Westlife venue is the city's classic Shanghai Majestic Theatre, which seats 1,328, and where, two evenings before, the story of the Chinese Communist Party's early history was being acted out.

Taken from a 1930s account by U.S. journalist Edgar Snow, the play is set in Yan'an, a remote mountainous area where the early Chinese Communists hid from both the Japanese and the Kuomintang (Nationalist) forces, who later fled defeated to Taiwan.

Yet, though it was based on a key element of Chinese Communist folklore, few students knew anything about it.

"A play about Edgar Snow? I've never heard of it, or heard anyone talking about it at my university. I don't think many people would be interested in going," said Xiao.

"None of my friends and I have heard of the Edgar Snow play," said Fudan's Zhu.

"To be frank, I find it a bit weird that I am more familiar with ancient Chinese history than with what happened to our country during the last century," said Zhu.

Credit/Source: http://today.reuters.co.uk

New Review Added - 16 July 2006

Go to the Tour News/Reviews page to read a review from Westlife’s concert at Coopers Field in Cardiff on 14 July 2006.

Villy

Louis In X Tip For Top X-Mas Hit - 16 July 2006

By Linda Duff

IT'S six months away but bookies are already taking bets about who'll top the Christmas charts.

Bookmakers Paddy Power revealed hopeful punters are placing their bets early to get the best odds.

But last night pop supremo Louis Walsh gave his own hot tip for a Yuletide chart-topper.

He said: ''This year's Christmas number one will be the winner from the X-Factor. You heard it here first.''

Paddy Power's spokeswoman Sharon McHugh, said: ''The punters who get in early will undoubtedly do the best.

"It's really the best time to have a flutter before anyone else.

''We agree with Louis that the top bet is for whoever wins this autumn's X-Factor. We've placed it tops at 4/1.''

Louis Walsh-managed crooners Westlife have odds of 12/1 with their expected ballad with US soul legend Lionel Richie due out in early December.

But Manchester idol Shayne Ward, also in the Walsh's stable of pop stars, comes in a close second to the predicted X-Factor hit with good odds of 8/1.

A third Walsh act, Girls Aloud, have been placed at 14/1.

Credit/Source: www.sundaymirror.co.uk

Nicky’s Blown Hopes Of Bangpipe Final At Castle - 16 July 2006

Edited By Billy Sloan And Mickey Mcmonagle

WESTLIFE have scrapped plans to play the bagpipes at Edinburgh Castle on Friday.

Group member Nicky Byrne admits he wrestled with his pipes - gifted to him by the SECC - but couldn't squeeze a tune out of them.

"I had a month off and made a real effort to play the pipes but none of us could master them," said Nicky.

"But we can't wait to play Edinburgh Castle. We've done gigs in castles and stately homes across England but none compare to Edinburgh.

"We first played there in 2004 and to perform with such a spectacular backdrop - in the heart of a capital city - was an amazing experience." Nicky has slipped us three pairs of tickets for the show to give away. For the chance to win just complete the title of this Westlife No. 1 hit: Flying Without *****.

Call our hotline 0901 562 8723 leaving your answer, name, address, telephone number and date of birth.

Lines close at noon on Tuesday. Calls cost 60p per minute. Ask bill payer's permission.

Usual Sunday Mail rules apply.

Credit/Source: www.sundaymail.co.uk

Show Blitz: Westlife Stand By Shayne - 16 July 2006

By Tina Calder

I HEARD recently that Shayne Ward's new single Stand By Me was originally penned for Irish boyband Westlife.

An insider at the record company also told me: "Bosses here thought that they could make more money out of the song if Shayne sang it.

"That's Why Westlife have been relatively quiet recently - because they don't want to saturate the market with the same type of stuff.

"Before long we will start to see a bit of a tag-team thing going on where Westlife and Shayne will take turns in the charts and touring."

Credit/Source: www.people.co.uk

Tour Book Pictures - 15 July 2006

Hi everyone J

I will not be home today so there will be no more updates until tomorrow that I will be back. I scanned some of the pictures on this year’s tour book. Enjoy J

Kian

Mark

Nicky

Shane

Westlife & two or three of the lads

Villy

Download Shane’s Interview On The Hot30 - 15 July 2006

Shane gave an interview on Australian radio program Hot30 and he’s talking about the new album, fans, his birthday, Brian and more.

Nic uploaded the interview:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Credit/Source: Nic / www.fox.com.au

£905 Makes Westlife Fan’s Dream A Reality - 14 July 2006

By Helen Thomas

 Westlife fan Sue Barnett (32080/1)

WESTLIFE fan Sue Barnett's dreams will come true on Sunday when she meets her idols, after bidding £905 in a charity auction.

She bid in the auction on website eBay to meet the boyband after reading a story about it in the Wiltshire Times two weeks ago. The auction was organised by cancer patient Vanessa Kyte, of Rudge, and her sister Nicola Noble, of Warminster, to raise money for the Forever Friends Appeal to buy a new CT scanner for Royal United Hospital, Bath.

Miss Barnett, 46, of Paxcroft Mead, had a special reason to enter as her 75-year-old mum Jean has been treated for oral cancer at the hospital during the last year. "I read the story with the eBay details so the next day I put in a bid of £500. I waited until the last minute before putting in another bid," she said.

"One of the reasons I bid such a large amount of money is because it is going towards a new CT scanner. My mum is being treated for cancer at the RUH and she's had to use their current scanner. "The good news is the radiotherapy has got rid of the cancer but she is suffering quite a bit from the treatment and can't eat.

"She's also a big fan and has been coming to concerts with me for the last two or three years. She'd really love to meet them so I'm hoping they'll sign a get well soon card for her."

Miss Barnett will get to meet the group, along with her friend Jean Hillman, when they perform at the Bath Rec as part of the Summer Nights Open Air concerts this weekend. She has been an avid Westlife fan ever since she bought her 14-year-old niece a video of the band about seven years ago.

"I had a sneaky look at the video and thought I like these people' so I started buying all their stuff," she said. "I took her to a concert in Dublin which I thought was fantastic. It was the first time I'd been to a pop concert. My niece grew out of them but I carried on as a fan and still buy all the DVDs and CDs.

"Lots of people make fun but I think they're good. They're very good looking and I like the music. They've got the whole package. Shane was always my first favourite but I like Nicky as well."

She said she is very excited about meeting her heroes but hopes she does not become too tongue-tied. "I will probably be a bit excitable for a middle-aged lady. It's going to be a bit embarrassing," she said.

"We saw them in Birmingham in April and are going to see them in Minehead later in the year so we're quite avid fans. I've never met them before. I just hope they're prepared for meeting me."

Credit/Source: www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk

Swaziland Set For Westlife - 14 July 2006

By ANDnetwork .com

United Kingdom pop group Westlife which is expected to perform in the country on September 30 at Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre, will stay at the Royal Villas, it has been gathered.

Information gathered yesterday is that Royal Villas offered to charge the organisers at reduced rates.

A source said management at the prestigious hotel were elated to host musicians of Westlife calibre. Fans from the country and outside are expected to cram the trade centre to watch the group live. This promises to be a massive show by any standards. Big Five Entertainment Company is behind the event.

An employee at the hotel stated that there are rumours to the effect that the group will be accommodated there, however, she said there was nothing official in as far as she was concerned. She mentioned that the hotel was ready to host any celebrity from anywhere in the world.

Maria De Sousa, the entertainment company’s PRO mentioned that she was yet to meet the rest of the committee as soon as everything is finalised “we will then give out more information.” Fun lovers will pay not less than E300 ($50) for the show.

Those who will be at the VIP section will part with E530 ($88). A dinner has been included in this amount.

The event will also feature local and South African groups. Gates open at 3p.m. Westlife, arguably one of the European groups of the moment consists of Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky.

Swazi Observer

Credit/Source: http://travel.andnetwork.com

Terfel's Faenol Set To Grow Again - 14 July 2006

Opera star Bryn Terfel's musical Faenol Festival may be extended from four days to a week, the star has said at the official launch of the seventh event.

A longer festival could make use of more than one location on the Faenol estate near Bangor, and a dream guest would be Sir Elton John, said Terfel.

"I'd also love an evening compered by Dame Edna Everage, because I'm a huge fan of Barry Humphries," he said.

A three-year broadcast contract with the BBC has also been announced.

Chart topping boy band Westlife and Dame Shirley Bassey are among the performers at this year's August bank holiday event. More of the line-up has also been revealed with the Dragon's Fire/Tan y Ddraig evening featuring Anweledig, Scottish band The Proclaimers as well as Elin Fflur, Dyfrig Evans and Huw Jones.

The orchestra and chorus of the Welsh National Opera have also been confirmed for the opera gala along with international stars Angela Gheorghiu and Rolando Villazon. Terfel said he was looking forward to hearing Anweledig play and also pleased to "keep the Celtic connection going" with the Proclaimers. Llanfairpwll-based Elin Fflur, who has just returned from working in New York, said she was looking forward to the event.

"Playing at the Faenol is the highlight of my career so far, but I am working on breaking into the English pop scene too and I hope to have an English language album out some-time next year," she said. Welsh ska group Anweledig said they were uncertain of accepting the offer to play at the Faenol at first because the Dragon's Fire evening had tended to be more "nostalgic" and they did not want to be labelled as "has-beens". But "Hey, we're still looking forward to the event," said lead singer Ceri Cunnington, although they expected it to be more "refined" than their usual gigs.

Terfel said when the festival first started he thought the opera gala might be its weakest evening, but a high-standard had been set and it was a huge success. "It has surprised me in a way but the Faenol looks stunning with 12,000 people there, and you can hear a pin drop on a blade of grass," he said. The festival expanded from three nights to four in 2005.

A longer event could feature a "huge artist" at the beginning to launch the event and then a series of chamber concerts during the week, said Terfel. Top acts which Terfel would still like to see there perform as well as Sir Elton John would be Luciano Pavarotti and Wales' own pop king Sir Tom Jones.

The BBC will record the whole festival. The Opera Gala and Tan y Ddraig will then be shown on S4C while the other performances will be shown on BBC Wales.

Credit/Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk

Tour News Added - 13 July 2006

I added a new article “From SATs To Sharing Stage With Westlife” at the Tour News/Reviews page.

Villy

Westlife's Mark Freehily Talks Monkeys, Malibu + Their 'Amazing' Oz Tour - 13 July 2006

Monkeys, nights on the town, getting star struck and writing songs on the fly... We got to know about a whole other side of Westlife when we chatted to Mark Feehily. Check out our interview with the Irish pop superstar right here and start getting pumped for when the lads hit our shores in September for their first ever Oz tour.

Q: Congratulations on your success Downunder. 'You Raise Me Up' has gone Platinum and your album 'Face To Face' has gone double Platinum! How have you guys been enjoying the success?

MF: Well amazingly, the whole thing's been like a new lease of life in a way. We've been banging-on to our record companies for years to let us go and give Australia a shot. Around this time last year we started talking to the record companies down there and talking to our home record company and we were like 'why aren't we getting it a shot', you know?' and eventually we finally said let's go for it. 'You Raise Me Up' seemed to be getting some interest and we went down there this year in February and it kicked off from there. We got an amazing reception and more importantly we really enjoyed ourselves and everybody - the fans - really enjoyed us being there. So we're coming back in September to do some gigs and concerts. We're really looking forward to that to show them a side of us that we feel is our best side - which is our live show.

Q: Is there anything that you missed seeing or doing in February that you're really looking forward to doing when you come back in September?

MF: We were only there for two and a half in February and we squeezed a lot of stuff in. But obviously there's a lot places we want to see - like Perth! I remember when I was six years old, seeing my cousin get in this big, fat aeroplane to flying to the other side of the world - to Perth! So I never thought I'd say that I was going to go to Perth! I'm looking forward to that. We really genuinely enjoyed ourselves when we were over there, especially the bits and pieces when we weren't working... I made really good friends with this monkey in Melbourne Zoo...

Q: That's pretty memorable! Why didn't you see a koala bear or a kangaroo?

MF: I don't know! (ha ha) But I love going to zoos cos I love animals! The zoo in Melbourne was amazing - it had so many cool things...big silverback gorillas and stuff. It was really fun!

Q: So what's it like on the road with Westlife - any crazy habits?

MF: Nothing too outrageous, really. If we've done a good long day's work, we like going to eat some great food and then going to a club. It can get pretty mad sometimes when we stay out late...but nothing outrageous. We're just the same as any guys our age - we love going out and having a few drinks and having a laugh...

Q: And I'm sure you'll find some fans to party with! Were you quite surprised at how many fans you had when you got down here in February?

MF: Yeah we were shocked with the reaction that we got actually. We weren't expecting quite a big rush of a reaction. All of a sudden it went from people knowing a few of our songs on the radio to having that kind of success! It's shocking and very, very exciting because it's been so long since we've broken a new territory and it just reminds me of the feeling that at the very start of the band when we were setting off. As I said, it's about bloody time we were getting down to Australia and getting to meet all our fans out there and hopefully make some new fans as well.

Q: It must be quite a relief to get out of the studio and perform live to the fans...

MF: Yeah our live tour is really like the end aim for us. We record the album and then we try and promote it so that everyone's getting ready for the thing at the end of the day - which is the live concert. We sing the songs and the fans can listen to us and enjoy the songs there and then with a live band, and the lights... that's what we always enjoy the most... the live element. So we're delighted to be coming to hopefully give the fans a good time!

Q: Can your Aussie fans expect anything special - any surprises? Anything you can give u a sneak-peek into?

MF: Well, we sing a lot of Westlife hits. If anyone does have any of the older albums then get them out and refresh your memories with the songs from the early days. Without giving it away, we do a couple of songs from other acts that they might like. And we always try and put a couple of saucy numbers in the show too! You know, we're known for our ballads, but we have just as many up-tempo and mid-tempo songs in our show because obviously when you're in the life arena, you can't just sing ballads all night or people will just sit down. We don't feel like we've succeeded unless people are standing up jumping with their hands in the air and just losing it basically. So it's a very high-energy show and this particular show is very modern and slick and it all moves very fast. Our aim from the moment the concert starts to the moment the concert finishes is to have people on the edge of their seats never sitting down bored.

Q: Your supporting act is going to be perfect for that - the Aussie foursome The Young Divas - are you familiar with them?

MF: Yeah I've heard a lot about them - especially more so now they're supporting us! I'm really looking forward to meeting them. They sound really cool.

Q: Your single 'Amazing' is about to be released here in Australia - what's the song about?

MF: Well the songwriter will take a personal experience in life and incorporate it into a pop melody. So I don't know exactly what experience it comes from but it's just a general song about relationships. But to be honest with you, it's not so much about the deep and meaningful of the song. It's more about the harmonies, melodies and production of the song that we would like people to listen to. We did it with some Swedish guys from a company called The Location who have done a lot of songs with a lot of people. It's a nice light and airy, mid-tempo fresh kind of pop song.

Q: When a song is written by someone else but performed by you, it must creates its own meaning for you...

MF:When you perform it, that's when you go to your experience of emotions to find a way of singing the song with passion. Another thing that a lot of people say to us is that when they listen to our songs, because there's no direct story that we're pushing in the face of the fans lyrically, they kind of take their own meaning out of it. It's kind of like an open for them to think about their own situation because the lyrics are quite general.

Q: You recorded 'Amazing' with Steve Mac - what's it like working with him?

MF: Steve is great, he's someone we've worked very closely with ever since the band started off. He's a very talented songwriter and a great producer as well. He's somebody that is passionate about Westlife and passionate about his songs, and he's somebody that has given us a lot of our great songs, so we're very grateful to him and we're working again with him on our album as well...

Q: Aha! A new album! Talk to us about that!

MF:Well it must be weird for Aussie fans to hear there's a new album already! But we're recording a new album due out over here at the end of October. It's gonna be another pop album - hopefully another good pop album - that fans will like as much as 'Face To Face'!

Q: On the Aussie release of 'Amazing', there's second track 'Miss You When I'm Dreaming'- was there any special reason you chose that track to go on the single?

MF:It's kind of a weird story... we were recording 'Amazing' in Sweden, and Shane and I were messing around in the studio and had just ordered food. So we said 'While we're waiting of the food, let's just write a song!' We literally wrote the song in half an hour - it all happened quite fast! So we decide to put it on with 'Amazing' because we recorded it at the same time. It's just a little ditty - no big production but just a nice little song.

Q: The Amazing video is included on the single... what's your favourite Westlife video?

MF: There's a few... but the video for 'Unbreakable' was cool. You know when you grow up and you hear about Hollywood and the movie sets, and we actually got to make the video in Universal Studios - so we felt like actors in Hollywood! We made the other half of it we made on Malibu Beach and the American crew were pointing to the houses going 'There's Cher's!' 'That's Britney's!'... and were just looking around us trying to see Courtenay Cox or Pheobe from 'Friends' walking her dogs. I know it's quite naïve but it was so exciting to be there and to know anyone could walk past with their kids and their dogs!

Q: Kian has said that his favourite Westlife moment was making the 'If I Let You Go' video in Tenerife... what's your favourite Westlife moment?

MF: As an experience, but not necessarily the final product, making the video for the Mariah Carey duet was really cool cos we got to hang out with her for 3 days and they filmed it all on an Capri where she has a big house and a studio. So we got to go on her big massive yacht and go to dinner with her, and it was just a really crazy experience to be hanging out with Mariah Carey in a big mansion in Italy, you know?! That's the great thing about what I've done in these past 8 years in Westflife is these little things we get to do which are so cool.

Q: And the best thing about being Westlife right now?

MF:It's the experience, you know, and what you learn. After being in LA I couldn't wait to get home with for a nice home-cooked meal from my mum. You know, you learn to appreciate all these little things. You learn so much about the world and the different cultures, so it's a pretty amazing lifestyle. We just jump a train to Sweden, and the next week to china and the next week to South Africa. And if we're not on planes we're in the studio, or doing a duet with somebody, or writing a song... It's a crazy life but it's really good that at the end of the day you've done something interesting and it's not the same thing all the time. There are days you miss your family and friends but we're a lot more used to dealing with everything now, like getting recognised on the street and just dealing with everything - it just hardens you up. I was a quite naïve young kid from Northern Ireland countryside but I've really lived a lot in the last eight years and it's just been an amazing experience.

Credit/Source: www.sonybmg.com.au

Looking Good Part Of Job For Westlife - 13 July 2006

Pressure to look good is part of the job for Westlife member Kian Egan.

The 26-year-old Irish singer says keeping fit and dressing well is part of the business.

But it doesn't rule his life.

"We are in the public eye and we are scrutinised quite a bit by people," said Egan, ahead of the boy band's September Australian tour.

"People automatically have an image of this guy from Westlife and to an extent it is nice to be able to live up to that image. So yeah you have a bit of pressure, but it is only self-indulged pressure."

Westlife has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in Australia since visiting the country in March to promote their latest album, Face to Face.

Their single You Raise Me Up rocketed into the charts at the time of the trip and remains there four months later.

"We were blown away by the response," said Egan.

"We are all totally stoked by the scenario."

Westlife - Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan - has had 13 number one singles in the UK, with songs such as You Raise Me Up, Flying Without Wings, Against All Odds, and Unbreakable.

Worldwide, they've sold more than 40 million albums since joining forces in 1998.

Delta Goodrem's boyfriend Brian McFadden was originally with the group but left in 2004 to pursue a solo career.

"We have all settled down a bit, we all have partners, some people have babies, some are married, some are gay," said Egan when asked how the group had changed.

The group's Face to Face Australian tour will include many of their chart hits, as well as new material.

"It is a full-on pop concert without a doubt," said Egan.

"We have spent a lot of time and a lot of effort over the years in putting on our stage shows. We are pretty energetic, there are some great dance routines."

©AAP 2006

Credit/Source: http://news.ninemsn.com.au

Fan’s £600 Bid To Meet Stars - 13 July 2006

A Fanatical Westlife fan is willing to pay nearly £600 for two tickets to meet the popstars after their concert at the Rec this summer.

The tickets, which offer the chance for two people to rub shoulders with the Irish chart-toppers backstage after their performance on Sunday, July 16, have been on sale on eBay for seven-and-a-half days.

There are still three-and-a-half days left for bids to be entered in the charity auction, which is raising money for the Forever Friends Appeal at the Royal United Hospital.

As of yesterday, the top bid was an astronomical £570, and more than 500 people had visited the site to check out the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The auction is being organised by cancer sufferer Vanessa Kyte, who is also hoping to meet the band on the night, just 12 days after she undergoes her latest operation at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

The Westlife auction is the latest in a series of fundraisers that Mrs Kyte and her sister, Nicola Noble, have undertaken since learning that her breast cancer, which was diagnosed in May 2000, had spread to her lungs.

In June 2005, she was also diagnosed with secondary brain tumours, spurring Nicola on to form a fundraising scheme especially for her sister - Pink Positive.

To date, they have raised more than £65,000 for various charities, including nearly £30,000 towards for the Forever Friends Appeal's current CT scanner campaign.

Ruth Wilkinson, community and events officer for the Forever Friends Appeal, said the current highest bidder for the Westlife lot was from Germany.

She said: "We have also had bidders from Ireland, so it is really attracting international interest.

"The bidding amount is going up by the day and the fundraising will make a real difference to the campaign."

The Westlife performance is part of the Summer Nights open-air concert series at the Rec, which also features Simply Red on Friday, July 14, and Elaine Page and Michael Ball the following evening.

A percentage of the ticket sales and fundraising opportunities arising from the Elaine Page and Michael Ball and Westlife concerts will be donated to the charity by organisers Live Nation.

The Simply Red concert will benefit another local charity, Dorothy House Hospice, in the same way.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.summernightsonline.co.uk or through a 24-hour credit card hotline on 0870 400 0688.

To bid in the auction, log on to www.eBay.co.uk between today and Friday, and enter item number 320000628618 into the search engine.

Credit/Source: www.thisisbath.com

New Affiliate Added - 13 July 2006

Visit my new affiliate Westlife And Brian McFadden Venezuela

Villy

Planet Finds Best-dressed Pop Night Fans - 13 July 2006

TOP dress sense has earned a race-goer a £150 fashion voucher.

Sophie Box is the latest woman to be named best-dressed lady at the regular Newmarket Nights event at Newmarket racecourse.

She was presented with the voucher for fashion store Planet by top jockey Philip Robinson. She will now go forward to a final, with the chance of winning £1,000 Planet voucher.

At each of the remaining five Newmarket Nights a winner will be chosen from among the crowd to receive a £150 voucher to join Sophie for the grand final on Friday, August 18, when Westlife are performing.

Tickets are still available for the succession of concerts at newmarketnights.co.ukor at the box office on 08707 200201 for Fridays, July 21 - McFly; July 28 - Ronan Keating; and August 11 - Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra.

Credit/Source: www.cambridge-news.co.uk

New Westlife Fanpictures - 12 July 2006

Stacey met the lads at the Harewood House, Leeds concert and shares her pictures with us all:

Thanx Stacey J

Credit/Source: Stacey

High Quality Pictures Added - 12 July 2006

I added 33 Mark High Quality pictures. More will follow of the other lads and their partners J

Credit/Source: Some of them are scanned by me and Anne, Connie and Yaara got others from photo agencies.

New Review Added - 12 July 2006

I added a new review at the Tour News/Reviews page from Westlife’s concert at Chatsworth House.

Villy

Been There, Got The T-Shirt – Signed! - 12 July 2006

Olivia Mason was the envy of thousands after winning the Evening Telegraph's competition to meet Westlife.

The 13-year-old, from Chaddesden, met Kian, Mark, Nicky and her favourite Shane before the concert and was lost for words.

"They were so nice," she said "They came out one by one, Shane first, and I didn't know what to say to him. Shane signed my jeans and all four of them signed my T-shirt."

Mum Beverley, whose favourite is Mark, was also overawed.

"I can't believe it," she said. "All of them posed for photos and were so nice I thought Olivia would cry. I was so worried for her, but she was OK."

It was the second time this year that Olivia and Beverley had been to see Westlife.

"We saw them in Nottingham earlier this year," said Beverley.

"But it was so much nicer seeing them in Derbyshire."

Credit/Source: www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk

New Official Tour Pictures - 11 July 2006

I added 45 official pictures from Westlife’s concert in Leeds Castle, Kent on 8 July 2006. To see them go to the Official Tour Pictures page.

Thanx Sabrina for getting them from LFI.

Credit/Source: www.lfi.co.uk / Sabrina

More Shane, Gillian And Jodi Pictures - 10 July 2006

Credit/Source: www.sintillate.co.uk

New Tour Fanpictures - 10 July 2006

I added Tracey’s lovely tour pictures from Westlife’s concert at Leeds Castle in Kent, on 8 July 2006. Thanx Tracey for letting me use them J

To see them, go to the Tour Fanpictures page.

Credit/Source: Tracey

Westlife.GR Won Two Awards! - 9 July 2006

Winners at the WFVIP AWARDS Season 1 were announced today and I’m very happy to say Westlife.GR won two awards at the Best Group Site and Joanne’s Choice Award categories.

Thank you all soooo much for voting Westlife.GR as Best Group Site and thank you Joanne for picking my site as your choice! J

You can see the awards here, they are lovely.

Villy

Life As A Gossip Girl - 9 July 2006

Article shortened and only includes the part about Mark.

Polly Vernon

Victoria Newton is an award-winning gossip - in March 2006 she won the British Press Award for showbusiness reporter of the year. But she's also an unapologetically harsh gossip:

Does she feel guilty?

'Nothing immediately springs to mind,' Newton says. 'I do try to make Bizarre balanced, to run as many positive stories as negative. I did reveal that Mark [Feehily] from [boyband] Westlife was gay. But only with his full cooperation, and he was really happy with the outcome.'

Credit/Source: http://observer.guardian.co.uk

New Affiliate Added - 9 July 2006

Visite my new affiliate They Raise Us Up

Villy

More Shane & Gillian Pictures - 8 July 2006

Credit/Source: www.rexfeatures.com / Thanx Kevin at the Kerry Katona Forum

*EDITED* New Affiliates Added - 8 July 2006

Visit my new affiliates

Feehily Fans

Tha Westlife Kids

Westlife Belgium

Villy

Westlife Special - 8 July 2006

Tune into Video Hits this Saturday at 11:30am for the special on multi million album selling Irish band- Westlife - Australian TV

Westlife

Westlife was formed in July 1998, with the members Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, and Bryan McFadden.

The bands' origins are in Sligo in northwest Ireland, where Filan, Egan, and Feehily were in a six-member vocal group named IOU, which put out a single called "Together Girl Forever". They were then discovered by Louis Walsh (who was contacted by Filan's mother), the manager of 1990s boy band Boyzone, but did not meet Simon Cowell's approval for a record deal with BMG, so changes were needed. The other three members of IOU were given the sack, and Walsh went to Dublin and recruited Byrne and McFadden. The new group was named Westside. That conflicted with another band of the same name so their name was changed to Westlife. Boyzone singer Ronan Keating was brought in to co-manage the band with Walsh.

Their first single "Swear It Again" was released in April 1999, going straight to the top of the charts in Ireland and the UK.

Filan is the group's de facto lead singer, using a commercial pop style, and does some songwriting. Egan is a multi-instrumentalist who has a distinctive rock voice. Byrne is known for his husky voice, Feehily has a soulful voice, and McFadden supplies a plaintive voice. As well as singing, all the boys as well as Filan write songs as well. While Boyzone is an obvious antecedant, Westlife's ballad-heavy style also owes a debt to Boyz II Men.

Although the band has enjoyed unprecedented success in the Irish singles chart, many detractors argue it has been achieved by releasing bland unmemorable ballads and cover versions into a declining singles market.

As of late 2005, they have published five original pop albums, one greatest hits album and one Frank Sinatra-inspired swing album. Westlife's fan base is global: they have had success all over the world, especially Scandinavia and South East Asia, but also elsewhere in Europe, Canada, Latin America, South Africa and Australia. Westlife have had record-selling indoor arena tours and are one of the biggest pop acts to come out of Ireland.

Westlife have not managed success in the United States, though. Their debut single and music video "Swear It Again" was released in the US in Summer 2000 and was a minor hit on mainstream radio and MTV, reaching number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being shown briefly on MTV's Total Request Live. Their debut American album was also released in 2000, but they have not released another one there since. The original Westlife hit most known to American audiences is "Flying Without Wings", since it was later a success for American Idol winner Ruben Studdard. Westlife would also collaborate with Asian-music sensation, BoA, on a Korean language version of the song which would appear on her mini-album, Shine We Are!

The band won ITV's Record of the Year competition on a record four occasions, with "Flying Without Wings", "My Love", "Mandy" and "You Raise Me Up".

Bryan McFadden left the band on 9 March 2004 to devote more of his time to his family life with the British TV personality and former Atomic Kitten member Kerry Katona, although he has subsequently separated from her and reverted the spelling of his first name back to its original 'Brian'.

Like most other boy bands, Westlife is primarily marketed to teenage girls, but they also have a large following of male fans and have performed numerous times at gay venues in the UK. On 19 August 2005, Mark Feehily put to rest years of speculation among fans that he was gay by publicly coming out of the closet in the UK tabloid The Sun, and announced his relationship with Kevin McDaid of the former boy band V.

Westlife's seventh full-length album, Face to Face, was released in October 2005. On 6 November 2005, the album and the single, a cover of the Secret Garden song "You Raise Me Up" reached number one on the UK charts, marking the first time the group held both top album and single in the same week. Having outlasted just about every other boy band, the members of Westlife continue to laugh off any speculation of a split-up, claiming their goal is to score at least 20 UK number one singles.

Credit/Source: Emma for finding / www.videohits.com.au

*EDITED* New Shane, Gillian & Jodi Pictures - 7 July 2006

Westlife singer Shane Filan and his wife Gillian leave Fifty Below Club with Kian Egan's girlfriend Jodi Albert in St James's after a night out, London, UK - 07.07.06. BYLINE: VIPIRELAND.COM

Credit/Source: www.vipireland.com / www.isifa.com

Ticket Winners - 7 July 2006

A big congratulations to Celena Wolfe and Androula Apostolou who are the lucky winners of our competition to see Westlife live this weekend.

Celena will be going to Leeds Castle on Saturday and Androula will see the boys perform at Chatsworth House on Sunday.

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

Westlife... Face To Face In Manila - 7 July 2006

Thanx Sam for emailing me the news:

Westlife’s concert in Manila on 4 September 2006 Is now confirmed! The concert will take place at the Araneta Coliseum venue.

You can reserve your tickets here

Credit/Source: Sam / www.ticketnet.com.ph

High Quality Pictures Added - 7 July 2006

I added 22 Kian & Jodi High Quality pictures.

More High Qualities of all the lads and their partners will follow in the next days.

Credit/Source: thanx to Anne and Yaara for 7 of the High Qualities

Note: Voting for the WFVIP AWARDS closes tomorrow so vote for Westlife.GR as Best Group Site and Best Webmaster if you want.

Singapore Concert Confirmed - 7 July 2006

Thanx Angeline for the info

Angeline called SonyBMG in Singapore and the record company confirmed that Westlife will hold a concert there. The date is not confirmed yet.

Credit/Source: Angeline

Westlife's Summer Profiles - 6 July 2006

Kian

My favourite holiday: I went on a camping trip in Spain earlier this year and I have to say it was probably one of the best holidays I’ve ever had. You know, hiring a car, not knowing where you’re going, not having a hotel booked, just arriving at a campsite, putting up a tent, which is always a great laugh, cooking a meal on your little gas stove, it’s really, really good fun.
My favourite getaway: The sea. Surfing is just the best thing that’s ever been invented for me. I just love surfing.
My favourite hotel: Four Seasons in Dublin. I think that’s a really classy hotel, but generally Four Seasons are pretty much the same.
If I’ve got time off I...Go surfing
My funniest holiday story: Me trying to put the tent up. If you get a new tent and you try to put it up for the first time I think it’s probably one of the funniest things you’ll ever do. You end up putting it up ten different ways before you actually realise how to do it. It took me about three hours.
My suitcase essentials: They’ve changed a lot. I used to be one of those people who needed their hair products and now it’s just a pair of shorts, clean underwear, clean socks, a few T-shirts and a pair of jeans. That’ll do me.
My favourite summer tunes: I listen to a lot of different music every summer. This summer I’ll be listening to a lot of Ben Harper, surfer-y chill-out stuff.
The place I’d most like to visit: I’d like to do a surf trip in Indonesia because I’ve been reading an awful lot about it recently. The waves out there are very good.

Mark

My favourite holiday: I enjoy going fishing. Even if you don’t catch fish, it’s very relaxing, you know, camping out in a caravan or a camper van, or renting a little cottage somewhere. We’ve done all the big cities and casinos and fun parks but by far the most relaxing thing is driving around at your own pace, doing a little hobo.
My favourite getaway: I love driving into the middle of nowhere.
My favourite hotel: I don’t have a favourite. I just want a balcony and a window that opens.
If I’ve got time off I… Play dead
My funniest holiday story: Getting stopped for about an hour and a half in customs in Miami because I had Israel and all the Middle Eastern countries stamped on my passport.
My suitcase essentials: Toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash. Loads of clean jocks and socks. Loads of clean T-shirts, some jeans and a tracksuit, like a big baggy top to relax in.
My favourite summer tunes: Last year I really liked Kanye West’s album, that was my summer album. This year I don’t really have one. There’s one I got free off the record label though by Ziggy Marley called Dragonfly.
The place I’d most like to visit: I’m looking forward to going to Sydney again because it was so much fun when we went there on tour.

Nicky

My favourite holiday: When I was about eight my parents and I went to Canada for two weeks. I’d never been to the States and it was just the best thing ever. We went to see the Falls, which was just incredible. I still love travelling to these big cities, but when you first see it at that age it’s just amazing.
My favourite getaway: Travelling through the South of France.
My favourite hotel: I like the chain of W hotels in the States. But Four Seasons as a whole, definitely.
If I’ve got time off I…love to spend it with my beloved wife Georgina and my dog Keano.
My funniest holiday story: I travelled to Miami with Georgina and Shane and Gillian. We took some photographs and I have this habit of playing paparazzi where I just grab the camera and take a picture. When we got them back there was one where Shane just looked like his face was inside out. He looked about 45 stone.
My suitcase essentials: Wallet, phone, passport. With that I can get anywhere.
My favourite summer tunes: This summer I’ve been listening to James Blunt, but if you want to talk about summer in general I remember when ‘Mr Vain’ and ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ came out. I also remember a song that Georgina bought me called ‘You Sure Do’ by Strike. I used to like that.
The place I’d most like to visit: The south of Italy, right in the boot. I absolutely love it.

Shane

My favourite holiday: It was probably my honeymoon actually, out in the Maldives in the middle of nowhere. It was just unbelievable; very relaxing, very hot. Paradise.
My favourite getaway: Probably just going home to be honest. I love spending time at home and just chilling out.
My favourite hotel: Four Seasons.
If I’ve got time off I…Play golf
My funniest holiday story: Mine’s probably the same as Nicky’s. He literally couldn’t look at me all day without breaking into fits of laughter. He had to leave the swimming pool at one point because he couldn’t stop laughing.
My suitcase essentials: Again, same as Nicky’s.
My favourite summer tunes: Mine was actually’ ‘Boom Boom Boom’ by the Outhere Brothers.
The place I’d most like to visit: Moscow. I’d absolutely love to go to Moscow.

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

New Affiliate Added - 6 July 2006

MarkFeehily.ORG is back so make sure you will visit it.

Villy

Pictures Update - 6 July 2006

I added some more of my Mark and Kevin pictures in Dublin of the last day I saw them there. I made these pictures from a video I took so the quality is not the best but they are nice:

Mark fanpictures ( 7 pictures added )

Mark & Kevin fanpictures ( 3 )

Also, I added some official pictures that were not in the gallery:

Westlife ( 7 )

Kian ( 2 )

Mark ( 2 )

Nicky ( 5 )

Shane & Gillian ( 2 )

Jodi ( 2 )

Kevin ( 4 )

Kevin In V ( 14 )

Credit/Source: www.gettyimages.com / www.sintillate.co.uk / www.isifa.com

*EDITED* Tour News Added - 6 July 2006

I added two new articles “Summer Night With Westlife” and “Westlife And McFly Take Their Sound To The Holiday Camps”. Nothing new but still nice to read. Head over to the Tour News/Reviews page to read them.

Villy

Westlife “Face To Face Asian Tour In Seoul” - 6 July 2006

Thanx Gqleluv for the info

Westlife’s concert in Seoul on 6 September 2006 is now confirmed!

Tickets will go on sale on 7 July 2006.

For tickets click here

Credit/Source: Gqleluv / http://ticket.interpark.com

New Affiliate Added - 6 July 2006

Visit my new affiliate Nicky-Byrne.NET

Villy

Tour News Added - 5 July 2006

I added a new article “Divas Try Westlife”. Head over to the Tour News/Reviews page to read it.

Villy

Happy 27^th Birthday Shane!! - 5 July 2006

Yaa! It’s Shane’s 27^th Birthday today! It’s his first birthday as a daddy bless him, I’d like to wish him to be happy, healthy and this day to be very special with Gillian and lil Nicole next to him.

Villy

E300 To Watch Westlife – 4 July 2006

By Nhlanhla Mathunjwa

THOSE who want to watch United Kingdom-based group Westlife will pay not less than E300 for the September 30 scheduled show.

Information conveyed during a press conference held on Friday at the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre, was to the effect that the show would be divided into two sections.

The first section would be just for the ordinary members of the public and they would be expected to pay E370. This amount will cater for a braai pack.

The second section would be for the VIPs and those who want to be part of this section will part with E530. A dinner has been included in this amount.

The all-night show will feature locals and South African artists before Westlife’s performance which would take place in the early hours of the morning.

The organisers of the show stated that gates would open at 3p.m and this is meant to allow members of the public to have ample time to relax before the show starts.

Advanced

Event Manager Gcina Mthethwa stated that preparations for the show were now at an advanced stage and hoped that they would work hand in hand with the committee in order to make the show a success.

“Westlife is coming and we want to make the show one of the best ever seen in the country,” he said.

Fun lovers from outside the country are also expected to watch the group performing in what is said to be a massive show.

The Westlife show is being organised by Big Five Entertainment Company.

Westlife, arguably one of the European groups of the moment consists of Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky.

Big Five Entertainment is the same company under BMG Records.

Credit/Source: www.observer.org.sz

De Sousa At Centre Stage – 4 July 2006

By Nhlanhla Mathunjwa

FORMER public relations officer of the Swazi Beauty Pageant Maria De Sousa has been given a major role to play in as far as organising the coming of the superstars in the mainstream music scene of the United Kingdom Westlife.

The group will be performing at the Mavuso Exhibition and Trade Centre on September 30 2006. De Sousa will act as the public relations officer of the committee that is organising what is said to be a massive show.

She joins two other locals who form part of the show’s organising committee and these include Marin Hanwood who is the event manager and Gcina Mthethwa.

The committee was announced last Friday during a press briefing held at the at the Mavuso Trade Centre.

De Sousa confirmed her appointment but declined to give much information.

“It is true I have been appointed as the public relations officer of the project scheduled for September 30. That is the only information I can give up until I meet with the rest of the organisers,” she said.

She said she was happy to be given the opportunity and hoped everything shall go according to plan.

“I have no problem with the assignment given to me. I will try and work hard so to make sure that the show becomes a success,” he said.

She would be working hand-in-hand with the Big Five Entertainment Company who are the organisers of the show.

On another note, it was gathered that the event Manager Gcina Mthethwa left the country over the weekend for the United Kingdom where he is expected to meet the Westlife managers to finalise logistics pertaining the show.

De Sousa mentioned that members of the public would get more information as soon as Mthethwa comes back.

Credit/Source: www.observer.org.sz

Leeds And Chatsworth VIP Tickets Competition – 3 July 2006

Westlife are performing two very special open-air dates this weekend, one at Leeds Castle in Kent (on Saturday 8th July) and the other at Chatsworth House in Derbyshire (on Sunday 9th July).

We’ve got a pair of tickets to give away to each event and if you’d like to get your hands on these fantastic prizes.

• Leeds Castle Tickets Comp
  On Saturday 8th July, Westlife will be playing at the beautiful Leeds Castle in Kent. We’ve got a pair of tickets to give away, but you have to be quick! Entries must be received by 3pm this Wednesday, 5th July. Just answer the following question:
  Enter Competition ›
  
• Chatsworth House Tickets Comp
  On Sunday 9th July, Westlife will be playing at the beautiful Chastworth House in Derbyshire. We’ve got a pair of tickets to give away, but you have to be quick! Entries must be received by 3pm this Wednesday, 5th July. Just answer the following question:
  Enter Competition ›

*Entries must be received by 3pm this Wednesday, 5th July.

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

New Tour Pictures From Blenheim Palace – 2 July 2006

I added 95 new pictures of Westlife’s concert in Blenheim Palace on 30 June 2006.

You can see them on the Official Tour Pictures page.

Credit/Source: www.lfi.co.uk / www.filmmagic.com / Thanx Yaara for the Film Magic ones

The Pink List – 2 July 2006

Gay Power. Who are the most influential gay men and women?
To mark this weekend's Pride, we present our annual list of the top 101 out-and-proud Britons, from actors to authors-and there's even a Navy officer.

63(NEW)
Mark Feehily
Boyband member.

No boyband ever escapes the assumption that one of the members is Gay and Westlife proved the assumption to be on the money when Feehily came out earlier this year.
With the seemingly unreserved support of Westlife fans, Mark went on to announce that he was dating the singer Kevin McDaid from Boyband V. SG

Credit/Source: Independent On Sunday.

Westlife Touring Asia – 1 July 2006

Westlife will tour many Asian countries in September. Here is the dates till now:

(Most of them are NOT confirmed yet)

04 September- Manila
06 September - Seoul

08 September - Singapore
09 September - Hong Kong *the concert is CONFIRMED by SonyBMG in Hong Kong but NOT the date yet. There will be more info in early July*
10 September - Taiwan *CONFIRMED*
12 September - Indonesia (Jakarta) *CONFIRMED*

Tickets for the Taiwan concert are already on sale. You can order them here (click the button next to the lads' picture)

Credit/Source: Thanx to many Asian fans Caroline / Ann and SonyBMG Taiwan / www.ticket.com.tw

Vote For Westlife.GR – 1 July 2006

Voting at the WFVIP Awards started today. I’d be grateful if you could vote for Westlife.GR as it’s nominated at the Best Group Site and Best Webmaster categories.

Thanx, Villy