Nicky's Post-Tour Interview – 30 May 2006

So how was the tour for you?
It went really well actually. We’ve had the best reports back from everybody; family, friends, critics. This year we really sat down before we even planned this tour and made sure we were streets ahead of last year. We really stepped up our game and it’s worked really well.

Which were your favourite dates?
It would be hard to pick. In Belfast they’re really crazy, but Dublin is my hometown and the gig is only 15-20 minutes away from my house, and that’s always really cool. Glasgow was always amazing and Manchester was cool too, but they’ve all been brilliant.

What was your favourite song to perform?
The medley section was my favourite part by far. There were a couple of songs in there that we completely stripped down and changed and the choreography was quite raunchy. The crowd seemed to love the choice of songs this year and the feedback is absolutely incredible.

Have you seen any good banners?
There seem to have been a lot less banners this year, but there have been a lot of really young kids who wouldn’t have even been alive when Westlife started. They’re probably a bit young to be making banners, but the older people have swung bras and knickers at us. Kian tries them on at the end of every night.

How do you unwind?

I’ll just go home and take a bath and go to bed, or sometimes we have a few beers in the bar, nothing too mad. But if we’re all around in Dublin, for example, then we have a big party with our friends and family. Ireland is always about trying to catch up with people because you spend so much time out of the country, and over in the UK, we all had our own thing going on with our families.

What have you got planned now the arena shows have finished?

We’ve got a lot of outdoor gigs to do and we’re obviously trying to plan a holiday as well. I’m in current talks with an Irish movie director to shoot a movie this summer. It won’t take up any Westlife time because I’m going to do it over the holidays. I’m not going to give too much away as it’s not 100% happening, but if I can squeeze it in I’ll do it. But I’ll try and have a decent holiday abroad, definitely, and we’ve got to record the new album. The new songs are coming in thick and fast at the moment.

What have been your highlights over the last few months?
Really just the success of the album. I mean, ‘You raise Me Up’ has turned into an anthem amongst our fans, it gets such an emotional response at our shows. It broke new markets for us, it was number one in Australia for four weeks, which is fantastic. We’re just happy boys. The relationship between us and our label is good so we’re buzzing!

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

Shanghai Concert Date Changed! – 25 May 2006

New Date: June. 25th 2006 - 19:30 (Sunday)

For more information and tickets click here

Credit/Source: www.culture.sh.cn/english/

Tour Reviews – 24 May 2006

Westlife have now finished their UK & Ireland arena shows – and what a brilliant tour it’s been! Thanks to everyone who came along and showed their support. Below are just a few of our favourite reviews from the messageboard and Community area.

The boys start their outdoor shows next month – see Dates for a full rundown of where they’ll be performing.

Brighton: DORY OH MY GOD. THEY WERE AMAZING!! I loved every bit of it. I only had east balcony tickets for Friday night but the atmosphere in the place was amazing.
The boys were incredibly sexy and my God, can they dance. They made me melt.
I screamed my head off, danced and sang all night and did more singing with cars full of girls waiting to get out of the car park!
I was on an absolute high and I just wish I'd been able to see them again last night.
I wish I’d known they would come out the back so early as I would have been round there myself!
I've got to ask the OH to borrow money to get Leeds castle tickets now!
Glad everyone enjoyed it!

Newcastle: KIANSTEDDYBEAR Tonight was amazing, one of the best Westlife concerts I’ve ever been to. I especially enjoyed the thrusting and crotch grabbing lol!
They are amazing and I was nearly in tears with aww-ness when mark gave a shout out to Kev.
I cried at You Raise Me Up...beautiful song
Saw nicky in the tourbus at the end.
Roll on next year is all I can say, I hope I get better seats than Block B!
My love for the ‘loife has gotten greater. I love them to pieces.
LETS HOPE WE CAN HAVE ANOTHER GREAT FEW YEARS!!
xxxx

Newcastle: XWESTLIFEFANX What a fantastic night I had on the 3 May 2006 at Newcastle Arena seeing Westlife. It was absolutely brilliant, so good I wanna go again. Here’s my review:
We arrived at the arena at 6:40pm with my mam, sister and mam’s friend and I quickly went to get my merchandise. I got a scarf, glow light, poster, programme and keyring. I got a couple of drinks and then we all sat on the steps. We stayed there for about 10 minutes and went to get our seats. Our seats were brilliant. Then the lights went down and the support acts came on, they were ok really.
Then there was an interval again. I was shaking waiting for them. Me and my sister were dying for the loo but I couldn’t go and I’m glad I didn’t ‘cos my sister just missed the lights been turned off and that’s a good bit.
Then Westlife came on, first they sung Flying Without Wings. Their entrance was great, everyone screaming. Then Hit You With The Real Thing. That was good as well. Then When You’re Looking Like That, that got everyone up and dancing. Then Amazing, well, what better word to describe Westlife, just amazing. Then Against All Odds and When You Tell Me That You Love Me. I loved these, especially all the audience singing. Then She’s Back, Uptown Girl, Wild Wild West, Senorita and Don’t Cha. My faves were Don’t Cha, Senorita and Wild Wild West. Next Colour My World and then Hey Whatever, this was brill got everyone clapping, their new song is brilliant. Then Swear it Again, Seasons In The Sun, then Mandy, then the final 3 songs, Queen Of My Heart, What Makes A Man and You Raise Me Uup. All the songs got everyone up and dancing and singing.
Amazing night, want to go back and I will definitely go back next year.

Glasgow: CRYSTAL BEAR3 Westlife, YOU GUYS ARE LEGENDS! The concert last night was completely out of this world, I loved every single second and each and every performance went down an absolute storm Westlife were looking sooooooo HOT all night as well...I have to be honest here, last night was by far one of the best concerts I have seen the guys perform and I am counting down the days until I go and see them at Edinburgh Castle...you guys are fantastic beyond all belief, always and forever.
Thank you so much for a killer of a night, love you soooooo much xxxx

Wembley: DOLPHIN32 Very tired this morning but oh my god- what a show!!!!!!!!!! The lads were amazing - I loved the new version of Uptown Girl. The whole performance was BRILLIANT. Wish I was going again tonight but can't be greedy - better one night than not at all. Even got to see Louis Walsh (he kept peeping through the doors near us). Can't wait for the DVD to come out, and of course next year’s tour.
By the way, anyone who saw a bored looking 6ft male at the end of Block B2 - that was my husband, bless him. Not really a Westlife fan but didn't want me to miss out. Awwwwwww. Thinks I've got them out of my system now I've been to the concert - how wrong could he be!

Wembley: SARAH RILEY It was my first ever Westlife concert!!! And let’s just say it certainly will not be my last!!!
We were sitting in B3 row 15 seats 34 & 35 the view was absolutely fantastic!
When the lights went down for Flying Without Wings I knew this concert was gonna be great!
I loved the way they performed Seasons In The Sun, Queen Of My Heart, Hit You With The Real Thing and She’s Back, the best medley songs were Don’t Cha and Senorita.
I held my Nicky banner up during What Makes A Man and oh my god Nicky waved to me, then this man told me to put it down!!!!!!!
So I had a great night, thanks to my mum who took all the pictures.
ROLL ON WEMBLEY NEXT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wembley: KIAN MAD!!! Just a quick thing to say that concert was AMAZING!!! I have only ever missed 1 night in total out of Westlife's whole 27 nights in Glasgow and I had such a great night!! (I went all 3 this year really and 2 nights in Aberdeen!!) From Flying Without Wings all the way to You Raise Me Up (they sure did do that!!) was just amazing!!!
I thought nothing could beat the World Of Our Own medley but my god did they do it this time!! Billy Jean was fantastic!! I can’t sing She's Back without bursting into Billy Jean!! And then Shane's handstand, what can I say!! Didn’t know you had that in you Mr Filan!! But the best part of the medley was Kian thrusting nearly into my face during Don’t Cha!!
What can I say that no one has ever said about these lads though!! The saying is true, Irish lads certainly do do everything best!! I love these lads and would be lost without them!!
Can’t wait until next year to see what surprises they pull out then!! I will be front row like usual supporting the best lads on the planet!!!!
Love you all Kian's Number 1 fan!!!!!!!!

Wembley: NICOLA What can I say? It was one on the best concerts I've ever been to, not because I had to waited 7 years to see those four lads live in concert, but because the atmosphere was amazing.
I still can’t believe they filmed the DVD that night, it was wicked. The camera was near me a lot to so I can’t wait to see the DVD, and to top it off their little strip at the end of She's Back got me shaking, loved it, the lads really know how to work the crowd :)
I still can't believe that after so many years wishing and hoping I would see them live, it finally happened that night and I’m soo glad I bought the ticket for that night. Westlife lads you rocked my world that night.
I just want to say a HUGE thank you to you four lads for making that night so special for me and making me go home with a smile, you really made my dream come true and I can’t wait to see you next year.
Until we meet again at Wembley take care and good luck with the rest of the touring months.
Love from your number 1 fan

Wembley: CAZ AND LIZ D This is the night that Westlife were filming their DVD for the Face to Face tour. From the start the atmosphere was electric. One mention of the word Westlife got fans screaming their heads off! Everyone was singing along to the songs on big screens even before Westlife came on!! The lads STARTED the show with Flying Without Wings, which surprised us as they floated down from the ceiling. The dance routines were fantastic. Mark has been the best dancer this tour. We loved the stripping part of the show – it’s gonna take a long time to recover from seeing those sexy moves. Teasing us isn’t fair! Drop the trousers lads! DVD cameras were everywhere so there are gonna be a lot of red faces when it’s released :-) The new Wembley Arena was well and truly rocked this night! Booking next year asap!

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

West Live! – 23 May 2006

Pop megastars Westlife revealed exclusive plans to collaborate with reggae singer Shaggy before taking to the stage in Lincoln.

The four revealed the news in an interview before the Lincoln Live! event at Sincil Bank on Saturday.

The band then went on to wow the 15,000 music fans who had turned up to watch them perform alongside Liberty X, Lee Ryan, Journey South and Lincolnshire band Audioline.

The Irish hunks were the headline act. The performance was the final date of an arena tour which took in Newcastle, Sheffield and Glasgow.

Speaking before the show they said they are already planning their next move, following the success of their latest album Face to Face.

"Shaggy has shown some interest in doing something with us so we might look into that," said Kian Egan.

The band said they hadn't been to Lincoln before but have done a concert in Grimsby.

"We have just finished our arena tour. We were at Wembley on Friday night," said singer Shane Filan. "Now we are beginning our stadium tour and this year we have a lot of smaller venues like Lincoln planned."

The boys also revealed their pre-concert rituals. Shane said he likes to go to the toilet just before he gets up on he stage while Nicky Byrne always has to eat before he performs.

They also said they looked forward to every concert they did, whether big or small, in much the same way.

Singer Mark Feehily said: "We cannot help that we get more used to it as a tour goes on.

"But it is impossible to be immune to the excitement of going out there in front of a crowd and getting a buzz from it."

Earlier in the evening, Lincolnshire band Audioline performed after winning a slot through a contest on Lincs FM.

Music-lover Sam Bennett (12), from Market Rasen, said he wasn't sure if he would enjoy the night but he loved every act.

"I really like Westlife and they were amazing. But I liked the rest of them too. Journey South were brilliant. I was really impressed with them."

Charming and funny but, best of all, talented

I don't know if it's because I never had a proper teenage crush, or whether the late night and rain sent me a bit mad, but as of this weekend I think I'm a Westlife fan.

From the moment I met the foursome in a back room at Lincoln City's Sincil Bank stadium on Saturday, I began to understand why they have become such a success across the world.

They were all a bit dishevelled after an arena tour and a long bus journey but nevertheless jolly and still full of jokes.

But even their friendly demeanours and boy-next- door looks didn't match what came next.

As they entered the stage, in front of 15,000 screaming fans, I think everyone in that auditorium felt their hearts melt.

Dressed all in white and kicking off with the classic Flying Without Wings, it was hard to hear the group over the thousands of girly screams.

But I think they got their message across with a full 90-minute set filled with pyrotechnics, endless costume changes and hits ranging from the most modern to their classics.

But what really won me over was the way they mastered songs that weren't even theirs. A pretty accomplished rendition of the Pussycat Dolls Don't Cha and some audience involvement and rapping with Justin Timberlake's It Feels Like Something's Heating Up certainly showed they can do it all.

Audience view

It was fab. I think my favourite part of the show was when the fireworks went off. My favourite Westlife member is Shane. He was amazing.

Abbie Willows (11) Lincoln.

The concert was really good, not just Westlife but Journey South and Lee Ryan. We came here to see Westlife and they were amazing. My favourite is Nicky.

Emily Houghton (11) Bracebridge Heath.

I have been to see Westlife twice before and I love them. This concert was just as good as the rest - it was excellent. My favourite members are Nicky and Shane.

Gemma Cowan (18) office worker, Newark.

We had started to get a bit achy and irritable because it took so long for Westlife to come on stage but as soon as they started I forgot about it all. They were brilliant.

Eve Bennett (29) farm supplier, Market Rasen.

Credit/Source: www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk

Mark's On-Tour Interview – 19 May 2006

So how’s the tour been?
It’s been fantastic. It’s been the most enjoyable tour on a personal level and it’s the best tour we’ve ever done in terms of the content and design of the show. I’m just so pleased to be in this situation, in terms of the band’s career. We’re still here, still doing new stuff, still being creative. We’ve always tried to make our shows totally different from our albums, and deliver the songs in a different way to how the fans know them.

Which has been your favourite date so far?
It’s difficult to say, they’ve all been amazing, but what makes a gig extra special is the acoustics of the venue. The show that stands out for me is the Saturday night that we played in Manchester. Nobody can imagine the sheer size of the arena. I also had a particularly great gig there, I was on top form!

Which is your favourite song to perform?
There’s so many I enjoy performing, but I think it’s ‘Colour My World’. It’s a bit more soulful, I can let rip vocally a bit more. I also love the opening part of it.

Have there been any funny moments on tour yet?
Every night someone makes some kind of mistake, but generally the fans won’t notice. Normally if I notice someone making a mistake then I’ll start laughing, then they’ll start laughing, and sometimes the laughter gets infectious and everyone starts laughing and no-one’s singing. I’m always trying to make Shane laugh when he’s singing the really serious parts of the songs. I’ve succeeded on quite a few occasions.

Have you seen any good banners this year?
A few. They normally turn the names of our songs into puns or whatever. But I want to see more crazy banners, or rude banners!

How do you unwind after the shows?
On most shows when you come offstage, you’re just so buzzed up and then all of a sudden you’re offstage in your hotel room. It’s very difficult to say ‘right then’ and order a cup of hot chocolate and go to bed. I usually won’t go to bed before two or three o’clock unless I’m really tired. I just stay up chatting to Kevin or a friend who’s over, maybe go for drinks with them. I’m a bit of a nocturnal person anyway, so I sleep in ‘till twelve or one.

What have you got planned for when the live shows finish?
Probably about five hours off then we’re straight back into recording the next album! I’d love a month or two off, but at the end of the day that’s life, especially as things are going so well at the moment. We can’t afford to take time out and just chill.

What’s been the highlight over the past six months?
There was one trip where we went to Sydney and Melbourne and I had a lot of fun. I love photography and I just went around taking photos of random things. We were there for one week and at the start no-one knew us and at the end the single went in at number 1 and we literally broke Australia. It was just a really good trip and we had family and friends with us and all of that. Australia’s a great place and we went to the Mardi Gras, which was brilliant. It was just a big laugh, you know.

Any message for your fans?
Only that if we’d sold only a handful of tickets, our label would be like, ‘OK, what’s going on with Westlife?’ but it’s done the opposite, the fans have been amazing, and the reaction to the shows was incredible, so I just want to say thank you very much for letting us stay here and sticking with us. By supporting the album and supporting the tour they’re helping to keep us successful, so thanks a billion for staying with us and we hope with this tour we’ve delivered something that they’ve really enjoyed.

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

Shane's On-tour Interview – 11 May 2006

So how’s the tour going so far?
So far, so good! In the week before it started we were getting a bit nervous because we were wondering whether we’d have it ready or not. It’s a much more energetic show this year. The routines are more difficult and a bit harder to learn. We’re really pushing ourselves and working a lot harder on the actual production of the show. The first night was probably the best first night we ever did. If there’s a bad rehearsal, it’s always a good show!

What happened in rehearsal?
Things were just going wrong, technical stuff, and we were missing the beat here and there. But you’ve just got to make sure you get it as best you can. But on the night it was great, the Belfast crowd were fantastic.

What’s been our favourite song to perform this year?
‘You Raise Me Up’, without a doubt. We recorded that song and always wondered what it would be like on tour, how the crowd would react and whether you could hear a pin drop or whether the crowd would sing along, but they’ve actually sung along louder than I’ve ever heard them before! They roar it out. It’s a great song to sing live.

How do you unwind after each show?
Well, there’s no ritual, but we just end up watching telly and usually it’s at least two o’clock before we get to sleep. You’re just so hyped up after the gig and you’ve just come off stage and already there’s people saying, ‘OK, here’s your car back to the hotel.’ So it’s a bit of a downer if you like. But I sleep in ‘til 11 or 12 every morning.

What do you do with the rest of your day?
I just spend time with Gillian and Nicole, because they’re on tour with me. It’s great though, because I wake up and they’re there looking at me, laughing at me still sleeping. Nicole doesn’t know any different, so she thinks it’s great fun seeing her dad sleep in.

What’s been the highlight over the past six months?
I think it was definitely ‘You Raise Me Up’. That week with ‘You Raise Me Up’ at number one and the album selling like a quarter of a million in the first week in the UK, that was just unbelievable. We’ve just got to find another great song for next year.

What have you got planned for when the tour finishes?
Most of June we’re going to spend at home with our families. Then July, we’ve got the outdoor shows, which are great. They’re much more family-orientated, a lot of families come for a day out. It’s always great to be on tour at that time. We’re hoping to record an album as well in July and August, so we’ll be very, very busy I think. We’ve got four or five great songs already. We’re really getting excited about it again, it seems like we’ve only just finished the last album.

Any message for your fans?
I want to say a big thank you for all your support over the last few months and coming along to the tour. It’s great, because we recognise faces who come every year. We look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

Westlife Make It A Night To Remember At AECC - 10 May 2006

Thanx Josie J

Be the first reader to comment on this story

CLAIRE ELLIOT

Westlife fans thought their Irish idols were amazing last night when they came face to face with the stars in the Granite City.

Teen heart-throbs Shane, Kian, Nicky and Mark made it a night to remember as they wowed their 4,500-strong Scottish support at the first of two shows at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.

In a three-hour spectacular, the four lads churned out hits including Flying Without Wings, Uptown Girl, and their latest single Amazing.

The lads dropped on to the stage in spectacular style from raised platforms to get the show off to an explosive start, complete with fireworks and flames.

It was the band's second visit to the north-east - this time minus former member Bryan McFadden - and once again they made a big impression as they took the stage at the AECC's Press and Journal Arena as part of their Face to Face tour.

As the sell-out gig got under way, Shane thanked the screaming crowd for all their support, saying: "You guys helped us get our biggest album in seven years.

"It's great to be back up in Scotland." And Nicky revealed he recently discovered he had second or third cousins in Aberdeen.

The band was supported by three acts, Nylon and 4th Base, who entertained the audience ahead of the main act, though it is fair to say most of the young fans had probably never heard of them.

But it was the Irish lads the crowd had come to see and they did not disappoint.

In colourful fashion, they teased the crowd with their version of the Pussy Cat Dolls Don't Cha, Will Smith's Wild Wild West and Robert Palmer's Addicted to Love.

And the more they sang the more the fans danced, swayed, clapped - and screamed.

Ten-year-old Victoria Mitchell was singing along with her mother Claire, who travelled in a group from Ellon. It was the Auchterellon Primary pupil's first concert and one she will remember forever. "It was great," she said, as she clutched a picture of her favourite, Mark.

Their friend Donna Mathers, added: "It was really good. The special effects were just fantastic and the variety of songs from different albums just made it."

Natalie Gallan, 21, from Footdee, Aberdeen, who was there with her sister, Gillian, 18, said: "It was absolutely fabulous."

The Irish idols will hit the stage again tonight, which will mark the end of their tour's Scottish leg.

However, as the stars ended their glitzy show with more fireworks and laser lights, they promised they would be back in Aberdeen next year.

Credit/Source: Josie / Evening Express