Irish popstars Westlife play secret gig at Wirral hotel
by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post
THEY have topped the charts, sold tens of millions of records and have countless fans - but one fan from Wirral, in particular, was in for a treat.
For the 50th birthday party of one lucky fan - and guests - at an exclusive Wirral hotel, they were entertained by Irish pop band Westlife for a full 45-minute set.
The secret gig had been organised by the wealthy husband as a surprise for his wife at the birthday party at the Hillbark Hotel, in west Wirral.
Around 100 guests were treated to the show in a marquee at the party in the luxury hotel’s grounds at Royden Park, Frankby.
One of those lucky enough to grab a sneak view said the band had arrived last Saturday afternoon and spent several hours doing sound checks after being jetted in from Ireland.
He said it had been a “very intimate performance” and, although not a fan himself, had recognised the songs from the band’s extensive back catalogue.
He said: “It was all very hush hush”.
“They had said they loved doing this kind of gig because it took them back to where they had started out, playing to small but appreciative audiences, and that it made a change from playing to huge stadiums.”
It is understood the band later went for a night out in Liverpool and were seen at the Mosquito Club.
It is not the first time the band have performed such a gig for a private party. A year ago, Westlife and Girls Aloud were reportedly hired to perform at a private 18th birthday.
They had been booked by a millionaire businessman to play at his daughter's party at Kenwick Park Hotel in Louth, Lincolnshire.
The hotel where the band performed itself has a curious history, originally built in 1891 on Bidston Hill, in Birkenhead, for the soap manufacturer Robert William Hudson.
Hillbark was sold in 1921 to Sir Ernest Royden and in 1928 was moved to its present site - brick by brick - finally being completed in 1931.
It had been used by the local authority before being bought by current owners, husband and wife team, Craig and Lisa Baker.
While in Wirral, last weekend, the band are also believed to have stayed at the luxury boutique Leverhulme Hotel, in Port Sunlight, also owned by the Bakers, and were seen by a number of surprised locals walking around admiring the historic village the following morning before jetting off that day.
When asked about the secret performance by the band, a spokesman for the hotels last night refused to comment.
Credit/Source: www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk
Post of the Week: Week 11
For this week's Post of the Week topic, we want to know what's been your favourite ever Westlife TV appearance. Join in the debate now
over in the forum.
Last week, we asked what your favourite thing that Westlife's ever said is. You
posted some great responses, some funny and some touching. Here's one of our favourites, from alis.
"There's so many! Reading these posts are making me laugh and cry! Love them all!!
For me, it's a quote from Mark that he wrote in the album thankyou's of the Unbreakable Greatest Hits Album.
"Always Be Proud Of Yourself And Understand That It's Your Individuality That Makes You Beautiful"
I live my life by that motto now, and i always say it to my friends, and to the children i teach. I'll also bring up my children to follow that rule.
Thanks Mark, you gave me back the confidence to be me. And for that i will be eternally grateful."
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Post of the Week: Week 10
Here's this week's topic: what's your favourite thing a Westlife member has ever said? Maybe it's a joke they made on a TV show, a quote from a magazine or even a conversation you had when you met them! Let us know what it is over in the forum
forum.
Last week, we asked which artist, alive or dead, you'd most like the band to duet with. Here's one of our favourites, from Gunners4EvEr. Check out all the rest in the
forum.
"There are a lot of great pop acts out there that could really duet with Westlife. I thought for quite a while, somebody like Beatles or the Kinks or Take That would've been cool. Though for some reason, I really wanna hear Westlife do I HAVE A DREAM with ABBA! It's kinda weird. But I do think there'll be that wow factor between them. I HAVE A DREAM is a really strong song, and the lyrics just mean a lot. And having Westlife sing with the original singers of this song would just be amazing! It'll just be the best duet ever!!"
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Post of the Week: Week 9
Here's our chat topic for this week: if Westlife could duet with anyone, alive or dead, who would you most like to see them perform with? Have your say in the
forum now.
Last week you were discussing
why you first became a Westlife fan. There were loads of really interesting stories and it was great to read how devoted you are to the boys. Here's one of our favourite posts, written by schnickyrock.
"I actually can't ever remember not liking Westlife! I suppose I must have loved them from the start when they released Swear it Again back in 1999, but I suppose the real turning point, that turned me from a fan into an addict, was on my 18th birthday in 2005. My mum and dad bought me and my sister tickets to Westlife's concert in Birmingham that night (it was the NO1s tour) and it was the first concert I'd ever been to, Westlife or otherwise. I'd always said I'd wanted to go and see the boys live before then but never got the chance. It was extra special that my first ever concert was Westlife and was on my 18th birthday. Well I've never looked back since! From that day on I have now been to all of their tours, joined this forum, seen or recorded every TV appearance of theirs and bought all their cd's, dvd's, even the book and perfume. So it's thanks to my parents and what turned out to be the best birthday present ever, but I think they slightly regret it now when they have to put up with me going on and on about Westlife all the time now!"
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Westlife Social Network Poll
In our poll to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, we asked which Irish superstar you’d most like the boys to duet with. Top of your list was Ronan Keating, followed by Bono, then Nadine Coyle, Damien Rice and in last place, Daniel O’Donnell. Check out the breakdown of the results
here.
Next up, we want to know which of the social networks you’d most like to get exclusive content from Westlife on. Head to the
Poll area to have your say.
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Post Of The Week: Week 8
Here’s our topic theme for this week: when did you first become a Westlife fan and why? We’re looking forward to reading all your stories over in the
forum.
Last week, we asked you to tell us about the times you’ve heard a Westlife song played somewhere unexpected or that’s made an impact on you. A big thanks to
everyone who contributed their memories. Here’s one of our favourites, from Scousebird.
“I couldn't really narrow it down to be honest. Westlife always seem to be playing at different times. I spent the entirety of my teens (now I'm 21) and growing up really-having Westlife around. I always remember 'Angels Wings' being a special song for my Mum (especially where Mark sings 'God sent you to me on Angels Wings' because my little Sister has Cerebral Palsy and is blind and also she's Epileptic so when she used to have fits-Mum used to play the Coast to Coast album to her and it used to soothe her and help her come out of her seizures so that album is quite special really. 'Unbreakable' was playing in the pub when I met my Fiance and we are getting married on 10/04/2010. I could go on forever to be fair.
I remember Us Against The World coming on the radio at work once (I work as a Nurse) and I was singing along looking after someone who was very poorly and although they weren't really able to talk to me...the words seemed to fit with the moment.......
Cause it's us against the world
You and me against them all
If you listen to these words
Know that we are standing tall
I don't ever see the day that
I won't catch you when you fall
Cause it's us against the world tonight
Seems to fit with making someone better as an alternative to it's definitive meaning which is love between to people that for some reason can't be together-which is what I am guessing that the Westlife lads and Arnthor Birgisson, Rami Yacoub, Savan Kotecha meant it to mean.”
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Post of the Week: Week 7
This week, we want to know what’s been the strangest/funniest/most enjoyable/most touching time and place you’ve ever heard a Westlife song played. Head to the
forum to join in the discussion – we’re looking forward to reading your stories.
Last week we asked which five Westlife songs you’d like the boys to perform at a private gig for you and why. We’ve picked out one of our favourites, by Evita_WL, below, and you can
check out everyone else’s responses in the forum.
"My friend, Carla, and I did this before! Because of the break WL are on, we were kind of sad that there wasn't gonna be a new Westlife album, so we decided to make a cd for each other. We put the songs on the cd that meant most for us and and also gave a reason for why we'd chosen those particular songs!
Here are the ones that we'd both like to hear the lads sing:
1) World of Our Own - Cos that's were Carla and I spend most of our time
2) Hey Whatever - This song was chosen because of the line "What connot be proved, can still be true" It's a little bit of a practical joke between us, but whenever I hear it, I have to think of the fun we always have!
3) The Dance - Because this song was sung live by the lads on tour in 2006. That's when Carla and I first met, (and first went to a concert together) and when we had a blast walking around in Dublin, discovering the city. It was the best time!
4) If I Let You Go - Cos it's one our favourites, and Carla likes in particular, because Kian gets to sing bits of it now
5) What Makes a Man - Cos this is my personal favourite to hear live, and WMAM was kind of mine and Carla's Croke Park moment. I couldn't be there, because I has exams But during this song, Carla called me, so I kind of could hear and enjoy it too. That was amazing!
So those are the 5 songs that WL can sing if they ever give us a private concert!"
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Westlife and Boyzone in Meteors showdown
By Jane Last
Boyzone and Westlife go head to head tonight at Dublin's Meteor Awards -- and singer Nicky Byrne is hopeful his band will come out on top.
Both bands are bidding to clinch the coveted Best Irish Pop Act Award.
Westlife have already scooped a staggering eight Meteor Awards in just ten years -- but Nicky is hoping Westlife will get number nine tonight at the glittering awards ceremony.
Despite collecting a clutch of awards at the ceremony over the years, winning a Meteor is still something Westlife star holds dear.
"I will have the fingers crossed but just being nominated again was a big thrill for all of us," he said.
Both Nicky and Shane will be flying in for the music bash in the RDS tonight -- Kian Egan and Mark Feehily couldn't make it due to other commitments.
Nicky's wife Georgina and Shane's wife Gillian will be accompanying their husbands as they celebrate their achievements.
FANS
Father-of-two Nicky, who is married to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's daughter, Georgina, said of the awards: "I am really looking forward to the Meteors -- it's always a great night.
"It's great to be nominated by the fans, that's what means so much,"
The band have been off the scene since last summer -- but their blistering performance in Croke Park last June might just be enough to tip the category in their favour.
Some 82,000 fans flocked to Croke Park in June to catch their band play its biggest gig. Brian McFadden recently revealed his biggest regret on leaving Westlife was missing the opportunity at the Croker gig.
- Jane Last
Credit/Source: www.herald.ie
Post Of The Week: Week 6
Here's this week's topic: imagine Westlife are playing a special gig for you and your friends. Which five songs would you want them to perform and why? Add your thoughts over in the
forum now.
Last week, we asked about the friendships you've made through being a Westlife fan. You had
loads of great stories to tell, and here's one of our favourites, from Laura1987.
"It may sound corny, but the friends that actually sticked around over the years are the friends I met through Westlife. I met Sandra 10 years ago (in September) in our first year of secondary school and when I found out she was a Westlife fan we became inseparable and she's still my closest friend.
Then there's Wendy who I met through a Westlife club Sandra and I set up. We met up for concerts and talked online and now the 3 of us are meeting up when we can and going to concerts together (been to Dublin 3 times and Glasgow once), but sadly enough Wendy doesn't live exactly around the corner from us..
And then there's Simone, who I started talking to like 4 years ago I think and we actually talk on MSN every day and I think I can say we're pretty close as well now. We're meeting up a few times a year, as we live quite a bit away from each other..
Then last but definitely not least Anita & Annette from Sweden and Denmark. I've met Anita twice and Annette briefly after the Croke Park gig. But they're the living proof that internet friendships CAN last. I wouldn't know what to do without them!
So guess it's right to say: Thanks Westlife for giving me these amazing friends!"
Credit/Source: www.westlife.com
Bookies Tip Westlife To Win Best Irish Pop Act
WHO IS YOUR MONEY ON TO TAKE AWAY A GONG AT THIS YEAR’S METEOR IRELAND MUSIC AWARDS?
Bookies Reveal the Odds as the voting draws to a close!
With just 4 days to go before the Irish music event of the year, the voting public have been backing their favourites at the bookies by putting their cash behind who they think will walk away with an award at the 2009 Meteor Ireland Music Awards!
Courtesy of Paddy Power bookmakers the latest selected odds for the Meteor’s include:
Best Irish Album – First time nominated band, The Script, are hot favourites at 4/7 to come away with the best Irish album of the year for their self titled album after bursting onto the scene in 2008. Closely followed by Snow Patrol’s A Hundred Million Suns at 7/4 with Mystery Golden Medallion by Fight Like Apes coming in with odds of 10/1
Best Regional DJ – For a second year in a row, FM 104’s Mark Noble is the bookies favourite at 6/4 with Dermot, Dave and Siobhan from 98FM’s Morning Crew also in the running with odds of 3/1
Best Irish Male favourite is Damien Dempsey at 7/4 with Lisa Hannigan tipped to take the away the gong for Best Irish Female at 8/11
Ray Foley is odds on favourite to take the title of Best National DJ for a second year in a row with the bookies placing him as 8/13 odds on favourite. Also battling it out for the title is Today FM’s Tony Fenton at 5/1 and 2FM’s Rick O’Shea at 6/1
The Script are tipped to takeaway the gong for Best Irish Band at 6/5 followed by Snow Patrol at 5/4, while the money is on Westlife to retain Best Irish Pop Act
The Blizzards at Oxegen are leading the battle for the Best Live Performance at 6/4 with Republic of Loose at The Academy hot on their heels at 15/8
Meanwhile music savvy punters have their money on Dublin trio, The Script to come away with just one award out of the three that they are nominated for, with odds of 6/4 for one award and odds of 13/8 that they’ll win two gongs
The vote lines closed at midnight last night, with a record number of votes cast this year. In total over 156,000 votes were cast which was an 18% increase on last year and the highest ever number of votes cast in deciding the winner of each gong!
The Awards will take place in the RDS, Simmonscourt on St. Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, 17th March 2009.
Credit/Source: meteor.ie
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