Westlife lapped up the relaxed charms of Christchurch ahead of the Irish band's first sellout concert in New Zealand at the Westpac Arena last night.

After an eloquent This Is Your Life Westlife-style introduction by Mayor Bob Parker, the band -- Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan -- said they were enjoying the relative anonymity of Christchurch.

"I had breakfast at the Swiss Cafe and it was nice to be able to sit there undisturbed. Eventually the cafe owner came out and said `are you one of them?' and I said `yes'. He's coming to the show tonight," Byrne said.

Since being signed by Simon Cowell, Westlife has sold more than 36 million records worldwide and has had 14 UK No. 1 singles -- the third highest in history -- tying with Cliff Richard and trailing Elvis Presley and The Beatles. The band is keen to make it 15.

"We've been tied with Cliff Richard for a wee while now," Filan said. "We'd like to get that 15th".

Byrne laughed when asked about the group's strangest fan experience.

"A lot of girls seem to get us tattooed on their backs for some reason. I feel sorry for their boyfriends. The last girl we saw who'd done that... Shane didn't look too good."

Filan: "Yes, I was stretched."

Byrne: "Shane was on her shoulderblade, I think that was why".

The group also answered deep questions such as: "Who spends the most time looking in the mirror?"

Answer? "All of us, we have to look good".

Filan and Egan disagreed somewhat on who used the most hair product, with Egan telling Filan that "mousse, gel and that" are hair products Filan used and that he was the worst offender.

The lads are keen to shrug off the boy band title, saying it suited them when they started but not now.

A reporter presented the group with Pineapple Lump bars which Byrne and Filan tried to eat: "You could break a tooth on that," Byrne said through hearty chews before going on to add that the band hoped to recruit a new coach for the Irish rugby team while in New Zealand.

A Christchurch schoolteacher who won a meet-and-greet competition on The Breeze radio station then went up to meet her favourite Westlifer, Filan, for a quick hug and a few autographs.

Credit/Source: www.stuff.co.nz

rish boy band Westlife are to perform in Christchurch at the Westpac Arena on Wednesday night in their first ever performance in New Zealand.

The concert is one of five and will be followed by appearances in Auckland, Wellington and New Plymouth, with two shows in Auckland.

Westlife started out 10 years ago as a five-member boyband, though today they are a man-band quartet after one member left.

The band have more number one hits in the UK than the Rolling Stones - 14 to be exact, beaten only by the Beatles and Elvis.

With hits including Seasons in the Sun, Swear it again and Flying without Wings, Westlife is one of the most successful modern bands of all time, having sold over 36 million records globally.

Westlife have been to New Zealand shores once before, but only to promote a new album.

This time with a glut of five shows, of which three have already been sold out, the boys say it will have huge payoffs for them and their New Zealand fans.

"We're gonna see our fans face to face tonight and throughout the whole tour, which for us is the best part," says Mark Feehily, Westlife band member.

Despite all the fame, they remain level headed blokes, saying the fame could all be over tomorrow.

As a special gift to their Kiwi fans, Westlife will be releasing a New Zealand only edition of their "best of" album featuring all their greatest hits.

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Credit/Source: ONE News / tvnz.co.nz

By SUSIE NORDQVIST - The Press

Ten years after they burst onto the pop music scene and almost 40 million records later, Irish boy band Westlife have finally touched down in New Zealand.

Watch video

The band staged a media conference in Christchurch this morning, ahead of their first concert in New Zealand, a sell-out, at the Westpac Arena tonight.

The band members said they were enjoying Christchurch's hospitality and the relative anonymity it offered, despite the near freezing temperatures.

"My God it's cold by the way," band member Nicky Byrne said, adding that the band had already been into town scouring shop racks for winter woollies.

Concerts are also scheduled in Wellington, Auckland and New Plymouth during the next week.

Their hits include Swear It Again, Flying Without Wings, If I Let You Go and Uptown Girl.

Credit/Source: www.stuff.co.nz

Today Westlife touch down in New Zealand, ready to start some more promotional work and prepare for the next leg of their tour!

Before they take to the stage at Christchurch Westpac Arena for their first show on Wednesday, the boys will be conducting a press conference for local and national media. This will be followed up by a filmed interview with 3 News, which NZ fans can check out on the 6pm news show.

A gig in Wellington follows, after which the boys head to Auckland to play two dates. While they're in the city, they will also be recording interviews with tour sponsors The Breeze and C4 as well as top radio networks More FM and Easy Mix.

One more gig in New Plymouth follows, after which it's time to say goodbye to the southern hemisphere and head back to the UK for their next set of dates, kicking off in Aberdeen on Friday 16th May.

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

ARTA Media Release

Westlife fans heading to Vector Arena on Saturday 10 May can avoid parking hassles and catch a MAXX bus, train or ferry to Vector Arena, which is approximately 10 minutes’ walk from Britomart Transport Centre and the Downtown Ferry Terminal.

A regular timetable will be operating for all buses, trains and ferries travelling to Britomart, and normal fares will apply.

The Link bus, which stops on Beach Road close to Vector Arena, is a good way to get to the concert. Passengers can catch The Link from various locations around the CBD, Parnell, Newmarket, Karangahape Road and Ponsonby. The cash fare is $1.60 one way.

Fans are advised to allow plenty of time to get to Vector Arena in time for the show.

After the concert finishes, train services from Britomart will be operating until 11.40pm on the Eastern Line and until just after midnight on the Southern and Western lines.

Regular ferry services from Auckland to Devonport will be running until approximately 1am, and NiteRider buses will leave from the Civic and St James between 1am and 3am.

Western Line train passengers planning to take the train to and from the concert are reminded that the usual Saturday bus replacements between Henderson and Waitakere will be in place.

Aucklanders planning to use public transport to and from the Westlife concert can get more information from MAXX on (09) 366 6400 or at www.maxx.co.nz

Credit/Source: www.scoop.co.nz

THERE was no stormy showdown between Brian McFadden and his former bandmates Westlife at the Logie awards - namely because Mr Delta Goodrem was busy in the midst of his own hurricane.

While Westlife took to the Logies stage after a rousing rap from music guru Molly Meldrum, McFadden skipped all the glitz in Melbourne in favour of an indulgent Sunday lunch at Bondi steakhouse Hurricane's.

No doubt the restaurant's pork ribs would have been better than the likely ribbing.

Credit/Source: www.news.com.au/adelaidenow

Irish band Westlife is the third-biggest-selling act to come out of the UK (beaten only by The Beatles and U2), and they’ve got no intention of stopping anytime soon. As they get ready to perform their new single, “Something Right”, at the awards, Kian Egan talks about their favourite Aussies.

Aussie Personalities

“[We’d love to see] Adam Hills because Spicks & Specks is such a craic of a show. At The Logies, I’m also looking forward to meeting [Summer Heights High’s] Mr G, and Kate Ritchie, as she’s had such a big life change, recently.

It would be great to catch up with Rove, and we’d love to see Mel and Kochie from Sunrise.

And I’ll be stalking Stuart McGill!”

Dicko

“We were really glad Dicko was back on Idol last year � he’s one of the most honest and hardworking guys we’ve met in the past 10 years.

As for the TV shows, we’ve been watching Kath & Kim and Summer Heights High. And we all watch Home And Away and Neighbours when we are at home and not on the road.”

The Fans

“We’re always amazed at the response of the fans when we come down under, as we don’t get the chance to visit as often as we’d like. Without fail, they give us a warm reception every time.

Credit/Source: TV Week / Thanks Em - unlike.ordinary@gmail.com for the scan

Westlife's book 'Westlife: The Autobiography' which is going to be released on 16 June 2008 is now available to pre-order on amazon.co.uk and play.com:

Author: Westlife
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2008
Format: HARDBACK - 320 Pages
Synopsis:
The biggest pop band in the world celebrate 10 years at the top -- telling their full story in their own words for the very first time. 40 million albums 14 UK number 1 singles 7 UK number 1 albums Westlife have had more number ones than any other artist apart from The Beatles and Elvis and with songs that have become modern classics like Flying without Wings, they have ensured their place in the annals of pop history. Westlife -- The Autobiography will chart the highs and lows of their phenomenonal career and a unique friendship that has seen them endure as a band for an extraordinary ten years. The book will chronicle the band's story from the grass-roots of Sligo, Ireland to multi-platinum records, celebrity collaborations and chart achievements. But bubbling under this public face is a private and unseen story never before recorded, crammed with candid personal revelations, including of course the departure of Brian McFadden. Westlife have been a staple part of British entertainment for years, yet the public has no idea of the astounding life they have led -- and still live -- behind the headlines and soundbites. Here, for the first time, Westlife will take us into their confidence and reveal their lives and amazing ten year journey as the UK's biggest pop band as never before.

PRE-ORDER FROM AMAZON.CO.UK

PRE-ORDER FROM PLAY.COM

Credit/Source: www.amazon.co.uk / www.play.com

This May, Westlife will return to Australia for a special visit which will include a performance at Australia's night of nights, the 2008 Logie awards.

To celebrate their visit, we are releasing their new album 'Back Home' in a very special Australian only edition containing the complete 'Live In Wembley' DVD.

Release Date: 03.05.08


Credit/Source: www.sonybmg.com.au

HarperCollins has acquired the autobiography of one of the world’s most successful pop bands, Westlife. The book was bought by Natalie Jerome, Editorial Director for Harper NonFiction from agent Marianne Gunn O’Connor and will be published in June 2008. UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired.

Westlife have had more number ones than any other artist apart from The Beatles and Elvis and with songs that have become modern classics like Flying without Wings they have ensured their place in the annals of pop history. All four band members - Kian, Mark, Nicky & Shane - will contribute to the autobiography which will chart all details of their phenomenal career as well as their unique friendship that has seen them endure as a band for an extraordinary ten years.

Jerome says, ‘Westlife’s musical achievements speak for themselves and their longevity in a notoriously fickle industry is a testament to their talent and very real friendship. What has impressed me hugely is their commitment and passion for everything that they do and their book, the first in which they will talk about everything that has happened to them during their career, will really surprise people.’

Kian, Mark, Nicky & Shane say,‘These 10 years have been the most amazing years of our lives so far. During this time we have experienced everything, from the highs and lows that the music industry offers, to the laughs and tears that have inevitably occurred as we traveled the world. It has been wonderful looking back and sharing the funny stories that still make us laugh today. It really has been a journey and we are delighted to be working with Harper Collins. Enjoy!'

For further information:

Jane Beaton

Publicity Director, Harper Non-Fiction

jane.beaton@harpercollins.co.uk

Credit/Source: www.harpercollins.co.uk

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