It's not easy being in a boyband, especially, it seems, when that band is Westlife.

Despite having 14 UK No 1 singles and more than 36 million records sold, finding someone who admits to being a Westlife fan can be tougher than catching Osama bin Laden.

But someone must be going to those shows and someone must be buying those records.

Look at the person next to you - despite their howls of derision or protests, it's probably them.

In 2006, The Rose became Westlife's 14th UK No 1 single, giving them the third-most in history (with Cliff Richard), behind only Elvis Presley, 21, and The Beatles, 17.

Westlife are rich, successful and have secured their musical legacy.

As you can imagine then, Westlife aren't too phased by what the critics might say; they're doing alright thank you very much.

In May, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan will perform for the first time in New Zealand.

After 10 years the members still enjoy performing, Egan says from England.

"We love it and it's a passion of ours.

"That's the real reason behind why we do it.

"Every time we make an album we try make the best album we can make."

For all their success, Westlife have yet to crack the American market, a fate similar to many successful British acts, but Egan remains philosophical about it.

"We've never had a proper shot at America and I think that's mainly because of how the American market is and the band we are."

There was a bump in the road also when member Bryan McFadden left the group for a solo career in 2004, several weeks before a European tour.

Despite speculation the band would call it quits, and probably a bit of wishful thinking by the critics, Westlife continued on.

It is the only time when the band thought it was the end, Egan says.

"When Bryan left the band it was obviously something we didn't want to happen and we were very upset about it.

"But once we got over that, we felt if we can get over that we can get through anything."

Egan, Feehily and Filan grew up together on the West Coast of Ireland and while they were intent on a musical career they never thought they would achieve this level of success.

"Being a boyband isn't the easiest thing in the world to be, especially the way the music industry is these days.


"We never really expected it but the fact of the matter is, it happened and we're very grateful for that."

It may not have been expected but it was planned, when they were signed in July 1998 by American producer Simon Cowell and managed by Louis Walsh.

Egan says Cowell, of American Idol fame, is one of the cleverest people he has ever met.

We reckon Westlife would have preferred a Season In The Sun as a tribute for playing their 27th concert at Wembley Arena.

Instead the veteran Irish lads braved the wind and rain to add their pawprints to the Wembley Square of Fame, alongside Madonna and George Michael's.

They took home a replica plaque for playing more concerts at the venue than any other pop band. Nicky Byrne said: "The first time we played here was 10 years ago. This is the closest to Hollywood we'll get." He's no fool.

Credit/Source: www.mirror.co.uk

Fifigabor asks: How do you feel about doing covers all the time?
Mark: It's not the ideal situation, but I'm more proud of our albums than our singles.

Angeleyes1404 asks: Will you ever reunite with Brian McFadden?
Mark: Not for now, but who knows what the far-off future holds?

Cloud9 asks: Would you ever hold auditions for another Westlife member?
Mark: No, they wouldn't stand a chance!

Filanzgirl asks: What's better: A Number One or selling out an arena?
Nicky: A Number One, then you can sell out the arenas.

Angie25 asks: Nicky, if you were the Spice Girls, which one would you be?
Nicky Posh - she has the most money!

Filanzgirl asks: Who's the funniest drunk?
Nicky: Kian and Shane arethe funniest drunks. If we're talking vodka, it's me, or on the beers it's Shane.

394eevans asks: Will you still be spending time together during your year out?
Nicky: We'll probably get together for a pint of Guinness.

Easbees asks: Do you still get the same buzz on stage, even after ten years?
Mark: Yes, most of the time, as it's not something with and on/off switch - you really can't help but enjoy it!

MSWelsh asks: Do you wanna crack America?
Mark: Yes please, but things would need to change first.

MissHollie asks: Id you ahd the chance to be another person for the day, qho would you be and why?
Mark: Missy Elliott. Just to see what that crazy house is like inside - her episode of Cribs was insane!

Credit/Source: Thanx Jadam for scanning

Westlife have been forced to hire a bigger tour bus - because their entourage of "Waggabies" has got so large.

With their Back Home arena tour under way, the boy band are on the move a lot - and their loved ones are going with them.





Band member Nicky Byrne said: "All our partners spend so much time together on the road they are like a family. Alongside our wives and girlfriends, we've not got Westlife babies and a boyfriend too - we call them The Waggabies!"

Fellow bandmate Kian Egan also hinted he'd like the Irish hitmakers to perform an unlikely cover.

"I'd love Westlife to cover Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N Roses," he said.

"Playing the guitar solo in front of 10,000 people - it wouldn't get better than that!"

Westlife's new single, Us Against The World, is out now.

Credit/Source: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk

Woohoo! 'Back Home' is at No.23 in the UK albums chart this week, moving up from last week's No.48!!

'Us Against The World' is at No.40 this week with download sales only in the UK singles chart.

In the Irish singles charts 'Us Against The World' is up at No.27 from last week's No.36.

In the Irish Albums chart 'Back Home' is up to No.20 from last week's No.26 and 'Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits Vol.1' is down at No.17 from last week's No.16.

Credit/Source: Haven / www.irma.ie

With all the Westlife lads happy in love, the band have revealed that without their partners they might be alcoholics or drug addicts.
The guys let Sunday Life into a secret - not only do they still get in trouble just like everyone else, but their partners are the people who keep them sane.
Shane who is married to Gillian Walsh (Kians cousin) said 'if we didnt have our relationships the way they are and as strong as they are it would be crazy. Without having a relationship that gives you a stable side to your life you'd be a nut bag. I think without our partners we'd all probably be drug addicts or at night clubs drinking all night. You need a rock in your life, especially in this industry. You need that other half who is on Planet Earth all the time. The other half is that level of normality - without it we wouldn't be where we are today as a band.'

Mark also revealed that even Westlife can get in trouble. He's dating former boyband star Kevin McDaid. 'we get in trouble with our partners just as much as anyone else in a relationship - we're not special, we dont get any special treatment' he said.
And Nicky, who is married to Taoiseach Bertie Aherns daughter Georgina, said they even have phone fights in front of the band.
He said ' I always think its quite funny if you are in a room and somebody else is kind of fighting with the partner on the phone or something and you are sitting there listening, because you can't obviously close your ears. You kind of giggle to yourself, because you know when you are in that position its the most horrendous thing in the world. 'So when you're watching somebody else its actually quite funny, but you know they are going to get over it in 10 minutes time.'

Shane admits he tries his best with Gillian to skip the bit where she's angry with him. He revealed ' What I just say is, 'Look let's just skip this part and make up because we are going to make up either way' and she just starts laughing.'

Credit/Source: Thanx Jadam / Leanne Miller for typing.

Westlife, who performed the first of three sold-out dates in Ulster last night, have announced they will return to Northern Ireland in May.
The Irish boy band, who are celebrating their tenth anniversary this year, have always been a favourite with audiences in the Province.

With 14 number one singles and nine albums, the four-piece are one of the most successful pop bands ever.

And, with a decade in the music business, their longevity in the often fickle world of pop has made them a musical phenomenon.

They have made Belfast's Odyssey Arena their own in recent years with a string of sell-out shows at the venue.

The band will return to the Odyssey on May 27 for a show which comes days before a mammoth tenth birthday celebration in Dublin's Croke Park on June 1.

But the band have made no secret of their love for Northern Ireland audiences, and said on numerous occasions that the Province is one of their favourite places to perform.

Westlife perform at the Odyssey Arena on May 27. Tickets for the show will go on sale from usual outlets on March 1 at 9am.

Credit/Source: www.newsletter.co.uk

Westlife's incredible new tour kicked off last night in Belfast - we hope you're excited; we sure are!

Once you've seen the show, why not post your review in our brand new Tour 2008 Forum? We'll be highlighting our favourite quotes at the end of every week in the News area - so get writing HERE.

And while you're in the Forum, you can have a giggle with our ‘Us Against The World' challenge thread. To celebrate the single's release next Monday, 3rd March, we want you to pit things against each other in our new thread - eg: chocolate versus crisps, Paris versus New York - whatever springs to mind! Get involved HERE.

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

Westlife have written a brand new blog about how the final stages of rehearsals are going for the tour, and what ‘Us Against The World' means to them.

"SEE YOU ON MONDAY!

Hi everyone

Right, we've got a quick tea break from production rehearsals and we wanted to say hello before the tour kicks off on Monday.

We're rehearsing like mad in a secret location... a very, very cold location! And we can't wait for you to see the show: when we walked in on Monday and saw the stage set, we were blown away, it's just amazing. We're really pleased with the set list, and are hard at work perfecting the new routines.

Tomorrow is our first full run of the show, which should be interesting...! No, seriously, it'll be great to see how it all comes together. We think this is a really special tour, and we hope you like it. After all, we're celebrating ten years of Westlife!

Speaking of which, we hope you like our new single, ‘Us Against The World' (out 3rd March). As you can see from the video, this song is a reflection of all that we've been through over the past decade: us, our families, and you the fans. It's been a great ride so far, and thank you for joining us... Here's to ten more years!!

Right, better get back. We finish rehearsals here on Saturday before flying back to Ireland ready for our first show in Belfast on Monday. We can't wait to get on the road and say hi to some familiar faces, and a few new ones!

See you soon,
Love Shane, Kian, Nicky & Mark x"

Credit/Source: www.westlife.com

'Something Right' and 'Us Against The World' are high in the charts of three South African radio stations. Make sure you will VOOOTE for them:

'SOMETHING RIGHT' - OFM 94-97

'SOMETHING RIGHT' - TAKE40SA

'US AGAINST THE WORLD' - BEAT 102-103

Credit/Source: Thanx zealifer for the info

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