Westlife's bodyguards in punch-up From worldpop 29/5/2001
Westlife
have been involved in a fracas with reporters and photographers after their
arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila in Singapore.
As
the group checked in with immigration at the airport, where they had arrived for
the latest leg of their world tour, two of their bodyguards were involved in a
shoving match with photographers and journalists, according to local reports.
At
one point Kian Egan turned around and confronted the media, while the group's
bodyguards ordered the photographers and reporters to leave. According to
eyewitnesses, one member of the press kicked one of Westlife's bodyguards in the
buttocks during the fracas.
The
press blamed the bodyguards for being overprotective but admitted that there was
some violence, with one reporter saying, 'We nearly came to blows and would have
beaten up the bodyguards if the customs police did not stop us.' Calm was
eventually restored when airport security separated the groups.
During
the incident, several hundred fans waited outside the airport terminal, unaware
of what was going on inside. The group, who are due to play Manila's Araneta
Coliseum tonight were quickly hustled into a waiting van and taken to their
hotel.
This
is the third in a series of incidents to befall Westlife on their current world
tour. The group's recent headline show in Israel was blighted by the sound of
gunfire throughout the performance while 16 teenage fans were injured during a
stampede at their concert in Indonesia.
One
of Westlife's bodyguards, Fran Cosgrove, is engaged to Atomic Kitten's Natasha
Hamilton.
Westlife
Charm And Dance!
From mtvasia 28/5/2001
Singapore
-- Boolackasha! Westlife's at it again!
Not
to be outdone by singing and dancing groups like Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC and a1,
Westlife give it all for their Singapore leg of their "Coast To Coast"
Asian Tour, complete with nifty dance steps, a live band, fireworks and more
than four costume changes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium last night. What a
pleasant surprise since their low-budget tour in 1999.
After
opening act Christian Wunderlich completed his five-song set, the crowd waited
patiently for their idols to come out. In true typical Westlife style, the lads
-- Nicky, Bryan, Shane, Kian and Mark -- opened the show at 9:00 p.m. with
"Dreams Come True," a track taken from their latest "Coast To
Coast" album. Dressed all in white, the lads continue to serenade the sea
of screaming fans with the fans' all time favorites like "No No,"
"But If I Let You Go," "Swear It Again" and "Somebody
Needs You" that features some neat chair choreography popularized perhaps
by Backstreet Boys ("As Long As You Love Me") and Britney Spears
("Stronger").
By
now, the fans have already got to an all-time high when Westlife reappeared for
"Seasons In The Sun" with their first costume change (nothing too
fanciful though). And boy, do these boys know how to work the crowd with their
request of taking a picture with all the fans!
As
one would have expect, Nicky, Shane, Kian, Mark and Bryan continue to charm the
wide-eyed fans with their acoustic version of "More Than Words," an
accapella version of "My Girl," and a Motown segment that sees the
boys rapping and jiving along with the funky beat while introducing the live
band behind them.
The
highlight of the night? Miss Singapore Jamie Yeo guest appearing during
"Uptown Girl," which sent the fans into an uproar when cheeky Bryan
gets too close. Not exactly Claudia Schiffer material but Jamie's still a beauty
queen afterall! So chill, people!
Ending
the night with "If I Lay My Love On You" and "Flying Without
Wings," Westlife ended the one and a half hour show with promise they will
come back for more. And yes, Westlife have proven that they are not a ballad
band with the dance steps but I must say there's certainly room for more
improvement. In all, not too bad a show with appropriate crowd control and only
a couple of fans fainting before the show starts. But I can't really speak for
the bored mum and kid who left mid-way though.
The setlist:
Dreams
Come True
No No
But If I Let You Go
Swear It Again
Somebody Needs You
Seasons In The Sun
You Make Me Feel
When You're Looking Like That
My Love
More Than Words
My Girl
Motown Medley
Uptown Girl
What Makes A Man
Encore:
If I Lay My Love On You
Flying Without Wings
Westlife's cup of coco From Worldpop 27/5/2001
Asian
pop star Coco Lee could be the unlikely next candidate for a duet with
Westlife.The Irish heartthrobs, in Malaysia on the latest stopover on their
world tour confessed they're fans of the Hong Kong born Coco Lee and they'd like
to sing a song 'in an Asian language.'Westlife's Mark Feehily, who admitted the
boys are currently learning a little Spanish in preparation for a Latin song
they plan to record,
said, 'Coco's a good artist. And a very good looking girl too.'There was chaos
at Westlife's gig on Thursday in Indonesia when 16 fans were injured in a crush
as fans sulrged to the front of the stage to see their idols. For the full
story.
The band are now heading to Singapore and Japan for the latest leg on the world tour.
Westlife's Jakarta Concert From mtvasia 25/5/2001
Indonesia -- The five Irish boys hypnotized almost 14,500 fans last Thursday afternoon during their successful performance in the Sumantri Brojonegoro Stadium that started exactly at 16.00 p.m., after it was opened by Christian Wunderlich.Unlike their performance last year, the boys were accompanied by live music this time. But the fans probably didn't really care much about that. They were too busy screaming at everything they did or trying to escape the water that was being sprayed on them to cool down. But overall, the audience was very well behaved throughout the show. There were no stampedes although the first aid tents were still flooded with dozens of girls.
The band sang sixteen songs including "Uptown Girl" and "What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted" from their second album, and of course the ones that brought them the fame like "Flying Without Wings" and "I Have A Dream" were among their highlights of the night. They also did some acapella singing and rapping, and even sang "Happy Birthday" to birthday boy Mark
Feehily. All throughout the show, flowers, dolls, and almost every kind of souvenirs were thrown onto the stage. It's no wonder that Westlife has been awarded twenty-two platinum award for their "Coast To Coast" album in Indonesia. Since last November, it has sold over 1.2 million copies. Even their "Coast To Coast Special Edition" has sold up about 800,000 copies to date!
However, things would've gotten really smooth if only the police and security guards didn彔
start a fight among themselves, duh! Fortunately the incident happened after the band left the stadium to go back to their hotel. It made some teenage fans frightened who rushed out of the stadium very quickly.
Westlife fans injured at gig From Worldpop 25/5/2001
Westlife fans injured at gig From Worldpop 25/5/200116 teenage fans were injured in a stampede at Westlife's concert in Indonesia on Thursday night. The trouble broke out when the audience surged towards the stage at the end of the two-hour gig in Jakarta.A police spokesman said: 'I can confirm that there are no deaths. Those who were affected were brought to three hospitals and given immediate treatment.' The spokesman confirmed that all 16 fans were released from hospital yesterday. 15,000 people attended the concert at the Soemantri Bodjonegoro sports stadium.
The police spokesman added that despite the presence of 2,000 security personnel, including police, in the stadium in central Jakarta, nothing could be done to control the rowdy crowd.
'They just went out of control seeing the band playing. We tried to stop them, but could not do anything,' he said.
The incident takes place just two months after four young fans were crushed to death in a stampede at an a1 autograph signing in a Jakarta shopping mall.
Westlife are currently on 100 date world tour.
What a difference a Dane makes From Worldpop
Dane Bowers has told worldpop he has
written a song intended to help Westlife break America.
In an exclusive video interview Dane
revealed that he was approached by the boy band to write an upbeat song more
appropriate to the tastes of the US market. 'I was asked to write a song for
Westlife for the States which I did. It's something with a bit more attitude.
They've heard it and they like so they might be doing it,' he said.
When asked to describe the vibe of the
song, Dane told us, 'It's pop with attitude. It's called The Answer's No and
it's got the line, 'What part of no don't you understand?' in it. It's more
up-tempo They asked for an up-tempo song so it's more like my last single Shut
Up And Forget About It than their ballads.'
Dancer In The Dark From mykinaplace.com
Kian Egan and Westlife dancer Rachel Foster have had a short relationship - but it's nothing serious.
The singer, who has whined about needing a girlfriend, obviously favours short-term engagements - the pair will be separated over the next eight weeks while Westlife finish their world tour.
An insider says, "Whether the relationship will survive the separation is anyone's guess." Westlife's spokesman insists: "It's nothing serious.
"Let's just say they have kept each other company on a couple of lonely nights during the tour."
Westlife's historic S. African gig From Worldpop 19/5/2001
Westlife
made history on Friday night by becoming the first boy band to play in South
Africa. The band played the first of three South African shows in Cape Town at
the city's Bellville Velodrome before 7,000 screaming fans.
Unconfirmed
reports say temperatures were high in the arena - so high that at one point
during the show the boys turned their backs to fans and dropped their pants, and
one of them even dropped his underpants mooning the audience.
WESTLIFE AND FIVE IN ISRAEL From dotmusic 18/5/2001
Westlife and Five provided much-needed respite from the escalating violence in Israel on Wednesday, as they brought pop salvation to the kids.
Our roving reporter braved the experience - not bombs and flying bullets - rather 20,000 crazed fans getting the night of their lives from two of our biggest pop exports.
The event, in Hayarkon Park, Tel Aviv was opened by Atomic Kitten, who warned-up the gathered throng with their UK Number One 'Whole Again'.
However, it was Westlife and Five who inspired wave after wave of screaming frenzy, as they unleashed the likes of 'Uptown Girl', 'If I Let You Go', 'We Will Rock You' and 'Everybody Get Up'.
Our video report includes extensive live footage of both band's performances, plus interview footage with the groups, as they explain their passion for playing to their Israeli fans, particularly at such a troubled time for them.
Rich from Five confirmed: "We are not afraid to come over here, we have actually been really looking forward to coming over.
"We had a really good time in Israel before, but to be honest with you we would rather not talk about the political aspect of it because we are a pop band, and we are not about politics, we about having fun and stuff."
Five and Westlife in Warzone From mtvasia 18/5/2001
Despite the fear of Palestinian suicide bombings, Five, Westlife and Atomic Kitten performed for thousands of fans in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, May 16. The sounds of bombing in the West Bank and Gaza Strip could be heard during the concert, as Israeli helicopters launched strikes on security targets.
The concert was considered by locals to be an act of defiance, in that the youth of Israel refuse to have their lives entirely dominated by the war that surrounds them. While none of the bands commented on the Middle East warfare during their performances, Five's J Brown wrapped himself in an Israeli flag much to the delight of fans.
Security at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park was tight but the performance went off without a hitch, with Westlife headlining the event. Afterwards, an 18-year-old fan was indifferent to the risks she had taken to attend the concert. "Life goes on. We can't let them (the Palestinians) control our lives
West-Strife From Worldpop 17/5/2001
During a turbulent tour of the Middle East Westlife have issued a statement denying they are about to split. The band, currently in Israel in the middle of a 100-date tour are trying to squash rumours of a split following Bryan McFadden's comments to a British newspaper about solo work. Bryan repeated the comments about a solo career during the band's Israeli press conference on Tuesday.
During the conference Bryan told reporters: 'In five years' time we're going to be 25, 26, 27. I can't see the band lasting more than that. This is my career and this is my life at the moment but we also have our private lives. I've got a baby coming now and I'm getting married and that's very important to me right now,' said the singer, referring to his girlfriend, Kerry Katona.
McFadden has written a song with Bryan Adams to be included on Westlife's third album due out in November. He admitted: 'It's an ambition to have a solo career but not now because we're making too much money from Westlife.'
Westlife's statement read: 'Westlife are currently abroad in the middle of a 100-date world tour and will return to the UK this summer to begin recording their third album which will be released this autumn. They are at the pinnacle of their career and they're not going to give up. They still have a long way to go.'
However the group failed to charm the Israeli press at their interview at Tel Aviv's Dan Hotel on Tuesday. McFadden answered nearly all of the questions and some band members looked uneasy.
Last night the group performed a bizarre gig at Tel Aviv's Yakron Park accompanied by the sound of helicopters above and gunfire in the distance, as Israeli helicopters launched missile strikes on Palestinian security targets. Security at the concert was tight. Fans who turned up were searched going in to the venue and parents were advised in the days leading up to the gig by a local radio station, 'not to worry'. The concert also featuring Five and Atomic Kitten followed weeks of rioting and bombings in Tel Aviv.
Westlife Rockers From mtvasia 16/5/2001
Westlife members Bryan McFadden and Kian Egan are abandoning their pop primacy -- they'd love to return to their rock 'n' roll roots.
The two "My Love" singers, known for slushy ballads, were in rock bands before they were discovered by Irish music svengali Louis Walsh.
Bryan, 21, says, "We're used to writing rock music. To train to get back into pop is very, very hard, but we're starting to do it."
As the group gets older, Bryan and Kian hope Westlife will mature into rockers.
He adds, "Maybe in ten years we will evolve into a rock band, rock is really starting to come back.
"I think bands like U2 and Limp Bizkit are starting to bring is a new style of music, especially in America.
"We're all big rock fans, and hopefully we might evolve into something like that in a few years."
WESTLIFE
'NOT MY
LIFE'!
From dotmusic
14/5/2001
Westlife's Bryan McFadden has admitted the boyband's future is unlikely to be together, sparking speculation that they'll go the same way as fellow inactive Irish superstars Boyzone.
McFadden has revealed that he doesn't expect the band to last anymore than five years, insisting "the world does not revolve around Westlife".
He explained:
""This band won't last more than five years. That's why I am starting
now to plan my future.
"Westlife is the best thing that ever happened to me but it isn't my
future. It is none of our futures. I've already started planning. I have my own
life set-up.
McFadden concluded: "I don't rely on this band any more. This band is everything to some people. It isn't to me. I've got a baby and a wife on the way so the world does not revolve around Westlife."
Westlife
For
Eurovision
From mtvasia 10/5/2001
Westlife boss Louis Walsh hopes that the band's Bryan McFadden will submit a song for Ireland's Eurosong contest next year.
The winner of the Eurosong goes on to represent the country at the annual Eurovision Song Contest.
Walsh says, "Bryan has been writing material for a while now and it sounds very good. I'm sure he would be interested in submitting a song for it."
Walsh is anxious to take control of the Eurosong, as Ireland's track record has been dismal in recent years.
He adds, "There are so many talented songwriters in Ireland, but they're just not coming forward to enter it. I can't understand the way things have gone. It's a real shame considering all the talent we have here."
Westlife
Star To Marry Into
Politics? From dotmusic
Westlife
star Nicky Byrne is set to marry the daughter of Irish Prime Minister Bertie
Ahern, according to reports.
The
couple, who have apparently been together for six years, met when they were both
aged just 12.
Although
no date for the marriage has been set, Nicky and Georgina Ahern have just moved
in together for the first time, and the boy band superstar has revealed what
their future holds.
"I
want to put 100 per cent of my energies into Westlife and then, if we take a
break or slow down, I can get married and start a family.
"No
matter what the future holds for me, I just pray I'm with Georgina. If it wasn't
for her I wouldn't be the person I am. She is my morning, noon and night,"
said Byrne.
Kian
Westlife Slams
Reports From mtvasia
29/3/2001
Westlife hunk Kian Egan has lashed out at media reports of his attack -- insisting they're "totally exaggerated."
The singer took a blow to his looks -- and his ego -- when he was viciously assaulted in his hometown of Sligo last week by jealous ex-school mates - and then appeared in many British newspapers with two black eyes and a cut nose.
But Kian claims press coverage of the episode made it seem worse than it was.
He says, "Don't believe everything you hear. Almost everything that was written was totally exaggerated -- including the pictures!
"No matter what you saw, don't forget they can be touched up on the computer to be made to look a lot worse. In fact I'm fine, there's nothing wrong with me, it was totally exaggerated in the papers."
WESTLIFE PLAN WHITE CHRISTMAS, ALREADY From dotmusic
It
might be only March, but teen pop sensation Westlife are already planning this
year's Christmas single and it looks like being 'White Christmas'.
The
crooner's classic was originally a Christmas hit for Bing Crosby in 1942.
Westlife,
who have made a career by reviving other people's hits, are poised to make the
record a hit again 59 years later.
"It's
definitely under serious consideration," says a record company
spokesperson.