News Archive July - September 2000

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> >11th September 2000 New single details!

The single with Mariah Carey, Against All Odds, is released on September 18th in the UK. The tracklisting of the CDs will be as follows:

CD1:
1. Against All Odds (Mariah & Westlife)
2. Against All Odds (without Mariah version)
3. Against All Odds (Mariah-Pound Boys Dub)
4. Against All Odds (Video)

CD2:
1. Against All Odds (Mariah & Westlife)
2. Against All Odds (Mariah-Pound Boys Mix)
3. Against All Odds (Without Westlife version 4)
4. 30 second Westlife interviews

If you're interested in ordering one of these CDs (or maybe even both CDs!) from Susan & Cathy please email us for more details (please tell us your name, email address, country, and which CD you would be interested in purchasing).

westlife and mariah

[source: HMV]

> >6th September 2000 Westlife in Blackpool last Friday

Blackpool's biggest night of the year saw record crowds of almost 110,000 people in the town centre as Irish boy-band Westlife launched the 2000 Illuminations.

The audience for the live BBC Radio Two broadcast had started arriving late morning, prepared to wait almost nine hours to see Westlife perfrom three songs (Swear It Again, Flying Without Wings and If I Let You Go), before pulling the famous lever.

Westlife on stage in Blackpool

Thousands of revellers cheered and sang along with Westlife unaware of how close they had been to missing their heroes. The lads had originally been scheduled to open the hour-long concert in Blackpool (which also featured acts including Billie and Elvis sound-a-like The King), but were stuck in heavy motorway traffic on the way from Manchester Airport, and so appeared on stage as the final act in the show, before pulling the lever to switch on the lights.

the lights at Blackpool

But that wasn't the only drama facing the fivesome - within minutes of leaving the Talbot Square stage, Bryan collapsed and was examined by a doctor. Blackpool's head of toursim Jane Seddon said "The crowd could have had no idea of what was going on behind the scenes before the live BBC Radio 2 broadcast" "Because of their tight schedule, the lads were always due to arrive within an hour of the entertainment starting, but apparently the traffic on the M60 was horrendous.
"Bryan had flu symptoms, but being a true professional, insisted on performing. As soon as he came off stage he collapsed and was seen by a doctor before the band sped away back to the airport"

[source: Blackpool Gazette, 2nd September 2000]
[links: Susan's photos from Blackpool, pics from Radio 2 webcast, view the webcast on the Videos page ]

> >17th August 2000 Westlife hit by earthquake

Westlife were nearly struck with disaster last week when an earthquake that Kian describes as 'absolutely terrifying' hit their Mexican hotel.

'I feel lucky to be alive,' Kian says. 'I was first to wake up. It was like a really bad dream. It felt like the hotel was spinning and the sky was falling in. There was a loud rumble like a huge thunderstorm.'

The boys were staying in a hotel in Mexico City when the 'quake hit a nearby location, measuring an immense 7.3 on the Richter scale. Fortunately Westlife weren't at the centre of the action but the danger was all too apparent to the globe-trotting guys.

Kian continues: 'It was absolutely terrifying. I didn't know what was happening. Everything around me was falling off tables and the window shattered into small pieces. I have never been so frightened. It seemed to last for about five minutes but I was told later it was only 60 seconds or so.'

Bryan from the band adds, 'It was like something out of the Armageddon movie. It will be a story to tell the grandchildren in future years.'

Westlife have been touring the America's extensively in a bid to break the tough US market. They release Against All Odds, a duet with Mariah Carey, in the autumn and embark on their debut headlining UK tour in the New Year.

[source: MTV Asia 2nd August 2000]

> >2nd August 2000 'No more covers!' say Westlife

Despite their Number One success in the New Year charts and the hype surrounding their forthcoming single, Against All Odds, Westlife have declared that they'll never release a cover version again. Nicky Byrne told worldpop, 'I think doing too many covers would be a bad move.' He admits that 'the Christmas single' Seasons In The Sun, and 'the ABBA-cover,' were great tracks to cover but that Against All Odds, which the guys have recorded with Mariah Carey, will be the final cover released by Westlife. The track was previously a hit for Phil Collins and is already being hyped as a surefire Number One, but Nicky is still adamant that 'we won't be releasing any more covers.'

Talking about the second Westlife album, Bryan McFadden explains that it has a more upbeat feel to it compared with their ballad-led debut album. 'It's a lot more up tempo and has more of a big summer feel,' he says before conceding, 'but we still have the wintry ballads.' He describes the up-tempo numbers as 'like the Celine Dion-type of up-tempos,' adding, 'It's not like the stomp of Backstreet Boys.' Nicky agrees that the band feel it's pointless trying to recreate their rivals sound. 'We'd love to have songs like The One, but that's BSB. There's no point in them releasing a song like Flying Without Wings - that's Westlife.'The guys have been involved in the songwriting for the as yet untitled album number two and reveal that it will contain 'four or five' of their own songs. 'A further five or six songs are from the Cheiron guys, and one is by Steve Mac,' says Nicky. The album is due for release in November preceded by two singles, one of which, the duet with Mariah Carey, is expected late August.

Meanwhile on a romantic note ... Bryan has found a new girlfriend. He admits that Kerry Katona, singer with the Atomic Kittens, was 'the nicest girl I've ever gone out with in my life. I loved her,' but that the girl he is currently dating is most definitely 'the business!'

[source: yahoo.co.uk 2nd August 2000]

> >2nd August 2000 Duet with the Vard Sisters!

Westlife are recording a duet with Irish singers The Vard Sisters! Speaking to ShowbizIreland.com Louis Walsh revealed that the band are recording a song with the Irish classical singers The Vard Sisters.

"We are about to do a single with Wendy Vard and the girls. A bit classical and a bit funky. It will be called 'If I had words' and it looks set to be a big hit."
[source: showbizireland.com 2nd August 2000] [link: vard sisters info]

> >26th July 2000 Westlife party with The Backstreet Boys...

Pop rivals Westlife and Backstreet Boys have been partying in Stockholm's most exclusive VIP night clubs running up a whopping Ł30,000 bar bill. The millionaire heartthrobs ran up the huge bill after a champagne-fuelled night on the town together.
Westlife were in the Swedish capital to record songs for their new album while American superstars the Backstreet Boys flew in to film a TV show. The pop powers are worth a combined total of Ł70 million partied the night away in the exclusive Bondai Cafe and Bar Opera.
They were followed by a huge entourage of minders and close friends who enjoyed the champagne treatment in the exclusive VIP lounges. Limousines whisked them between the top clubs and they finally returned to their luxury hotels at 2am.
Last night Westlife star Nicky Byrne told the Irish Mirror: "It was a great night for us, we went to all the top clubs and really let out hair down. As soon as we realised that the Backstreet Boys were in town we got in touch and headed out with them. There was a big bar bill at the end of the night - but it was the last chance to really chill out before the serious work begins. We headed out in a couple of limousines and the champagne was flowing early on. People may think that Westlife and the Backstreet Boys hate each other but it simply isn't true. By the time we hit the first bar there were a lot of fans gathering outside. We had to increase the security to make sure it didn't get out of hand."
The Sligo and Dublin boys were granted permission by record company bosses for a last night on the town before their two month recording schedule begins.
The following day the two groups were handed the huge bar bill to split between them. "We didn't mind the big cost of the night because it was a celebration for everyone to join in," Kian Egan said. "We've had a great year and had five number one hits. It was the first time that we'd been out with the lads from the Backstreet Boys and they had a lot to celebrate too. The party is over for us now though. We're going to be in Sweden for two months then it's off to America for more promotions. Our world tour starts at the beginning of 2001 so we're not anticipating even being back home for a long time yet."
[source: showbizireland.com 24th July 2000]

> >15th July 2000 New album news!!!!

Westlife will soon be going into the studio (they are going to recording at a studio in Stockholm, Sweden) to record three songs called 'Rain', 'Fantasy', and a remake of Madonna's Hit 'Crazy For You'. All are to be produced by songwriter and producer Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins for their upcoming second album. The group said that they decided to record 'Crazy For You' when they heard it on American radio and began singing to it. It sounded great when they harmonised 'Crazy For You' and Rodney has wanted to work with them for a while. When they suggested the idea of doing the remake he said "Let's do it". 'Rain' and 'Fantasy' were both written by Rodney Jerkins himself. The new album should arrive in the UK at the end of October!

> >13th July 2000 Shane's 21st birthday party...

Keith Duffy had his coat ripped to pieces by fans, Westlife's Bryan McFadden sang the theme music from Shaft from the DJ box and Phats from the pop duo Phats and Small sang and danced to his bands own hit "Turn Around" as he partied on the dance floor.
The event will be hailed as "the ShowBiz party of the year" and was held last night (10th July) in Dublin. The reason for the party was to celebrate Shane from Westlife's 21st birthday.
The massive bash was held in Dublin's top night-club Lillies Bordello which was also celebrating it's first night open after four months and multi-million pound revamp.
Starting just after 8pm.The parties guestlist was guarded and heavy security brought in after the photo rights were sold for Ł250,000 sterling to the English magazine OK.
Guests included all of Westlife, MTV's Emma Ledden, Miriam, Cecilia and Georgina Ahern (Nicky's girlfriend), Irish boyband 24/7, Atomic Kitten, Boyzone's Keith Duffy, Westlife manager Louis Walsh, concert promoter Dennis Desmond, and TV producer Shay Healy to name but a few.
The party went on into the early hours and by 1.30am Bryan McFadden had taken over the DJ's mic and started a party of his own.
Most of the 500 guests were friends of the band as well as a massive number of Shane's family who made their way up from Sligo for the night.
[source: showbizireland.com 11th July 2000]

> >12th July 2000 The lads go on shopping sprees!!

Westlife have all gone on shopping sprees during their week-long break from their American tour.
Bryan jetted to London on an overnight shopping trip, spending $8,000 on designer clothes, just days after a similar shopping spree in Dublin. Shane Filan splashed out on a new CD player and TV at home in Sligo, while Nicky Byrne stocked up on CDs, videos, and clothes in Dublin.
Bryan said, "This is the last break we're going to have for a very long time. We've all spent a good bit of money in the last few days but this is the only chance we get to spend it.
[source: MTV Asia 12th July 2000]

> >6th July 2000 Westlife Open Harrods Summer Sale

Shane celebrated his 21st birthday in style yesterday at Harrods in London, where Westlife opened the summer sale. Dozens of fans waited outside for a glimpse of the lads, who arrived in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by the Harrods pipe band.

Shane said he was delighted to be at the store on his birthday. "My parents bought me a horse for my birthday but I have not had a chance to ride it yet. I think the boys in the band will get me my present tonight."
Mark said: "We haven't got Shane a present yet but we've seen lots of nice things here today. We are going to have a big party in Dublin with the family at the weekend."
Bryan added: "The reception has been amazing. It is the first time we have been in England since we got back from the US last month. We had forgotten how great the fans are."
Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed took the band on a tour of his store as dozens of screaming fans followed in a mad scrum to see the band. Mr Fayed said: "It is great to have the boys here today. There are lots of bargains for them to see, Rolex watches, diamonds and menswear, great bargains."

After the tour, the band went to the Georgian restaurant on the fourth floor where they sang a live accapella version of their first number one hit Swear It Again where Mr Fayed joined in with the band.
Band member Kian Egan said: "Now we have a new member of Westlife, ladies and gentlemen." Mr Fayed continued: "Yes you have an older man in the band now."
[source: AOL News 5th July 2000, pictures courtesy of www.westlife.co.uk]

> >1st July 2000 Westlife receive Freedom of the Borough

Westlife are to Receive the Freedom of the Borough on 1st July at Sligo Town Hall in the West of Ireland.
The Freedom of the Borough is the highest civic honour and will be awarded to Westlife in recognition of the bands' achievements in pop music.
Mayor of Sligo, Rosaleen O'Grady, says:
"Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Kian Egan originate from our beautiful town of Sligo and it is here that the band were formed. We are very proud to award Westlife with the Freedom of the Borough to join other luminaries such as Mother Theresa, Eamonn De Valera and Constance Countess De Markievicz"
Kian said of the news, "It's a real honour to be one of the few people to receive the symbolic title of the Freedom of the Borough. Sligo is hometown to three of us from Westlife and it is very precious to our hearts".