Westlife prepare to take China

Westlife are ready to embark on a major expansion drive in the East! They may be on their final Greatest Hits tour, but the mega-selling Irish pop band have lined up a 15 date tour in China, which begins in the last week of February.

“We were there last year and did four arenas of 15,000 each,” Kian Egan told Hot Press. “They were great gigs. This time around, we’ll be doing 15 shows, and the arenas are the same size, so it’s amazing. Those venues are similar to the ones we’re be doing in the UK.”

Opening in Beijing on February 22, the band also takes in dates in Hangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chengdu and Guangzhou. “We broke through there with ‘You Raise Me Up’, which was in 2005 and 2006,”

Egan added. “We hadn’t been back till last year, but this is a phenomenal step up. The language barrier doesn’t seem to make any difference – they still sing the words to all the songs.”

China is going through an economic boom at the moment, which is driving a process of change in what was once a forbidding territory. “They’re planning to build fifty-five airports there over the next ten years,” Egan revealed.

“It is a measure of just how quickly things are changing.” In a time of economic difficulty, it is a whole new world of opportunity for the music industry. Watch this space.

Source: http://www.hotpress.com

Shane: ‘It’s better for my children this way’

WESTLIFE STAR MOVES TO LIVE IN THE UK SHANE FILAN 

says his children’s best interests were uppermost in his move to live permanently in the UK, but the Westlife star has insisted that “Sligo will always remain home.”

Although the move coincides with Shane’s preparations to launch as a solo artist, the decision to move to live in England had been as much about family as career.

And although he has been travelling the world in the past, the hectic schedule seems set to continue with recording and solo concerts. But with his wife, Gillian, and their three children, Nicole, Patrick and Shane, now living in Cobham in Surrey, the family will see much more of each other.

And, as Shane pointed out, the children “will see more of their Daddy.” “It makes much more sense for the family to move to the UK. Now I can go to work every day and come home to the family rather than to a hotel room,” Shane told The Sligo Champion.

With his solo career kicking off when Westlife members go their separate ways following the group’s final concerts in Croke Park in June, Shane revealed that manager Louis Walsh was keen that he be based in the UK. “I now have to give it 150% for the next couple of years to make it happen,”

Shane pointed out. Although the Filans have previously lived in Cobham, in a house Shane bought some years ago, they have now decided to make it a more permanent home.

But the family has no intention of breaking its links with Sligo, and is expected to return home regularly to their impressive home at Carraroe.

Surrey is one of the wealthiest areas in the U.K., while Cobham, in the London commuter belt, is about 32 km south-west of the city centre.

Source: http://www.sligochampion.ie

Shane Filan moves to England to boost solo career after Westlife

Shane Filan has moved to England as he prepares to kickstart his solo career.

The Westlife star, 32, his wife Gillian, and three children Nicole, Patrick and Shane, moved from Sligo to Surrey during the Christmas holidays.

Although they lived for several months at a time in the Georgian-style house at Cobham, the family has decided to make it a more permanent home while Shane develops his solo career after Westlife break up following Croke Park concerts in June.

Eldest child Nicole, six, is already attending a school near the home Shane bought three years ago.

A close family friend said he and Gillian have no intention of breaking their links with Sligo and will return often and will retain their sprawling home outside the town.

The friend added: “They adore Sligo and will always regard it as their home. But Shane has realised London is the best place to be for his solo career.

“Cobham is in the London commuter-belt. He has spent so much time on the road around the world with Westlife. He wants to spend more time with his family so he and Gillian decided the best thing for now would be to move to their home outside London.

“He can concentrate on his new career and not be away from his family so much.” Shane and Gillian can take their children to a number of parks near their new home and also to nearby Chessington World of Adventures.

He can also indulge his passion for golf at Wentworth, where he has played several times. Louis Walsh, currently on holiday at his Miami apartment until February, has already announced he will continue to manage Shane and has predicted he will be the most successful solo artist of Westlife after the band splits next summer.

Louis said he could see Shane having a career like big band singer Michael Buble. He added: “Shane is going to be a big artist. I will only manage someone if I believe in them.”

Source: mirror.co.uk

Louis Walsh Says He Will Be Shane’s Manager

I cut this part of Louis Walsh’s interview with the Independent.ie

With that, the phone rings and he mouths: “It’s Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber.”

They discuss new song ideas and once he hangs up, he explains it’s for Westlife’s Shane Filan.

“Westlife have just sold out two nights in Croke Park, which is incredible. But after that, I’m going to manage Shane’s solo career.

“He’s the only one I’ll manage and he’s going to go global. Whatever ‘it’ is, Shane’s got it. And I believe in him. Trust me, he’s going to be huge.”

You can almost hear him pull the lever as his jackpot rings in.

Source: independent.ie

Why Westlife stopped being special

Westlife decided to split up because they felt being in the band had stopped feeling special.

The popular band are set to split after 14 years together when they complete a final farewell tour this year. Although the men are upset to go their separate ways, they also think it is a step in the right direction.

Bandmember Shane Filan said, “It felt like it wasn’t special any more, not like it used to be. For the fans it’s slightly different but for us it’s been like, ‘Are we getting better? Are we getting worse? Are we getting to the stage where we aren’t enjoying it?’ It is half our life. None of us want to let it go and all of us will be crying in June when the tour ends, but it’s time.”

His mate Nicky Byrne added, “We never wanted to fall down and just be one of those bands that released records all the time, which we felt we were starting to do. And it felt like, ‘You know what, lads? We’re okay, we’ve done a lot!'”

The group say that they had been bracing themselves for the split for some time now and that it actually helped them enjoy their recent trip to Asia more because they were calm knowing that the announcement for the split would be made soon.

Westlife member Kian Egan said, “I shouldn’t say it but before we went on tour to Asia, we knew what was going to happen. We knew it was our last tour in Asia and when we came back we were going to release the news, so Asia’s probably the best trip we’ve had in years!”

Shane added, “It’s probably been brewing for a good year, as we knew we were coming to the ‘Greatest Hits’ album and the end of our contracts. We’d all been sitting down and talking about the pressure and the stress of trying to make the record and get it right.”

Source: indiantimes.com

Westlife concerned over split

Westlife star Mark Feehily has admitted the quartet worried that no one would care that they were going their separate ways in 2012.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Star, Feehily said: “We were worried about saying we were splitting up.

“But we’ve just found out that our tour is going to be the biggest tour we’ve ever done… So thankfully people – well, our fans – care.”

However, he said the members of the group are worried about the future.

“It is bittersweet because the reaction has been fantastic but we still have to face the unknown which is scary. We’re walking into the dark – we’ve got no idea what’s facing us,” he said.

The 31-year-old said he wants to stay in the music business, but fears he’ll never be a solo success.

“Ultimately people are going to look at whatever we do as either complete flops or successes,” he said.

“You just have to be positive with yourself and try to do something good.”

Source: rte.ie

Westlife’s Kian Egan: We’re ready to get on with our lives

Boyband heartthrob said the boys are ready to move on after the Farewell 2012 tour

THEIR decision to rule out a comeback has left fans devastated. But Westlife’s Kian Egan said the reason they’re so adamant about never getting back together, is to prove to fans it’s no gimmick – they’re ready to get on with their lives.

Speaking exclusively to OK.co.uk after Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Kian shocked the world of pop by announcing their split, Kian told us that following the Farewell 2012 tour – Westlife will be over for good.

“The reason why [the split sounded] so strong was because we didn’t want people to think this was a break-up gimmick,” he explained.

“That’s why we’re saying this is it, this is the final thing. Next year’s tour really is it. We’re not all of a sudden going to do a reunion in two or three years time.

“We want to go away and get on with our lives.”

And while their decision has left their fans reeling, Kian said it “felt good” to finally break the news.

“We’ve been living with this for a quite a while and we’ve spent quite a bit of time talking about it for last few months,” he told us.

“It felt pretty good to be honest. We all knew that we were making the right decision. And it’s made everything else really enjoyable, you know?

“You’re doing a lot of things for the last time and it just becomes really relaxed. And everyone’s just really chilled out. There are no big dramas or big stresses.”

The pop crooners have had a staggering 14 No.1 hits, seven No. 1 albums and 10 sell-out tours over the past 14 years, which – as Kian admits – has made it difficult for them to fully-appreciate the extent of their reign in pop.

“The reality is it hasn’t hit us at all,” he smiled. “We’re still at the top of the wave.

“[It’ll probably hit us] this time next year. I don’t think we even know what we’ve done in 14 years.

“Because all we’ve done is this, we don’t have the opportunity to sit down and reflect.”

The 31-year-old said the boys, much like their fans, will have to go through a period of mourning once it’s all over.

“I think we’re going to have to go through a grieving process to be able to reflect and go ‘oh, it was amazing,” he mused.

“I keep telling myself, ‘Kian you’re in a boyband, you’re not saving the world. You’re not the lead singer of U2!

“But we were in a boyband that latest 14 years. We couldn’t have asked for more.”

For now, Westlife are focusing on their Farewell tour, which kicks off next May, but they haven’t neglected thinking about their careers beyond that.

“We’re all going to do something, we’re not all going to go home and sit on our bums for the rest of our lives!” he laughed.

“We’re still young guys. I think Shane and Mark are two world-class singers – which is one of the reasons why we’ve stayed together for as long as we have – so it would be foolish to not go out there and start recording solo albums.

“Nicky seems to be falling very much towards TV and radio presenting. I see him doing well in that respect.”

Kian, who’s just welcomed a baby boy with wife Jodi Albert, said he’s the most blase one of them all when it comes to the future.

“I just want it to happen naturally,” he said. “I have no idea what I’m going to do.

“I’m open to all suggestions, [but] I’m not going to do anything that I don’t really want to. I’m going to follow passions, follow love and if I end doing something that’s great then brilliant, then if I don’t, I don’t.”

He continued: “Just because I’ve lived my life one way for the first 30 years doesn’t mean I have to live it the same way for the next 30 years. I’m way better off than when I joined the band!”

And, he added, while there will never be a big comeback for the boys – it doesn’t mean they won’t ever perform together again.

“It’s not to say that we won’t stand on the same stage again, in fact it’s probably odd to think we’ll never stand on the same stage again.

“{But, for us], Westlife has come to the end of its reign.”

Source: http://www.ok.co.uk

Shane Filan will be most successful after Westlife split, predicts Louis Walsh

LOUIS Walsh has predicted Shane Filan will be the most successful solo artist of Westlife after the band splits next summer.

And the X Factor judge said the 32-year-old is the only one of the four who will remain in his stable of acts when they go their separate ways after 14 years together.

The pop guru told RTE TV’s Saturday Night Show that he could see the dad of three from Sligo having a career like big band singer Michael Buble.

He said: “I’m going to manage Shane Filan. He’s going for the Michael Buble market. They’re all good but I can only manage one. I love Shane’s voice. I love Mark’s voice too.

“The other boys, Kian and Nicky, are going to do TV and different stuff and radio. They are going out on a high.

“Shane is going to be a big artist. I will only manage someone if I believe in them. If I get someone amazing I will manage them.”

The TV star also insisted he won’t be dressing up as a woman again after posing as his former the X Factor colleague Cheryl Cole last week.

He said he was surprised by the stir surrounding his Cheryl impression.

Louis, 59, added: “I’ve never done it before and I’m not going to do it again and I’ve never worn high heels. You only live once and you have to have a laugh.

“It took about an hour. It was fun. I didn’t know it was going to be on the front page of the paper in Ireland. I’m not ashamed. It was fun.

“I think my family might be disowning me. I’m going home for Christmas, what the hell. I actually look a bit like my mother in it.”

And Louis insisted he would not be stepping down from X Factor after reports that fellow judge Kelly Rowland wanted him axed.

He said: “I’m not giving it up, no way, unless I’m sacked. I like Kelly, I do like her. None of us are hired again. Nobody is signed. I hope to do it. I’ve done it for eight years and I hope to do it another year.”

And the music manager hit back at Samantha Mumba’s recent claims that he didn’t spend enough time on her career.

Louis said: “She is a very nice girl. I got her a record deal and she didn’t even have to sing. I just walked her into the record company, Polydor, and they saw her and they signed her.

“She had a massive, massive career but maybe she didn’t work hard enough because she was dropped by the record company. I wasn’t dropped. I’m still working with them.”

Source: Mirror.co.uk

Kian & Jodi Become Parents And Welcome ‘Koa’ To The World

We want to welcome ‘Koa’ to world and say a congratulations to Kian and Jodi the new proud parents.. what a great christmas present. 🙂

Shane, Nicky, Mark, Kian, Georgina and Gillian on twitter:

• @KianEganWL: Our Little baby Boy “Koa” was born today at 6.10pm. @JodiAlbert_xxx is an amazing woman.Love them both so much.Both doing amazing,so proud x

•  @KianEganWL: Wow thanks guys. Amazing to see our little boy Koa is trending in the Uk! And he’s only a few hrs old!!!

• @ShaneFilan79: Delighted for Jodi ,Kian and baby Koa Fantastic news!!! Congrats guys!!!

•  @nickybyrneoffic: Amazing News for @KianEganWL & @JodiAlbert_xxx Welcome to the world Koa ! happiest days ever – & just in time for Santa too ! Love NGRJ X

•  @MarkusFeehily: Congratulations to my great friends Kian & Jodi on the birth of their first child Koa,a bouncing baby boy! Yey!

•  @GginaAhernByrne: Delighted to hear the wonderful news on the arrival of Kian &Jodi’s baby boy Koa,big congratulations,love to you all G x

•  @Gillfilanoffic: So so happy for Jodi and kian and cannot wait to meet little koa (pronounced like Noah) I’ve been told!! . Congrats guys!!!x

Shane Filan will be most successful after Westlife split, predicts Louis Walsh

LOUIS Walsh has predicted Shane Filan will be the most successful solo artist of Westlife after the band splits next summer.

And the X Factor judge said the 32-year-old is the only one of the four who will remain in his stable of acts when they go their separate ways after 14 years together.

The pop guru told RTE TV’s Saturday Night Show that he could see the dad of three from Sligo having a career like big band singer Michael Buble. He said: “I’m going to manage Shane Filan. He’s going for the Michael Buble market. They’re all good but I can only manage one. I love Shane’s voice. I love Mark’s voice too.

“The other boys, Kian and Nicky, are going to do TV and different stuff and radio. They are going out on a high. “Shane is going to be a big artist. I will only manage someone if I believe in them. If I get someone amazing I will manage them.”

The TV star also insisted he won’t be dressing up as a woman again after posing as his former the X Factor colleague Cheryl Cole last week.

He said he was surprised by the stir surrounding his Cheryl impression. Louis, 59, added: “I’ve never done it before and I’m not going to do it again and I’ve never worn high heels.

You only live once and you have to have a laugh. “It took about an hour. It was fun. I didn’t know it was going to be on the front page of the paper in Ireland. I’m not ashamed. It was fun. “I think my family might be disowning me. I’m going home for Christmas, what the hell. I actually look a bit like my mother in it.”

And Louis insisted he would not be stepping down from X Factor after reports that fellow judge Kelly Rowland wanted him axed.

He said: “I’m not giving it up, no way, unless I’m sacked. I like Kelly, I do like her. None of us are hired again. Nobody is signed. I hope to do it.

I’ve done it for eight years and I hope to do it another year.” And the music manager hit back at Samantha Mumba’s recent claims that he didn’t spend enough time on her career.

Louis said: “She is a very nice girl. I got her a record deal and she didn’t even have to sing. I just walked her into the record company, Polydor, and they saw her and they signed her. “She had a massive, massive career but maybe she didn’t work hard enough because she was dropped by the record company. I wasn’t dropped. I’m still working with them.”

(Source: mirror.co.uk)