[ad_1]
Westlife last performed in Dubai in 2019 (Photo: KT Files)
Westlife will take place at the Etihad Arena on September 29.
When we asked veteran Irish boy band Westlife’s Nicky Byrne how it felt to be back in action following the Covid-19 lockdown, he mused: “Obviously, it’s been a crazy two or three years. At one point, we all Wondering — will we go back to doing the job we all love to do, which is singing on stage? It’s really not enjoyable unless you’ve got a big crowd and make it all worth it.”
He added: “The fans played a big part, if not the biggest part, of the whole thing. During the pandemic, I guess people wonder if we’re going to have that many crowds again. But in the end, we’re slowly coming back.” certainly. So, it’s really nice to be back because I think we all take everything for granted; that’s what we’ve learned during that time. “
Westlife will make its Abu Dhabi debut on September 29 at the Etihad Arena on Yas Island as part of the Wild Dreams Tour. They will present their 18th studio album, wild dreamreleased in 2021, and many classic hits.
As a fan who attended one of the band’s early concerts in the area at the Dubai Media City Amphitheatre in 2005, I can see why this melodicly gifted quartet has been around since 1999, when they rose to fame with their ubiquitous single singing unforgettable tunes swear againwill always have the power to attract crowds.
Despite the ups and downs of a 20-plus-year career, including the loss of original member Bryan McFadden when Westlife rose to fame in 2004, the band is still going strong. There was a split in 2012, but to the delight of hardcore fans, Mark Fisher, Sean Phelan, Kean Egan and Nicky reunited in 2018.
The Brit winners last performed in Dubai in 2019 as part of their ‘Twenty Tour’, marking the band’s 20th year in the music industry.
Nicky with city ​​times Stories about Westlife’s secrets to longevity, enduring hits, fan favorites and growing up with his bandmates.
You have always had a loyal fan base in the UAE. How did you feel about your debut in Abu Dhabi? What can fans expect from the show?
We travelled to the Middle East back in 2000/2001. We do shows in different areas over there. Great place, great place, great place to do a show.
Our 2019 Dubai show was fantastic. There are also a lot of people from Ireland there now. Nice to meet some Irish. There are actually many nationalities, and yes, the Middle Eastern crowd has always been a huge supporter of the band.
I think it will be very exciting to go to Abu Dhabi now and see what this means for all of us, because it’s exciting that the band and the Westlife brand are still going around and doing shows after 23 years. This is an exciting time!
Fans of Westlife’s 2019 Dubai concert
Westlife first found success in the late ’90s – then disbanded in 2012 and returned in 2018. How would you look back on your development as a band at this stage of your career?
Well, I said in an interview recently – I think we’re a completely different band and have completely changed since the early days.
Our music, while popular, has grown up. As 42-43 year olds, I think we’ve matured and grown a lot, and I think we can relax a little bit and enjoy a little more.
Obviously, we’ve been doing this since we were 18-19, but I think when we took a seven-year break in 2012, we all left and lived our lives and did things differently. I host radio and TV shows in Ireland and we both have solo albums. We brought all these experiences back to the band. So, I think it makes the band better. I think we’ve grown up.
Nicky performing at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai in 2019
Westlife recently sold out at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Many bands don’t stand the test of time, even though their songs may endure. What do you think is the secret to your longevity? How do you motivate yourself every day?
I think first of all, in any boy-girl group, whether it’s a band, family, or colleagues, as long as you’re in the band, as long as we’re around, we’re all those things. We are friends, we are almost family at this stage, and we are working hard because we also run a business.
So, I think you have to trust each other and be loyal to each other; they are the most important thing. You have to take care of each other because everyone has personal ups and downs. We have all matured over the years. We’ve all been through everything from weddings, babies, parental deaths… So, we’re very close to each other.
And then as a business, we have to take care of each other. When we record and promote the album, we want to make sure that everyone is content to commit to this moment, obviously on stage. But we love it!
It’s a job that not many people in the world can do, and we don’t take it for granted. I think we try to take each day and feel like we are very lucky people who work hard.
Your Featured Golden Songs The album re-enters the official Irish charts after your Aviva performance, returning to the top 5. How does this make you feel?
I guess music brings people back to different parts of their lives, different experiences and memories, so when they come to a show, it brings back all of those things, whether it’s ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends, wedding songs, Holidays are still babies…
The Westlife show is all about – especially at this stage of our careers – to relive the glory days you once had.
So, we love it. It’s funny that when we’re on stage, we’re reliving our moments on stage! Recently, we remember when we were 18, 19, 20 years old when we played in Dublin. I think this time we will have the same experience when we play in the Middle East.
Westlife’s twelfth studio album, wild dream, is a record you made during the pandemic. What are some of the themes that shaped this album? Do you have a favorite track?
Well, I think (this is) what the world is going through. A lot of Wild Dreams’ lyrics are based on what was going on in the world at the time.
There is a song I co-wrote called live, and I’m looking ahead; all in anticipation of when the world will open up again. I’m writing this in the summer of 2021 with a group of Irish people called Picture This – very cool, very talented people.
From the band’s vast musical repertoire, which are the enduring favorites of live performances?
23 years later…I hate to use the word “legacy”, but I guess some songs will live on and belong to us forever. our own world Is an. You lift me up and swear again, fly without wings, my love, when you look like thatand uptown girla large charitable record with Claudia Schiffer in the video…
then when we reunite hello my love – A big comeback record.favorite song if i let you go – Summer record of 1999. in addition, now what Back in 2009 was a big record for us. We may not have mentioned some of the big records, but all of these songs have really stood the test of time on Westlife and brought people back.
Which Westlife track best captures your harmony as a band?
When you say harmony, I think you mean that kind of respect and friendship that we have for each other. What song represents it?perhaps our own world, because I think it’s really talking about your own ideas, your own space, your own time, your own fun little ways to reach everyone individually. But I think as a band it’s a great live performance song and a big part of the atmosphere.
Fans are an integral part of any artist’s success. Your music continues to resonate with new fans over the years. What do fans mean to you? What would you like to say to the fans of the UAE?
Without fans, we have nothing. They bring a lot of energy and a great vibe to any live performance. Every time I go on stage and experience these things, I feel very lucky and refreshed when I actually walk down the stage.
Now, getting older and feeling a little tired…but don’t get me wrong, we love our live performances and our fans bring all that stuff into it. We look forward to experiencing this experience again in the UAE. I promise, it’s going to be a great show and you’ll love it.
Tickets for Westlife’s Wild Dreams Tour in Abu Dhabi can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.ae
[ad_2]
Source link