WESTLIFE: A winning formula, even when the lights go out

Mar 3 2008 by Michelle Fiddler, Liverpool Daily Post

WESTLIFE: A winning formula, even when the lights go out

WHEN your audience fan base spans from seven to 70 and you’ve had more number one singles than your youngest fan has had hot school dinners, you know you must be on to a winning formula.

Even after 10 years, it’s hard to see where Westlife have put a foot wrong.

These days, it’s a more mature Irish quartet who entertain audiences with their chart-topping ballads and contemporary take on classic tracks.

Their first visit to the Echo Arena signalled the beginning of their 10th anniversary tour – the Back Home Tour 2008.

Problems with ticket allocations by the ticketing agency proved frustrating for some angry fans who queued for up to an hour at the Arena box office – meaning some missed the first part of Westlife’s two-hour long set.

But, in the build-up to the show, the atmosphere was electric and the packed Arena was lit up with flashing lights, wands and rabbit ears as excited fans took to their seats.

And as the foursome launched into a number of new and cover tracks, screams echoed around the Arena.

Fans sang along to favourites including World of Our Own, What Makes a Man and Uptown Girl before the band changed the mood with contemporary versions of classic tracks including Barry Manilow’s Mandy; the Jackson 5’s Don’t Blame It on the Sunshine and Kool and the Gang’s Get, Down On it.

The Arena was lit up with fireworks, lasers and an impressive light show. A minor technical glitch part way through led to a loss of sound and lighting, but singer Shane Filan apologised to the crowd and reassured them they would always remember Liverpool as the place they performed “the night the power went down”.

The problem was fixed within minutes and the show continued without a hitch.

MICHELLE FIDDLER