CityLife

Westlife

Westlife
MEN Arena
May 28, 2010

There was a Star Wars like feel to the stage as Westlife emerged to a screaming crowd and launched into their first hit Where We Are - the name of their latest album and 2010 tour.

What About Now got the crowd singing along but it wasn’t until they went back to one of their oldies – When You’re Looking Like That – that things finally got going.

Dressed like T-birds, in gold studded black leather jackets, it was clear the boys (or rather men) were glad to be back following a two-year break from touring.

Apparently the Manchester crowd like to shake their bums a bit more so we were treated to one of the hits that ‘always goes down well’ in the city – Uptown Girl.

And, as is typical of Westlife’s ability to take us from an upbeat dance track to a slow melody, Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky moved straight into Swear It Again – the band’s first single that went to number one in 1999.

Kian told the crowd ‘It’s hard to believe we’re still going after 12 years’, but their maturity (Mark’s 30th was celebrated on stage), and the fact they’re now saying ‘hello’ to their wives and children in the crowd, doesn’t deter their army of followers who flock to see the boy band they have grown up with.

And with a mixture of old and new – as well as covers including Black Eyed Peas’ Tonight’s Gonna Be A Good Night and Beyonce’s Halo – they certainly didn’t disappoint.

It may not have been one of their own songs but as they sang ‘oh we’re still the greatest’ from King of Leon’s Sex On Fire, the smile on their faces said they meant every word. I think the crowd agreed.

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