'I saw Westlife's 25th Anniversary World Tour - here's why it was an entertainment masterclass'
Westlife have been entertaining fans for over 25 years - but have they still got the boyband magic?
There was an electric anticipation in the first direct bank arena in Leeds city centre last night. Why? Because Westlife were moments from taking to the stage. Cue the cheers, the tears, and the screams from fans of every generation.
Westlife’s 25th Anniversary World Tour is a celebration of the Irish boyband’s greatest hits. From Flying Without Wings to Queen of My Heart to What About Now, it’s a nostalgic feast of catchy tunes which take you back in time to the nineties and noughties.
Of course, dramatic key changes, synchronised choreography, and multiple matching outfits were all a feature. It may be cliché but Westlife’s members Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, and Kian Egan, pull it off well. They don’t shy away from the fact they are cheesy; instead, they lean into it. Opening with the wonderfully upbeat World of Our Own, the band immediately set the tone that this is a night to forget your troubles and let loose. As I looked around the audience, I couldn’t see a single person who managed to resist the urge to smile.
Though Westlife are taking this anniversary tour around the world, there was deliberate effort to make the city of Leeds feel special. Leading the crowd to sing Leeds United’s iconic anthem Marching on Together was a particularly apt tribute considering band member Nicky used to be a footballer for the club before his music success. Spotlighting former Premier League footballer Andy Couzens in the audience was then the icing on the cake.
Audience interaction was embedded throughout the show, which made this night feel truly like a showman’s performance. Between songs, Westlife told humble anecdotes and the crowd was gripped by every word.
As the grand stage wasn’t big enough for a group as famous as Westlife, they even walked into the pit, smiling at fans and taking a photo or two, before creating a second stage where some audience members were a mere metre or two from the icons.
Some fans even had the chance to briefly take the mic and sing while gazing into the eyes of Shane, Nicky, and Kian. For the millennials who had posters of their band on their bedroom walls as teens, this tour gives them the ultimate fangirl fantasy.
So many songs in the Westlife setlist really made you want to get up and dance while shamelessly singing along out of key. Bop Bop Baby was a standout moment because as the band joked with each other on stage, it was clear just how much fun they were having.
Though I loved the pop songs, my personal favourite moment was when Westlife sang You Raise Me Up, a song I wouldn’t have forgiven them for if they didn’t play it. The staging here was stripped back, enabling you to just focus on the beauty of the song. As the members adorned all white suits, seeing them on stage was like stepping back in time.
Westlife may look a little older now and they may have fewer members, yet this show felt quintessentially Westlife. They delivered exactly what the audience wanted - an indulgence in the good times from decades back. With charm, talent, and a catalogue of iconic songs, the boyband are still expert entertainers.