REVIEW: Westlife Bring the Party Home on Their 25th Anniversary Tour.
BRUMSIDE RADIO · LIVE REVIEW
A two-hour arena party built on big vocals, shared memories and a finale to remember.
Brumside Radio were delighted to be invited to the Utilita Arena for the opening night of Westlife’s Birmingham run. The tour celebrates 25 years since the group first toured together in 2001, and the band returned to a city they clearly love with a thank-you to the fans who have stayed with them from the beginning. On night one of three, “party” felt exactly the right word.
Support slot: Ana Sky makes an impression
A good support slot can make all the difference at an arena show, and Westlife brought out Ana Sky, a former biologist who has recently released her debut EP. Although she was a new name to much of the crowd, she made a confident impression, combining strong vocals with an assured stage presence.
Support artists can face a tricky task in a large venue, especially while the audience is still arriving. Even so, several thousand people were already in place, giving Ana a sizeable crowd to play to. If you’re discovering her for the first time, she’s worth a listen.
During a short changeover, the arena’s playlist wandered from Vengaboys to Bon Jovi, while an audience member near the back took it upon himself to get the crowd going. He did a cracking job — and gave the impression that this was not his first time taking on the role.
The main event
With a career stretching back to 1998, Westlife could have taken their time warming up. Instead, they came out firing. Mark was sadly unable to join the tour due to illness, but Nicky, Shane and Kian made sure the night never lost momentum.
From opening laser effects tracing a map of the world to the final bows, the trio delivered a two-hour performance that ranks among the most impressive arena shows this reviewer has seen in years. They burst onto the stage with “World of Our Own”, from their 2001 third album, and the response was immediate. Around 15,000 fans seemed to know every word, singing along at full volume and staying with the band from start to finish.
Boy bands can sometimes be accused of relying on backing tracks and barely moving around the stage, but the live musicians touring with Westlife put paid to that idea. Special mention must go to backing singer Louise, who performed while heavily pregnant and supplied some of the strongest vocals of the evening. She sounded like an artist who could command a stage in her own right.
Archive images and personal stories brought the group’s early days into focus throughout the show. More than simple nostalgia, these moments conveyed how much it means to the band to keep performing these songs for fans who continue to travel and follow them year after year.
Then came the finale: a brilliant encore rounded off with drones creating a spectacular light show above the stage. After two hours of hits, it was an uplifting finish to a night full of shared memories. If you get the chance to see Westlife on this tour, take it — you’ll leave with plenty to remember.
Verdict: A two-hour arena party built on big vocals, shared memories and a finale to remember.
Setlist
Setlist as noted on the night.
- World Of Our Own
- Uptown Girl
- Bop Bop Baby
- What About Now
- When You're Looking Like That
- What Makes A Man
- I Have A Dream
- I Lay My Love On You
- Starlight
- Queen Of My Heart
- Chariot
- Fool Again
- If I Let You Go
- My Love
- Unbreakable
- Mandy
- Flying Without Wings
- Hello My Love
- You Raise Me Up
- Swear It Again