Westlife

Westlife is a pop and ballad group from Sligo, Ireland, formed in 1998 and active to the present day. The group’s best-known line-up includes Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Markus Feehily and Shane Filan; Brian McFadden is also an original member and leaves the group in 2004, before the band later reunites without him.

Career

Westlife forms with an original five-piece line-up in July 1998 and is signed by Simon Cowell, with Louis Walsh managing the act. The group builds a major chart record in the UK, becoming the only act in British chart history to send its first seven singles straight to number one. It also accumulates 14 UK number one singles, placing it behind only Elvis Presley and The Beatles in that ranking.

The group sells more than 55 million records worldwide and holds four Guinness World Records. Its early releases establish its commercial profile: its debut album arrives in 1999 and produces five number one singles, including “Swear It Again”, “If I Let You Go”, “Flying Without Wings”, “Fool Again (2000 Remix)” and “I Have A Dream/Seasons In The Sun”. Coast to Coast follows in 2000 and becomes the group’s first number one album, while the self-titled Westlife peaks at number two.

Further albums include World of Our Own in 2001, Turnaround in 2003, Face to Face, Back Home in 2007, Where We Are in 2009 and Gravity in 2010. “You Raise Me Up” is widely associated with the group’s continuation after McFadden’s departure. Back Home is another commercial success and is followed by a 10th anniversary concert at Croke Park in Dublin, attended by more than 83,000 people.

Break, reunion and later activity

Westlife splits in 2012 after a final tour, and the members pursue solo projects. McFadden releases his solo album Irish Son the following year. The group reunites in October 2018 without McFadden for a reunion tour and album. “Hello My Love” is its comeback single, and Spectrum follows in 2019 as the band’s eighth UK number one album and its first in 12 years. Wild Dreams follows in 2021.

Awards and recognition

Westlife receives a World Music Award, two Brit Awards, four MTV Awards and four Record of the Year Awards. Music Week also identifies the group as a major touring act in the 2005–2008 period, and it ranks seventh among touring acts in 2008.