Westlife - July 6 & 7

Originally coming to prominence in 1998, when they provided support to both Boyzone and the Backstreet Boys, Westlife waited almost 18 months before releasing their debut album, simply entitled Westlife. Smart move? You bet. The album was to produce the band's first five UK number one singles and went fifteen times platinum in Ireland with sales of over 225,000.

The band have gone on to release a further six studio albums, two albums of covers and a best-selling Best Of compilation. Along the way, in 2004 Bryan McFadden left to pursue a solo career. However, the group took McFadden’s departure in their stride, and as a four-piece they have subsequently continued to top the charts with incredible regularity. No wonder that, in 2010, it was announced that Westlife – a band from Sligo – were the biggest selling band of the last decade in the UK.

Their most recent album We Are Here was another big success and 2010 sees the band embarking on a huge, sell-out European arena tour, including performances in Croke Park to 80,000 people, the O2 London and, of course, in what is a unique opportunity to see them up close and personal, Live at the Marquee. Be there. It’s one for the history books!

DID YOU KNOW?
• Westlife are the only band in history to have their first seven singles reach No.1 in the UK single’s charts.
• The three Sligo members of Westlife – Kian, Mark and Shane – began their music careers in a group called IOYOU but were rejected by Simon Cowell.
• The band was originally going to be called Westside but as that name was taken the group decided on Westlife, despite Nicky Byrne’s hopes of calling the group West High.
• Kian Egan is regarded as the band’s musical mastermind and plays guitar during Westlife’s live performances.