Irish boy band Westlife gives a rousing performance in its first post-pandemic concert in Malaysia. Photo: Handout
In the 1990s, way before the pop groups of the east swept the globe and dominated charts, the biggest stars were the boy bands of the west.
Much like today’s groups, the ones that grabbed the most attention were those with punchy tunes, over-the-top concerts, and spirited dance choreography.
And then there were the more toned down groups like the squeaky-clean, power ballad-belting Irish group Westlife, who found a formula that worked and has stood the test of time.
Twenty-three years after Westlife released its first single, Swear It Again, members Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, and Mark Feehily (now all dads in their 40s) performed to a crowd of 8,000 fans at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil last night (Feb 23), proving that they are still as popular as ever (both shows in Malaysia, as well as other locations on its Wild Dreams tour, were sold out).
The chart-topping group (which was originally a quintet - Brian McFadden left in 2004) thrilled the very responsive crowd on Thursday, belting out fan favourites Uptown Girl, I Lay My Love On You, Fool Again, If I Let You Go, My Love, Swear It Again and many more.
There’s no question of the solid fandom, with fans of all ages singing along to every word, getting caught up in the emotion of power ballads like My Love and Flying Without Wings while swaying and dancing to the more upbeat numbers like When You’re Looking Like That, World Of Our Own, and a flawlessly executed Abba medley.
They had a lot of fun with the audience, too, thanking Malaysian fans for being their family away from their families and for their support over the years. (Fun fact: They first performed here in 1999, and they have returned many times since, the last being 2019)
(From left) Egan, Byrne, Feehily and Filan returned to Malaysia for their Wild Dreams Tour. Photo: Handout
“It’s so great to be back here guys,” said Egan to the crowd. “Every time we go around the world, we find it so hard to imagine that when we were young guys with this dream of putting Westlife together and becoming a successful band, that nearly 23 years later we’d be coming to countries so far away from our home like Malaysia, and selling out two nights.”
He continued: “But I tell you one thing, we’re not getting any younger are we, can you imagine, it was 23 years ago when we released our first single, and you are all that old as well.”
Several lighthearted jests were made about theirs – and the audience’s ages – with Byrne poking fun at the dismal energy levels of the “Westlife! Westlife!” chant, joking, “We’re too old, I can tell the energy’s zapped.”
Old and tired Westlife was not, as throughout the night the group gave each song its all, with Filan and Feehily’s powerhouse vocals anchoring each tune.
During the encore, they surprised the audience with Hello My Love, a song from their 2019 album Spectrum (yes, they’re still making albums – the latest one, Wild Dreams, released in 2021).
Such a superb show could only end with the fitting finale of You Raise Me Up, a truly uplifting song performed with such passion it moved some to tears.
They may no longer be the heartthrobs of older millennials’ adolescent years, but the lads of Westlife can still lift our spirits with their timeless tunes.
Westlife's second show will be held tonight (Feb 24) at Axiata Arena.
