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The 'Fat Lady' has sung for Westlife

Its all over..the 'fat lady' has sung for the most successful band ever to come out of Ireland...Westlife.

With mammoth music and concert sales, surpassed only by Elvis and The Beatles, the curtain finally came down last Saturday on their 14-year glittering career in Dublin's Croke Park where over 150,000 fans came, to two concerts, to witness and be an integral part of the swansong of the Sligo..and one Dub..troubadours.

The concerts started dramatically with Sligo lads Shane, Mark, Kian and Dubliner Nicky appearing on a see-through curtain to the deafening screams and cheers of a excited and expectant audience. To the fan's disbelief and genuine shock the Westlife lads burst into flames in what has to be one of the most jaw-dropping opening scenes to any major gig. Moments later the venue erupted as the lads skipped onto the vast stage to sing their opening number What About Love.

Dressed in leather jackets and casual trousers the foursome were in fine voice as was every single fan in the audience, of all ages, joined in.

In an extremely moving moment, the giant screens showed Shane Filan choking back the tears after the second song, What Makes A Man.

Next was Coast to Coast after which Kian Egan said, "This is the weekend we have been waiting for. Ireland you have made us feel very special. Tonight we want to give you the best memories of Westlife ever. We don't want anyone to walk out sad. Fourteen years is more than anyone expected." He added later, "I will miss reading the banners at the concerts. You know, they got dirtier and filthier the older our fans become."

Family is very important to the Westlife foursome and they dedicated Queen of My Heart to their families both present and those who have passed during their careers. Both Kian and Nicky lost their dads during their success and Nicky said: "Even though our dads may not be with us tonight, we know they are here in spirit and are proudly looking down on us".

They then announced that their children would be joining them on stage. The children, they told the ecstatic fans would be accompanied by their grandparents, Westlife's parents.

Sligo's Oliver and Marie Feehily, stood proudly beside their son Mark, as Shane Filan's parents Peter and Mae, also from Sligo, led out his three children Nicole, Patrick and Shane.

Nicky's five-year-old twins Jay and Rocco came out holding hands with Nicky's mother Yvonne. Kian Egan's baby Koa was a definite 'show-stealer' as he appeared in the arms of his Sligo grandmother Patricia.

SHOWSTEALER: Koa Egan takes the microphone to steal the show. Photo:RTE


As the emotionally-charged band waved for the final time to their adoring public following a brilliant version of Flying Without Wings. It was evident on their faces and expressions that the realisation of the 'final curtain' was hitting them after 14 great years at the top.

In Sligo, rumours still abound that a surprise concert might yet take place in either Sligo Rover's Showgrounds or the GAA's Markeveitz Park. However the Mayor of Sligo, Rosaleen O'Grady told SligoToday.ie that although she would love to see such a concert, to finish off what started here in Sligo, it was unlikely and that no official arrangements were being prepared.

It would appear that solo and management careers are now beckoning for the four who no doubt will continue to thrill audiences through their protege's performances...or their own.

Break a leg guys!