Review: Westlife in Thetford Forest

Thousands of screaming fans descended on Thetford Forest to see pop royalty Westlife on Friday night.

Many queued for several hours to ensure their place at the front of the crowd for a chance to see their idols up close.

The crowd had already settled into a fantastic evening, enjoying warm sunny weather and a buzzing atmosphere, when the boys took to the stage.

Westlife got the crowd singing, clapping, dancing and swaying with some of their 14 number one hits, including Home, You Raise Me Up and Flying Without Wings, but also took the time to chat and interact with fans.

Some of the many banners were read aloud and the group launched into an impromptu performance of Tom Jones’s You Can Leave Your Hat On when a large pair of ladies briefs were thrown on stage.

The group delighted a couple of fans by singing them happy birthday and a lucky few were invited to go up on stage with the band.

Their charm and gentle humour managed to give the gig – attended by an estimated 8,000 people – an intimate feel and the fabulous forest setting only added to a memorable night.

The group is known for its pop ballads, but it wasn’t afraid to try some edgier covers last night, including Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance and numbers by Coldplay, Rihanna and the Black Eyed Peas.

Some of the performances were quite unexpected, but Westlife could do no wrong.

Daisy Wallage

link: by sortmusic.com

BRYAN_FERRY_THETFORD~1 BRYAN_FERRY_THETFORD~1 Review: Bryan Ferry at Thetford Forest

After torrential rain it turned into a beautiful summer evening in Thetford Forest to welcome the legend that is Bryan Ferry.

With more than 14 band members on stage including two drum sets and the usual bevy of attractive backing singers and dancers he launched into a string of numbers mixing old and new.

The large crowd were on their feet from the opening number, a mix of “Put a Spell on You “and “Slave to Love”.

Ferry, dressed in a cool dark suit, tie and scarf, effortlessly moved from song to song with superb ease and had us right in his hand from the start.

He proved that at over 60 he can still rock but has lost none of his wonderfully mellow voice, often playing keyboards and harmonica too. It was also apparent that he was really having a great time himself.

At one point a stunning rainbow appeared in the sky right above the stage almost as if it had been part of the excellent lighting mix-something missed by the masses close to the stage I guess.

The sound quality was faultless and the vision mixer presented a beautiful mix of live camera shots and recorded elements in a seamless ethereal backing film.

The band did a fabulous job and special mention must go the the female sax player who rightfully got a round of applause after her solos.

All the old favourites were there - a very haunting “Avalon”, “Love is a Drug” (which got the biggest applause of the night), “Let’s Stick Together” and the encore “Jealous Guy”

Some of the crowd of a certain age, were certainly re-living teenage years dancing away to the hits.

Ferry was ably supported by the pretty up and coming Liverpudlian blues singer Delta Maid. She has a an interesting mix of American soul singing style with her strong local accent.

Praise must go to the organising team at these Thetford concerts too. A very well organised traffic handling team ensured little or no hold ups often encountered at other live music events.

The thoroughly enjoyable show was recorded by BBC Radio Two and is due to air this Thursday evening for those who missed it.

Richard Tree

link : by sortmusic.com

nice pic from westlifers

Niamh vows to beat cancer and keep date with pop star

A YOUNG Donegal girl has vowed to beat cancer and keep a date with Westlife’s Shane Filan.

But Niamh Walsh will have to wait for at least a year to make her dream happen — after getting a call for a life-saving transplant.

The 16-year-old received a "good luck" call from the singer before her operation, which takes place this Friday at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

She has fought a rare form of leukaemia for the past five years but a suitable bone marrow donor has been found in Germany.

Her family threw her a party in Letterkenny to raise her spirits before her operation.

All her family and friends came along as did special guests Mickey Joe Harte and Eoghan Quigg.

But Niamh got a very special phonecall on the night from Westlife star Shane.

"Her whole face just lit up," said mum Bernie.

"She couldn’t believe it when Shane phoned. It was very nice of him to take the time.

"Hopefully, when the operation is a success, Niamh will get to meet him and have a good chat with him."

Bernie said that despite her chemotherapy treatment and watching her hair falling out four times, Niamh has been brave.

"She has such a great personality. She has been through hell and she always tries to have a smile on her face. She is amazing."

Westlife - Westlife Stars Vow To Clear Walsh's Name Over Assault Allegations

Westlife Stars Vow To Clear Walsh's Name Over Assault Allegations

The stars of Irish boyband Westlife have offered to help police with their investigations in a bid to clear their manager Louis Walsh over allegations he indecently assaulted a man in April (11).

The Irish music mogul has vehemently denied groping a 24 year old in a restroom in Krystle nightclub in Dublin, Ireland following a Westlife concert at the city's O2 venue earlier that night and last week (end26Jun11) he flew back to his native country to voluntarily answer cops' questions.

Since news of the alleged incident emerged, celebrities including Sir Elton John, Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne have offered messages of support to Walsh, and now the stars of Westlife have spoken out in their manager's defence.

Singer Kian Egan insists the pop stars are even willing to speak to investigating officers, telling Britain's Daily Mirror, "We are ready to speak to police to clear Louis' name. We are with him 100 per cent and will fully co-operate with the inquiry, but he is innocent."

While Egan's bandmate Shane Filan, who was with Walsh at the nightclub, is also convinced of his innocence, telling the Sunday Mirror: “I was with Louis on the night this supposedly happened and I’m 100 per cent that he is innocent. I have no doubt about Louis’ ­character. This is not the man I’ve known for 15 years. I didn’t see anything untoward. I’ve never seen him act ­inappropriately to anyone.

“Louis, me, my wife and the (Westlife) boys were at a table minding our own business. This guy came up and said he was going to be in a dance TV show. Louis wasn’t talking to the guy any more than the rest of us. I didn’t see him go off with this guy. Not to the toilets or anywhere else.”

Westlife stars: We'll give evidence to clear Louis Walsh of sex assault claims

Louis Walsh (Pic: DM)

WESTLIFE stars Kian Egan and Shane Filan said yesterday they were prepared to give evidence to help clear X Factor judge Louis Walsh of an alleged sex assault.

Kian, 31, said: “We are ready to speak to police to clear Louis’ name.

Louis denies groping a 24-year-old man at the Krystle ­nightclub in Dublin while out celebrating with Westlife after a gig. He has called the claims “lies”.

Although he has not been arrested, Walsh, 58, met with police at the Four Seasons Hotel in the Dublin suburb of Ballsbridge on Friday to help with the investigation.

Louis said: “It did not happen so therefore there is no case to answer. I am extremely angry that someone is trying to tarnish my name and reputation.

“I am hoping that this matter will be resolved as quickly as possible.”