Face to face with Westlife

Something very amusing happened the last time I saw Westlife at a press junket in Singapore a few years ago. During the TV interviews, a sexy TV host got so carried away that when she heard Uptown Girl (the quartet’s own version) being played in the background, she promptly rose from her seat and launched into a "belly dance," much to the pleasant surprise of Mark, Kian, Nicky and Shane who very politely "applauded" the enthusiastic "uptown girl" but couldn’t conceal their amusement even during the interview portion.

It’s a pity that Miss Uptown Girl has left for a faraway place and she won’t be around to do an "encore" when the Westlife guys breeze back into Manila for a concert called Face to Face at the Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 4.

Face to Face is also the title of the quartet’s new album (released locally by Sony BMG Records), their first in three years since their Turnaround album topped the charts in 2003. Described as "a familiar blend of big ballads and mid-tempo tunes, balanced by the occasional up-tempo song," Face to Face presents Westlife playing to their strengths – passionate vocals and memorable tunes – a straightforward formula that’s been winning hearts and ears since the quartet burst onto the UK music scene and dominated it for more than seven years.

"I think this album shows that Westlife is back in a big way," Shane Filan was quoted as saying. "It’s got the best material we’ve ever released."

"At the time," added Nicky Byrne, "Turnaround seemed like one of our best albums. This one feels even better."

The two other members, Kian Egan and Mark Feehilly, agreed.

Over the weekend, Funfare did an exclusive phone interview with Kian, speaking for the rest of the Westlife. Here are excerpts:

You’ve been in Manila before. What are your memories from those visits?

"I remember when we were in Manila, everybody was very nice and very friendly. You have a beautiful country. Everybody there was so nice that I really looked forward to going back there to see everybody again."

You still remember when you were in Manila the last time?

"Oh, that was a long time ago. We wanted to go around but we didn’t have the time. This time, I hope we could."

What can we expect from Westlife during your concert at the Araneta Coliseum?

"You will hear a lot of the songs from our new album, Face to Face, and we’ll also do a lot of songs from our old albums, and all the big hits, including Uptown Girl, World of Our Own, Against All Odds and many more."

Why did you call your new album Face to Face?

"Because we’re back face to face with our fans after an absence of a few years."

How does Face to Face differ from your last album?

"This album has great pops song in it. We made sure that we included songs that our fans will love to listen to."

How did the Westlife sound evolve through the years?

"We’ve become a bit older and we are more mature-sounding. We sound quite different from the way we did a few years ago. But the distinct Westlife sound remains the same as you will notice in Face to Face."

What about in your personal lives?

"Well, Shane recently became a father for the first time; he has a daughter. Someday, I want to be a father, too. Nicky spent much of his summer getting in shape in the gym. Mark has a lovely apartment in London and he’s enjoying life a lot. Me, I like to play golf and play with my dog."

Many people thought that the Westlife had disbanded.

"No, it’s not true. As you can see, we’re still together... still making beautiful music together."

That should make Westlife fans happy and rest assured that their idols will be together for a long time. They are, as the title of one of their hits puts it, "unbreakable."

Now, after Stephen Gately of Boyzone "outed" himself a few years and Lance Bass of ’N Sync confessed that he, too, is gay very recently, will any of the Westlife guys spring a surprise of his own anytime soon?

Meanwhile, here are interesting trivia about the quartet:

• KIAN, 26, Taurus – "I’m like a bull. I never thought that Westlife would have 12 No. 1 singles. My favorite Westlife moment was shooting the video for If I Let You Go in Tenerife. My favorite Westlife track is What Makes a Man. My favorite Westlife video is Fool Again. What do the other guys say about me? That I am headstrong! When I’m not working, I like to spend time in the surf dude. My motto is: Treat people how you like to be treated."

• SHANE, 27, Cancer – "I never thought that Westlife would still be hugely successful seven years on. My favorite Westlife moment is meeting the Pope. My favorite Westlife track is Flying Without Wings. My favorite Westlife video is Fool Again. What do the other guys say about me? That I am generous and a nice guy! When I’m not working I like to change my daughter’s nappies. My motto is: Everything happens for a reason."

• NICKY, 28, Libra – "I am a beautifully balanced person. I never thought that Westlife would play two nights at Lansdowne Road to 80,000, My favorite Westlife moment was meeting the Pope. My favorite Westlife track is World of Our Own. My favorite Westlife video is World of Our Own (US version). What do the other guys say about me? I spend the longest time in the shower! When I’m not working I like to spend time with my wife and walk our little pups. My motto is: Smile, enjoy life, live every day like it’s your last."

• MARK, 26, Gemini – "I never thought that Westlife would win Record of the Year three times. My favorite Westlife moment was meeting the Pope. My favorite Westlife track is Can’t Lose What You Never Had. My favorite Westlife video is World of Our Own (US version). What do the other guys say about me? Yes, where is Mark?

When I’m not working, I like to write songs. My motto is: Wake up and breathe!"

(Note: Westlife Face to Face in Manila is produced by Viva Concerts & Events. Tickets are priced at P4,500 for patron, P4,000 for lower box A, P3,000 for lower box B, Pl,000 for upper box and P350 for general admission. For inquiries, call all SM ticketnet outlets and Araneta Coliseum at 911-5555; or Viva Concerts & Events at 687-6181 local 715 or 620.)

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