Westlife Offer Details On ‘Where We Are’

Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan of Westlife

Westlife have issued the following update on their forthcoming album ‘Where We Are’:

With Westlife’s first new album in two years – the incredible Where We Are – hitting stores on 30th November, we wanted to give you some extra information on what’s shaping up to be one of the most exciting releases of their career…

- Where We Are features work from some of the most admired behind-the-scenes names in pop, including Grammy-nominated Ryan Tedder (Leona Lewis, Beyonce), Steve Robson (James Morrison, Take That), Steve Booker (Duffy), Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters (Whitney Houston, Anastacia)

- Mark co-wrote the amazing ‘Reach Out’ with Shaznay Lewis

- ‘Shadows’ was co-written by Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean. It’s a classic Westlife anthem with a twist – it features a futuristic military drum roll
- Westlife explore their rockier side on singalong number ‘The Difference’

- ‘Another World’ is set to be a favorite for Mark fans, as it sees his amazing vocals soar into gospel territory

- ‘I’ll See You Again’ is a beautifully poignant song about the loss of a loved one, set to a backdrop of piano, synths and acoustic guitar.

Shane says: “We’ve been experimenting with a fresh vibe on this record, working with new producers and writing songs for the album ourselves. After eleven years we see this as phase two of the Westlife story.”

Album track listing:

1) What About Now
2) How To Break A Heart
3) Leaving
4) Shadows
5) Talk Me Down
6) Where We Are
7) The Difference
8) As Love Is My Witness
9) Another World
10) No More Heroes
11) Sound Of A Broken Heart
12) Reach Out
13) I’ll See You Again

Westlife Shoot ‘What About Now’ Video In Iceland

Westlife 'What About Now' single cover

Kian Egan of Westlife checked in with fans on the British boy band’s blog at MySpace (@westlife) on Friday (October 23) ahead of their ‘X Factor’ appearance, where they’ll be performing their new single ‘What About Now’. The single will be out to download on the same day, with the CD hitting stores on Monday. The track is off their upcoming album ‘Where We Are’, out on November 30th. Egan writes:

Hi all…

Just wanted to drop a line to say how excited we are to be back on the promotional trail for our new album!

We have been busy doing our photo shoot for the album and we just got back from shooting the video for our first single ‘What About Now’ in Iceland!

Was very cold but a lot of fun and we think you’re gonna love it! We can’t wait for Sunday nights’ ‘X Factor’… Hope you all love the new single…

Love ya all, Kian x

Westlife Shocked Over Death Of Stephen Gately

Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan of the boyband Westlife

Westlife are reacting to the death of Boyzone singer Stephen Gately on their blog at MySpace (@westlife). The Irish boy band write:

We are, like everyone else, in shock today. We met Stephen Gately back in ’98 when we first started out and since then have had the pleasure of meeting him many times. He and the Boyzone lads paved the way for us as a band. He was a friendly, positive spirit and a passionate performer. Our thoughts are with Andy and the rest of his family, his friends, his legions of fans and of course his bandmates Keith, Mikey, Shane and Ronan who will be devastated at the loss of a truly beautiful person.

Kian, Mark, Nicky & Shane x

Westlife: There Will Be A New Album This Year

Westlife of Ireland

Westlife have posted the following update on their official website at westlife.com:

Dear Fans,

It’s been a while. We have much to tell you! Earlier this year there was a meeting in London. Not long after that meeting, the search for new songs began. We searched far and wide. Our search proved to be very successful and we can’t conceal our excitement any longer! It is our great pleasure to announce the following…there WILL be a new album this year. We are very happy with all the new songs and simply cannot wait to hear what you think of them!

Regarding the website, it’s out with the old and in with the new so hold tight for brand new pictures and layout coming soon plus all the info on forthcoming promotionalschedules…

We’ve missed you all very much and can’t wait to catch up!

For now watch this space,

Love from Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane x

Shane Filan & Wife Gillian Are Expecting Their Third Child

Westlife member Shane Filan

Shane Filan of Westlife checked in with fans on the veteran Irish pop band’s blog at MySpace (@westlife) on Monday (July 6), revealing that he and wife Gillian are expecting their third child. Filan writes:

Hi everyone

I know a lot of you have already heard the rumors, but I wanted to confirm to you myself that Gillian and I are expecting another baby.

We’ve been keeping it a complete secret from everyone for a while, and made the announcement at my 30th birthday party on Saturday. The baby’s due early next year and we’re completely over the moon about it. The thought of becoming a dad for the third time is just amazing!

Thanks, as always, for all your support

Shane x

Kian Egan Thanks Fans For Well-Wishes After Wedding

Kian Egan and his new wife Jodi have just arrived home after their Caribbean wedding. The newlyweds are currently busy unpacking and getting over their jetlag, but the Westlife star passed along the following message on the veteran boy band’s MySpace blog:

Thank you to everyone for all the love and support we had the most amazing wedding day… see you all soon xxx

Westlife To Go Back To Basics On Their Next Album

Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan of the Irish boyband Westlife

Shane Filan checked in with fans on Westlife’s official web site blog on Thursday (January 29), talking about how he’s been enjoying the last six months at home and how he spent the holidays, as well as plans to begin work on new material. Filan tells readers:

We miss you all and we’re really excited about starting work on the new album. It’s going to be back-to-basics, with all new songs and no covers, like the first few albums. We’ve heard a few of the songs so far and will be hearing the rest over the next few months. I think it’s shaping up to be really good – as it’s the first album of our second decade we want it to be the best so far!

The entire message at westlife.com has since been removed.

G-A-Y 15th Anniversary

Sophie Ellis Bextor, Sugababes, Girls Aloud, and Westlife performed at the G-A-Y 15th Anniversary at the Astoria on Saturday (December 1) in London, England. At one point, Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle was joined on stage by her boyfriend and ‘Desperate Housewives’ star Jesse Metcalfe. Check out pictures from GettyImages.

Sophie Ellis Bextor: ‘I’d Love To Have More Kids’

December 2, 2007 - Sophie tells The Sunday Mirror she’d like to give her 3-year-old son Sonny a sibling at some point. “I’d love to have more kids, but it’s a matter of fitting it in. If I could be pregnant at home and not have to go to work that would be ideal. Last time I was pregnant I felt like hibernating, it was a really private time.” As for how she’s can handle both a pop career and raising Sonny, Sophie said, “Balancing work and motherhood can make things complicated, but I’m not the first working mother and I’ve got lots of support. Also, I’m very lucky that I can bring him along to work with me and I take advantage of that.” Read more.

Sophie Ellis Bextor ‘Today The Sun’s On Us’ Video

Sophie Ellis Bextor 'Today The Sun's On Us' single cover

July 10, 2007 - Sophie is out with the video for her new single ‘Today The Sun’s On Us’, the third release from the British pop singer’s third album ‘Trip The Light Fantastic’. The Sophie Muller directed video was filmed in Iceland and has a ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ theme. Watch it below.

Westlife Visit ‘The Late Late Show’

Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan of Westlife

Veteran Irish boy band Westlife visited ‘The Late Late Show’ at RTE Studios in Dublin on November 2nd to perform a song written by Michael Bublé: ‘Home’. The track is the first release off their ninth album ‘Back Home’. Afterwards, the guys sat down to talk with host Pat Kenny about the album’s sound, the repeated talk of a breakup, their Croke Park gig, taking a good break before releasing their tenth album, slowing the pace, and plans to continue on the the foreseeable future. Watch it at rte.ie.

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