Westlife
Utilita Arena 12/03/22
Birmingham UK
Claire H. Photographer
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Live Review
Continuing with their The Wildest Dreams UK tour, Westlife geared up for their two night residency at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena. With the band’ very own Markus Feehily unfortunately out of action and temporarily absent from the tour recovering from Pneumonia, it was down to remaining members Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filan to wow the crowds of Birmingham.
Joining them on this run, fellow Irish singer songwriter Lyra who would be performing her biggest shows to date. Whilst a relatively small artist over here in the UK (for now), her name being plastered across the big screen meant it would be impossible for the arena not to know her name by the end of her set. Stepping onto the stage in a dazzling outfit that shone as bright as her personality, Lyra won over the crowd and was all smiles making the stage her own. Her powerhouse vocals, a noticeably huge contrast to her thick Cork accent, of which she described herself as ‘rough and ready’. It was Lyra’s in between track chit chat about ex-lovers and Ireland that made her relatable as well as entertaining – making the 16,000 capacity arena feel more like an intimate grassroots shindig. Fully losing herself in the performance to numbers Lose My Mind and opener We are Beautiful, Lyra took a moment to advocate for people to embrace their eccentricities and weirdness in all forms, rightfully receiving huge applause from the audience as a result. 2019 hit Falling was a standout moment of the set, unsurprisingly as many recognised the number from being featured on Love Island and Grey’s Anatomy. Closing her set with a huge cover of Stevie Nicks classic Edge of Seventeen got Birmingham out of their seats and onto their feet proving that Lyra was the perfect warm up on a frosty December evening.
Setlist:
We are Beautiful
Mother
Lovers
New Day
Chess
Lose My Mind
Falling
Edge of Seventeen
After a brief intermission, it was time for the Dublin heroes to take the the stage. Opening with the words “Are you ready to dream together?” projected onto the big screens of the sold out arena, the boyband heartthrobs emerged onto the stage and blasted into 2021 single Starlight; the only performed number from their latest offering. With fireworks and confetti just one song in, the set was kicked off with a bang. Hit cover Uptown Girl and a rock infused revamp of 2000 anthem When You’re Looking Like That; accompanied by scorching pyrotechnics, followed suit. From onstage banter to killer choreography – even some classic air guitar, the Westlife boys were on top form and the show was crammed with energy.
Fellow bandmate Kian Egan was first to acknowledge Mark’s unfortunate absence from the show before introducing and dedicating their 1999 debut, Swear It Again to his mother whom was in attendance. This was also the last hit before the first costume change of the evening. Changing from matching black and white abstract patterned ensembles, the boyband reappeared in matching black shirt and trouser combos, paired with a metallic silver waistcoat as they launched headfirst into pinnacle moment of the set – a classic ABBA medley. If they weren’t already, the crowd were certainlyout of their seats now. This segment paying homage to the Swedish supergroup saw Westlife perform snippets of classic hits from Mamma Mia to their own well known rendition of I Have a Dream.
In between songs, the boys left plenty of opportunity for crowd interaction. One fan gifted the band with a get well soon card to Mark which was opened and read on stage by Byrne, who likened the experience to an instalment of CBeebies Bedtime Stories, sending thousands of women into a delighted frenzy. Another fan held a sign with the words “Can I ask a question?”, with Byrne jokingly responding no and later discovering it was a young fans first ever Westlife concert in which the group sign her flag to commemorate such occasion. With Westlife’s career spanning over 20 years, you would imagine a typical audience for their concert to be predominantly females that have grown up with the group and whilst this sentiment is correct, the crowd is more varied than you may have anticipated. From older fans that can be spotted in attendance, to couples singing heartfelt classics to one another and even super fans now attending with their families – introducing the world of Westlife to a whole new generation. It just goes to show that the love for the Irish cheeky chaps knows no limits.
Ensuring Feehily remains part of the show, the group record a special Birmingham themed get well soon message to be posted on Instagram after the show. Egan calls for a known Birmingham saying to be used for the video, with the crowd unanimously in favour of “alright Bab” in true Brummie style. After a brief few moments of madness with the audience, the show continued with fan favourites What About Now, Mandy and World Of Our Own mashed up with Beyoncé’s global 2003 hit Crazy in Love.
Closing the night of course with their 2005 cover of You Raise Me Up; accompanied by bursts of confetti, ending the performance in style. Despite having played to thousands of fans countless times over the years, Westlife are as every bit grateful now as they were just starting out and clearly having the time of their lives on this run. The implications they’ve faced covering lines from songs and adjusting choreography formations to suit a band of 3 rather than 4 would be difficult for any tour, let alone one of this scale. Yet, the boys in Westlife make it happen and delivered fans a show beyond their Wildest Dreams.
Setlist:
Starlight
Uptown Girl
When You’re Looking Like That
Fool Again
If I let You Go
My Love
Swear It Again
ABBA Medley
What About Now
Mandy
Greatest Hits Medley
World Of Our Own
Flying Without Wings
Hello My Love
You Raise Me Up
