The last time we saw Westlife in Malaysia, it was during their 2011 “Gravity” tour at Bukit Jalil. Fast forward 8 years later, the Irish lads proved that they are still number 1.
Around 7000 fans gathered at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam last night (Thursday, 8th August) to witness Westlife’s sold-out “The Twenty Tour” Live in Kuala Lumpur.
Despite being on a hiatus since splitting up in 2012, it was evident from the sold-out concerts that the quartet’s popularity had barely simmered down. We’re going to assume that Westlife loves us slightly more than Singapore since they are only performing in our neighbouring country for 1 night.
With 14 number 1 hits and an upcoming new album “Spectrum” on the horizon, there was a lot to go through Westlife’s music portfolio. Following a short intro, Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan dan Mark Feehily ascended unto the stage to open with “Hello, My Love” – the Ed Sheeran penned comeback before taking us back to where it all began with their debut single, the first of many chart-toppers to come, “Swear It Again”.
Concert-goers were invited to go on a retrospective journey as the UK boyband belted out hit song after hit song from their accomplished pop careers. “What About Now”, “My Love”, “When You’re Looking Like That”, “Uptown Girl” and “If I Let You Go” brought us back to the good ol’ times in the 90s.
Before their outfit change (there were 5 in total), Byrne took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on the case of 15-year-old Nora Anne Quoirin. The Irish girl was reported missing after she and her family stayed at a resort in Seremban last week. The singer shared that they’ve been in contact with her parents and urged everyone to do whatever they can to help.
Much to our surprise, Westlife also performed a medley tribute to Queen. Some were a bit confused by the inclusion of “Another One Bites the Dust” / “Radio Gaga” / “I Want to Break Free” / “Somebody to Love” / “Don’t Stop Me Now” / “We Will Rock You” / “We Are the Champions”.
But for those who have watched last year’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and are a fan of Queen, this section was probably a welcome to the list. Still, it took some adjustment to see the foursome in leather, fringing and rhinestones ensemble pulling off their best dad dancing.
Before the men returned to the stage with their denim on denim outfits, a video was shown across the screens. In the interview, each of the members recalled their childhood days and the first time they got on stage to sing. They also shared a little on what they’ve been doing during the long hiatus.
Filan has released 3 studio albums and an EP. He was even in Kuala Lumpur to promote “Love Always” and performed for a Malaysian couple during their wedding. Feehily too pursued a solo career and recently shared that he’s expecting his first child with fiancé Cailean O’Neill. Meanwhile, Egan went into television and Byrne (who hasn’t aged much) was hosting his own radio show before the reunion.
During the acoustic set, Feehily explained there was just too little time to sing every hit song. So they compensated by singing snippets of a few favourites and had a fun interaction with the audience. Byrne even got (most of) us to put away our phones when they sang “Queen of My Heart”.
Throughout the night, Westlife also performed 2 more songs – “Better Man” and their newly-released single “Dynamite” (both of which were written by Sheeran). “You Raise Me Up” was another beautiful moment when the whole concert venue was bathed in the torchlights of people’s mobile phones.
The night ended on a perfect encore note with “Flying Without Wings” and “World of Our Own”. It was truly eargasmic to hear Feehily’s vocals sore during those high notes. This wasn’t just magical night of music, it was boyband heaven.
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Westlife’s “The Twenty Tour” setlist in Malaysia:
- Swear It Again (Intro)
- Hello My Love
- Swear It Again
- What About Now
- My Love
- When You’re Looking Like That
- Uptown Girl (Billy Joel cover)
- If I Let You Go
- Better Man
- Queen Medley – “Another One Bites the Dust” / “Radio Gaga” / “I Want to Break Free” / “Somebody to Love” / “Don’t Stop Me Now” / “We Will Rock You” / “We Are the Champions”
- “I Have a Dream”
- “Unbreakable”
- “Fool Again”
- “Queen of My Heart”
- “Dynamite”
- “You Raise Me Up”
- “Flying Without Wings” (encore)
- “World of Our Own” (encore)
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Fans can now look forward to the debut of “Spectrum” and their upcoming music documentary.
