\u201cIt\u2019s been too long since we\u2019ve been back to Australia. We\u2019ve been wanting to do it for so long,\u201d Byrne, 47, told us this week ahead of tickets going on sale on May 15. \u201cBut the 25th anniversary feels like the right time. And our families are going to come down, our children are going to come down, our wives, to take it all in and what a way to see the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had that at 19 years of age. Myself and Kian got tattooed in Sydney on a crazy night out when we were 19,\u201d Byrne laughed. \u201cLet\u2019s hope our 19-year-old kids don\u2019t get tattooed when they come down to watch the show. They were great memories and we\u2019re looking forward to returning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Egan, 46, shared more details of that memorable night out, revealing what tattoo he got and where. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was random. It was like we went to King\u2019s Cross in Sydney and I got a Chinese symbol, which was supposed to mean spirit and soul,\u201d he shared. \u201cWell, I actually had it covered over with a different tattoo as the years rolled on \u2026 It was funny. I mean, it was pretty mad that we did it. It\u2019s crazy. Nicky got a barbed wire-style.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cListen, in the \u201890s, it was very popular to have a little stamp across your back,\u201d Byrne replied in his defence. \u201cIt\u2019s not as popular today, but thankfully it\u2019s in a place where nobody gets to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n
A return to Australia was always on the horizon for the Irish band and they are super excited to fulfil that dream next year when they perform on the Aussie leg of their global tour, playing for fans in Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole 25th anniversary, it\u2019s a very proud moment for us just as everything that we\u2019ve done, everything we\u2019ve been through as a band and we\u2019re probably more excited now than we\u2019ve ever been about being in Westlife and what\u2019s going on around us,\u201d Filan, 46, said. \u201cBringing this tour everywhere all over the world and getting back to Australia, it\u2019s such a milestone for us and something that we\u2019ve really wanted to happen for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe kind of pinch ourselves sometimes, but 25 years is a big milestone and to see all the fans in person and bring this big show to them, which it\u2019s going to be our biggest tour, also going to be our biggest show, our most visually spectacular show that we\u2019ve ever done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Added Byrne: \u201cThis is 25 years, but its two hours of a show of memories, nostalgia, and that\u2019s including us. We\u2019re up there reliving our youth and our dreams. So it\u2019s a very special feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
The trio will perform a mammoth 150 shows worldwide in all corners of the globe, kicking it off with an unprecedented 13-night residency at 3Arena in their Dublin hometown in September before travelling to Asia, South America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. <\/p>\n
The scope of their reach is testament to the loyal fan base the group have collected over their decades-long run, which not only saw them achieve 36 No.1 albums worldwide, but also hold the record for having the most number ones by any group (ranking only behind Elvis Presley and The Beatles).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all grew up as young lads in Ireland wanting to be pop stars, looking at Michael Jackson, looking at New Kids on the Block, looking at all these people who you were like, \u2018Wow, they get to sing for a living, be on stage. It must be a brilliant life.\u2019 And we worked to get to that. We were very lucky,\u201d Byrne said of their rise to record-breaking success. <\/p>\n
The group began as a five-piece along with Brian McFadden and Mark Feehily. However, McFadden left to pursue a solo career in 2004, while Feehily bowed out of touring in 2024 due to health issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe did look at our peers and we did look at New Kids and Take That, Boyzone, Backstreet or NSYNC and say, \u2018We want to be like those guys and more.\u2019 We want to stay around for longer. We want to keep recording songs, having hits,\u201d Byrne added. <\/p>\n
And they\u2019ve certainly kept the momentum going all these years. Their upcoming tour marks their 16th tour and the coinciding new album, aptly titled 25 \u2013 released earlier this week \u2013 is a smorgasbord of smash hits along with four brand new tracks, two of which (the infectious Chariot and the nostalgic ballad Beautiful Life) was co-written by Ed Sheeran.<\/p>\n
\u201cEd is a worldwide superstar and a phenomenal superstar. And we heard that he had grown up listening to Westlife songs and he had learned guitar playing Westlife music,\u201d Egan told us. <\/p>\n
\u201cI think he champions us when he goes around the world. If people ask him about Westlife, he\u2019s always saying how amazing we are. So to hear a superstar like that talk about us in such a good way is definitely a proud moment for us. We feel very lucky to have him in our corner.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sheeran even bought Westlife up onstage at his gig in Ipswich\u2019s Portman Road Stadium in the UK last July to sing a duet of their hit song Flying Without Wings, which Sheeran told the audience is his favourite song of all time.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very proud moment. And our kids were there and they got to meet him, and it was a really cool moment for us as well and a proud dad moment,\u201d Filan recalled. \u201cHe is obviously one of the biggest stars in the world and he learned how to play the guitar to our music, which is incredible. So we\u2019re very proud to be part of that story.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s such a really, really nice guy, a gentleman. But we sang Flying Without Wings to his home crowd, like 30,000 people and the place was just singing every single word. It was going nuts. It was a great night.\u201d<\/p>\n
The group are also fans of our very own Delta Goodrem, who they performed with on stage at The X Factor UK back in 2006. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s actually one of my favourite duets we\u2019ve ever done on TV on The X Factor with Delta. Such an amazing singer,\u201d Byrne said as Filan added, \u201cBeautiful singer\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very strange because Brian and Delta were dating at the time and Brian was in the dress room watching us perform with Delta and Delta was doing all the harmonies with us and Brian\u2019s over there going, \u2018Sounded great, guys. Sounded great,\u2019\u201d Byrne recalled.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut she was brilliant and it\u2019s a lovely song, All Out of Love by Air Supply. It was a great moment. Absolutely brilliant.\u201d<\/p>\n
So can fans expect an encore with Goodrem next year at one of Westlife\u2019s Aussie shows? <\/p>\n
\u201cWho knows? I mean, obviously the shows are a little over a year away,\u201d Byrne said. \u201cThat would be special to do that. Or Kylie Minogue. That would be incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour \u2013 Australian 2027 dates: <\/p>\n
July 16 \u2013 RAC Arena, Perth <\/p>\n
July 18 \u2013 Adelaide\u2019s Entertainment Centre, Adelaide<\/p>\n
July 21 \u2013 Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne<\/p>\n
July 23 \u2013 Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney <\/p>\n
July 26 \u2013 Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane<\/p>\n
Tickets on sale Friday, May 15 at 12pm. <\/p>\n
MasterCard Presale: Wednesday May, 13 at 12pm to Thursday May 14 at 12pm local. <\/p>\n
Live Nation Presale: Thursday, May 14 at 1pm to Friday May 15 at 1pm. <\/p>\n
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: livenation.com.au<\/a>.<\/p>\n