Westlife: Gravity stars are natural force of attraction at Keepmoat



Published on Sunday 31 July 2011 10:31



BOYBAND chart-toppers Westlife proved once again to be a natural force of attraction as their Gravity tour saw thousands of fans flock to see them perform an outdoor summer spectacular in the region, writes Graham Walker.


The Irish fab four entertained crowds at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium - home to Championship football club Doncaster Rovers and other sports - trasformed over six-days to a pop areena.

More than 30 girls arrived over 24-hours early to be at the front of the queue to see their idols Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan.

Fans were rewarded with tracks from latest album Gravity, many of Westlife’s chart busting hits - and a warm summer night.

It was Westlife’s first public show in the town, though they have ‘performed’ their many times behind closed doors, rehearsing their routines in a hanger at the airport.

Also performing on Saturday night was support act, singer-songwriter Glenn Cal, who is making a name for himself on the Irish and UK music scene.

A spokesperson for the Stadium Management Company said: “It was an amazing night and proves again that here at the Keepmoat, where we have also had the likes of Elton Jonh, Bryan Adams, Ronan Keating, McFly and John Parr, that we can stage concerts to rival the best in the world.

“We are already making plans for next year.

“And Rovers fans can be assured the pitch, which was protected by a special floor covering, will be in tip top condition when the football season begins next week.”

FOR REVIEW AND MORE PHOTOS SEE THE STAR TOMORROW, MONDAY, AUGUST 1 AND THE DONCASTER FREE PRESS ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011.

Thanks Jo for posting, looks like the lads scored a hit in Doncaster. :D

Not really sure about the hit bit, this is a review from my local evening paper

Westlife performing at the Keepmoat Stadium

Published on Monday 1 August 2011 12:49


WESTLIFE kept their fans waiting at Doncaster’s Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday night.


Rumours that only three of the band had turned up started to circulate the stadium as the show failed to start on time.

When the last of the band’s 31 UK shows did finally get under way, with Irish singer/guitarist Glen Calum providing the support, it was followed by another lengthy wait of over half an hour.

With nothing happening on the stage, apart from a brief appearance of a guitar technician, it was left to a couple of men out of the crowd to entertain the fans with their antics in front of the East Stand. Dozens later joined in a conga on the covered section of the pitch

Many fans were clearly frustrated by the delay, which was nothing to do with the stadium.

“It is getting a bit ridiculous now,” said Hull-based Jackie Gedney who, along with her group of friends, had been in the stadium since the gates opened at 5.30pm.

Westlife finally took to the stage around 9.35pm.

After two upbeat songs, Mark Feehily, the one rumoured to have been late, apologised to the crowd on behalf of the band for the delay without offering any explanation.

But he pledged: “We’ll try our very best to make it up to you in the next hour and a half.”

Most of the crowd will probably feel that they did just that with a good selection of songs and their Irish charm proving a winning combination.

Even Jackie admitted: “It was worth waiting for. They were good.”

Credit must also go to the tight four-piece backing group consisting of two guitarists, drummer and keyboard player.

Like them or loathe them, and there are a lot of people who fall into the latter category, Westlife underlined the fact that they can perform equally well live as in the studio – with the acoustics at the stadium helping in that respect.

Shane Filan and Feehily shared the lead vocals on the majority of Westlife songs - which included A World Of Our Own, Flying Without Wings, You Raise Me Up, What About Now (my favourite on the night) and Uptown Girl.

Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan got the chance to showcase their respective talents during a medley of songs by the likes of Rihanna and the Kaiser Chiefs.

There was also plenty of inter-action with the crowd during the evening with Byrne, in particular, wooing the fans.

Their last single, Safe, taken from their current Gravity album, was the worst-performing single of their career and just scraped into the top ten.

When Simon Cowell refused to put out a second song from the album it led to a split earlier this year.

Having heard the band perform Beautiful Tonight, many people will think Cowell got it wrong.

Many of the songs Westlife, who started life as a five-piece, have recorded over the years have been covers.

But the band had far more input on Gravity, with four of the 12 songs having been co-written.

The band have a second greatest hits album coming out later this year and they will be back out on the road again in 2012.

Whether their tour will include a second visit to the Keepmoat Stadium remains to be seen.

Tickets proved more difficult to move than had been anticipated, even though prices were cut during the run-up to the show, and it is unlikely to have been the money-spinner stadium bosses had been hoping for.

But if they do return to the town next year, and you missed out on Saturday, then try and catch them. You might be pleasantly surprised. You will certainly know a lot of their songs.

My opinion

They were good in the way they always are, especially Nicky who wasn't well and did well to get through the show. I'd not seen any of the outdoor shows prior to this one and was disappointed they'd cut I will reach you. I know some people have said there were too many in the gold circle but I think thats because theyd all crushed to the front, we stood at the back, had a great view and plenty of room.

But coming on stage 35 minutes late is shockingly unprofessional. When Bryan Adams played the Keepmoat in 2007 he was late but that was because it was torrential rain blowing directing into the stage and he was waiting to see if it stopped, it didn't so he got on with it. Mark didn't turn up until 6 minutes past 9, 6 minutes after they were meant to be on stage. I know a lot of people will try and make excuses but its their job to make sure they're on time, even if it means turning up early! They were paid between £300,000 and £350,000 to play the Keepmoat and only shifted around 6,500 tickets. No other band I've seen in the last couple of years is more than 15 minutes late and most of them are bang on time. They need to start treating the fans with more respect in this way. My ticket worked out at about £45 and I wouldn't have missed it for the world being my home town but if I was a casual fan I'd definitely think twice about paying that kind of money for them to be 35 minutes late on stage and then only be on stage for an hour and 25 minutes

MMm thanks Vix for posting.... Yes i heard they were late on stage for some reason and i am guessing they finished later too

I didn't know they missed a song out...... Poor Nicky not being well didn't help i guess....

Ive never been to an outdoor Westlife gig and have no idea what it is like but i don't think id have liked to been stood up for all that time waiting for them to come on......

Glad it was ok for you Vix and thanks again for sharing the review......x

They actually missed 2 songs as they missed 'I'm already there' out too but apparently they'd missed them out in previous shows

Mark also was "unavailable" for the meet and greet, I only know this because it was mentioned in the only mention about the show in our local weekly paper which was about the 7 year old who won their comp to meet them. I just hope Mark wasn't her favourite

Yes it finished at 11pm, lads didn't get a police escort or roads closed around the grounds like I was expecting them to, the roads were jammed but I guess if they'd planned for a closure they'd had to cancel if they were running late - buses tend to stop around 11pm - 11.30pm around here so I'm guessing a few people had to leave early to get home

ah ok..... yes well i can imagine not meeting Mark at a meet and greet would be annoying , but like you said i hope Mark wasnt her favourite...

Yes i do wonder what the reason was for being late...

I guess outdoor gigs are unpredictable....