PREPARE for the chorus of excited screams as teenage pop fans across the region hear the news announced today that Irish heartthrobs Westlife are heading for Ipswich.
PREPARE for the chorus of excited screams as teenage pop fans across the region hear the news announced today that Irish heartthrobs Westlife are heading for Ipswich.
The chart-topping quintet have been booked to perform an open air concert in Chantry Park on July 31 and tickets for the show, priced £26.50, are on sale now.
Westlife - aka Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Bryan McFadden - made their musical debut in 1999 and have since emerged as one of the biggest pop success stories of recent times.
Their first single, Swear It Again, was to be the first of a string of number ones that would turn the five lads from Ireland, the proteges of Ronan Keating and his Boyzone manager Louis Walsh, into a global success.
Since then Westlife have notched up an impressive 12 number one singles and four number one singles and none of their other releases have charted outside the top five.
In fact only four of their singles have failed to top the charts and 2002's Bop Bop Baby is concerned their worst hit for reaching no higher than number five.
On top of this the quintet, who are considered masters of the pop ballad, have performed sell out tours across the world, won countless awards and accolades, amassed a massive international army of fans and are regularly in the spotlight.
And though their five year life span already exceeds that of some of pop's most successful boybands - The Osmonds, The Jacksons, New Kids On The Block, Take That, Boyzone and 5ive for example - their consistent run of success shows no sign of coming to an end yet.
In October last year Kian said: "The passion and love we have for Westlife is still 100 per cent.
"Westlife are going to keep going as long as the fans and the band are still enjoying it. At the moment we're loving it."
That's good news for their fans in this corner of the world. With their commitment to continuing their career comes there debut venture to Ipswich for the show promoted by John Hessenthaler Concert Promotions and sponsored by the Evening Star and SGR FM.
The news that Westlife are on their way also comes an extra boost to a summer entertainment calendar already bursting with some of the biggest names in music.
Sir Elton John is set to play Portman Road on June 16 although ticket details are still being finalised.
And also in July, in two more concerts brought to Ipswich by John Hessenthaler Concert Promotions, are Christchurch Park performances by another of today's biggest pop acts and one of Britain's best-loved rock institutions. Busted will perform in the concert bowl on July 16 followed by Status Quo on July 24.
n Westlife will perform at Chantry Park in Ipswich on July 31. Gates will open at 2pm, the support acts will start at 5pm and Westlife will be on stage from 8pm to 9.30pm. Tickets cost £26.50 (plus booking fee) and are available by calling the ticket/information line on 08700 722167 or emailing boxoffice.jhcp@btinternet.com
Weblink: www.westlife.co.uk
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