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‘I can't breathe', cry fans as Westlife announce ‘special' anniversary shows & tease ‘this is just the beginning'

‘I can't breathe', cry fans as Westlife announce ‘special' anniversary shows & tease ‘this is just the beginning'

The Irish Sun18 hours ago

WESTLIFE fans have been sent into a frenzy after the boyband announced a HUGE anniversary gig.
The iconic Irish group are set to celebrate 25 years together
next
February - and to mark the occasion they have put together a "very special" show for fans.
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2
Westlife have announced two nights at the Royal Albert Hall in London
2
Westlife will perform as a trio for the gigs as Mark Feehily remains in recovery
Taking to
this morning
, the band revealed they would be performing two nights at the
Royal
Albert Hall in
The World of Our Own hitmakers are set to breathe new life into their chart-topping anthems, reimagining them like never before with the sweeping power of the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra."
In a caption penned to their joint account, they wrote: "We can't quite believe it's been 25 years of Westlife… and what a journey it's been.
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READ MORE IN WESTLIFE
"To kick off the celebrations, we're so excited to announce two very special shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London with the incredible Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra."
The lads expressed their excitement over the big announcement adding: "It will be a wonderful night full of music and memories and we can't wait to celebrate with you."
The band kept the excitement rolling, dropping hints about more unforgettable events on the horizon to mark their milestone anniversary.
They teased fans with a message brimming with anticipation: "There's so much more to come—and this is just the beginning. Happy 25th to us all!"
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Most read in Celebrity
Tickets
for the Royal Albert Hall gigs will go on sale next Friday, June 20 at 10am on
But those looking to nab tickets to the celebrations will need to act quickly as it looks like thousands of fans will be waiting in line to get theirs.
Nicky Byrne's emotional post as Westlife wrap up tour
Fans all flocked to the comment section to react to the exciting
news
.
Evie wrote: "OMG guys!! This is such great news! Hoping to hear some new
songs
from you. Can't wait!"
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Lindsey said: "Iconic venue, so proud."
Imelda added: "OMG can't wait to see this!!"
Emma remarked: "I CAN'T BREATHE!!"
FEEHIL-ING SAD
And Joanna gushed: "This will be a very special night for you all!"
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However, super fans were
Westlife "sadly" revealed that
will be "unable to join the celebrations" and therefore
,
and
will be holding down the shop without him.
In February 28, 2024, Mark announced he had to
to "fully recover" after undergoing surgery.
The band wrote on Instagram: "We hope he can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always.
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"The four of us can't quite believe it's been 25 years. We could only have dreamt of the continued love and loyalty you have consistently with shown us around the world.
"We are so lucky to have all of you with us and we can't wait to celebrate together."

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TikTok Boom: The rise and reign of viral dance trends
TikTok Boom: The rise and reign of viral dance trends

RTÉ News​

timean hour ago

  • RTÉ News​

TikTok Boom: The rise and reign of viral dance trends

TikTok hasn't just reshaped social media; it's rewritten the rules of cultural fame. With a tap and a twist, a bedroom video can go global. From CMAT's 'Woke Macarena' to unexpected dance-floor icons, Sarah McIntyre and Laura Delaney ask: What does it really take to go viral in 2025? Unlike traditional platforms, virality on TikTok doesn't hinge on follower count - anyone can break through. At its core, the app thrives on participatory trends, with dance challenges leading the charge, turning everyday users into cultural contributors overnight. In recent weeks, CMAT's Take a Sexy Picture of Me, aka the 'Woke Macarena', has become a global trend, inspiring over 39,000 videos to date, with over 100 million views. Lola Young, Julia Fox, Cher Lloyd and Amelia Dimoldenberg are among the high-profile names who have given the fun and sassy dance a whirl. TikToker Sam Morris (@justsammorris) is the creator behind the viral dance sensation. Last month, he posted a video showcasing his original choreography to the track, proudly dubbing it his "Apple dance TikTok choreographer moment." According to Rebecca O'Keeffe, Head of Content Operations at TikTok, what makes this particular trend interesting is its grassroots origin. "It only really became a thing in the last week or two, and that's all down to one man making a video in his bedroom," she says. "It wasn't some massive creator doing a collab with CMAT. He spotted the clue and jumped on it. If you think something is going to work, give it a go, because it probably will." What actually makes a TikTok go viral? If there's one question TikTok's content team hear daily, it's this: How do I go viral? We ask the experts. Arthur Gourounlian, Dancing with the Stars judge, dancer and choreographer, is known for his joyful and engaging content on social media - he believes the first three seconds are everything. "Grab attention right away," he advises. "Use something surprising, relatable, or visually engaging. People connect with real, unfiltered moments. Being yourself makes you memorable." From a production standpoint, he recommends sharp editing, strong lighting and a clear message. The dancing pro also gives a shout-out to trending sounds or topics, as "using popular audio or participating in trends boosts discoverability". "Whether it's funny, emotional, or informative, the video should have a clear purpose," he adds, saying "engagement – asking a question, using on-screen text, or prompting comments can encourage interaction." For Matthew Gardiner, one half of the Irish dancing duo The Gardiner Brothers (3.9 million followers and over 85 million likes on TikTok), it's about consistency and patience. "It feels almost random sometimes what gains traction. We do think that consistency is a huge thing, because you don't know what's going to go viral," he says. "Sometimes we have a feeling like 'OK, this one's good, this one's going to do well,' but then it doesn't. And you don't really have an answer for that, and you've just got to keep trying. "If you enjoy it, some people out there are going to enjoy it, and it doesn't have to always go viral." He recalls a tip from a social media guru he watched online during the pandemic that stuck with him. "You know the phrase 'quality over quantity', he actually flipped it and said 'quantity over quality', because quality is subjective. "Somebody out there is going to enjoy your content, so just keep putting it out and then the odd one will grow." Rebecca reckons that the key to being successful on the platform is "nailing the engagement side of things" and admits "everyone with a phone who has access to the app is a creator". Interestingly, when it comes to being successful on the platform, she says you don't need big numbers to make an impact. "You don't need to have millions of followers to become a sensation on the platform. It's all about spotting that creative niche and jumping on it, and those kinds of trends can start from anywhere – me in my kitchen has as good a chance at going viral as the Kardashians in LA. "You can start from zero and grow this incredible, engaged audience quite quickly if you just nail the engagement side of things". What sounds and moves work best? So what does it really take to go viral on TikTok and capture the attention of millions? "The algorithm is a fickle little thing. We can't predict its behaviour - it would be great if we could," Rebecca laughs. "I work really closely with creators, and I'd say at least every day, I get asked 'how do I go viral?'. It's really down to how engaging the content is as opposed to having a million followers. "The likelihood being that if you have a million followers, you're probably quite an interesting and engaging human by default. My advice if you are starting from zero is to scroll and see what people are interested in, jump on those trends when you spot them, don't wait for them to become massive trends." Matthew, who was born in Denver and raised in Galway, says it's "the classic songs" that consistently do well for The Gardiner Brothers on TikTok. "Things like The Bee Gees have always done well. Those songs are timeless - the younger generation loves them as well." Some dance routines are destined for virality, but they are rarely the most complex ones. "The most viral dances are usually simple, repeatable, and don't require pro-level skills," shares Arthur. "They should be visually fun and expressive. Think hand movements, body rolls and hair flips." He reckons that songs with a strong beat, catchy hook, or dramatic moment, especially early on, tend to perform best. The key is that "people of all ages and skill levels feel confident trying them". "If people can learn it quickly and feel cool doing it, they're way more likely to recreate it - and that's what spreads it!" he adds. Has TikTok changed the dance world? Absolutely. And for the better, according to both Matthew and Arthur. "Dance is all over people's For You pages and reels feeds all the time," Matthew says. "I don't think people were constantly seeing dance and interacting with dance every day of their lives before social media, which is great because dance is obviously something positive. "Continuing to put any form of dance in the spotlight every day, even if it's just a quick 10 to 15-second snippet, I think that's great." Arthur agrees and points out that the platform has made dance much more accessible to people all over the world. "TikTok has completely transformed the dance world - it's made it more accessible, more inclusive, and more global than ever before. You don't need to be a professional dancer or have studio space to make an impact. All you need is a phone, a catchy song, and a bit of creativity." The TV star continues: "What I love most is how it's given people from all walks of life the chance to express themselves through movement. "Dances can go viral overnight, and suddenly you've got people all over the world - from kids in their bedrooms to celebrities on red carpets - doing the same routine. It's created a sense of shared energy and connection, which is really powerful. "It's also reshaped how we see choreography. It's not just about technical perfection anymore - it's about vibe, personality, and originality. In a way, TikTok has democratised dance, and I think that's beautiful." The Irish flair for viral moments Arthur believes that Irish audiences connect with dance trends that "blend fun, energy, and a bit of cultural flair". "Anything that brings people together - like group dances, easy-to-follow routines, or ones with a bit of humour - tends to do really well here. We love a good laugh and a shared moment, so trends that feel inclusive or playful often take off. "Also, any trend that includes Irish music or nods to Irish culture tends to strike a chord. We've seen some TikToks where traditional Irish dance gets a modern twist, or Irish songs go viral with creative choreography, and people absolutely love it. It's that mix of pride and playfulness that really resonates." He adds: "At the end of the day, we're a nation that loves storytelling, rhythm, and a good time - so if a trend taps into that spirit, it usually finds its way into Irish hearts (and TikTok feeds) pretty quickly." Matthew says that fans of The Gardiner Brothers love to see them giving Irish dance a modern edge. "They love to see us go back to the traditional Irish music, which we love to do as well because we want to hold on to that tradition, "he said. "We love modernising it, but we love holding on to what Irish dancing really is and having a balance of both." "I think it's something in all Irish people, when you hear the trad tunes come on, your shoulders get moving and your feet get moving." Is going viral something you can plan, or is it luck? When it comes to blowing up on TikTok, it seems to be a mixture of planning, elbow grease and some good old-fashioned luck. "Going viral is a bit of both - strategy and luck," Arthur explains. "You can definitely plan your content with the right ingredients: a catchy hook, trending sounds, relatable themes, good timing, and engaging visuals. "But at the same time, there's no exact formula. Sometimes the most unexpected, off-the-cuff videos are the ones that blow up. That's the magic of social media - there's always an element of unpredictability. You never really know what's going to resonate or when the algorithm will suddenly pick up your video. "So yes, you can prepare, be consistent, and stay creative - but sometimes, it really is just about being in the right place at the right time with the right vibe." Matthew adds: "The app seems to be in control most of the time because they're constantly changing their algorithm. They're changing the times that you're supposed to be posting at, so you're at the mercy of a little bit of luck for sure. "It's also fun to hop on the trends and put our own spin on it, because they won't have an Irish dancing aspect to it, but we love to chime in on that with some Irish flair. "You just have to keep trying to put out your best self all the time." A launchpad for Irish artists TikTok's power as a music discovery platform is hard to overstate. In fact, last year, 84% of songs that entered Billboard's Global 200 chart went viral first on TikTok. The platform has played a pivotal role in identifying and elevating emerging artists, providing them with a platform to attain global recognition. "TikTok has broken down barriers for a lot of emerging artists that maybe didn't necessarily get the label recognition prior to TikTok's accessibility. It's allowed the community to discover who's worthy of a record deal or the No1 hit on the Billboard charts," says Rebecca. One such success story is KhakiKid from Crumlin in Dublin. The Irish alt-rapper, known for his jazz-infused hip-hop and introspective storytelling, found fame earlier this year with his single Date Nite featuring Saint Demarcus. The track gained massive traction on TikTok and even caught the attention of Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez. Thanks to its TikTok virality, Date Nite has been streamed over 500,000 times on Spotify and was a Top 40 Single in Ireland, solidifying KhakiKid's status as a rising star in the Irish music scene. The spotlight on Irish musicians, especially those embracing the Gaeltacht culture, signals a broader appreciation and demand for authentic, homegrown artistry on the world stage. "For the last two years, it's been all about Irish actors, and it took over the Oscars last year," Rebecca says. "But it's Irish musicians that are at the tip of everybody's tongue at the moment - especially those embracing Gaeltacht culture. "We've got so many strong ones like Florence Road, Khaki Kid, all these incredible artists who are slowly but surely carving out a space for themselves, which wouldn't have been available to them if they didn't have the platform." So, what's the secret? There may not be one. But what's clear is that TikTok has redefined what it means to connect, perform and create. It's given a voice - and rhythm - to people who may never have stepped onto a stage, and a spotlight to artists who might otherwise have gone unheard.

The land of migrant saints and scorers - new RTE shows uncover home truths
The land of migrant saints and scorers - new RTE shows uncover home truths

Irish Daily Mirror

time2 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

The land of migrant saints and scorers - new RTE shows uncover home truths

Had anyone bothered to ask I'd have told them for nothing. When a replacement anthem was needed to unify the various Irish sects, north and south, to be played at big sporting occasions, Dominic Behan's shanty 'Thank God We're Surrounded by Water' could have ticked most of the boxes. It's a good seafaring ballad fit for a wild island tribe. In their wisdom the powers that be asked Phil Coulter instead and the rest is history. But if you wanted reminding that being surrounded by water is what defines us more than any other thing, it came this week in the shape of two epic new RTE productions. Both have the taste of salt air about them and plenty of Irish people doing what we have done well for centuries - gazing out at the waves and contemplating the sheer unlikely wonder of it all. 'From That Small Island' ambitiously sets out to tell the story of the Irish since prehistory in four lavish episodes every Sunday evening. On Mondays, 'Hell for Leather' even more ambitiously tries to capture Gaelic football's part in that island tale in a mere five parts. Both depict the Irish as a tribe apart, cut off by the waves at the edge of the world. The sea has been with us from the beginning, right back when we drifted off into the wilds of the north Atlantic while England was still waiting on its initial tectonic Brexit from the continent. The first hunter gatherers may have walked from Africa to Western Europe, but to get all the way here they had to get in a boat. The documentary makers revealed how the earliest homo sapiens to make that determined journey were likely dark skinned from around modern-day Turkey. So were the first farmers who followed them, shipping cows and barley over the seas and setting up in what they must have assumed was the ends of the earth. Instinct says this isolation should have made us an inward-looking people – 'insular' was what outsiders even called our strange language when they would encounter us. But like all good stories there's a twist. There became as many departures as arrivals from the island, or as one academic describes it to viewers, our story became one of 'comings and goings.' We earned a reputation as 'the wandering Irish'. And maybe the greatest of those early wanderers was a monk from Co. Carlow. Columbanus founded seats of learning on the continent in the sixth century and brought crazy Irish ideas across the seas with him. Some still survive in his own writings. One was that people should be judged on their principles rather than their station in life. Another was the radical concept of a united Europe. Over a thousand years later, a gathering of statesmen marking the anniversary of the death of this migrant monk amid the rubble of war, would use his ideas to conceive of a project that we know today as the European Union. Not surprisingly this narrative of who the first Irish really were and their migrant roots has sparked the usual deranged mouth-frothing in the online echo chambers. Presumably some of their modern-day descendants were hoping for an origin story involving a pure race dancing at the crossroads around burning buses. If 'From that Small Island' annoyed the far-right people, 'Hell for Leather' just annoyed the right people. Its handful of critics were mostly those who baulk at the notion that the GAA is somehow a sport apart, uniquely of the Irish, born as it was in this place surrounded by water. They object to contributors to the programme speaking of how that somehow allowed the game to forge intangible connections like identity, community, belonging, and a sense of parish. These are some of the same people who then go away and get misty eyed themselves while singing Ireland's Call or supporting a team of multi-millionaires in the pay of multi-billionaires somewhere over the seas. But when it comes to what they dismiss as 'over mythologised' and 'mystical guff' about the special place of the GAA in the Irish story, they refuse to believe in a sense of wonder. As that other seafaring monk of the Skellig Islands, Yoda, might have told them, that's why they fail to get it.

US tourists flock to Dublin for US country music star Zach Bryan's gigs amid surge in North American visitors
US tourists flock to Dublin for US country music star Zach Bryan's gigs amid surge in North American visitors

Irish Independent

time5 hours ago

  • Irish Independent

US tourists flock to Dublin for US country music star Zach Bryan's gigs amid surge in North American visitors

The Oklahoma singer-songwriter will play three concerts at Dublin's Phoenix Park from June 20-22 with a predicted attendance of over 180,000. The gigs have delivered bumper bookings for Dublin hotels while pubs and restaurants are set to enjoy a surge in business over the next 10 days. It is predicted that up to 10,000 US fans will visit Ireland, with the concerts a key reason for their holiday here. Dublin tourism will savour its biggest boost since the Garth Brooks concerts of 2022 as, unlike rock acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift and Coldplay, the majority of ticket sales for country artists are outside the capital region. Only 12pc of ticket sales for the Bryan concerts were in the Dublin area – with huge ticket demand in Connacht, ­Ulster, the UK and North America. Bryan has enjoyed a stratospheric rise to stardom and will play here just two years after performing to 1,900 fans at The Helix in Dublin. The concerts take place as Ireland is savouring a big recovery in US tourist numbers. Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) revealed that one in five foreign holidaymakers who visited Ireland in April were from the US. That represented a significant increase in North American visitor numbers compared with March. While the figure (18pc) was down 1pc compared with the same period last year, it represented an 8pc hike compared with the number of US holidaymakers recorded in April 2023. The UK remains Ireland's biggest tourism market with four in every 10 visitors coming from England, Scotland or Wales. The Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC) said the sector faces multiple challenges ranging from constrained airline seat capacity, global instability, the potential impact of Donald Trump's 'America First' strategy and economic issues on core visitor markets including the UK and Germany. Irish tourism is expected to deliver revenue growth of between 5pc and 7pc, but growth in the overall number of visitors is expected to slip to its lowest rate for years. The European Travel Commission (ETA) has predicted average tourism growth across the 27 member states will exceed 8pc. ADVERTISEMENT However, the ITIC predicted that Ireland will fall behind the EU average – potentially peaking at 5pc growth. Tourism Ireland estimated that the economy received a €7bn boost from tourism last year. Over 300,000 jobs are supported by overseas tourism, with Tourism Ireland aiming to boost the value of the sector to €9bn by 2030. Tourism revenue growth has been boosted by the fact that inflation has eased and Ireland will be able to offer better value for money in accommodation terms thanks to over 7,000 new hotel rooms being delivered by the construction sector. A significant number of hotel and guest house rooms will also be returned to tourism use as refugees are allocated alternative accommodation. Leading hoteliers said 2024 was a good year and this season was expected to deliver further growth. InterContinental Dublin general manager Nicky Logue said US business was strong while UK trade was down on previous years. 'Last year was a very strong year and, bar any great shocks, I predict the same in 2025, albeit with a lot of pressure on the bottom line with increasing costs of doing business,' Mr Logue said. 'Thankfully we performed well year-on-year due to strong group business from the US in particular and rugby. Ireland and Slovenia are the only two European countries where airline seat capacity will decline in 2025 'Leisure business remains strong from the US, but the UK market is definitely not as strong as it has been in years gone by. Corporate business remains challenging with people travelling less and many still working from home a couple of days a week.' Tourism groups said the main 'handbrake on growth' is the passenger cap at Dublin Airport. Ireland and Slovenia are the only two European countries where airline seat capacity will decline in 2025. In Ireland, seat capacity will fall by 3.3pc. That contrasts with countries like the UK (+3.9pc), France (7.1pc), Spain (+8.1pc), Italy (+6.1pc) and Denmark (+8.3pc). An ITIC spokesperson said: 'With 70pc of the Irish tourism economy dependent on international visitation, it is vital that the main gateway into the country has headroom to grow. 'Although there is a court ruling to put a 'stay' on the cap for next summer, the issue of restrictions at Dublin growth is as pertinent as ever. 'This manifested itself last winter in air access into the country being down 3pc – the only top-20 European destination showing a decline. 'Growth at Shannon and Cork Airports must be facilitated, but this will not compensate for lost business at Dublin.' From January 1 to October 31 last year, Ireland welcomed 5.79 million visitors which was an 8pc increase compared with the same period in 2023. Those visitors spent €5.38bn, an increase of 15pc compared with the same period in 2023. However, Ireland experienced a 5pc decline last October in overseas visitor numbers compared to the previous year – a decline largely triggered by a fall in UK visitors.

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