D Concert Series: Westlife (4th Episode requested by Clyde)

Westlife were an Irish boy band which formed in 1998 and disbanded in 2012. Originally signed by Simon Cowell and managed by Louis Walsh, the group's final line-up consisted of Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan. Brian McFadden was a member from 1998 until his departure in 2004.

Westlife sold over 50 million records worldwide, a total that included studio albums, singles, video releases, and compilation albums. The group accumulated 14 number-one singles in the United Kingdom (the third-highest in UK history), tying with Cliff Richard and ranking just behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. They achieved a total of 26 top ten singles over their 14-year career. By 2010, Westlife was listed in the Guinness World Records, as the UK's top-selling album group of the 21st century. They also won The Record of the Year (the only music award based on public votes in the UK) a record-breaking four times and in 2012, the Official Charts Company listed Westlife 34th amongst the biggest-selling singles artists in British music history. Despite their European and Asian success, Westlife never managed to break into the U.S. market, achieving only one hit single in 2000: "Swear It Again".

In October 2011, Westlife announced their intention to split in 2012, following their Greatest Hits Tour and the release of their Greatest Hits album. The boyband's final concerts were held on 22 and 23 June 2012 at Croke Park Stadium in Dublin. The first farewell concert, offering 85,000 tickets, sold out in a record-breaking 5 minutes and the latter screened live in cinemas worldwide.

Prior to becoming successful, Egan, Feehily, and Filan along with fellow Sligo men Derrick Lacey, Graham Keighron, and Michael Garrett, were part of a six-member pop vocal group called Six as One which was changed in 1997 to IOYOU. Managed by choreographer Mary McDonagh and two other informal managers, they released a single titled "Together Girl Forever".

Louis Walsh, the manager of the 1990s boy-band Boyzone, came to know the group after he was contacted by Filan's mother. However, the group failed to secure a BMG record deal with Cowell and, thus, changes were needed. Cowell told Walsh, "You are going to have to fire at least three of them. They have great voices, but they are the ugliest band I have ever seen in my life."[8] Three members of the band were told they would not be part of the new group, and auditions were held in Dublin where Byrne and McFadden were recruited. The new group, formed on 3 July 1998, was renamed Westside but the name was already in use by another band, so it was changed to Westlife. In Westlife – Our Story, Byrne revealed that, unlike the others in the group, he was keen to change the name to West High. McFadden also changed the spelling of his name to Bryan to make it easier to sign autographs. Boyzone singer Ronan Keating was brought in to co-manage the group with Walsh. The band then released an EP titled Swear It Again.