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Sligo Heritage
Topic Started: Dec 30 2006, 08:37 PM (110 Views)
JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS

Sligo pop band Westlife

"It seems like a lifetime ago that five Irish lads sang "Swear It All Over Again" on Top of The Pops and set in motion a record-breaking run of No. 1 hit singles and international acclaim. Westlife were and still are a phenomenon. With no sign of them splitting up any time soon, despite the loss of one of their members, the band continue to enjoy monumental success in Ireland, the UK, Europe and Asia.
Critics are quick to point out that they never conquered the US, but then again, do they really need to? The band's latest single "You Raise Me Up" is a gospel standard which finally gives Mark Feehily's voice the opportunity to soar which he hasn't had since "Flying Without Wings". It is currently flying out of record stores around Ireland, with their new album "Face to Face" doing similar, proving that their popularity and selling power is still formidable. A few deviations, a few decision which, in retrospect, may have been the wrong ones, but aside from that, Westlife have done little wrong over the seven years they have been together.

Westlife's history prior to their formation in 1999 is well documented. The first seeds of the group was sown on a Sligo stage when Kian, Mark and Shane and their friend Michael Garrett, starred in a school musical. Is from these humble beginnings that Ireland's most successful pop group were formed. Their first single was followed by a string of seven No. 1 records in the UK over two years as they could do no wrong in the eyes of their millions of adoring fans. If anything else is responsible for the recent boost in the profile of Sligo music stars it must surely be Westlife's own success.

Located on the very edge of Europe and on the very edge of our own country, Sligo has always seemed like a remote place, far removed from the East coast prosperity and showbusiness.
But in the wake of Westlife's success, musicians and performers in this area suddenly realised, anything is possible. They proved that you didn't have to live in Dublin to be discovered; people will take notice of you if what you do is good enough, regardless of where you are.
Initially a glut of local youngsters hoped they could emulate Westlife's success and so pop bands were forming left right and centre. As with any fad however, soon only the serious musicians were left.

Having spent all his life playing music in Sligo, Tabby Callaghan knew the problems with getting noticed if you're from a small town. But he was discovered and he did have the spotlight of international fame shone into his face with The X Factor programme. You might even say that Westlife are the reason shows like The X Factor or You're A Star held regional heats, searching for the next big thing in places other than the obvious (Dublin).

As a driving force for musicians and performers in Sligo, Westlife are unsurpassed. They prove that Sligo can deliver, can be in the spotlight. They proved that rural Ireland should not be dismissed in the search for talent. The result is clear today. The Conway Sisters are enjoying their moment in the spotlight on ITV. Westlife are riding high in the charts with their new single (and an album due soon). And Tabby proved many critics wrong, stuck to his guns when it was easier to sell out for a cheap but limited record contract and as a result released his first solo single "Number One" at the weekend.

Could Sligo have another pop success on its hands? Well that depends on good fortune, good timing and great talent, but at long last, being from Sligo is not a hindrance, it's a help."

First with the news, read the Sligo Weekender

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Villy Feehily*McDaid
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Villy
Thanx for posting Jo!
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JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS
thats ok. saw it was westlife and thought it was a nice thing to post x
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