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For older news see below July 2008 news articles :
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site or want to share with other people on anywhere public these post a link
back to this site as a courtesy....
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31st July 2008 -Guess
The Boyband Baldy? |
It's a bit slow on the ShowBiz front this week folks so
unless you send us in tip-offs and your celeb snaps, we'll just find
other ways to amuse ourselves... We spotted a hunky Irish celeb at the
weekend getting a bit o' sunburn on his barnett's ever increasing bald
spot. Can you tell who it is?
Oh yes. A pretty-boy Irish pin-up is getting a tad light on top. Some
might say follicly challenged. Can you guess who he is? A few hints for
yis... 1. He's a Keen surfer 2. He's Eager to get married 3. He comes
from the West of Ireland 4. He is looking to change his Life and get
into management... Really, we should find something more fulfilling to
do with our quiet days. You see what boredom does? Ooops. Now we’re
probably on his media hit-list along with Lorraine Keane.
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Source:showbiz ireland |
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31st July 2008 -Nicky
and Georgina spotted in Liverpool |
LFC’s Xabi Alonso and Alvaro
Arbeloa having a bite to eat together in Blue Bar & Grill on Sunday
night
WAG Abbey Clancy shopping in Flannels clothes shop in Liverpool's
Metquarter on Monday afternoon
IT IS only a month since Westlife got a thunderous applause as they
played the first night of the Summer Pops.
But Insider hears they can’t keep away from the city after their warm
welcome.
Westlife’s Nicky Byrne was in Liverpool for the weekend with his wife
Georgina and was spied enjoying a meal in Newz Bar.
The couple were also clocked relaxing in one of the bar’s VIP booths
while sipping Laurent Perrier rose champagne. |
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Source:Liverpool Echo |
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31st July 2008 -Jodi for
girl band
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Jul 31 2008 by Tina Miles, Liverpool Echo
WE HEAR ex-Hollyoaks actress Jodi Albert is hotly tipped for a place in
a new Irish girl band.
Jodie, 25, played Debbie Dean in the teen soap for two years and also
had a top 10 hit with Girl Thing in 2000.
So with bags of experience you would expect it to be a done deal . . .
Especially when Insider found out her fiance, Westlife’s Kian Egan, had
helped set up the open auditions.
We can’t see Kian refusing his fiancée a place in his and Louis Walsh's
new project.
But he and Walsh, who has puppet-mastered the careers of Boyzone,
Westlife and Girls Aloud, insist the venture is still at casting stage.
They said everyone who wants a place in the band is expected to turn up
and demonstrate their pop skills.
And Jodie did just that . . .
She arrived at the open auditions at Dublin’s Pod complex last weekend
in a chauffeur driven car.
And auditionees take note – Jodie managed to look stunning dressed down
and with little make-up. She then belted out a flawless rendition of
Chains.
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Source:Liverpool Echo |
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30th July 2008 -Keating
downsizes plans for mansion
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Thursday July 31 2008
IT's not often that builders are told to scale back in a housing estate
built for millionaires, but Boyzone frontman Ronan Keating has had to
downsize plans for a new mansion.
The singer, who lives in the Abington estate in Malahide, north Dublin,
was told to alter the bulk, height and scale of a five-bedroom house he
wants to build on a quarter of a hectare beside his current home.
Now Mr Keating has resubmitted plans for the development, omitting a
planned second floor balcony and reducing the heights from 12.7 metres
to 10.4 metres.
The Abington estate boasts a number of other high-profile homeowners,
including Nicky Byrne of Westlife.
It was the first development of its type when initially built, with
prices ranging from IR£1m to IR£1.5m.
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Source:irish independent |
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30th July 2008 -Soccer
Aid Poll |
In our last poll, we asked you what your ideal holiday with Westlife
would be. You voted a romantic cruise in the Bahamas as your top pick,
followed by sightseeing in Rome and then a city break in Paris.
Next up, we've got a Soccer Aid-themed poll for you. As Nicky is playing
in the celebrity charity match, we want to know which Westlife song you
reckon he should psyche himself up to in the dressing room!
Head to the Poll section at the bottom of the homepage or go
here.
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Source:westlife.com |
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30th July 2008 -Playlist
Winners Announced! |
the winners have been chosen.Congratulations if you were a winner.
For the past few weeks, you've been busy putting together tracklistings
for the ultimate compilation CD you'd like to give Westlife.
You entered the competition in your hundreds and we had great fun
reading through them all. There were loads of brilliant entries, but
here are ten of our favourites. Congratulations if you see your name
listed below, you've won a Westlife poster (check your PMs!)
Danalco
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson (a song loved by all the lads and to get
the playlist off to a good start)
Let's Get It Started - Black Eyed Peas (a great song to get all the lads
started partying)
Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns n Roses (classic rock type song for Kian)
Survivor - Destiny's Child (important song for me as I have went through
a lot and I'm still achieving my dreams, the same as Westlife 10 years)
Sexy Back - Justin Timberlake (For Nicky to get his groove on lol)
Hero - Mariah Carey (One of Mark's most loved songs)
Don't Stop ‘Til You Get Enough - Michael Jackson (for Shane to attempt
his Jackson dancing skills lol)
Celebration - Kool and the Gang (to celebrate 10 years)
Flying Without Wings - Westlife (so they can sit back and relax in one
of their finest music moments now that they are on a break)
Thank You For The Music - Abba (To end the playlist with a thank you
song to the lads for all the music over the years)
Shane Gillian4ever
Savage Garden - I Knew I loved You Before I Met You
It's a beautiful song & one of my all time favourites, it always reminds
me of some wonderful Westlife memories with them and with friends
Lonestar - Amazed
Such a beautiful beautiful song, a friend of mine introduced me to it
about 6 years ago, just before Shane's wedding, and it's defenitely a
favourite. And that should be dedicated to Shane & Gillian as it's 'their'
song
Westlife - You Raise Me Up
This always makes me think about my family and my loved ones who have
sadly enough passed away. It's such a beautiful song with a thousand
meanings
Stevie Wonder & others - That's What Friends Are For
An amazing song that means a lot to me. And I would love to dedicate
this to the lads as they gave me 4 best friends in the world and I
wouldn't know where I'd be without them!
Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
Such a good warming up song for a concert. I just get into the mood (not
that I wouldn't be anyway) and it's one of those songs you just gotta
sing along to, and it's of course one of Kian's favourite bands
Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
You just can't forgot Michael with 2 massive fans in the band. He's a
great singer / entertainer and I defenitely loved their performance of
Billie Jean in 2006
Bryan Adams - Everything I Do, I Do It For You
Beautiful classic song that everyone can sing along to. And I know I the
lads love it too. And yes it sounds cheesy, but everything I do, I do it
for them. Well not everything, but I've travelled to the UK, Germany &
Ireland just for them...
Elton John - I'm Still Standin'
I don't think this needs any explaination. Pure Westlife when it comes
to the lyrics. Ha, they can scream this off the roof tops after 10 years
at the top and you know, laugh best who laughs last!
Prince - Kiss
I gotta mention this one, because when I heard the first few lines for
this on the Greatest Hits tour I was convinced it was just Prince
singing that and my chin hit the ground when I noticed it was actually
Mark. His best performance ever!
Elvis Costello - She
This has a very special meaning to me since my cousin's wedding. And I
think this is how every man should feel about their wives/girlfriends.
So lads, this is for your girls!
schneckelchen19
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (that's my favourite song! It
reminds me of my hometown, my family and my friends. The lads should
never forget from where they come from and that they have families - and
fans - that will always be there for them.)
Westlife - World Of Our Own ( I hear that song when I'm sad and it
always makes me happy again)
Don McLean - American Pie ( a great song to dance and to sing along)
James Blunt - 1973 (a beautiful song to relax and to think of great
moments with people you love)
Kid Rock - All Summer Long ( it reminds me of all these great parties
that I've celebrated a short time ago because I've passed my school-
leaving. It's the perfect song to make party all night long! )
Two Is One - Never Give Up (it should remind Westlife to never give up
their dreams)
Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares To You ( yes, Westlife are unique!
The lads should know that)
Timbaland featuring Keri Hilson - The Way I Are (the favourite song of
me and my boyfriend)
Bryan Adams - Summer Of ´69 ( for the lads; to think of the passed time
with so many amazing concerts -especially Croke Park- and such a big
success during the last 10 years!...)
Seeed - Aufstehn ( a good song for the guys to learn a little bit
German. So they have to do something if their break gets boring)
julieamber
Elton John - I guess that's why they call it the blues - my number 1
song every, love, love, love it, please do a cover!!
Ocean colour scene - The Riverboat Song, reminds me of sunny days in a
beer garden!
George Michael - Faith - George Michael, need I say any more?
Amy Winehouse - You know I'm no good - Amazing artist, brilliant lyrics
Stone roses - Sally cinnamon - from one of the best albums ever, brings
me back to 1990, a brilliant summer with all my friends
Michael Jackson - Way you make me feel - love this song...for no reason
other than it's a brilliant song!
My Chemical Romance - Welcome to the Black Parade - brilliant song,
brilliant video
Creep - Radiohead - Another brilliant band, could have picked many of
their songs but Creep wins every time!
Aerosmith - I don't wanna miss a thing - ‘our song' me and my hubby's
first slow set song!! aah
Westlife - When I'm with you - from the new album. I'm a massive Mark
fan, think he has such a fantastic rich voice and I love his harmony of
‘when I'm with you' around the 2 minute mark in this song, listen and
you'll see what I mean, my favourite part of the whole album!
shnicky2000
Wake Up Boo! Boo Radleys (so you can do a dance in the morning and get
you moving)
When The Going Gets Tough Boyzone (u can have fun trying to put on
Ronan's voice)
Relight My Fire Take That (if you weren't a fan you are now)
Rise and Fall Craig David Ft Sting (slow things down a bit Kian and
Nicky would be good at this song)
My Boo! Usher Ft Alicia Keys (song that you can dance to with the
guy/girl u love)
When You Believe Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston (lifts your spirits)
Town Called Malice The Jam (makes you want to jump up n move your booty)
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing Aerosmith (A bit of a cool Down)
In your Eyes Peter Gabriel (everyone knows the chorus and a beautiful
song would suit Shane and Mark's voices.)
Go the distance Michael Bolton (can't beat a Disney Theme tune)
LGRANNYVILLE89
NICKELBACK - Photograph (Recaptures happy memories from the past, I know
looking at tour photos in years to come will bring back the best
memories)
BILL MEDLEY & JENNIFER WARNES - (I've Had) The Time Of My Life (I'm sure
the lads have had the time of their lives over the last 10 years, us
fans certainly have!!!)
THE COMMITMENTS - Mustang Sally (A great Irish band from the past and a
fab song)
R. KELLY - I Believe I Can Fly (A song with an encouraging message;
Always believe in yourself! Plus I believe it is one of Shane's Faves)
ARCTIC S - I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor - (I'm sure the
lads look good on the dancefloor, they definitely do on stage! And a bit
of the Arctic's for Mark)
U2 - Sometimes You Can't Make It On your Own (The lads have come all
this was together, even through the hard times they have stuck at it and
supported each other)
BEACH BOYS - Surfing USA (A jolly song to add life to the playlist,
dedicated to beach bum Kian)
GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS - You'll Never Walk Alone (this song means a
lot to me sending a shiver down my spine. To start off with I am a big
Liverpool fan. It sends a message to me saying that even when times are
hard don't give up. You may feel alone but you are never alone. At the
end of it all will be something positive)
WESTLIFE - Flying Without Wings (An absolute CLASSIC! I believe the lads
love singing it on tour as they can relate to it 'Some find it in the
face of their children, Some find it in their lovers eyes'. It also
reminds me of what's missing in my life and what is needed to make it
complete!)
MICHAEL BOLTON - Steel Bars (Hopefully this song would remind the lads
of their partners and the love they have for them now and forever.
Prisoners Of Love)
Miss_Liz
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd
With or without you - U2
Sweet Child of Mine - Guns N Roses
Walking in Memphis - Marc Cohn
Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams
Who wants to live forever - Queen
Listen to your heart - Roxette
Woman in Love - Barbara Streisand
Vivo per Lei - Andrea Bocelli
If I could turn back time - Cher
byrne_baby_byrne
Karma Chameleon - Culture Club - Nicky's old party trick
Uptown Girl - Billy Joel - for little Shane and his homemade microphone
Living on A Prayer - Bon Jovi - dedicated to Kian's inner rock god
Hero - Mariah Carey - for inspiring Mark
All I Want Is You - U2 - one of my favourite songs of all-time when I
was younger - it's rather haunting and I love the guitar
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton - a great pre-concert warm up
Don't Stop Me Now - Queen - this got stuck in my head between seeing
Westlife and the Cadbury ad - instant mood lifter
Grace Kelly - Mika - tiaras and glowsticks and silly banners, this song
brings back memories of Westlife's first Aussie tour and hanging out
with friends I don't get to see enough of
Buttons - Pussy Cat Dolls - reminds me of Nicky - sexy song for a sexy
lad
Flying Without Wings - Westlife - the compilation wouldn't be complete
without a little Westlife - it's a gorgeous song that never fails to
make me cry
EmerFilan
Enrique Iglesias- Hero (because Westlife are my heroes)
Van Morrison- Brown Eyed Girl (because Shane is my brown eyed boy and it
always reminds me of sitting in the common room at school and it being
on the jukebox)
Bon Jovi- It's My Life (for the wee rocker in Kian and cos it's so cool
to sing along with)
The Calling- Wherever You Will Go (because no matter where I am I will
always be a Westlife fan)
Elton John- I'm Still Standing (because the boys have stood tall through
all of the criticism they've ever had and that makes me so proud of
them)
The Contours- Do You Love Me (because it reminds me of the Greatest Hits
Tour, Brian and my one of my favourite films, Dirty Dancing)
Frank Sinatra- My Way (because the lads have done it their own way, and
to be honest I wouldn't have it any other way)
The Eagles- Hotel California (because being a Westlife fan, 'you can
check out anytime you want, but you can never leave'- being a Westlife
fan is for life)
Lonestar- Amazed (because the song just sums up every time I see or
listen to the boys, I'm just amazed by them, and I know Shane loves the
song)
Westlife- Flying Without Wings (the song that ensured the boys have been
in our lives for ten years. Here's hoping for ten more!)
marks_one_love
Kid Rock - All Summer Long
Raphael Saadiq - I Love Her
Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely
Greenday - Time Of Your Life
Bon Jovi - Bed Of Roses
Faith Evans - Again
Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music
Candy Staton - You Got The Love
Amy Winehouse - Rehab
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Source:westlife.com |
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30th July 2008 -Westlife's
Kian Egan auditions his fiancee for new girl band |
Former Hollyoaks star Jodie Albert shows she has what it takes
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
Westlife star Kian Egan has joined forces with Louis Walsh in a bid to
form a female version of the chart-topping group.
And at open auditions held in Dublin, his fiancée Jodie Albert was one
of the girls to make it through to the next round.
'Ireland’s had 2 very successful boy bands and I think it’s time for the
girls to step up,’ Kian says.
Jodie, 25, played Debbie Dean in Hollyoaks for 2 years and also had a
top 10 hit with Girl Thing in 2000.
They got engaged on Christmas Day 2007 and plan to marry next year.
Watch Jodi perform with Girl Thing by clicking
HERE
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Source:Now magazine |
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30th July 2008 -The
great rock and roll sell-out |
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A long article but mentions Westlife,and is interesting
Wednesday July 30 2008
In their heyday, a quarter of a century ago, The Clash were so
consumed with notions of artistic integrity and credibility that they
refused to cheapen themselves in the shop-window that was Top Of The
Pops.
If their contemporaries thought the boycott was a tad extreme, they
could at least see where Joe Strummer & Co were coming from. Few acts of
that time were ever offered commercial endorsements, and many would have
had a long hard think before saying 'thanks, but no thanks'.
But that was then and this is now. When eco-warblers Radiohead announced
they'd be giving this year's Glastonbury Festival a miss because the
public transport system wasn't up to scratch, their po-faced stance came
across as endearingly old-fashioned in an era when bona-fide Rock Gods
are renting themselves out for parties like so many bouncy castles.
When Coleen McLoughlin booked serial chart-toppers Westlife for her
recent wedding to Wayne Rooney, no one batted an eyelid. Louis Walsh's
drones had previously taken a large pay cheque for singing Happy
Birthday at the 18th bash of a girl whose parents had also hired Will
Young for her 16th.
Nor is it any surprise to learn that Westlife's stable-mates, Girls
Aloud, charge €300,000 for a 20-minute party piece.
Elsewhere, Sugababes made €350,000 for 30 minutes at a Russian rich
kid's 21st, and Pussycat Dolls will get your party started for €650,000.
It's no surprise either that has-beens Janet Jackson and All Saints
provided the after-dinner entertainment at the 18th birthday of the
Sultan of Brunei's daughter, in return for a diamond-encrusted watch
each, plus a camel-train of money.
Nor it it startling that washed-up Whitney Houston would begin her long
climb-back behind closed doors at black-tie soirees, or that Deep Purple
are in demand with self-made millionaires of a certain age on the pay-to-play
party circuit.
But what may cause some head-scratching is the number of rock music
legends, rich and famous beyond their wildest dreams, who are available
to do a turn at weddings, birthdays, anything, as long as the price is
right.
On New Year's Eve 2006, George Michael flew to Russia to perform for a
few hundred guests of Vladimir Potanin, a mining and lumber magnate.
Michael sang for 75 minutes, earned an estimated €3m, and was home in
London in time for New Year's Day lunch. Had Rod Stewart been booked for
the same gig at his standard rate, he'd have charged only half that
amount.
Perhaps realising that she might have a limited chart shelf-life,
Christina Aguilera began doing the party rounds relatively early in her
career. The pint-sized powerhouse earned over €1m for serenading another
Russian billionaire, Andrei Meinchenko, at his 2005 wedding.
Amy Winehouse, meanwhile, didn't say "no, no, no" when Chelsea Football
Club owner Roman Abramovich invited her to strut her stuff at his
girlfriend's gallery opening in Moscow.
The Rolling Stones may be rolling in it, but they couldn't turn down €4m
for a couple of hours work entertaining the guests of Ryanair Chairman
David Bonderman when he threw a 60th birthday bash at the Hard Rock
Hotel in Las Vegas. The evening was MC'd by Robin Williams. The comic,
who's become a fixture on the party circuit, picked up his usual fee of
$1m.
If the Stones are filthy rich, Paul McCartney must qualify as stinking,
but that didn't inhibit him from accepting a $1m fee from the husband of
TV producer Wendy Whitworth to appear as surprise guest at her 50th
birthday.
The ex-Beatle, who donated his fee to an anti-landmines charity,
reasoned: "Ralph gets to be the great husband for organising the
surprise, his wife gets a rocking party, I get to rehearse the band for
the upcoming tour, and, most important, Adopt-A-Minefield gets one
million dollars."
Billionaire McCartney stressed that he wouldn't be making a habit of
performing at private parties, but Elton John has no such reservations.
Although he can still fill stadia anywhere in the world, Elton makes
space in his diary for a half-dozen private affairs each year, pocketing
a minimum €1.3m for each. Unashamedly, he calls these nice little
earners his "bank raids" which net him another bundle of "giggle money"
to throw on the pile.
Compared to touring, a once-off gig for a Russian oligarch or a Saudi
sheikh makes a great deal of sense.
Whereas a tour operates on paper-thin profit margins, takes years of
planning and requires an army of road crew, a single showcase for the
super-rich means a private jet and limo laid on at the host's expense, a
relaxed trot through the greatest hits, a big fat pay cheque, and home
for breakfast.
In the words of Gwen Stefani's manager, Jim Guerinot: "It's quick cash
for the artist. That's what it comes down to.
"It can be these unbelievable amounts of money offered by someone like
the Sultan of Brunei or some sheikh somewhere, who's willing to pay what
you make for being on tour for three weeks."
Joe Strummer would be turning in his grave at this development. Purists
have decried it as the final ignoble sell-out of Woodstock to Wall
Street.
For proof, they cited the all-star line-up paid to perform at the 2005
bar mitzvah of the daughter of armaments magnate David H Brooks. Former
leading lights of the counter- culture who did a turn included Stevie
Nicks, Don Henley of The Eagles, Aerosmith and Tom 'Damn The Torpedoes'
Petty.
Rock's refuseniks are a steadily shrinking group. Robert Norman, who
books megastars for corporate events in the States, says: "Bruce
Springsteen and U2 won't do it, and, really, there are very few others."
But while the old taboos are still observed by a few, for the many those
taboos were broken when rock stars started leasing their music as
advertising soundtracks.
As one commentator put it: "Once you had rock classics on the ads, the
private event bookings became viewed as pedestrian offences. If they
were still viewed as a crime against the old ideals, they were usually
downgraded from a cultural felony to a mercenary misdemeanour."
Stars being stars, of course, they want it both ways. They may be the
hired help for the party, but don't dare hand them a list of songs to
play.
"They're not jukeboxes," stresses Robert Norman. "They're artists."
And don't expect them to hang around entertaining your guests with
amusing anecdotes about Iggy Pop, the fire-hose and the race-horse.
And, whatever else you do, please don't pack the tables nearest the
stage with your mob associates.
According to Norman: "The artists don't want to be singing for gangsters
or someone who represents something they don't feel comfortable with."
He says that it has become standard practice for stars to vet potential
party hosts to nip potential embarrassment in the bud.
In 2001 Jimmy Buffett, whose hits include Margaritaville, took $250,000
to play at a Roman-themed party for tycoon LD Kozlowski. Videos of the
event were subsequently shown in a court case where Kozlowski was
charged with looting his company to fund a lavish lifestyle.
Rock's rich tapestry indeed.
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Source:Irish independent |
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30th July 2008 -Does
Louis need another girl group? |
The search is on for the next big all-female band. By Ed
Louis Walsh is at it again. No, he hasn't stormed off The X-Factor or
had another falling out with Simon Cowell. Walsh, who has puppet-mastered
the careers of Boyzone, Westlife and Girls Aloud, held auditions at
Dublin's Pod complex last weekend for his latest project: an Irish girl
group, who are presumably to vie for the same audience as Girls Aloud (most
music industry figures would hesitate to go into competition with
themselves, but Walsh evidently believes you can't have too much product
out there).
To help out, he brought along a protege: Westlife's Kian Egan (a move
with echoes of the time he co-opted Ronan Keating to joint-manage the
then-fledgling Westlife). Rumour suggests two of the line-up have
already been settled upon -- according to web gossip, Egan's fiance Jodi
Albert and Dublin model Michele McGrath will front the group,
tentatively christened Lady Rochelle.
However, Walsh and Egan insist the project is still at casting stage and
that everyone who wants a place in the band is expected to turn up and
demonstrate their pop chops. Said the latter: "I am really hoping we are
going to see and hear some great talent from all parts of the country. I
know how much an audition like this can change your life -- so my advice
is to go for it."
At first glance, you might query the wisdom of Walsh's strategy. After
all, isn't the pop industry -- like the rest of the music business -- in
free-fall? Well, yes and no. Without question, cash-till revenues are
drying up -- for an entire generation of teenagers, whose patronage is
the making or breaking of a pop act, music is something you swap over
the internet, rather than, heaven forbid, purchase in a store. But the
live scene has never been healthier -- and, because they often don't
write their own songs, it is through ticket revenues that group such as
Boyzone and Westlife earn their largest chunk of cash.
Also, haven't you heard? Boybands are in steep decline. Last month, the
latest entry into the genre, Billiam, limped into the lower reaches of
the UK Top 20 (and failed to dent the Irish charts altogether). This at
a time when any bunch of skinny young rockers with the right haircuts
and an Austin Powers-esque Lan-dahn accent can expect to score big in
Britain (and hence, with wearying predictability, Ireland too).
In 2008, Take That, Westlife and Boyzone truly are the last boybands
standing -- and their continued success speaks as much of the cold grip
of nostalgia as of tastes of the modern adolescent.
Girl groups, however, would apppear to be thriving. Sugababes are adored
by critics. In the UK, you'll routinely hear Girls Aloud feted as the
pop act of the decade. Meanwhile, a new 'British' girl group called The
Saturdays (the line-up includes Tipperary singer Una Healy) have just
stepped up to the podium with the admittedly awful debut single, If This
Is Love. Louis, being Louis, knows a bull market when he sees one.
One explanation for the ceaseless demand for new female pop acts is that
(for reasons that probably owe more to sexism than music) girl groups
don't weather the years as well as boybands.
While both Take That and Boyzone have enjoyed triumphant second careers,
the return of the Spice Girls was a soggy mess -- their reunion tour
limped half way around the world before being derailed by simmering
animosities and worrying signs of audience indifference.
An even bigger flop was All Saints' comeback. Despite a track record as
one of the outstanding pop crews of the 1990s, the foursome struggled to
catch the ear of the public when they resurfaced with a rather fine
single, Rock Steady, and a solid album, Studio 1, in late 2006.
Depressingly, much of the comment centred on how they'd all bulked up
after motherhood and were looking every one of their 30-odd years.
Contrast with the pre-reunion buzz on Boyzone, which focused on how buff
they all were after hitting the gym for six months.
But there's also a credibility issue: from the Wall of Sound records
Phil Spector crafted in the 1960s with acts such as The Ronettes and The
Crystals to guitar-wielding 'rock chicks' such as The Go-Gos and The
Bangles, the phenomenon of the girl group is deeply enshrined in pop
culture.
We even have a left-field equivalent: the early 90s witnessed the
emergence of a wave of feminist rockers, who christened themselves 'Riot
Grrls' -- the scene would spawn such cult ensembles as Bikini Kill and
Sleater-Kinney.
Girl groups command critical kudos in a way no bunch of high-stepping
pretty boys ever could -- and you can bet that Walsh, with one eye on
his legacy, is perfectly aware of this.
- Ed Power
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Source:Irish Independent |
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27th July 2008 Jodi
Albert Doesn't DO Queues Baby... |
This weekend saw literally thousands of young girlband wannabes turning
out in the hope of getting a golden ticket into Louis Walsh's and Kian
Egan's new Pop group. We predicted favouritism as Kian's fiancée Jodi
Albert was one of the auditionees - we weren't wrong folks...
We find the prospect of Kian Egan refusing his fiancée Jodi Albert a
place in his and Louis Walsh's new girlband project laughable... Like
he's going reject his future missus from the group? We don't think so.
Not the best footing for a happy marriage Kiano - sorry Luv, you’re
sacked.
On both Friday and Saturday this weekend, the poor little hopefuls lined
around-the-block from the early morn to get their chance at crooning for
Louis & Kian. We were told by the PR present, that there would be no
special treatment for Jodi Albert - she'd have to queue just like the
rest of the hopefuls... As if.
True to form, Miss Albert skipped the whole queuing bit... There was no
sign of the former Hollyoaks star in unusual suspects’ line-up - that
was until about 6.05pm on the Saturday, five minutes after the auditions
were to end. Jodi arrived in a chauffer driven car and swanned straight
into the venue without having to hangout with the great unwashed. Jodi
doesn't do queues baby!
But to be fair to the 25 year old actress, she was well schooled in how
to give an audition master class - auditionees take note... Wearing
little or no make-up and dressed down, Jodi opted for a very natural
look at The POD venue and belted out an almost perfect rendition of 'Chains'
to the judges. We think many of the other girls scuppered their chances
by overdoing the aul slap and going for the dreaded Mariah Carey warble.
Cringe.
The judges of course were Pop svengali Louis Walsh and Westlife’s
backing singer Kian Egan (well, he never gets to sing), and another lady
called Sheila Burgel - whom we know very little about... Probably
brought in as the impartial one.
Annnnd as we predicted some months back, Jodi got the callback to the
Sunday round of finalists along with another 100 girls out of the
thousands that tried-out... As did model Michele McGrath, who we also
predicted would make it to the final round. You'd think we had a crystal
ball...
Louis Walsh commented that the talent on show in Dublin was the highest
standard he's ever experienced in his long career and that Kian and he
had to be ruthless when it came to cutting the numbers down. There was
many a tear shed outside folks.
And for once we have to agree with Mr. Walsh. We knew quite a few of the
talented hopefuls who tried to cross over from the acting, beauty
pageants and modelling worlds in the hope of getting a slot in the
sure-fire-for-success band. Very few got Sunday callbacks.
Watch this space as we bring you the updates and hopefully final line-up
in the coming days and weeks... Don't give up on the dream girls.
Showbiz Ireland
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Source:Showbiz ireland |
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27th July 2008 -Lucy met
Louis,Kian and Jodi at the auditions for new girlband |
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Lucy met Kian,Louis and Jodi at the open auditions for
the new girlband and has said its ok to share her pictures with us.
Thank you Lucy
 
 
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Source:Lucy |
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26th July 2008 -Ex-Hollyoaks
star in open audition |
1 hour ago
Former soap star Jodi Albert will have to audition for a place in her
fiance's new girl group alongside thousands of other young hopefuls,
Westlife's Kian Egan said.
The pop star denied his wife-to-be had already secured a spot in the act,
which he will co-manage with pop impresario Louis Walsh.
But Egan was preparing himself for a sticky situation when the ex-Hollyoaks
actress takes to the stage for the open auditions in Dublin.
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Source:UK Press |
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26th July 2008 -Hundreds
of hopefuls audition for Louis Walsh's latest girl-band |
Ireland is gearing up for its next pop sensation with
Westlife's Kian Egan as co-manager, writes Alison Healy .
THE SEARCH for the female Westlife is on, and people with too much time
on their hands were trying to come up with a name for Louis Walsh's new
girl band.
"Breastlife?" one showbiz hack suggested helpfully, but Walsh wasn't
bowled over by the idea. The music mogul opened two days of auditions
for the five-member girl band at The Pod on Harcourt Street yesterday,
the venue which previously hosted auditions for his bands Westlife and
Boyzone.
"We're looking for talent," Walsh declared. "Undiscovered talent, young,
with a good attitude. We're looking for everything. We don't want good,
we want great."
The band will be co-managed by Westlife's Kian Egan, who believes that
Ireland is ready for a girl band. "Obviously it's had two very
successful boy bands and now I think it's time for the girls to step
up," he said.
But, hello, didn't Walsh already fail to hit the high notes when he
ventured down the Irish girl band route before? Remember B*witched?
Briefly successful, then imploded. Bellefire? Big in Japan, before
quietly expiring. But Walsh does not dwell on the past. "We are going
for great songs, great voices. This is for the world, this is not just
for Ireland," he said.
He is looking for a band to match the Pussycat Dolls, the Spice Girls or
the Sugababes. "It's not the Nolan Sisters we're looking for," he said.
"Who?" chorused the hundreds of bemused teenagers who were not even born
when ladies boogied around their handbags to I'm In the Mood for Dancing
.
Harcourt Street was a sea of false tan, short skirts and stilettos from
6.30am yesterday as more than 700 girls began taking their places in the
queue. AR executive Sheila Burgel completed the trio of judges with
Walsh and Egan. "Louis tells me Irish girls are amazing," she said. "I'm
very excited about that."
Kian Egan has found himself in a sticky situation, with fiancée Jodi
Albert up for audition. But the former Hollyoaks actress is not getting
special treatment.
"There's absolutely nobody picked for this band," Walsh said. "Everybody
has to audition because that's the way it is."
If Albert gets through the first round, she will be competing with
Rosanna Egan from Killaloe, Co Clare. The 19-year-old was the first
hopeful to audition. She left nothing to chance by checking into a hotel
on Harcourt Street on Thursday night. "We came down at 4 [am] just to
make sure there were no overnighters," she said.
Rosanna impressed the judges enough with her version of Rihanna's
Umbrella to merit a call-back tomorrow. "I'm absolutely delighted. Can't
stop shaking. First one up, absolutely nerve-racking altogether."
And Walsh's early-morning optimism does not seem to have been misplaced.
Taking a break from auditions, he said there had been "three or four
great, great people. The good ones have been really good. We could get
10 bands out of this," he predicted before returning to hear his 49th
Mariah Carey song of the day.
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Source:The Irish Times |
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26th July 2008 -Only
girls Allowed.... |
CAN you tell me how to get, how to get to Harcourt Street?
That was the question on the lips of 700 young girls who trooped around
Dublin yesterday searching for the Pod, Louis Walsh and the chance of a
place in Ireland's newest five-piece girl band.
Some of the hopefuls, who were as young as 15, looked like they should
be on the couch watching Big Bird and the rest of the Sesame Street crew.
But, undeterred, they queued up -- some of them from 6.30am until doors
opened at midday -- for a chance to strut their stuff in front of Walsh,
Westlife's Kian Egan and A&R woman Sheila Burgess.
Stumbled
Lisa McNally, her sister Emma -- both from Meath -- and their pal
Chrissy, from Kildare, (who insisted that, like Cher, she didn't need a
second name) were asking for directions, until they stumbled upon the
line of glammed-up girls snaking around the Pod complex.
"I'm just here for a laugh," insisted Chrissy.
"The other two are good singers, so I'd say they'll have a good chance."
Sandra Hyland (17), from Tallaght, said that singing with her dad,
Myles, in his band, the Mile High Club, would give her enough confidence
to earn a callback.
"Of course I'll get through," she said. "I'm used to singing in pubs
around Dublin with my dad and his blues band."
As they approached the entrance, the aspirant members of "the next Girls
Aloud" were duly given Olympic-style competitor numbers to stick on
their jumpers.
"We're looking for talent," said Louis Walsh.
"Undiscovered talent, young with a good attitude and who will look good.
We don't want good -- we want great."
"Vocals are going to have to stand out a lot," said Kian Egan, whose
girlfriend, Jodi Albert, is vying for a position in the new band.
Walsh, though, was quick to quash rumours of favouritism and said that
everyone would have to audition.
The judges will be back tomorrow for more auditions.
"If the standard tomorrow is as good as it has been today, we are going
to have our work cut out for us," said Kian.
Inside, the girls were lined up stageside and given just a few seconds
to impress, by singing acapella.
"Hi, my name is Rosanna Egan and I'm going to sing. . . ," said the
first girl up -- until she was cut off by a click of the fingers from PR
woman Joanne Byrne.
"Just give your name and get straight into the song," she said sharply.
"And don't ask if you're called back if you haven't been told."
But Rosanna from Clare, who was first in the queue, needn't have
worried. Her version of 'Umbrella', by Rihanna, earned her a callback.
Not so fortunate was Anna from Wicklow: "It's very intimidating,'' she
said. ''It's not like going into a room on your own.''
- Fiach Kelly
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Source:Irish independent
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25th July 2008 - Ex-Hollyoaks
star in open audition |
Former soap star Jodi Albert will have to audition for a
place in her fiance's new girl group alongside thousands of other young
hopefuls, Westlife's Kian Egan said.
The pop star denied his wife-to-be had already secured a spot in the act,
which he will co-manage with pop impresario Louis Walsh.
But Egan was preparing himself for a sticky situation when the ex-Hollyoaks
actress takes to the stage for the open auditions in Dublin.
He politely refused to comment on the quality of his fiancee's singing
in the shower. "Jodi is a person who loves to sing," he said. "It's a
passion of hers and she's approaching this audition just like anything
else."
It's also rumoured Irish model and singer Michelle McGrath has also got
her place booked in the pop band. "There's absolutely nobody picked for
this band," Walsh said. "Everybody has to audition because that's the
way it is."
Walsh, Egan and A&R executive Sheila Burgel said they were looking for
young undiscovered talent with a good attitude.
"We are going for great songs, great voices," continued Walsh, who is
currently recording a fourth series of The X Factor.
"This is for the world, this is not just for Ireland. We don't want good,
we want great. We want a group as good as the Pussycat Dolls, or Spice
Girls, or Sugababes or any of those other girl groups."
Walsh, who started in the music business in a showband promoter's office
in Dublin, has been instrumental in finding and managing some of the
most successful pop bands and groups in the charts including Boyzone and
Girls Aloud. He also turn Egan and his Westlife band members from
complete unknowns into one of the most successful bands of all time.
Westlife currently hold the record for having the most consecutive
number one singles, boasting 13 UK number ones and six number one
selling albums.
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Source:Press association |
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18th July 2008 :Westlife
IRMA chart positions (Week ending 25th July) |
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In the Irish music charts this week, The following Albums
and dvd are in the below positions
Unbreakable:The Greatest Hits(Volume one) LW:34 , TW:31
Back Home: LW:71, TW:45
TOP 10 dvd music
Back Home DVD : LW:4 , TW:10
LW:Last Week, TW:This Week
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Source: Gloria/IRMA |
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25th July 2008 -
Auditions for new girl band get underway today |
Auditions for the new girl band being put together by
Louis Walsh and Kian Egan are due to get underway in Dublin today.
The pop mogul and Westlife singer are looking for five girls aged
between 15 and 25 to take part in the project.
Contenders will be asked to sing a capella and will also be judged on
their appearance.
The auditions are taking place in the Pod on Harcourt Street and will
run until tomorrow. |
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Source:Breaking news.ie |
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25th July 2008 :Rocco
and Jay picture in Irish Independent today.. |
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Rocco and Jay picture of them walking with mummy and daddy is in the
Irish Indepdent today, and Becca from committed has scanned it for us ..We
think it was taken the day outside the government office.
 |
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Source: Becca from committed and Irish
Independant |
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24th July 2008 :£30
annual 'tax' for unlimited music downloads in biggest attack yet on
internet pirates |
|
Rather interesting article which mentions Westlife but
also about the downloading of music legally and illlegally.
Chris Martin of Coldplay, one of the major acts whose music is regularly
downloaded illegally
Moves to revolutionise music downloading were unveiled today, including
a plan for an annual fee for the right to copy unlimited tracks from the
internet.
But parents of teenagers who illegally download music face being
blacklisted and having their internet service curbed.
Households that ignore warnings could be subjected to online
surveillance and have their internet speeds cut to make downloading
large files more difficult.
Some 6.5million UK computer users download files illegally and the
practice is expected to cost the music industry up to £1billion in lost
CD sales over the next five years.
The new move is part of a major drive to clamp down on illegal
downloading of music and films, uniting Britain's six biggest internet
service providers (ISPs) and backed by the Government.
The fightback against online piracy will begin with letters from the
ISPs to hundreds of thousands of the most prolific downloaders to inform
them that their activity has been detected and is being monitored.
Parents of minors who illegally download music such as Coldplay's new
Viva La Vida album will be sent letters telling them what their children
have been doing.
It means many parents face discovering for the first time that their
children have been using bedroom computers and laptops to become
internet pirates.
All six big ISPs - BT, Virgin Media, Orange, Tiscali, BSkyB and Carphone
Warehouse - were today announcing they have signed up to send out
'informative letters' to those customers identified as illegal file
sharers by the British Phonographic Industry.
In return for cooperation from the ISPs, the Government has backed off
from a tough proposal to disconnect broadband services for users caught
out three times.
Such a 'three strikes and you're out' plan will be introduced next month
in France.
At the same time as monitoring and punishing those who download
illegally - outlawed under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 -
the industry is looking at making it easier to buy music online legally.
Illegal download: Music pirates have targeted Coldplay's new album Viva
La Vida
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham is backing calls from some sectors of the
music industry for a levy of up to £30 on internet users who want to
download music.
The money raised by the levy would be channelled back to the copyright
owners.
Fergal Sharkey, the former Undertones singer who is now chief executive
of British Music Rights, the body that represents musicians, told the
Times: 'This is something of a step into the unknown for the internet
providers, music industries and ministers.
'But we can't go on without it - no business can survive after losing as
much revenue as the music industry has.'
Mr Sharkey told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme the agreement was a
'first step' and the details would now have to be worked out.
'Personally, I could envisage at one end of the scale, for nothing more
than a couple of pounds a month, being allowed to download X amount of
tracks, and possibly at the other end of the scale for a slightly larger
sum of money there is the entire catalogue of the music industry and you
can have of it as much as you want as frequently as you want, and any
number of variations in between,' he said.
ISPs and film and music companies are expected to develop a new code of
practice together on how they will deal with infringements, and the
Government will then look at their proposals and consider how they can
be backed up by new laws.
Downloading music and films has become one of the fastest-growing areas
of the entertainment industry - despite concerns about piracy - as
internet speeds have increased over the past decade.
In September 2004 the first official download chart, based on legal
downloads, was unveiled, with Westlife's Flying Without Wings at number
one.
Tracks legally downloaded outsold physical singles for the first time on
the final week of that year.
The following year there were 26 million legal single-track downloads -
a fourfold increase on 2004.
In January 2006, legal downloads overtook illegal file sharing in the UK
for the first time, with five per cent of internet users regularly
downloading music from legal sites, compared with four per cent who swap
files illegally.
But paid downloads made up just nine per cent of respondents' digital
music collections while 'free' downloads constituted 27 per cent,
according to research group the Leading Question.
Last year nearly 78 million singles and more than six million albums
were legally downloaded.
• The number of Britons suffering backache has more than doubled in a
decade because of increasing computer use, researchers said today. At
the same time, headaches have risen by 53 per cent among women and 35
per cent among men.
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Source: daily mail |
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23rd July 2008 :Kian
leads search for new girl stars |
|
By Sharon Conway
SLIGO boy band pin up Kian Egan is holding auditions in Dublin this
weekend to find five talented young women to form Ireland’s latest girl
supergroup.
Kian will hold the open auditions with celebrity band promoter Louis
Walsh, at the Pod venue on Harcourt Street in Dublin.
Walsh, who manages Boyzone, Westlife and Shayne Ward, and previously
managed Girls Aloud, will co-manage the new act with West-life star Kian.
Girls aged between 15 and 25 may go forward for the audition
Speaking to the national media last week Kian said: “I am hoping we are
going to see and hear some great talent from all parts of the country. I
know how much an audition like this can change your life - so my advice
is to go for it.
“Basically, Louis came up with the idea a few weeks ago, to put a girl
band together, and asked me if I would like to get involved. I said yes
to it obviously. This is going to be a big opportunity for the young
females of Ireland.
“It will be like a female version of Westlife mixed with pop, Pussycat
Dolls mixed with Girls Aloud, mixed with the Sugababes. Just great
songs, great singers and great looking girls. We want to break this act
around the world.”
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Source: Sligo weekender |
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23rd July 2008 :Westlife’s
Kian may have to ‘manage’ his missus! |
WESTLIFE star Kian Egan’s latest role may see him ending
up managing his bride-to-be Jodi Albert, the Sligo singer has revealed.
Kian and Westlife manager Louis Walsh are holding auditions in Dublin
this weekend in a bid to find five singers to form Ireland’s answer to
the Spice Girls.
“It will be like a female version of Westlife mixed with pop, Pussycat
Dolls mixed with Girls Aloud, mixed with the Sugababes,” he said.
And he also revealed that fiancee Jodi Albert has been asked by co-manager
Walsh if she would be interested. |
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Source: Sligo weekender |
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22nd July 2008 :Mark
and Kevin spotted in Heat Magazine |
Westlife's Mark Feehily and his boyfriend ordering a huge amount of food
from Burger King on Dublin's Grafton Street and then having to dash to
an ATM when told they couldn't pay by credit card.
|
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Source: Jane at
Mark and Kevin Lovers forum |
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21 July 2008 :Are
Michele & Jodi Louis' Ladies? |
Louis Walsh and his Westlife protege Kian Egan are teaming up to create
a new super girlband with auditions in Dublin next Saturday. We already
told you that Michele McGrath and Jodi Albert are signed-up members yet
Louis’ PR insists both girls will have to audition like everyone else.
Pull the other one Walshie...
Not so long ago we exclusively revealed that Irish model Michele McGrath
and Kian Egan's actress fiancée, Jodi Albert, had teamed-up to create a
new girlband and were looking to find another three members to make five
fab foxes. We also heard a rumour at the weekend that the name 'Lady
Rochelle' was being touted around as a potential moniker for the group.
We like the name. We really like first two members...
With auditions for the Lady Rochelle's being held next Saturday, in the
The POD on Harcourt Street, and callbacks on Sunday - we're a bit
confused about the final line-up... You see, Louis Walsh's & Kian Egan's
PR is telling us that EVERYONE has to audition - including Michele
McGrath AND Jodi Albert... Like Kian Egan is going to tell his fiancée
she hasn't made the cut! We don't think so. Na-ah.
In fact we'd bet money on Jodi and Michele making-up two of the final
five. Sure they're already practicing in the studio in London together...
We reckon it’s just more of Louis Walsh's infamous spin going on here
folks. He’s such a cheeky chappie.... If you are a sexy female singer
aged between 15 to 25 make sure you get to the auditions on Saturday coz
this band is going to be HUGE. Even camp out all night if you think you
have what it takes. Although, we don't think Lady Michele and Lady Jodi
will be putting up a tent outside The POD. No chance. We snapped Michele
McGrath with her former 'Franklin' singer South African boyfriend Gavin
Edwards at the Bray Summerfest yesterday... |
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Source: Showbiz Ireland |
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21 July 2008 :Kian
sweet on Irish Sugababes -- but Jodi is no shoo-in |
AUDITION: Kian Egan's fiancee Jodi Albert is tipped for a role in Louiis
Walsh's new girlband but will have to prove her worth alongside the
other band members
Sexy actress Jodi Albert may be swapping vows with Westlife's Kian Egan
after the loved-up couple got engaged earlier this year.
But that still doesn't mean the former-Hollyoaks actress gets special
treatment when it comes to the new girlband he's putting together with
Louis Walsh.
The Diary can reveal that far from having secured a place in her future
hubbie's group, she's going to have to audition just like thousands of
other unknown wannabes.
It seems that even in the fickle world of showbiz, nepotism can only get
you so far.
And Jodi's singing talents will have to seriously impress the judges if
she's to make it into the band.
A source close to the pop impresario explained how although Kian's
girlfriend was mentioned as a member -- alongside model Michele McGrath
-- nothing is set in stone yet.
"Everybody has to audition, irrespective of who they are. Louis is
really determined to make this group a success. He wants them to be
Ireland's answer to the Sugababes.
Fair
"Maybe the final line-up will include Jodi and Michele but he has to
give everyone a fair crack at the whip," the source said.
The X-Factor judge is now looking for aspiring pop singers aged between
15-25 who reckon they have what it takes to make it big.
Although the finer details have yet to be confirmed, auditions for the
group are scheduled to take place in Dublin at the end of this month.
Any young ladies considering throwing their hat into the ring should
heed the advice of the band's publicist, PR guru Joanne Byrne.
"I'm always amazed at how many people arrive to auditions who aren't
prepared and haven't made the effort.
"Don't turn up wearing an Aran sweater and wooly tights -- you have to
look like you belong in a girlband.
"I can't talk on behalf of Louis but it's my understanding that
everybody has to audition. Just like with Girls Aloud, it's not just how
the girls perform individually and it's about how they work together.
It's vital for us to get the right mix," she continued.
"Louis is really excited about it and obviously, with Westlife taking a
year off, it's a great time for him to put together something like this.
"We'll be issuing a release of details of the auditions shortly. It's
going to be a great opportunity for anyone who wants to make it big as
these things can really change a person's life."
X-Factor judge Louis has asked Jodi's fiance Kian to help run the band
as they endeavour to land the group a big-money recording contract.
They are already attracting big interest from top-record labels, and
industry sources say the band could have a deal within weeks of forming.
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Source: Herald.ie |
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21 July 2008 :Louis Walsh
looking for the Female Westlife |
By Adam Nutburn, July 21 2008
Music mogul Louis Walsh is on the hunt for the female version of
Westlife -- he's holding auditions for a new Irish girl band next week.
The X Factor judge, 55, hopes to launch a new band with Westlife's Kian
Egan as co-manager, and are looking for five girls aged 15-25.
A source tells Britain's Sunday People newspaper, "Louis has seen a gap
in the market for a new girl band and asked Kian to be part of a new
project.
"The pair of them will host the auditions and are confident they will
find the next big thing."
All those who audition will be asked to sing a cappella -- and are
advised to "know what you are going to sing, learn the lyrics and put
some thought into your appearance". |
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Source: showbiz spy |
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18th July 2008 :Westlife
IRMA chart positions (Week ending 18th July) |
|
In the Irish music charts this week, The following Albums
and dvd are in the below positions
Unbreakable:The Greatest Hits(Volume one) LW:23 , TW:34
Back Home: LW:54, TW:71
TOP 10 dvd music
Back Home DVD : LW:3 , TW:4
LW:Last Week, TW:This Week
|
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Source: Gloria/IRMA |
|
18th July 2008 :Five
new jobs announced |
Get yourself over to Top Shop now and pick out a new rig-out,
then head over to Boots to get yourself some new illuminating No7 make-up
girls, then bleach your hair super blonde, there’s a job opening.
A few weeks ago when I said that this recession lark would be good craic
and that we should get some decent bands and breath taking albums such
as The Smith’s 1986 masterpiece The Queen is Dead, I didn’t think it
would take a twist.
In the last few days we’ve had some interesting developments on both the
jobs and music front.
First off the good news - five new jobs for the country! Yay! See I told
you the recession was made up by George Lee and some nerdy economists in
the belly of the Government think tank to spook us all and give the
national media types something to bark on about during the silly season.
But there is also bad news, These five jobs, which could possibly be
very well paid in the long run, are being created by boy band king Louis
Walsh and one of the blonde ones from Westlife. Yep you read right, the
only jobs being created this summer are in the girl band category.
Louis, not happy enough with making our ears bleed via such marvels as
The Carter Twins and Bellefire has joined forces with Cian (with a K)
and the two are on the hunt for a new girl band.
Auditions will be taking place next weekend. Be warned though, tarting
yourself up does not improve your vocals. You’ll be asked to sing
acapella, and if you’re under 15 or over 25 forget about it. Cian
insists that they are looking for talent from all over the country, but
they are only holding auditions in Dublin.
Now Ciano and Louis’ version of talent might be different to mine, and
to a lot of people’s. When organiser and publicist Joanne Byrne says
that these auditions are for all girls out there who would love to be in
a girl band I guess that means more Girls Aloud and less The Breeders
(OK not completely a girl band as they had a male drummer but you get
what I mean). In which case don’t bother learning off the lyrics to My
Chemical Romance’s ‘I’m Not Okay (I Promise)’.
Anyway Joanne has also said that the girls heading up for the auditions
should put some thought into their appearance. Ciano himself was on the
radio during the week explain that this doesn’t mean you wear skimpy
dungarees, a bikini top, and a pitch fork! Hmmm. (Insert pole up... joke
here.)
But sure who knows this girl band could be the next big thing. Forget
about Be*witched and Six folks, Louis and Ciano are here to whet your
musical taste buds. All they need is a catchy name, something like
Dainty Recession, or Liberty Recession, Hairline Recession, or George
Lee and The Recessions. And they could sing about the hard times ahead,
dole queues, the price of petrol, inflation, and what not.
Hmmm OK maybe not. It was just a thought.
But yet again, on the plus side, yay more jobs for Ireland!!!
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Source:athlone advertiser |
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18th July 2008 :Pop
songs banned from funerals |
By Natalie Lindo
BBC News
Westlife, Boyzone and Elton John are popular song choices for funerals
Playing Candle In The Wind and Flying Without Wings as you say goodbye
to a loved one could become a thing of the past for parishioners in the
Diocese of Clogher.
Leaflets handed out on its behalf at Saint Mary's Church in
Castleblayney on Sunday said pop music and poetry had no place in
funeral ceremonies.
The diocese takes in parts of counties Fermanagh, Tyrone, Monaghan and
Louth.
The leaflet, called "Celebrating a Catholic Funeral" said a return to
traditionalism was needed "to affirm that the funeral Mass and the
burial was a sacred occasion".
"In our Catholic tradition the funeral Mass and burial is not about a
good 'send-off' but faith in God," it said.
"Practices such as personal poems about the deceased, favourite songs
and the shaking of hands in the church before going to the graveside are
breaking the continuous prayer that the funeral liturgy is.
"Personal contributions are permitted, as long as they are after the
final blessing at the graveside."
It continues that anyone who needed assistance in arranging a funeral
Mass should contact the parish office.
One church-goer, who did not want to be named, told the BBC that the
parish had been shocked by the move.
"I think sometimes a particular song, or poem, might be special to the
family or the person," she said.
"At the end of the day they are being paid to do the funeral, it is a
very personal thing."
A statement issued by St Mary's Church said the information contained in
the leaflet was to assist families when they were arranging funerals.
It said the leaflet was intended to provide guidelines for funeral
services and was not a set of rules or regulations.
"What we are doing here is in line with diocesan guidelines," it said.
"We are reiterating what is already the ideal in terms of funeral
liturgies and to emphasis that a funeral is a sacred occasion."
|
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Source:BBC News |
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18th July 2008 :I
want you for GirlZone |
Pop Mogul Louis Walsh, and Westlife's Kian Egan unveiled thier master
plan, for discovering a new girl band.
The irish daily mirror exclusively revealed their plans to create Irish
rivals to The PussyCat dolls last month,
And the Westlife manager Walsh, who bought Kian, and the boys fame and
fortune is with Kian hunting for a new talent that will soar to the top
of the charts.
The home-grown girl group will be co managed by the pair and they will
be picking the final line up from auditions at the end of the month.
Kian's girflfriend Jodi Albert and Michelle McGrath are two of the hot
favourites to join the line up.
Open auditions will take place at The Pod, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, on
friday 25th July and Saturday 26th July from midday to 6pm, - The same
venue where Louis both audtitioned Boyzone and Westlife.
Kian said:Im really hoping we are going to see and hear some great
talent from all parts of this country. I know how much an audition like
this can change your life. So my advice is to go for it.
Louis, who is currently recording a fourth season of X Factor, said they
were looking for a 5 piece band aged between 15-25 years old.
Hopeful band members will be asked to sing acapella without instruments.
and call backs will be on 27th July 2008.
Louis who started in the music business, in a show band promoters office
in Dublin, has been instrumental in finding and managing some of the
most sucessfful pop groups around including, Boyzone.Westlife,and Girls
Aloud. He remains of the most respected in the music industry with his
groups achieving a staggering 28 number ones to date.
Meanwhile. Westlife holds the record for having the most consecutive,
number one singles. boasting 13 number ones, and six number ones selling
albums.
Organiser and Publisist Joanne Byrne said the audition was a great
opportunity for all female singing hopefulls.
She said "My advice to any girl that comes to the audition is simple,
know what you are going to sing, learn the lyrics and put some thought
into your performance.
|
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Source:Irish Mirror/
Lucy |
|
18th July 2008 :Download
Kian on Radio this morning ... |
Kian was on Vibe radio talking today about the auditions for the new
girl band and Villy recorded it, thank you so much
Download by clicking HERE
BTW the Joanne Smith mentioned is me lol... yeah
|
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Source:Villy/Vibe
radio |
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17th July 2008 :Kian
on Vibe FM Tomorrow ... |
Kian is on Vibe Radio tomorrow morning 9am... Ill post link below for
you to listen live
Click HERE for link to listen live
|
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Source:Westlifefan1234 |
|
17th July 2008 :McFly's
Tom Fletcher in secret training to be a pilot |
McFLY'S Tom Fletcher has been living up to his band's
name by taking private flying lessons.
And Tom, who has notched up 46 hours in the air, can't wait for the day
when he can take his bandmates on holiday.
Tom, who turns 23 today, told the Razz: "I've been training to get my
pilot's licence. I've been flying for a little while. I've always wanted
to learn to fly because I've always been into planes and all that."
Tom is following in the footsteps of Jordan, John Travolta, and Westlife,
who have also learned to be pilots.
He joked: "We could have a celebrity plane fly-off with Jordan, but we'd
probably crash. I flew solo to Leicester and back again and had the
worst landing ever at Leiscester. The plane has only got one engine. The
plan is for the future so when we go on holiday we'll get there all
right."
Bandmate Danny Jones, who says the boys can't afford private jets now
they've left their big label, has also requested a boat licence so he
can help out when the boys reach their destination.
He said: "I've requested my boat licence - only to drive the guys
wakeboarding. It's not exciting but it means we can go on the water when
we're there."
The guys are flying high as their new single One for The Radio soars
towards the top of this weekend's charts.
Their first output from new label Super Records could hit number one in
the singles charts.
The guys reckon the time is right because pop is bigger than ever as a
result of comebacks from pop predecessors.
Danny said: "Comebacks from old bands has helped. The pop market is
strong again. For the past two years it was only us, Sugababes and Girls
Aloud. Pop is popular again."
And they've not ruled out collaborating with either girl band.
Tom added: "It would also be cool to write with Gary Barlow."
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Source:Daily Record |
|
17th July 2008 :Walsh
to hold Dublin auditions for girl group |
Pop impresario Louis Walsh is planning to launch a new girl group, for
which he will hold open auditions in Dublin next weekend.
Walsh, who manages Boyzone, Westlife and Shayne Ward and previously
managed Girls Aloud, will co-manage the new act with Westlife star Kian
Egan.
Open auditions will take place in The Pod on Friday 25 July and Saturday
26 July from midday to 6pm.
AdvertisementCall backs will then be held on Sunday 27 July. All those
who audition will be asked to sing a cappella.
Walsh and Egan are looking to form a quintet between the ages of 15 and
25.
Walsh will be hoping that the audition venue, the Pod on Dublin's
Harcourt Street, will once again prove lucky for him.
He previously used the same location when holding auditions for Boyzone
and Westlife.
Both Walsh and Egan will judge the auditions with Egan commenting: "I am
really hoping we are going to see and hear some great talent from all
parts of the country. I know how much an audition like this can change
your life - so my advice is to go for it."
All those hoping to attend the audition have been advised by Walsh's PR
spokesperson to "know what you are going to sing, learn the lyrics and
put some thought into your appearance". |
|
Source:RTE |
|
16th July 2008 :Louis
Walsh holds open auditions for girl band |
16 Jul 2008
Aspiring performers will have their chance to shine in front of one of
the biggest names in pop this month, as Louis Walsh holds open auditions
for a new five-piece girl band.
Think you have a claim to fame?
Then this is your chance to skip the reality TV shows and years of bar-playing,
and go straight into a spanking new pop band.
Pop svengali Louis Walsh – having already propelled the likes of
Westlife, Girls Aloud and Boyzone into stardom – is calling open
auditions for a new five-piece girlband in Dublin this month.
Any girl aged 15-25 can try out on July 25 and 26 at the Pod on Harcourt
Street, Dublin, from midday to 6pm. Auditions will consist of an a
cappella song of your choice, with callbacks the next day (July 27).
Louis will judge the auditions, along with Westlife's Kian Egan, who
will co-manage the group with Walsh.
Kian believes this is a great way for talented girls to bring something
fresh to the Irish music scene: “I am really hoping we are going to see
and hear some great talent from all parts of the country. I know how
much an audition like this can change your life – so my advice is to go
for it!”
|
|
Source:Hotpress |
|
16th July 2008 :Louis
looks for new girl group
|
Pop impresario Louis Walsh and Westlife's Kian Egan are searching for a
new girl group to hit the charts.
The music men plan to find five talented females during open auditions
in Dublin in the coming weeks.
Westlife manager Louis, who helped bring the boys fame and fortune, is,
with Kian, hunting for new raw talent that will soar to the top of the
charts.
The homegrown new girl group will be co-managed by the pair.
Kian, who is engaged to former Hollyoaks actress Jodi Albert, told
budding pop stars to take a chance and go for it.
"I am really hoping we are going to see and hear some great talent from
all parts of the country," he said.
"I know how much an audition like this can change your life - so my
advice is to go for it."
Louis, who is currently recording a fourth series of X Factor, said they
were looking for a five-piece girl group between the ages of 15 and 25.
|
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Source:thisisnottingham |
|
15th July 2008 :Tiger
still burning bright for the Marbella holiday ladies
|
|
The article mentions Westlife in passing..
The young Irish believe now is the best time ever to party, away from
the 'doom and gloom' at home
Sunday July 06 2008
IF holidays abroad are the barometer of a country's economic strength
then Ireland will surely ride out the financial storm.
But, as travel agents report increased bookings, there still remains
only one place for the well heeled Irish to party abroad.
Puerto Banus, at Marbella, southern Spain, is the only show in town for
Ireland's optimists, sick of the negativity at home.
Last week Irish ex-pats and holidaymakers in Marbella would countenance
no talk of economic gloom or recession.
Paul Reilly, who has worked for Vidal Sassoon in LA, is the owner of the
Halo Hair Design near the chic marina and says some 70 per cent of his
customers are Irish.
"The Irish are still coming. Business is booming now for us -- in fact I
would go so far as to say it's never been better."
Paul Hayden, who runs the Zumo Juice bar, contrasts the optimism around
the Med with the gloom and doom at home.
"In Irela | |
