Irish boy band Westlife are in New Zealand on their first ever tour here.
They performed in Christchurch on Wednesday night, one of five concerts planned around the country. They play two shows in Auckland, one in Wellington and one in New Plymouth.
Westlife started out 10 years ago as a five-member boyband, though today they are a man-band quartet after one member left.
They have more number one hits in the UK than the Rolling Stones - 14 to be exact, beaten only by the Beatles and Elvis.
With hits including Seasons in the Sun, Swear it again and Flying without Wings, Westlife is one of the most successful modern bands of all time, having sold over 36 million records globally.
Westlife have been to New Zealand shores once before, but only to promote a new album.
This time with a glut of five shows, of which three have already
been sold out, the boys say it will have huge payoffs for them and
their New Zealand fans.
"We're gonna see our fans face to face tonight and throughout the
whole tour, which for us is the best part," says Mark Feehily,
Westlife band member.
Despite all the fame, they remain level headed blokes, saying the fame could all be over tomorrow.
As a special gift to their Kiwi fans, Westlife will be releasing a New Zealand only edition of their "best of" album featuring all their greatest hits.
