Review: Westlife 25 at Utilita Arena, Newcastle

Invited: Review by Stephen Stokoe on 03 October 2026

The stage was set. The spinning golden globe dead centre of the enormous video wall spinning invitingly on its axis. The arena began to fill with the giddy excitement reserved for only the most revered pop acts. As the three boys of Westlife entered the arena the audience erupted into ecstatic whopping, cheering, and applause as the trio began their very personal and nostalgic journey through their stratospheric rise to the very top of British musical entertainment.

This was not the only treat of the evening. For half an hour prior we were regaled by a support act from Los Angeles called Ana Sky and her very talented band. Ana’s set was also very personal with some wonderfully soulful ballads accompanied by a four strong band including guitars, percussion, and a fantastic cellist. This alt-pop singer/songwriter is very much a show girl with performative elements embedded into her biographical lyrics. Her new EP is available on pre-sale now. Sky provided the perfect introduction to what was to come with heartfelt lyrics and a steady nostalgic beat. More from Ana can be found at anaskymusic.com

Before arriving at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, I could have been forgiven for expecting the audience to be a certain demographic. Westlife has been entertaining us since 1999 so there has been a lot of water along the Tyne since their first gig at the arena back in 2003. However, on arrival, the audience mix was not at all what I expected. In fact, sitting beside me were two impeccably behaved young gentlemen experiencing their very first concert. Looking at their faces after the encore, I have absolutely no doubt it will not be their last.

Westlife 25 is essentially a greatest hits tour and they ticked every single box in this regard. All of their hits were there from the start through their prolific careers with some little treats thrown in for good measure. That is not what this is all about though. It is also about giving something back to the fans. Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, and Kian Egan individually and eloquently greet the sell out audience at various points throughout the show and there is a sense of connection with those who have made them what they are.

The choreography and technical aspects of the production are also geared to take the audience on a journey. On one of their many costume changes we see the boys backstage on the big screen which I thought was a lovely touch and really drew the already clamouring audience into the very heart of the band.

For those who wish to read about the set list and some of the tricks, pyrotechnics, and novelties of the tour then there are reviews, and no doubt clips, that you can seek out on the search engine of your choosing. I prefer to focus on the soul of a magical, musical extravaganza which meanders emotionally through a career spanning over a quarter of a century. These three showmen command the stage for almost two hours. They are accompanied by a superb band and two backing singers who also really put in a shift that is outstanding. Their vocals complement the boys wonderfully and they get to take centre stage on more than one occasion to huge applause which is most thoroughly deserved.

As you would expect, no expense has been spared on the technical side of this arena tour. Tim Routledge has done an amazing job with the lighting design which teases, excites, and amazes in equal measures. The power of lighting to ignite emotions cannot be understated as Routledge knows and uses to epic effect.

I have said there will be no spoilers here and I am sticking to that but there are some highlights for me personally that it would be remiss not to mention. The opening is, of course, outstanding, nostalgic, and indulgent but there is a quiet solemnity to some of the tracks which certainly took me by surprise. The video work throughout provided by a whole team of collaborators is poignant, flashy, and occasionally and elegantly subtle.

Everyone here at In Newcastle wishes a speedy recovery to Mark Feehily and hopes that he will be back with the rest of the boys very soon.

It was an absolutely pleasure to spend an evening in the company of Shane, Nicky, and Kian. They promised a show full of nostalgia thanking their global fanbase. They achieved it – and then some. If this show does not raise you up – then very little will. Superb!!

Catch the boys on their 25th Anniversary world tour. Tickets available from ticketmaster