Speaking with Westlife is anything but straightforward, as Barry Egan quickly discovered. What initially felt like a lengthy and complex process took months to arrange, only to fall into place in rapid succession. Coordinating time with multiple band members and their longtime manager required patience, flexibility, and a bit of luck, but the payoff was a rare and revealing series of conversations.
Rather than a single sit-down, the interviews unfolded across several locations and days. Egan first met Nicky Byrne in the elegant surroundings of the Grand Hotel in Malahide, setting the tone for a reflective discussion. Shortly after, he found himself face-to-face with Kian Egan in a private suite at Dublin’s InterContinental Hotel, where the conversation continued with equal openness.
The journey then moved west, with Shane Filan welcoming the interviewer into his home in Sligo. That setting offered a more personal atmosphere, allowing Filan to reflect on his experiences with honesty and warmth. Each meeting carried its own rhythm, shaped by the surroundings and the personality of the band member involved.
Alongside the group, longtime manager Louis Walsh also shared his perspective during a separate meeting at the InterContinental. His insights added crucial context to Westlife’s story, touching on the early days of the band, the pressures of the industry, and the dynamics that shaped their rise to global fame.
Taken together, these individual encounters form a broader portrait of Westlife as more than just a chart-topping group. They reveal a band whose story spans ambition, challenge, and longevity—told through voices that are familiar, reflective, and deeply connected to a shared musical legacy.
