Westlife Unveil New Track Ahead of 25th Anniversary World Tour
Westlife have revealed a new single titled Your Love Amazes Me as they prepare for their 25th anniversary world tour. The track, set for release on Friday, features the band’s original member Mark Feehily, who is currently on a temporary hiatus due to ongoing health issues. Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, and Kian Egan shared their thoughts on the song, which returns to the group’s signature ballad style.
“It’s wonderful to return to the type of song that many of our fans will remember from our earliest days— it’s a heartfelt ballad with a beautiful story,” the trio said. The song is part of their upcoming album 25 – The Ultimate Collection, scheduled for release next month. This album serves as a tribute to the group’s 25 years in the music industry.
Mark announced his decision to step back from the group in 2024 due to unspecified health challenges. Although he will not be part of the tour, he remains featured on the tracks for the new album, including Your Love Amazes Me.
Westlife rose to fame in 1998 when they were formed in Dublin, originally consisting of five members, including Brian McFadden, who left the group in 2004. The band captured the hearts of fans worldwide when they announced their disbandment in 2012, leading each member to pursue solo careers. However, a successful return in 2018 saw them reform with the hit single Hello My Love and the announcement of The Twenty Tour in 2019.
In June, the band confirmed Mark’s absence from the upcoming shows. In a heartfelt message, Westlife wrote: “To our amazing fans, we would like to take this opportunity to share some very important news with you all. We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 25th Anniversary celebrations… On the 9th February 2001, we kicked off our first ever tour at the Newcastle Arena. Who would have thought we would still be here 25 years later?”
They continued: “We have so many exciting plans to share with you very soon, which will include new music, an album, special shows, and many, many more surprises along the way. Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. We hope he can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always.”
In 2024, Mark stepped away from the Irish boyband just days before their first-ever American tour. His prolonged illness led to his withdrawal from the band as he focused on recovery after being diagnosed with sepsis. On Instagram, he shared his experience: “Hello and much love to you all! It’s Mark here. Most of you are aware that I have had some health challenges over the past while. It actually all started 3.5 years ago in August 2020 when I had surgery. Within a few days of this surgery, I was in severe pain and was rushed into A&E.”
He added: “I eventually ended that awful day in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where I was informed that due to a complication with the surgery, I had developed severe ‘Sepsis’, a life-threatening infection that would require immediate emergency surgery to rectify the problem and basically save my life.”
Mark described the difficult time during lockdown: “It was during lockdown. For months, due to strict Covid restrictions, I was not allowed any visitors, including my fiancée and my then 10-month-old daughter. It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU.”
In late 2021, he became ill in Newcastle before a concert and ended up back in A&E, this time being told he had pneumonia. “I was told I had to go straight home to recover and regrettably miss the rest of the concerts that December. I was referred to a consultant who told me I needed more surgery, which I went ahead with in May 2022, meaning I was forced to miss more of The Wild Dreams tour.”
This September, the band will embark on their highly anticipated Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour. The tour will begin with a 13-date residency in Dublin before heading across the UK and Europe, marking their first headline continental run in two decades. Tickets are now available at LiveNation.co.uk.
