Post by adamzhu on Apr 28, 2006 16:16:34 GMT 8
Westlife set Arena high
Adam Moss
WESTLIFE have racked up another amazing career record - as the most popular act in the glittering history of the M.E.N. Arena.
The group's two sell-out performances over the weekend took sales for their shows at the Manchester venue past the 250,000 mark - the first act to do so since the Arena opened in 1996.
Before going on stage on Saturday night, Shane, Nicky, Mark and Kian were presented with specially commissioned `Platinum Tickets' to mark the achievement.
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Arena general manager John Knight said: "It is remarkable to think that approximately one in every 20 tickets sold at the arena over the past five years has been for Westlife.
"The boys seemed genuinely pleased by this milestone, and asked if Take That would beat it after their concerts here next month.
"I assured them that their record of 22 shows and over 250,000 ticket sales was safe for some time yet."
Shane told the 14,000 fans about the honour. He said: "We love coming to Manchester and tonight has been a special night because we have been given an award.
Possible
"I would like to thank all of you for making it possible."
The Irish boyband's record will be made all the sweeter by the fact that they pipped their former manager - Ronan Keating, who performed 14 times at the Arena with Boyzone and fives times as a solo artist - playing to 242,000 fans.
It was Ronan who gave Westlife their first big break of course - the band supported Boyzone at one of their MEN Arena dates and, in those days, went by the name `Westside'.
Take That are likely to claim third spot in the M.E.N. Arena popularity stakes. They have already recorded 143,000 sales and stand to add another 90,000 with their six sell-out shows later this month.
Taken from
www.manchesteronline.co.uk/
Adam Moss
WESTLIFE have racked up another amazing career record - as the most popular act in the glittering history of the M.E.N. Arena.
The group's two sell-out performances over the weekend took sales for their shows at the Manchester venue past the 250,000 mark - the first act to do so since the Arena opened in 1996.
Before going on stage on Saturday night, Shane, Nicky, Mark and Kian were presented with specially commissioned `Platinum Tickets' to mark the achievement.
Advertisement your story continues below
Arena general manager John Knight said: "It is remarkable to think that approximately one in every 20 tickets sold at the arena over the past five years has been for Westlife.
"The boys seemed genuinely pleased by this milestone, and asked if Take That would beat it after their concerts here next month.
"I assured them that their record of 22 shows and over 250,000 ticket sales was safe for some time yet."
Shane told the 14,000 fans about the honour. He said: "We love coming to Manchester and tonight has been a special night because we have been given an award.
Possible
"I would like to thank all of you for making it possible."
The Irish boyband's record will be made all the sweeter by the fact that they pipped their former manager - Ronan Keating, who performed 14 times at the Arena with Boyzone and fives times as a solo artist - playing to 242,000 fans.
It was Ronan who gave Westlife their first big break of course - the band supported Boyzone at one of their MEN Arena dates and, in those days, went by the name `Westside'.
Take That are likely to claim third spot in the M.E.N. Arena popularity stakes. They have already recorded 143,000 sales and stand to add another 90,000 with their six sell-out shows later this month.
Taken from
www.manchesteronline.co.uk/