For two and a half decades, Westlife have soundtracked countless memories: ballads, stadium anthems, chart-toppers, and countless nights with fans singing every lyric. As they approach their 25th anniversary, the band is gearing up for what many are calling their most ambitious and heartfelt tour yet: The Forever Tour. Promising over 60 shows across Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, and Africa, this will be a sprawling, emotional, and celebratory journey through their legacy and future.
What We Know So Far
These are the confirmed (or strongly confirmed) shows and announcements as of mid‑2025:
- As part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, Westlife will perform two special shows at Royal Albert Hall, London on October 27 & October 28, 2025, with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. (westlifeweb.com)
- Mark Feehily is not expected to take part in those specific anniversary shows due to health reasons. (The Sun)
- Ticket on‑sales for these shows opened on June 20, 2025. (westlifeweb.com)
So while the full “Forever Tour” schedule is not fully public, these London shows mark the kickoff of what is being called a much bigger anniversary tour. (westlifeweb.com)
Rumours, Projections & What Fans Can Expect
Based on media leaks, fan reports, and how major anniversary tours typically roll, here are some projected cities, dates, and features. These are not all confirmed, but seem plausible or are being talked about in multiple outlets.
Key Cities & Dates (Rumoured or Anticipated)
| Continent | Cities Likely to be on the Tour | Approximate Timeframes / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Dublin, London (multiple shows), Manchester, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, Stockholm | Likely spring to early summer 2025; UK & Ireland legs possibly overlapping with or following the London anniversary shows. (halftimenews.co.uk) |
| North America | New York City, Toronto, Los Angeles, Vancouver | Summer 2025 seems likely, possibly late spring. Expectations are high that Westlife will return there after their recent international touring. (sporthiking.com) |
| Asia / Australasia | Tokyo, Manila, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne | Medium to large venues; possibly second half of 2025 or spilling into 2026. Some dates are rumoured in SE Asia. (sporthiking.com) |
| Africa | Unconfirmed so far; rumoured in some fan circles or media that stops may include Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, Nairobi or other capitals. | As of now, there is no reliable source confirming specific African cities or dates. But many fans expect Africa to be part of the global leg. |
What the Tour Might Include
- A setlist combining nostalgic classics (“Flying Without Wings,” “My Love,” “You Raise Me Up,” etc.) with new material. Possibly reimagined or orchestral versions. (sporthiking.com)
- Elevated production values: staging, lighting, possibly special effects, multimedia & visual storytelling celebrating 25 years. (sporthiking.com)
- Special fan experiences: meet‑and‑greets, exclusive merchandise, perhaps VIP packages. (sporthiking.com)
What’s Still Unclear
- Full dates and venues. The two London shows are confirmed; many others are rumoured, but no comprehensive confirmed list of the 60+ shows yet.
- Which African cities will be included, if any, and on what leg of the tour.
- Whether Mark Feehily will rejoin later legs following recovery. For some shows he is unavailable; for others, perhaps he will join. (The Sun)
- When tickets for the full tour will go on sale, for which markets, and at what prices.
- Exact structure of the tour (how many legs, rest periods, show spacing).
What to Mark on Your Calendar (Based on Confirmed Info)
If you’re a fan wanting to be sure to catch something, here are the dates you can already save:
- October 27, 2025 — Royal Albert Hall, London (Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra) (westlifeweb.com)
- October 28, 2025 — Royal Albert Hall, London (same show) (westlifeweb.com)
These are the only firmly confirmed “Forever Tour / 25th anniversary” shows as of now. Expect more announcements, especially in early‑to‑mid 2025, extending into 2026.
Why This Tour Matters
- It’s a milestone: 25 years is a long time in the music business; this is as much a celebration of Westlife’s journey as it is of their impact.
- Nostalgia + evolution: Fans want the hits, but also often want growth and surprises. For Westlife this might mean new arrangements or revisiting old songs with fresh interpretations.
- Accessibility: By touring globally, they give fans from many continents the chance to see them live. Inclusion of places outside Europe/North America would be especially meaningful.
- Emotional weight: With Mark unavailable for some dates, and with the band maturing, there may be emotional moments, reflections, tributes.
What Fans Should Do Now
- Keep watch on official sources — Westlife’s own website, social media, and official ticketing partners — for further announcements.
- Sign up for fan‑club presales or alerts, because high demand is virtually guaranteed.
- Consider travel and lodging early if you plan to attend shows outside your city or country, as international shows often sell out and price climbs can be steep.
- Stay updated on Mark Feehily’s status, in case some shows have lineup adjustments.
Speculation: Possible Africa Leg & Other Surprises
Given the scale of the stated goal (over 60 shows, global reach), many fans expect Africa to get included, especially cities like:
- Johannesburg, Cape Town — as South Africa often features in global tours
- Lagos or Abuja, Nigeria — Westlife has a strong fan base in West Africa
- Nairobi, Kenya — growing concert market, often a stop in Africa legs
Also, Asia (e.g. the Philippines, Singapore, Japan) and Australasia (Australia & New Zealand) are widely expected, though specific dates are speculative.
If you like, I can try to pull together a map or timeline of all the confirmed “Forever Tour” dates (including rumours sorted by how likely they seem) so you can see if it’s coming to a city near you. Do you want me to build that?
