In early 2020, excitement surged through the hearts of Westlife fans across Europe. The iconic Irish pop group—Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne—had announced their most ambitious live tour to date: the Stadiums in the Summer Tour. With 21 planned stops across some of the most prestigious and historic venues in Europe, including Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Cardiff City Stadium, and the legendary Wembley Stadium, this tour was shaping up to be a landmark chapter in the band’s celebrated career.
However, what was to be a triumphant summer celebration of music, nostalgia, and unity became another casualty of the global Coronavirus pandemic. Just months before the tour was due to kick off in June 2020, the world was brought to a standstill as COVID-19 spread rapidly, forcing governments worldwide to impose strict restrictions on large gatherings, travel, and public events. In adherence to UK Government advice and prioritizing public health and safety, Westlife made the heartbreaking decision to cancel the tour.
A Tour Born from Resurgence
Westlife’s 2020 summer stadium tour was particularly significant as it followed their spectacular reunion in 2018 after a six-year hiatus. Their 2019 comeback album Spectrum and the Twenty Tour were massive successes, with the latter becoming one of the fastest-selling tours of the year. Their return wasn’t just a nostalgic trip down memory lane; it was a powerful reminder that Westlife remained a relevant and beloved force in the global music scene.
The Stadiums in the Summer Tour was intended to elevate that momentum. Performing in open-air arenas and colossal stadiums symbolized the band’s evolution from late-90s heartthrobs to seasoned performers capable of commanding the world’s biggest stages. Fans were eager to sing along to classic hits like Flying Without Wings, Uptown Girl, and You Raise Me Up, as well as newer anthems from Spectrum, under the stars of a European summer.
The Impact of the Cancellation
When the cancellation was announced, it wasn’t just a disappointment for fans—it was a blow to the entire live music industry, which was already reeling from a wave of postponed and axed events. Venues, crews, vendors, and countless professionals involved in staging such a large-scale tour were affected, both financially and emotionally.
Westlife issued a heartfelt message at the time, thanking fans for their unwavering support and understanding. “We are heartbroken to have to cancel this tour,” the band wrote. “We had been working hard to put on a show that we know would be unforgettable. However, the safety of our fans and everyone involved in the tour is paramount.”
Fans responded with overwhelming empathy, flooding social media with messages of support, videos, and shared memories from previous concerts. Many held onto their tickets, hopeful for future rescheduled dates.
A Pause, Not an End
While the cancellation of the Stadiums in the Summer Tour was undoubtedly a low point, Westlife’s journey was far from over. The group adapted, using the downtime to reconnect with fans through virtual performances, social media, and studio work. In the years that followed, they released new material and embarked on other tours once restrictions were lifted.
Notably, in 2022, the band launched The Wild Dreams Tour, which included performances in cities that were originally part of the 2020 tour schedule. These concerts served as a form of redemption—not only giving fans the live experience they had long awaited but also symbolizing resilience in the face of global adversity.
The Legacy of a Lost Tour
The Stadiums in the Summer Tour remains one of those great “what could have been” moments in music history. Yet, its story is not one of defeat but of hope. It represents a period where the power of music, even when silenced on stage, continued to connect people across borders. It also reminded the world of the fragility of live experiences, and why they are so treasured.
For Westlife and their fans, the cancelled tour strengthened the bond between artist and audience. When the music finally returned to the stages, it was more meaningful than ever.
In a world changed by the pandemic, Westlife’s story is a testament to the enduring nature of pop music and the communal joy of live performance—a reminder that even when plans fall apart, the spirit of music carries on.
While the stadiums may have stood silent in the summer of 2020, the echoes of what Westlife intended to bring have only amplified the anticipation for what comes next.
