I've been a Westlife fan since some time in the year 2000. I found a CD at Best Buy with some cute guys who looked like a boyband, and I decided to take a chance and buy it. Then I found out they were Irish. Then I listened to the CD and fell in love with them. 💘
Westlife has had minimal exposure in America but is more well-known in the rest of the world. As poor roommates with little to do, Shala and I wrote Westlife fanfics and downloaded fuzzy bootleg videos off the internet. Westlife was an escape, musically and imaginatively, but they were also a comfort and a goal. We both wanted to be loved like a Westlife song. They made our lonely, romantic hearts feel hopeful and happy when things felt so, so hard.
During our time in Boston, Westlife was set to perform at a showcase concert in New York City put on by Seventeen magazine. We sacrificed and saved so that we could take two days off work and get bus tickets and a hotel room in NYC just for a chance to see them, maybe meet them. We were beyond excited! But a week before the show, Westlife canceled and we were devastated. (We still went and spent about 24 hours in NYC, where I left unable to feel my toes from walking miles and miles in brand new 3-inch heeled boots from Payless. Things we can survive in our 20s!)
Initially, we were only planning to see Westlife in Boston, but Sean surprised me with tickets to the Radio City Music Hall show, which set off a whole extra set of adventures to plan in NYC!
📸Picture-Heavy Post
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Before we get started, I am 5'9", typically wear a 18/20, wear a 40B bra, a size 11 wide shoe, and my measurements are 46/49/55.
- Catch up on the Boston leg of my trip here: Back to Boston posts
New York City:
- Boston to New York City by Train
- Rockefeller Center at Night
- Times Square & Harbor Lights Night Cruise
- American Museum of Natural History + Central Park
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| What Sean Wore: Button-down Shirt - Old Navy / Wilson Moto Jacket - I.N.C. via Macy's Lee Extreme Motion MVP Slim-Fit, Tapered Jeans - Kohl's / Wide Toe Box Running Shoes - Amazon |
A couple weeks before the American tour, my absolute favorite member of Westlife, Mark, announced he had a health emergency and couldn't be there. I was absolutely devastated, still am. I imagined how sad he must be to miss something this band has looked forward to for so long. So I decided that, despite the sadness of that Mark-shaped hole in my heart, I would have fun for him and in his honor. I chilled out a little more and tried to just take everything as it came. We all missed Mark something fierce, but it was still such a lovely night!
It only took ten minutes to walk to Radio City Music Hall from our hotel, so we strolled, eh well, I would never call walking in New York a "stroll". We took our time, shall I say, walking to the venue, looking up at the buildings, and taking photos like the tourists we were. I was also really proud of myself for letting things be imperfect. I have been such a perfectionist and people-pleaser my entire life and have been more intentionally allowing myself to plan less, prepare a little less, and just generally be a little less extra in the name of peace of mind. For example, I didn't spend more time straightening my hair or doing my nails. I didn't put in the extra effort to find a different shirt that fit me better. I didn't worry about having perfect photos or getting specific shots. I just tried to show up as me in whatever form I took that day and lived my life in the name of courage, adventure, and delight.
Obviously, this was our first time attending anything at Radio City, and what a treat that was! The place is stunning inside, the staff were all friendly and direct, it was clean and pristine-looking, and they were all organized AF. They have it down to a science it seems, and it pays off. We were lucky enough to go into the door that fed us directly into the merch line, where I bought merch for both Shala and I.
I want to take a moment to thank Westlife for at least having sizes up to a 3X. So many artist's and band's merch only goes up to a more fitted 2X. New Kids On The Block is just now starting to have 3X as an option. I was so excited I bought two tees and a sweatshirt. Turns out, they are very generously sized as well.
I want to take a moment to thank Westlife for at least having sizes up to a 3X. So many artist's and band's merch only goes up to a more fitted 2X. New Kids On The Block is just now starting to have 3X as an option. I was so excited I bought two tees and a sweatshirt. Turns out, they are very generously sized as well.
Anyway, after we bought merch we stood in line to get drinks, which were presented in a plastic take-home cup that made a fun souvenir, and I got to talking to two Irish guys who I'm convinced thought I was cute. They were extra friendly, and maybe that's just because they're Irish, but my story is that two cute Irish guys flirted with me at the Westlife concert. I'm not wrong, I swear!
I was high as a friggin' kite on the anticipation of concert time, the lights of NYC, and Irish dudes flirting with me, and then we sat in our second-row seats. I got emotional. I was missing Mark (Feehily from Westlife. He got sick and couldn't make it.). I was just so grateful to be in that moment. Plus, the seats at Radio City were soft, velvety, and plush. (At an 18/20 I fit into the seat just fine. It was actually really comfortable.)
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| I really LOVED this particular video background! It was beautiful! |
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| The two gentlemen on the left do not look like your typical Westlife fan, but they were having the BEST time dancing and singing! |
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| We got emotional during the show. Aaaahhhh, Westlife! |
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| My merch! |
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| The souvenir cup from Radio City |
After the show, we jumped into the closest crowd and followed the flow to the exit, which spat us out along 50th Street. I saw pretty lit-up trees glowing just a short distance away and wanted to burn my concert energy by exploring. When we approached the trees, I realized we were at Rockefeller Center, which you can read about HERE!
The NYC adventure continues!!
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