The Gravity Tour – 2011- is Westlife’s eleventh tour. The tour supported the studio album, Gravity. The tour visits Europe, Asia and Africa. This tour was listed 55th in 2011 Worldwide First Quarter ticket sales list with 56,793 tickets sold at that time of the year only.
The tour was announced a mere two weeks after the group completed their Where We Are Tour. The tour is directed by William Baker, who is known for his work with Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis and Björk, will serve as creative director. With a new touring band and musical director, the group stated this tour will be “bigger and better” than their previous feats. The group hinted the tour having a space theme (to tie in with the title) and possibly feature a medley of hits by Barbadian recording artist, Rihanna. The tour became of major success in its infancy, with many ticket vendors’ website crashing moments after tickets went on sale.
Originally, tour dates were announced only for the United Kingdom, but dates have since been added for Ireland, the Arabian Peninsula, and festival shows in Europe. Prominent car dealer Volkswagen supported this tour. Tour manager, Steve Martin explained, “With such a demanding tour schedule for the band over the next few weeks, we really wanted something that offered comfort but that was understated and reliable. The Phaeton and Caravelle blend all of this together to fit the bill perfectly and are the ideal support act for the tour”.
During the concert at the Echo Arena Liverpool in Liverpool, England, the show was briefly paused as a set malfunction left the group hanging from the arena’s ceiling by a swaying bar. A team of security guards helped lower the group, resuming the concert.
Opening acts
- Wonderland (Europe—Leg 1)
- Glenn Cal (Europe—Leg 1)
- Young JV (Philippines)
Set list
The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on 18 March 2011, at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.
- “No One’s Gonna Sleep Tonight”
- “When You’re Looking Like That”
- “World of Our Own”
- “What Makes a Man”
- “Safe”
- “Home”
- “Beautiful Tonight”
- “Medley:”
- “Viva la Vida”
- “Only Girl (In the World)”
- “The Time (Dirty Bit)”
- “Bad Romance”
- “I Predict a Riot”
- “Seasons in the Sun”
- “You Raise Me Up”
- “I’m Already There”
- “I Will Reach You”
- “Flying Without Wings”
- “What About Now”
- “Uptown Girl”
Tour Dates
Festivals and other miscellaneous performances
A This concert was a part of the Hampton Court Palace Festival
B This concert was a part of Live at the Marquee
C These concerts were a part of Forestry Commission—Live Music
D This concert was a part of the “BBC Proms in the Park”
E This concert was a part of the “FNB Festival”
Cancellations and rescheduled shows
| 19 June 2011 | Douglas, Isle of Man | Nobles Park | Cancelled. This concert was a part of the Manx Telecom Bay Festival. |
