The hiatus lasted for five years, during which time the band members focused on their solo projects. Brian McFadden released several solo albums and singles, while Shane Filan and Mark Feehily each released an EP and several singles. Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan both pursued careers in television and radio, with Byrne hosting the Irish version of "Dancing with the Stars" and Egan appearing as a judge on the Irish version of "The Voice."
In 2018, Westlife announced that they were reuniting for a tour to celebrate the band's 20th anniversary. The tour was a huge success, and the band sold out stadiums and arenas all over the world. Following the success of the tour, Westlife decided to release a new album and continue performing together.
The band's comeback album, "Spectrum," was released in 2019 and reached number one in Ireland, the UK, and several other countries. The album was followed by a second tour, the "Wild Dreams Tour," which began in May 2019 and ended in September 2020.
Westlife continues to perform together and release new music. Their most recent album, "Wild Dreams," was released in 2021. The band is scheduled to embark on a new tour, the "Greatest Hits Tour," in 2023.