Westlife have sold more than 35 million albums, a feat as impressive as it is mystifying. Yet after eight years, there is no sign of their popularity waning.

That's judging by the screaming for the Irish four-piece at Wembley last night, which was unremitting, even for a performance that had neither spontaneity nor any real thrills.

True, they did actually try to stage an eclipse during the opening Total Eclipse Of The Heart. But their descent on a moonshaped platform in front of a backdrop of the sun just looked awkward and uncomfortable.

Once they reached the stage, their voices were fine on the power ballads and other covers such as Barry Manilow's Mandy, although Shane Filan and Mark Feehily were clearly the better singers, and so entrusted with more solos.

The blond-hair fans' favourite Kian Egan just ended up waving limply at the crowd when his services weren't required. Happily for him, they screamed even louder.

"We want to thank you for the 14 number ones," said Nicky Byrne, after they sang one of their first chart toppers, If I Let You Go.

His gratitude may have been heartfelt, but it was also a good way of reminding everyone that Westlife are still the biggest boy band around. They even had the cheek to perform a "tribute" to Take That, as if the older men were still just a Nineties act rather than a resurgent pop phenomenon.

Nevertheless, their version of Everything Changes was a key part of the evening's high point - a boy band medley. Also taking in such greats as Backstreet Boys, Boyzone and, briefly, Bros, the four of them injected some energy - and unintentional humour - with their jerky, dated choreography that looked like the sort of spoof dance routine that ends up on YouTube.

It was, undeniably, fun to watch and they followed that with the crowd-pleasing Uptown Girl. But then it was back to the four blokes standing in a line, singing dull songs with fixed grins or, during the serious bits, furrowed brows.

For the audience, though, who ranged from young girls to old ladies and even a few men, it evidently had the feelgood factor (and The X Factor if you counted Ray Quinn in the crowd).

"See you next year," said Filan with a wink as they left the stage, the screams still ringing in their ears. Whether we like it or not, Westlife are clearly here to stay.