Editing B*Witched (section)

=== 1996–1998: Formation and ''B*Witched'' ===
[[File:Edele lynch with twin sister keavy 1998 2013-12-02 18-05.jpeg|thumb|right|Edele and Keavy Lynch in 1998]]
All four members of B*Witched knew each other vaguely from dancing at Digges Lane dance studios in [[Dublin]].<ref name="walshe"/> [[Sinéad O'Carroll]] met [[Keavy Lynch]] in a garage in the Dublin suburb of [[Finglas]], where Keavy was working as a part-time mechanic.<ref name="irish tv debut">{{cite web|title=B*Witched Debut on Irish TV|url=https://www.rte.ie//archives/exhibitions/1862-before-fame/983658-bwitched-debut-on-irish-tv/|date=30 May 1998|access-date=3 January 2022|website=RTÉ Archives|language=en}}</ref> The two of them became friends after talking about music and the idea of being in a band.<ref>{{cite book|last=Golden|first=Anna Louise|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A_JuAwAAQBAJ&dq=keavy+sinead+garage&pg=PT89|title=B*Witched|date=1999|publisher=St. Martin's Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4668-7361-2|language=en}}</ref> [[Lindsay Armaou]] met Keavy at a [[kickboxing]] class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.economicexpert.com/a/B:Witched.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923233215/http://www.economicexpert.com/a/B%3AWitched.htm |url-status = dead|archive-date=23 September 2015 |title=B*Witched No.1 Top Group }}</ref> In 1996,<ref name="walshe">{{cite news|url=https://www.hotpress.com/music/day-1998-irish-acts-top-uk-singles-albums-charts-first-time-ever-22775421|title=On this day in 1998: Irish acts top both the UK singles and albums charts for the first time ever|last=Walshe|first=John|date=6 June 2019|work=[[Hot Press]]|accessdate=3 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/b-witched-keavy-lynch-opens-034205625.html|title=B*Witched's Keavy Lynch Opens Up About Difficult Reunion And 'Living in Her Twin's Shadow'|last=Cole|first=Stacey|date=27 December 2016|work=Yahoo! News|accessdate=3 January 2022}}</ref> Keavy, Sinéad, and Keavy's <!-- Please don't add "identical" or "fraternal" without source --> twin sister [[Edele Lynch|Edele]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://metro.co.uk/2013/08/06/bwitcheds-keavy-lynch-i-shared-twin-edeles-pregnancy-cravings-3911839/|title=B*witched's Keavy Lynch: I had my twin's pregnancy cravings|last=Middleton|first=Paul|date=6 August 2013|website=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|access-date=3 January 2022|language=en}}</ref> decided to put a group together, originally called '''Butterfly Farm'''.{{cn|date=September 2024}} They later became a four-piece when Armaou joined.<ref name="TBR ep3" />

The group initially used the name '''Sister''', before settling on B*Witched.<ref name="irish tv debut"/> The band members deliberately cultivated a [[tomboy]] image and, in order to appeal to a younger audience, understated their ages in their early years.<ref name="Sinéad's age">{{cite web|url=http://www.showbizireland.com/news/june00/12b-witched01.shtml|title=Sinead O'Carroll B*Witched by Michael Ramon|first=Raymond|last=Senior|date=12 June 2000|website=Showbiz Ireland}}</ref> Edele and Keavy's older brother [[Shane Lynch]] (of the band [[Boyzone]]) helped the group find a manager, [[Kim Glover]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Spooky or what?|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/spooky-or-what-1.160817|date=6 June 1998|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref> who signed the group to [[Glowworm Records]], the [[Epic Records]] label she ran, in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/32822-what-has-bwitched-been-up-to-believe-it-or-not-theyre-still-making-music|title=Where Has B*Witched Been for All These Years?|last=Dachille|first=Arielle|date=23 July 2014|work=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]]|accessdate=3 January 2022}}</ref> The label's co-head, [[Ray "Madman" Hedges]], produced all of B*Witched's releases. The group's first ever gig was in Thompsons Garage in [[Belfast]], during which their microphones did not work.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/bwitched-our-first-gig-was-in-belfast-but-we-didnt-even-know-how-to-use-mics/a1016693066.html|title=B*Witched: 'Our first gig was in Belfast... but we didn't even know how to use mics'|last=O'Dornan|first=David|date=26 July 2023|work=Belfast Telegraph}}</ref> The group's management insisted on making Edele the lead singer of the group, which was a source of tension among the other members who felt sidelined and undervalued. Keavy said that her feelings of being overshadowed by her sister within the group quickly took a toll on her mental health.<ref>https://metro.co.uk/2013/02/05/bwitched-admit-to-jealous-spats-ahead-of-the-big-reunion-3382608/</ref>

B*Witched released their debut single "[[C'est la Vie (B*Witched song)|C'est la Vie]]" on 25 May 1998, prior to their first show at Lawmuir Primary School in [[Bellshill]] as part of Jobee's 20-year anniversary. Despite mixed reviews, it reached number one on the [[UK Singles Chart]], making B*Witched became the youngest girl group to have a number one in the UK<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/official-charts-flashback-1998-bstarwitched-s-c-est-la-vie__4534/|title=Official Charts Flashback: 1998 – B*Witched's C'est La Vie|last=Myers|first=Justin|date=7 June 2013|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=31 December 2021}}</ref> (a feat that has since been surpassed by the [[Sugababes]] and [[Little Mix]]). Following its release in the United States, the song went to number nine on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]. Subsequent singles "[[Rollercoaster (B*Witched song)|Rollercoaster]]", "[[To You I Belong]]" and "[[Blame It on the Weatherman]]" also topped the UK chart. They also performed the theme song for the Saturday morning cartoon ''[[Sabrina: The Animated Series]]''. Their [[B*Witched (album)|self-titled debut album]], released in October 1998, reached number three on the [[UK Albums Chart]] and was certified 2× Platinum in the UK. The album also peaked at number 12 on the US [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] and was certified Platinum in the US.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS&artist=b*witched%20&format=ALBUM&go=Search&perPage=50 |title=RIAA – Gold and Platinum – B*Witched Search |access-date=26 April 2008 |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626051113/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS |archive-date=26 June 2007 }}</ref>