FROM THE SOUTHSIDE TO THE NORTHSIDE, THE THRILL HAS DEFINITELY NOT GONE
Glasgow’s very own Texas returned to play the homecoming gig to end all homecoming gigs, and didn’t the fans love it?
Tickets were like gold dust for this long-awaited sold-out show, another one rescheduled thanks to that pesky virus, but one that was well worth the wait. On this tour Sharleen and the band would revisit their debut album Southside, letting us hear the whole album in its entirety played live for the first time. Is it really 33 years old??
Taking to the stage, the support act for this evening, err…. Texas had a very intimate stage setup, a few mics, stools, their instruments and the band let the music do the talking, although Spiteri did plenty between the tracks too, giving an insight to how the band started, how the album evolved and she recalled when she grew up in nearby Finnieston as a youngster, with the site of the Hydro back in the day her local playground when it was waste ground of a desolate ex-ship yard.
Opening with a faster paced electric version of debut single, I Don’t Want a Lover, from the opening chord the band were up for this one, the big cheesy grin on Sharleen’s face equalled by the roar of approval from the packed Hydro crowd. The album contains some great tracks such as Everyday Now, Prayer for You and Thrill Has Gone and 33 years old or not, the tracks still sound fantastic played live. Spiteri’s vocal talents are still up there, having lost none of the power or emotion in her singing, perfectly matching the musical talents of Tony McGovern on guitars, Johnny McElhone on bass, Eddie Campbell on keys and new addition Cat Myers on drums.
Fool For Love, One Choice and Future is Promises, the album run through is complete and the first half of the show is over. Spiteri, in her now trademark denim jacket and yellow beanie announced a break for the band and they would make way for the main act.
Time for act two and the main band for this evening are…. Texas, again! This time around would see a ‘greatest hits’ type set-list with some new album tracks and the odd cover thrown in for good measure. Spiteri, now dressed in purple suit and white trainers with her green guitar bounced across the stage as the opening bars of Halo opened the set, with all the crowd bouncing in tandem. A terrific song with the singer in terrific form too, and the audience loving the between song banter too.
All the big hits followed on. Summer Son, In Our Lifetime, Inner Smile and Say What You Want with some new music from the recently released album Hi, the bands tenth, released in 2021. The title track and single Mr Haze are highlights from that record, and all well received by the fans, who are also in fine voice.
A three-song encore ended the show, including the originally recorded ‘acoustic’ version of I Don’t Want A Lover, 1997’s top five single Black Eyed Boy from the White on Blonde album and closing the evening a rousing rendition of Suspicious Minds, a 1968 track by Mark James made famous the following year by The King, Elvis Pressley.
This was a highly anticipated gig, a Glasgow band playing their home turf always adds a sparkle, and tonight certainly did not disappoint. The band were on fire, Sharleen Spiteri is at the top of her game, the new music accompanied by the old classics sound as fresh as they ever did and the crowd, crammed down the front like sardines loved every second. Just a tremendous evening of top pop music, Texas are still a band to see live.
Photographs & Review by Stephen WIlson
