Music
Texas, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Marianne Gunn
Four stars
"It's going to get dirty tonight," announced Sharleen Spiteri in a wicked promise that just about summed up the numerous expletives she would use over the course of the evening. The Bellshill-born lead singer had entered rather nonchalantly, dressed in much more casual attire than her 1990's heyday. Playing down the glamour meant the focus was all on her vocals and they certainly did not disappoint. Texas are celebrating more than 25 years in the music industry and this gig was the filling in an impressive Glasgow musical sandwich: the band just played an intimate gig at King Tut's and, in December, will rock the SSE Hydro. Pension plans must be afoot.
Spiteri, now a 47-year-old mother, has always been the heart of Texas, so where the gig fell down a little was in removing the focus from her and their impressive back catalogue. One of the band (Michael Bannister on keyboards) was celebrating his birthday and there were a few too many in-jokes flying around the stage at one point. The audience participation was partially ill-fated too: inviting the campest man in the Concert Hall up on stage is only ever going to end with the Zumba-style dance moves pulling focus from what the paying customer actually wants to see. The audience involvement was marginally more enthusiastic when a woman, also celebrating 25 years together with her partner, proposed in a rather long-winded fashion. (Luckily, she said yes.)
But as well as praising the banter of the crowd, Spiteri was on fine vocal form with I Don't Want A Lover, Inner Smile, Halo and Say What You Want predictably provided the warmest nostalgic moments.
Texas play the SSE Hydro on Friday December 18.
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