Celebrating 35 years of their iconic hit ‘I Don’t Want a Lover‘, the legendary band Texas has embarked on a retrospective world tour and tonight they are appearing in Sydney.
Texas emerged as a beacon of pop-rock, hailing from the heart of Glasgow, Scotland, the band was formed in 1986, a brainchild of bassist Johnny McElhone, who previously lent his talents to bands like Altered Images and Hipsway. He found his creative counterpart in Sharleen Spiteri, whose distinctively soulful voice became the signature sound of the band. Texas has remained active since then, despite a hiatus in the 2000s. They most recently released an album ‘Hi’ in 2021 and played the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in 2023.
Tonight there is a sold out crowd at the Enmore, the air is thick with anticipation. When Spiteri (the epitome of cool – dressed all in black, wearing Docs and wielding a green guitar,) takes the stage it’s like she is a force of nature – a whirlwind of charisma and raw energy that captivates the audience. Everyone is on their feet for the opening song, ‘I don’t want a lover’. When it ends and people start sitting down, Spiteri exhorts them to stand again, “I am going to be on my feet the whole night, and so should you!” she tells them. Everyone remains standing.
Spiteri is charming and vivacious as she engages in playful banter with the crowd between songs. Behind her the band is tight and ferocious, they have weathered many storms and still come out playing with the intensity of newcomers, but with the wisdom of sages.
The setlist is a defiant roar through Texas’ history. From the anthemic swell of ‘I Don’t Want a Lover’ to the soulful grit of ‘Say What You Want,’ each track is a masterclass in how to hold an audience in the palm of your hand.
Spiteri playfully scolds a photographer (me) for using a zoom lens, on a woman her age, yet her magnetic beauty and charisma are ageless, she’s as mesmerising and engaging as she was in the eighties. Check out for yourself in our gallery below.
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