[Live Review] TEXAS (Sydney)

Metro Theatre, Sydney
Monday December 18, 2017 :

Glaswegian Pop / Rock band Texas made a debut visit to our shores playing at Sydney’s Metro Theatre. The underrated Scots have sold more than 40 million records worldwide, their greatest hits album was released 16 years ago and they celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2015. Lead singer Sharleen Spiteri is a one-woman charisma zone in her sharp suit and swearing banter. Too many times have Texas been described as middle-of-the-road, not such a revelation to their loyal fans and last night they blew the roof off.

Spiteri sang, strummed, swore and shimmied her way through their epic set of hit singles and album tracks not forgetting a couple of covers for good measure. Opener ‘Halo’ from 1997s multi-platinum album White on Blonde set the bar for the evening, Spiteri’s soulful voice and her tight bandmates were truly heavenly. Here to promote their 9th album Jump on Board‘ tracks like ‘Let’s Work it Out’, ‘Jump on Board’ and ‘Tell That Girl’ did not feel like fillers amongst their strong back catalogue.

Delivered in a strong Glaswegian accent, Spiteri’s language between songs was colourful. Expressing that The Metro’s stage was carpeted and was a hinderance to her dance moves was a particular highlight. As to be expected of a band with a year history, Texas currently consists of few original band members and have acquired a few additions. In particular keyboard player Michael Bannister on keyboards was the brunt of Spiteri’s jokes but then took centerstage with an Elton John classic.

With an encore of ‘Say What You Want’ (the band’s most famous song) with quite possibly the greatest use of heavy breathing in the history of pop music and closed the show with their triumphant cover of Elvis ‘Suspicious Minds’.

Texas are truly a brilliant live band

Photographer and Reviewer : Richard Hedger

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