Concert review
Arena, Cardiff, Wales - 8 April 2001
by Sarah E. Wheeler

Sunday 8 April 2001 started queuing at 5pm, doors opened at 6pm, but they made us stand out in the rain for 30 mins whilst they did whatever it is they do. We rush in and we are right at the front on the left-hand side (right hand side if you are on stage). What a view I couldn’t believe how small the venue was. Excellent!

Reef came on at about 7.30. We thought they were incredible so much energy. We really enjoyed it & it got us even more in the mood for TEXAS.

9pm arrived the music started and my adrenaline was pumping. I was so ready for this (it’s the first time I have stood at a concert).
Shar & the boys looked great. I won’t go into everything they sang, as we all know what’s what now. My favourite moments were the “So in love with you” solo, tired of being alone, waterfalls, black eyed boy, in fact I cant even narrow it down the whole thing was amazing. I think it is the first time I have actually completely let myself go at a concert.

Shar was having trouble with her wrist a third of the way through the concert (just before “Pull up to the bumper”) so some one went off and got her bandage. She calls a lad up from the audience thinking he was Welsh – Oh no he turns out to be a Southern boy, so now she needs 2 more boys but they must be welsh (she is still trying to put her bandage on whilst all this is taking place & commenting on how she feels like she is in an Andrex advert). Nicole & Charlotte are then paired off with the 2 Welsh guys and Sharleen saves the good-looking one for herself! Hahahah. It was so funny. Sharleens partner took her totally by surprise and threw her over his hips and was gyrating; she couldn’t do anything but laugh & laugh & laugh and swear “Fuck me” etc. It was a great moment.

There was one point during Inner Smile where she stood on the speaker by us, looked into the crowd & she was completely overwhelmed by it all. It only lasted a few seconds but her face was priceless. Cardiff rocked that night there’s no doubt about it.

Steph & I walked back to her house, got the car & waited outside the arena for the band to appear. They came out about 12.30, but I only saw Sharleen. She was wearing red Buffalo trainers, long black wool coat & a red “benny” hat. She took time out to have photos with people a quick chat etc. When asked what the next single would be she replied “I Don’t Want a Lover, but it is being remixed and sounds really good. That info came straight from Miss Spiteri mouth. She signed my “So in love with you” cd & Stephs ticket.

So thankyou TEXAS for an experience I will never forget.


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