Concert review
Evening News Arena, Manchester, UK - 12 February 2001
by Philip Lawrence

Despite being a huge Texas fan this was the first time I had an opportunity to see them perform live, so as you can imagine I was really excited at seeing the band in the flesh. Unfortunately I was sat down, but still had a pretty good view.

Semisonic were supporting and they were pretty good, indulging in a bit of banter with the crowd.

Then at about nine o'clock Texas came on stage and kicked off with 'In Demand'. I've seen Sharleen perform live on T.V. so I knew she could sing live, but her voice was incredible. She sounded even better than when I was listening to her on C.D. on the way to the concert. During 'Black Eyed Boy' she waited for the crowd to sing 'tiiiiime' before singing it herself. Some of the most memorable highlights included 'Put your arms around me', with the stage in darkness and Sharleen in the middle on her own. It's such a beautiful song and one which her voice can really be appreciated. All the songs were brilliant live but for me 'Guitar song', 'Prayer for you', 'Tired of being Alone' and 'I don't want a Lover' stood out.

Sharleen also kept the crowd involved throughout, telling us how she'd been mistaken for Elvis in the Trafford centre. Someone through a pair of underpants at her, to which she asked had he taken them off now or had he brought them with him. "I'll find you a girlfriend." she said "I don't know what she'll do with you but I guess your halfway their." Crowd participation was a feature of the show, culminating in a man from the audience who shouted "I'll make you comfortable" being dragged up on stage. His face was a picture when she asked him how he intended to make her comfortable. He did'nt know what to say. So Shar helped him out by dancing quite provocatively with him to Grace Jone's 'Pull up to the bumper'. I was so jealous!

The show ended and after ten minutes the crowd was getting pretty restless waiting for an encore. Then all of a sudden the stage lit up to reveal TEXAS in huge red letters and a leather clad Sharleen to perform 'Inner Smile' and a special treat, a cover of Elvis's 'Suspicious Minds'. As she explained "Their's only one song I can play now I'm wearing this." The reason for the long wait was also explained. "Do you know how hard it is to get leather pants on when your as sweaty as I am?" The inal song was 'Say what you want' but with a twist at the end. It was brought right down and the crowd joined in, then all of a sudden the lights blasted out and the tempo shot right up. I looked around to see the whole arena on their feet dancing and singing along. A truly amazing sight and sound. I can't wait to go back in April. If you can only see one band live this year make sure it's Texas.


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