Concert review
MEN Arena, Manchester - 12 May 2006
by Malcolm

Every time I go to a Texas concert, I'm always amazed at how good they actually are! They just get better. The MEN Arena was practically a sell out and as Sharleen said "I can't believe after 20 years we're still filling venues this big". The stage wasn't as big as the Greatest Hits Tour in 2001, but it really don't need to be any bigger.

From the moment they were on stage, they belted out hits from all albums. I always find it a shame that they never sing any tracks from 'Careful What You Wish For' seeing as there are some cracking tunes on there. Sharleen was on her usual form, playing up to the audience and definitely to the female admirers in the audience! Again. choosing men in the audience to pick on, but this time, not pulling them up onto the stage. Sharleen went in to what would have been a great solo acoustic version of 'So Called Friend' but about a quarter way through just stopped and said she was bored with that and did an even better rendition on 'Put Your Arms Around Me'. The new keyboard player, Michael, got picked on again and challenged to a battle of the songs. Score on this stop was Michael 1, Eddie 1. The cover song for this tour was the Gnarls Barkley hit 'Crazy'. Just Sharleen, Ally and a guitar!

The encore got the crowd going again. From the darkness, the flute intro to 'Sleep' began and there stood on stage in full Sleep video gear was Peter Kay! Sharleen walked on behind him in her full 'Officer and A Gentleman' suit - much to the roar of the crowd. They did nothing but laugh, so much they sang it again! Everyone was waving their mobile phones around as they sang and Peter Kay cracking jokes of asking for 'the big light' to be turned off so we could see the phones. Near the end he was saying "shhhh, for fuck sake, let her sleep!" Classic! He came on to join the for the classic 'Say What You Want' at the end.

Can't wait to see them again. Texas are fantastic live!! Wish I was seeing them again!


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