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by Paul The morning: isn't it great when you wake up on the morning of a Texas gig!! That excitement in the stomach, so it was great to look forward to our second concert in 6 days after Liverpool last Wednesday. Unbelievably fantastic!!!!! I was working in Manchester in the morning and about 13:00 I managed a detour to the Apollo just to see what was going on. Did not see the band but 2 tour buses & 2 articulated wagons were there with the roadies unloading the gear. As I drove past the front of the building 2 guys were already queuing up, having their lunch on the steps of the theatre. The Panicky bit!: After finishing work I drove back the 40km to Accrington to pick up my Mum who was looking after the kids (Andrew & Emma). That's when the panic started - the car started to overheat & the traffic was horrendous. Had to fill up the radiator with water when I got home and we were already running late. Quickly got washed & changed (jeans & black Texas shirt) met up with Kat (my wife) who had rushed home from work & after a quick baked spud (potato for non Lancastrians) we were away just after 18:00. We wanted to get a good spot near the front of the stage so we were happy to have parked the car near the Apollo at about 18:45. It was only a short walk to the venue but to our dismay the queue seemed huge; past the front, round the corner, past the pub, past the tour buses, on & on it went & we joined the back. Hope of a good spot fading & the panic increasing!! However once the queue started moving it made fast progress & at last we were in. I was pleased I had managed to sneak in my camera without being searched. There was no stop for drinks or toilets as we feared thousands would already be in front of the stage. But great relief as we ended up only about 5 rows back in the middle of the stage. The view would be good!! Pre gig: OK so we had claimed a fairly good spot & we were not giving it up, so individual loo trips & the purchase of 2 pints of Carling ensured we were sorted. On the message board we had been leaving messages for Cazzyd from Blackburn & from her description we spotted Caz & her sister a bit in front to our left. Managed to shout hello & a few words to each other. It was good to meet up. Caz also thought Dirk was right in front so I managed to push through & say hello to the great man himself. It's good meeting up with fellow "Texas in demand" users and being able to put a face to name. There was also a friendly lass from Morecambe in front who I think also said she visits Texas in Demand, sorry we never asked your name OOPS. Brilliant to meet you all. Robert Post: The crowd increased & the standing area was now tightly packed as Robert Post came on stage. It's really tough being support act with everyone waiting desperately for Sharleen & the guys but I quite enjoyed Robert. He was far more confident than at Liverpool and talked to the crowd a lot more: perhaps Shar had been giving him some advice. Pre Texas: Robert Post finished & the crew started to bring on Texas' gear. I love this anticipation of the gig to come & you could feel the crowds excitement already growing. On came Shar's battered guitar and we knew the bands appearance was close as bottles of Stella & Shar's mug of tea arrived. IS it real tea or fruit tea? We guessed at fruit tea, but does anyone know for sure???? The atmosphere was already fantastic. Texas arrive!!!: The moment at last arrived as the lights dimmed & the crowd roared their approval. The introduction played and we heard the first notes from Ally's guitar as the crowd roared even louder. You could just see Shar sat in front of the drums, then She sang the first line of IDWAL & hysteria broke out with everyone jumping clapping & singing. I tried a few early photos but they were all blurred ( I know how you felt Caz!). The gig proper was underway. The Music!!: I'm not going to give a break down of the whole set as to be quite honest I always struggle to remember exactly the right order, I think it's either the excitement of just proof I'm getting too old. Anyway, in brief and possibly not in the right order,- "IDWAL" is always a great way to start & revved up the crowd for the favourites & new stuff to come. It's such a great start to a gig. "Halo" followed immediately and then Shar had her first chat with the crowd. Always an extra attraction for me is the between song comments of Shar. "Can't Resist" was the first new track but it's been getting so much radio play it sounds like an old friend already. "Black Eyed Boy" (one of my favourites) got the crowd rocking as it always does, with us waiting in anticipation to sing "TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIME". Shar had to wait for us to calm down before showing how it should be sung. How does she hold a note that long! "In our Lifetime" was again a high tempo adrenaline filled track before Shar took her place at the piano & eventually got the quiet required for "Nevermind". Thankfully she didn't have to shout at anyone, as I still remember her getting well peed of with a group at Northumbria Uni on the Radio 2 live gig in 2003. When Shar asks for quiet you'd better take note. "Summer Son", "In Demand" & "Getaway" flew by all played perfectly as we expect and then Shar announced that Paul Buchanan was not at the Apollo, so she would perform "Sleep" as a duet with Tony. I was not disappointed as Tony's voice blended perfectly with Shar's at Liverpool & this was again the case at the Apollo. Personally, I think the Shar / Tony duet sounded better than the broadcast from Aberdeen when Paul Buchanan was present. Perhaps I'm just biased. "Inner Smile" is always a crowd pleaser with everyone punching the air & bellowing "YEAH YEAH YEAH....!. They did the Scissor Sisters cover again & after two encores with the crowd demanding the bands return we got to that bitter sweet old faithful "Say what you want". It's a great way to finish but it's always tinged with a bit of sadness as it indicated the gig is nearly over. The band said their final emotional goodbyes. Shar: looked gorgeous & her voice still amazes me. From the start she had the crowd in total control and her wicked sense of humour was very much apparent. She looked happy & seemed to be really enjoying herself. She seemed genuinely moved by the crowds reaction & stated that we all knew how to party!!! At Liverpool she said how she had missed playing live & hopefully nights like the Apollo may persuade Texas to tour again in the near future! (well we can hope!) I have seen many bands over the years, & I used to think U2's Bono had the greatest stage presence, but you know I now think Shar is up there with him & she also has a sense of humour missing from Bono. Yep - I think I can definitely say Ms Spiteri is number 1 as stated on a T-Shirt one girl had on in the crowd. Michael: what a brave guy to give cheek to Shar - he'll never win an argument with her as much as he might try. At times the banter was like a comedy double act. Mr Underpants: quite hilarious, he wasn't a bit fazed by Shar & for once she was almost lost for words, well almost. Was he really trying to chat her up? I was a bit worried about Michael sniffing those minging pants though. The Crowd: was really up for it and was almost as loud as the gig at Liverpool. The reaction to the band was first class & I'm sure they appreciated it. I think all present can pat themselves on the back for a job well done. Also, not being big headed or anything, but aren't Texas fans a really nice bunch of people! After the show: Said our good byes to Caz, Dirk & friends and then queued up for a new T-Shirt each. The stewards were getting stressed about clearing the theatre, but we got ours just in time. Wish I'd got a mug now as well, but never mind. Walked round to the stage door were a small crowd were hoping to get a view of the band. Tony & Michael were having a chat from a window above & Tony was, I think dropping a plectrum or two to some people below. He was asked if Shar was coming out but he replied "Sharleen's already away". We walked back to the car with the ears buzzing & that post gig ache I always seem to have. Got home about 12:00 & then had to take my mum home & bored her with details of the night out. Couldn't get to sleep for ages, must be the adrenaline rush still going on. The morning after: Woke up with no enthusiasm for work and that sort of depressed feeling you get when something you have been looking forward to is over. It had been great in August with 3 Texas gigs to look forward to - V Festival, Liverpool & Manchester, but now it was all over. I was a bit jealous of Dirk & his friends who had tickets for Sheffield & London, & our new friend from Morecambe who had won tickets for Sheffield! Even so, hope you all had a great time.I'm sure you did. We still have the new single & Album to look forward to & even more so, can't wait for the next Texas gig - see you there!!! Paul. (Accy Texans) |