Stafford, UK - August 19th, 2001
by Phil Lawrence
6.30:Bed
My mum rings me up to tell me to get out of bed or ill miss the
train.Look at my alarm clock, figure I can have five more minutes of warmth
before I have to get up. Look at the clock five minutes later, its 7.50. Run
about like a madman trying to get ready, leave the house, go back to get my
ticket, leave again, go back again to get my phone, then run to the station.
8.11
Miss the train, so I miss the connecting train. Have to get about four
different trains now, not got off to the greatest starts today, im sure
it'll get better though.
8.40
Get the train to Liverpool, then Warrington, then Crewe, then Stafford,
then a bus to Hylands Park.
12.30
Finally Im here! Mooch about the arena for a bit, then bump into a
friend from uni, haven't seen him since May. Get something to eat and go and
watch a few bands. No idea who they were, whoever was on the main stage at
1ish. Not really my kind of music. Nelly Furtado comes on, listen to her for
a bit then go and meet up with Pam from the WWAT list. Watch the rest of
Nelly, then try to get a decent view for the first band I really want to
see, Embrace.
3.45
Embrace come on stage, and are really good. Love the Good Will Out, and
this is the first time Ive heard them live. Some of the crowd struggle with
the lyrics when Danny tries to get them to join in, but they go down pretty
well. Try to get right to the front in time for...
4.30ish?
Faithless, who were also very good. The lead singer really got the
crowd going with an energetic performance and he seemed really overcome with
the reception they got at the end. If God is a DJ, he might well have a few
Faithless records.
5.30ish?
Coldplay come on Stage, saw them a T in the Park, but I thought
they were even better here. Chris rang his dad up halfway through and got
the crowd to say hello, his dads ears are probably still bleeding.
Sometime later on that night:
Time for the Charlatans. I would have looked at
my watch but by this time my arms were pinned to my ribcage. Like some of
their songs but the lead singer isnt a very good frontman, just spent most
of the time wandering around the stage. Reminded me of a second division
Liam Gallagher, without the articulate conversation skills.
During the break between the Charlatans and Texas I looked around for Dirk,
Kathy and Bea. Saw them standing about four or five people to the right, and
shouted over to them. It was great to finally meet you guys! Then the girl
standing next to me told me she was Alison, which was a shock as I didn't
know she was going, but it was fantastic to meet her as well. Alison told me
all about the backstage crew whilst we were waiting for Texas, I now know
who Delboy is and what Shars dad looks like and I know she drinks two cups
of tea whilst on stage, which Id never noticed before.
ZERO ZERO. For the last time for two years, so time to savour the moment.
After hours of building anticipation, that really gets my heart beating,
because you know yours seconds away from Texas. The band comes on Stage to a
fantastic reception. Shar's voice is as exceptional as ever, as she runs
through the same setlist as T in the park, although in a slightly different
order I think.
I knew it was time for the dancing competition, as Alison pointed out Shars
bodyguard. The bloke shar picked first was a moron. So arrogant and so
drunk, he walked off stage when Shar humiliated him too much, but he
deserved it. So the others started as Shar picked another guy. The bloke
from the audience called Tony won, who was dancing with Charlotte. Alison
would say Charlotte won, but I reckon it was Tonys performance that did it!
Its hard to pick highlights from a fantastic performance, but if I had to
pick one song to take to a desert island it'd be the acoustic version of In
Demand. Just such a beautiful version, sang absolutely perfectly. losely
followed by Tired of being Alone. Just before this Shar had announced that
this was the last gig for two years, so I knew that I had to enjoy what was
left as much as possible. Which wasn't difficult. Love SWYW live, especially
with the crowd joining in, then it was the encores. Inner Smile, then the
last song Suspicious Minds. Was this the last time Ill ever see Shar in
leather? Both brilliant songs live though, just fantastic.
Then it was goodbye, Nicole took a photo of the people at the front of the
stage, who'd been to see them all over europe on the GH tour, and all of a
sudden it was over. Finally got a chance to speak to Dirk, Kathy and Bea, it
was a pleasure meeting you guys, and then time to go. As I was walking away,
through the mud and rubbish, I turned round to have one last look at the
Texas sign being taken down. It was pretty sad thinking I wont see them
again for two years, but like Shar said they'll be back, two years isn't
such a long time.
I'd have to say this was a really special performance for me, purely because
its the last for a while, I got to meet so many nice people, and Texas were
fantastic. And a special thanks to Pam for helping me to be there. See you
in 2003!
Phil
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