So, off to Leeds again this time to see Texas. This was my second visit to Leeds Arena, the first having been to see Iron Maiden. The train times don’t work out so well for me and it means missing some of the concert to catch the last direct train home. We arrived in Leeds after boarding a direct train from Durham, with plenty of time to spare.
For this concert I was accompanied once again by Jackie and Elaine, the same carers who came to see Iron Maiden with me. I always take two carers to Leeds or York to make sure we all cope with the trains. I am, of course, well covered by passenger assistance service which provides a ramp on and off the train and into a wheelchair space. Perfect.
This time, instead of taking a taxi, we walked the short journey up from the station to the Arena. It was a nice warm evening, and I easily traversed the pavements from station to venue. Leeds Arena is a lovely purpose-built, and quite large venue. I was lucky enough to attend the opening night which, before my accident, featured Bruce Springsteen and was a fantastic evening. Once we arrived at the venue, we found our seats which gave us all a magnificent view (Elaine managed to find a seat on the wheelchair ramp beside Jackie and me).
I bought a drink, a music box for my daughter (see image) and a T-shirt. We were pleased to discover that the support act was none other than fellow Scottish singer KT Tunstall. I recognised some of the songs including “Black Horse and the Cherry Tree” and, of course, the closing number “Suddenly I See”, her most well-known song. She also included great versions of “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics and “Walk Like an Egyptian” by the bangles. A great warmup act for Texas.
KT Tunstall Setlist:(something like) I Am the Pilot; Dear Shadow; Other Side of the World / America; The River; Black Horse and the Cherry Tree / Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This); Hold On / Walk Like an Egyptian; Suddenly I See.
“Texas is a Scottish rock band from Glasgow, founded in 1986 by Johnny McElhone (formerly of the bands Altered Images and Hipsway [I didn’t know that!]), Ally McErlaine, and Sharleen Spiteri (on lead vocals). In 1989, the band, now also featuring Tony McGovern, Eddie Campbell, Michael Bannister, and Neil Payne, released their debut EP, Everyday Now. The band’s debut single, “I Don’t Want a Lover”, was released in January 1989.” (From Wikipedia).
The story continues on the Leeds Arena website information for the event: “Who are they? They are Texas, and they make hits. Following a triumphant, stand out performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury……. Known for their enthralling, high-energy shows, the…. band [will] play a set of classic hits from their recently released The Very Best Of 1989 – 2023.)”
“34 years since they recorded ‘I Don’t Want A Lover’, then watched, gobsmacked, as it reached Number Eight in the charts, Texas, one of the UK’s most loved bands, has gone on to produce ten studio albums, selling over 40 million records worldwide.” Myself, I have only seen Texas once before, in Hyde Park London, supporting Roger Waters as he performed Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. On that occasion someone stupidly through a shoe at Sharleen Spiteri. She gave the guy a good mouthful and continued with the performance, which was excellent and strong support for Mr Waters.
Soon, Texas were on stage and, to our delight, started the set with a clutch of well-known hit songs including the aforementioned “I Don’t Want a Lover”, “Halo” and “summer son”. All of these were played with power and the emotional voice and tremendous stage presence of Sharleen. She stands stage centre and is clearly the focus. But this is a band that gels well together; and it really annoys me when people refer to Texas with phrases like “are you going to see her?” This show is by the band Texas, not just Sharleen, and I feel sure she would agree.
The graphics and screen effects which accompany the performance are magnificent and the size and shape of Leeds Arena allow the band to have a stage set up which covers 180° of the venue. Texas are superb and each song is catchy, rocky, and classic pop/rock. We manage to catch quite a bit of the show but, as I expected, we need to leave before the end of the performance. We are all sad that we have to leave in order to make our way back to the station. I once again race through the streets of the on the download stretch towards Leeds station.
We go straight to the platform where the friendly assistance guy soon arise with the ramp to get me onto the train back to Durham. Then it is a short journey, and our taxi is waiting for us, shortly after midnight, to take us home. My verdict about travelling to shows in Leeds remains that it is worth doing so for bands I really want to see as long as I am prepared to miss the last part of the concert. Such is life these days. I guess I can’t have everything.
Thanks to Elaine and Jackie for travelling to Leeds with me and taking the photographs. Jackie was so impressed by Texas that she decided to go to Glasgow to see them with family a week or so later, in order to experience the full performance, which she said was excellent. I was a little bit jealous. Thanks once again to Chris for manipulating the site.
Texas Setlist: I Knew These People; I Don’t Want a Lover; Halo; Everyday Now; The Conversation; Hi; In Our Lifetime; Tired of Being Alone; Keep on Talking; Summer Son; Insane; Let’s Work It Out; When We Are Together; Put Your Arms Around Me; Sleep; In Demand; Mr Haze; Black Eyed Boy; Say What You Want.
Encore: Inner Smile; Suspicious Minds.
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