Reliving our Youth – Texas in Concert

Having not been to a live concert in thirty or so years... was it really that long ago? we jumped at the chance to relive our youth, when we were invited to see Texas.

We had met the band’s drummer, Ross McFarlane, a few weeks prior. I have to confess not really knowing Texas (growing up in Australia, I missed out on a lot of pop music) but my husband was tickled pink to meet a member of his favourite band.

The concert was in Aberdeen, only a three-hour drive from our Glasgow home. Instead of dancing in my seat, I was sitting doing my Christmas knitting.

What to wear was a huge decision. I didn’t want to look like mutton dressed as lamb, but I wanted to be modern and spunky. I decided on a leather mini skirt, long fitted top with sparkly belt and thigh high suede boots with heels.

I needn’t have worried as most of the crowd - if I’m honest all of the crowd - were in our age range. All wearing nice sensible comfortable clothes.

I felt fabulous darling just fabulous, until I realised that we had a ten-minute walk to the concert, and it was standing room only! My heart sank at the thought of standing all night in heels; after the walk my feet were screaming and covered in blisters.

I gently mentioned how nice it would be to have a seat, and as if by magic we were whisked to the sound and light mixers area. Lots of seats, loads of dancing room and the thrill of being part of the band...

Sore feet aside we bopped all night. My darling husband was in heaven singing every word to all the songs. As it turned out I did know a few songs and joined him singing at the top of my voice.

Lead singer Sharlene Spiteri is a fabulous entertainer with a voice like liquid gold: I doubt anyone could tell the difference between her live gigs and studio recordings.

She chatted about life in general, making us all laugh talking about her recent run in with vaginal dryness, and the treatment thereof. And we all sympathised with her back and neck issues, feeling the pain she was in after a recent neck trauma.

Ross is a fantastic drummer, he is beat-perfect and his energy levels are off the planet. It was an honour watching him as he is a consummate performer. The whole band laughed and joked all evening, making the audience feel a part of the whole night.

Then most thrilling of all, we were invited backstage at the end of the concert.

We were taken to meet Sharlene a dream come true for Gregor. The smile on his face was priceless!

After chatting and having drinks, (water actually, as the band are all really health conscious), we reluctantly made our way out. We got back to our hotel at 1am and realised we hadn’t had lunch or dinner. So, we ordered pizza and had another blast from the past as we sat happily on the bed eating our guilty pleasure.

By Yvonne Reid, guest writer

NDY Fast Fact
Texas are also playing at CarFest North July 26th - 28th 2019 and CarFest South August 23rd - 25th.