Sunday night is a sold-out show for a group that has formed an impression on music lovers for over 3 decades. Hailing from the great city of Glasgow, Texas were going to be regaling a full Belfast crowd with decades of incredible southern style tunes that reach across the ages.
Supporting them tonight are home heroes Silent Running. Hailing from Belfast , they originally formed as Silent Running in 1982. Taking a hiatus from 1990, they reformed in 2019 and haven’t looked back.
Peter Gamble on lead vocals and guitar, Tony Scott on lead guitar, Richard Collett on bass, Gary Kirby on drums, and Steve Prosser on Keyboards make up Silent Running. And they are anything but silent. With an immediate “Who’s ready to rock?” they go straight into their set with songs like “This Is My City Tonight ”, “Deep in the heart of nowhere”, and ‘Hit and Run’.
In between these crowd-pleasing tunes Peter would have a bit of a chat to the very open home crowd stating that it was a beautiful evening and wondering if we were all in Barcelona.
Along with engaging everyone in the songs there were plenty of times the large and growing crowd were clapping along in time, enjoying every moment of showmanship.
Then Peter put his guitar put away and engaged in full singer mode as he along with the whole band kicked into a higher gear as they upped the tempo in order to dominate the stage like a well-oiled machine.
Now pumping out higher energy rocking tunes like “You and me against the world”, “State of Mind”, and “Live Right Now”. People in the crowd were now really getting into the rhythm of the tunes and thoroughly enjoying themselves in the warm evening sunshine as they filled out the length of Custom House Square.
The set built to its own crescendo as they delivered a fantastic rendition of “Sunshine In The Rain” and finished to loud roars and clapping of celebration of a great time. A really great experience from a musically well-oiled band delivering a melodically incredible set.
Then came the main draw of this sold-out night. Texas. All that needs to be said. Pure Glaswegian, all rock, and absolute excellence. Coming out onto stage to a massive roar of approval from 5,000 or so voices to an almost inaudible Carillon’s theme due to the noise. It fitted perfectly as Sharleen Spiteri with her sultry vocals led her band of Johnny McElhone on bass, Eddie Campbell on keyboards, Tony McGovern on guitar and Cat Myers on drums into “I don’t need a lover” to the unadulterated delight of everyone. Five thousand voices melded as one joyous chorus with Sharleen straight off the bat. What an incredible start and at its conclusion she seemed slightly embarrassed as the crowd just kept cheering. It may have taken her a bit by surprise as a grin that would put the Cheshire Cat to shame was very visible on Sharleen’s face.
And it just seemed to encourage everyone there to cheer louder in joy. Normally this type of tune, a signature tune, is kept to reenergise the crowd later in a set. Not with Texas, as the same energy was going to drive throughout the full set.
With a jubilant shout Sharleen calls out to the packed crowd “How are you doing Belfast? You happy?” The crowd exploded to let her know that yes, yes they were very happy.
On into “Halo” with the same explosive energy as the first song and the crowd reciprocated it. Just a small spoiler, every song throughout the night was going to be the same – incredible energy from the stage feeding a frenzied horde who would not stop singing, dancing and clapping in time.
Sharleen took a little bit of time to recount a short amusing story of a couple entering the lift with her in her hotel listening to them discussing the expected timings of the concert that night in Custom House Square. Wondering when Texas was going to be on stage, Sharleen couldn’t help herself and let them know nine o’clock. They asked her was she going to be there to which she replied she really hoped so otherwise the concert might not go ahead. Her joy at watching their thoughts tick slowly to the conclusion kept her happy for the rest of the night. And with that she pointed at the couple and waved. And with that she said, “OK will we get on with it?” to a huge yes and straight into “Hi” to more audience participation full of exuberance creating an almost religious experience. Then another banging track with “Once in a lifetime” as there seemed to be little falling away of the enthusiasm of the audience to sing along.
Then the jacket came off as Sharleen recounted that she had a curry last night in Belfast and it was best ever, had an unbelievable Italian today ending “You guys are spoiled.” Well tonight we are certainly being spoiled with a fantastic performance from a tightly skilled group of musicians that had the crowd eating out of their hands.
“Do you want a little northern soul?” came the question from Sharleen and with the reply she said “You guys are first in a while to respond properly.” Then came “Keep on Talking” to the same welcomingly warm cheers of the Belfast audience.
More banter kept the crowd enthralled especially when Sharleen said “Honestly, Belfast, your just like Glaswegians, you’re a bunch of cheeky bastards.” Telling the audience of her nearly not being able to make it due to a bad back and yet through a few welcome known pain medication brands she was there and jumping around like an ‘Eejit’. Shouting “Do you want a bit of guitar hero shit? Shout Tony!” And of course, in response a very loud chant of ‘Tony!’ echoed round the square as they dropped “The conversation”. Once more the crowd went wild, smiles everywhere, voices raised in joyful pleasure and each time as Sharleen held a note, the full square as one cheered her on.
Jokingly Sharleen turned to the crowd and asked, “You bored yet?” the definite answer was a very, very loud “Noooooo!!” Noticing some fans on one of the balconies of the apartments that are along one side of the square she started chatting to them noticing they have a lovely apartment as she can see right in and suggested they might get her a cup of tea later. The laughter all round was infectious. The light-hearted and friendly manner of Sharleen can just put an entire audience at ease. She quipped that after over 30 festivals across Europe she was “All excited i can talk to you and you’ll understand”.
Then back to it with “Summer Son” to a huge lengthy cheer once again and to a demand that she wants to see everyone dancing. On into “Let’s Work It Out”, “When We Are Together” and “In demand”. Turning once again to the audience she was so genuine saying “We really love what we do. We wouldn’t be here if it were not for you so we would like to thank very much.” During “In Demand” she encouraged everyone to get their phones out and light up the square. It seemed like a mini sun had appeared in Belfast with almost 5,000 phones all lit up, all the while the crowd joined in the chorus.
With a “Can you up the ante?” and “Belfast, do you want this?” “Mr Haze exploded out of the amps on stage and rolled over the thousands of joyful faces fixated with the utterly mesmerising performance currently governing the stage. Then came “Black Eyed Boy” which set the crowd wild once more.
Coming close to the end now Sharleen cheekily shouted “Shut up. All good things have to come to an end.” The crowd did not like the reminder. “We’ll do this one song, bugger off, and come back if you really, really want us to.” That was just sadistic tease that had everyone shouting “yes!” and “Keep going” as the audience were determined to keep the thrill of Texas going for as long as possible. “Say What You Want” came blasting off the stage to the absolute undiluted and uncontrolled joy of the packed audience. Then a quick riff from The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” they slammed home “Inner Smile”.
Sharleen, as everyone still hung on every word, she said “We do not come here enough. Would you invite us back?” – like she could have any other answer than a solid deafening ‘Yes’. And to laughter filled cheers she told all that having been on tour at so many festivals she is looking forward to going home for a while and with her husband, daughter and dog away she is so looking forward to opening the door to a spotless house.
To very loud chants of “One more song” Sharleen turned to the audience “Tony, who we all love, is going to play two bars of a song and if you don’t know it, f*** off home!” which raised cheers, laughter and the place shone with the glint of so many smiles. Tony played the two bars and the place thundered with cheers as they finished there set with Elvis’ “Suspicious Minds”. And it being the last song the effort in singing was unbound. And that was it as Texas took a bow and left the stage.
The whole night was just filled with unfettered joy and a feeling of being stress free. Silent Running were brilliant and a perfect support act. Texas was almost indescribable. The whole set was beyond fantastic. Sharleen and her band mates played their hearts out and the energy rolling of the stage in a wave of ecstasy was fully reciprocated by the five thousand adoring fans of all ages. It was an experience well worth it and more. Texas delivered an evening of unforgettable music, banter and a pure, joyful coming together as one.
Keep your eye out for the next performances of Texas. It is an experience par excellence that lifts all the worldly worries off your shoulders for an hour or two, which was evident as everyone began leaving chatting, singing, smiling and laughing. If you get the chance, do not miss out.
