Angie Johnson is there to see a revitalised Texas - and finds them as energetic as ever

  • Texas
  •  New Theatre, Oxford
  • November 17

It is eight years since Texas last toured, and from the rapturous reception from the capacity audience at the New Theatre it was clear that they have been much missed by their legions of fans. The recording of their latest album, The Conversation, had clearly whetted appetites to bursting point, and the moment they walked on to the stage they received a standing ovation which lasted until the final encore. Never having seen them perform live before I was simply blown away — I knew that Sharleen Spiteri is a pop goddess but never could I have imagined the sheer energy that she gives out when onstage. Though the band — Ally McErlaine guitar, Johnny McElhone Bass, Eddie Cambell guitar, Tony McGovern keyboards and drummer Ross McFarlane — are amazing musicians, they seem quite content to let their front woman go out there and wow everyone.

Spiteri never stops dancing, prancing and bouncing around, projecting the emotions in every song at mega levels.

She is so friendly to the crowd that you would think that she knew us all personally — chatting, answering hecklers and cracking jokes.

The songs from the The Conversation were received very enthusiastically. I particularly liked the profoundly moving ballad Dry Your Eyes and the dazzling Detroit City. There is a maturity to these new songs that really resonates. But even though the audience really loved the new work, inevitably when classics such as I Don’t Want a Lover and Black Eyed Boy were unleashed, everyone went wild with joy and danced like they were 17 again.

The excellent supporting band, Girl Called Johnny, reminded me a little of Blondie back in the day. I think they’re a band with a fine future ahead, and it was great when their vocalist, Karen Anne, joined Spiteri in Texas’s final encore. Welcome back Texas – you’ve been away too long.