A SMOKE machine billowed at an excited crowd as Texas launched into Halo.
York Barbican has hosted many singers who turn up with a setlist and just press "Play", but Sharleen Spiteri is a natural performer with an arsenal of hook-laden anthems and she is in charge! Nobody sat down after this opener.
Her spellbinding, breathy voice adds value to any melody yet in between songs she can destroy hecklers in a manner that would make fellow Glaswegian Jerry Sadowitz cower. After one comment of "Why don't you watch us on the telly", all mobiles devices were quickly withdrawn for the rest of the show. I don't think Spiteri has many silver medals for arguing.
Tonight was a shuffle through more than 30 years with every audience member involved and engaged. Sharleen dances like no-one was watching and sings with an ever-present smile. The ageless figure on the Barbican stage has the same love of music she did as a teenager in her bedroom.
That passion and care shines through every bar; without it she could still be cutting hair in Glasgow. Spiteri shares traits with so many great performers yet avoids being derivative; she is a unique performer.
Thursday's setlist was expertly crafted with country-tinged favourites sitting alongside subtle acoustic numbers and Tell Her turned up to eleven. Not an also-ran in sight.
"Just in case you haven't realised, we're Scottish!" said Spiteri. We had. The joy of Texas is they are a proper band, not hired guns. They have history and it shone through their performance.
Nearly two hours flew by. The Barbican was full of love and respect for a special singer. Every show feels like a home fixture for this superstar next door.
Judging by tonight's show, Houston we don't have any problems!
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