Texas with support from Rianne Downey at Scarborough Open Air Theatre – 26th July 2025
“Youse definitely sound like you’re f*cking up for it!”
It’s the second time I’ve seen Texas live and Sharleen Spiteri is as delightfully profane as ever; Truth is, now I know what to expect at a Texas gig, I’m here for the banter as much as the belting tunes. Before Texas, however, we were treated to the gorgeous melodies of Rianne Downey.
Having recently toured with Paul Heaton, Downey notes that her second gig with Heaton was actually in Scarborough; she honours the connection with a few Beautiful South tracks, Don’t Marry Her and Rotterdam. Her own songs have lovely lilting folk elements, and some wistful songbird stylings – The Song of Old Glencoe is a prime example. There is also fun and playfulness; many of the songs are from her upcoming album, The Consequence of Love, due to be released in October, and based on this appearance, it will be well worth the purchase.
Playing the most gorgeous green Gretsch guitar, Sharleen Spiteri waits until the end of I Don’t Want A Lover, before greeting the crowd in the inimitable fashion mentioned above. Following Halo, Hi, and In Our Lifetime, we learn that it’s Natalie Imbruglia’s fault that Spiteri is ‘dying on her arse’, having shared time and cold germs after a gig together; and we meet audience member Xavi, who is at his 200th Texas gig. Quite some going, but I can see the appeal and commend the effort.
The superb brass section come into their own on When We Are Together, which just reaches another level entirely. In Demand (my all time favourite Texas track, FYI) is, on this occasion, poignantly dedicated to a recently passed friend of Spiteri named Steve, and Steve’s family are also in attendance this evening; as the sun sets and the lights from 8,000 phones sway in unison, it is a truly beautiful tribute and a memorable moment.
The band are tight, both in terms of playing and camaraderie, and that extends to the crowd as Texas belt through their extensive and appealing back catalogue. The encore consists of Inner Smile segueing into their trademark cover of Suspicious Minds, and it leaves the crowd jolly as they shuffle out of the Open Air Theatre on this balmy summer evening of superb music in Scarborough.
