Texas pay tribute to Mike Peters during Pavilion headline show

* Frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri. All pictures: Desh Kapur Photography/ CUFFE & TAYLOR

Scottish rock icons Texas brought their unmistakable sound to North Wales as they launched a summer season of live music at TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion.

 

It’s been 36 years since they burst onto the music scene with their debut hit I Don’t Want A Lover, and the band, fronted by Sharleen Spiteri, were on top form as they kicked off the night with that very song.

 

A 90-minute set followed, packed with hit after hit – including Halo, Hi, In Our Lifetime, Summer Son, Say What You Want and Black Eyed Boy – all interspersed with Spiteri’s trademark humour and easy conversation with the sell-out crowd.

 

But it was the encore that delivered the most emotional moment of the night. Returning to the stage, Spiteri paused to share a heartfelt dedication to her dear friend Mike Peters of The Alarm, describing him as: “A true gentleman, a great musician, a great songwriter, and one of the kindest, truest people I’ve ever met. He always wore his heart on his sleeve and he will be very sadly missed.”

 

Spiteri then dedicated a powerful rendition of Suspicious Minds to his memory.

 

A video of the special tribute can be found HERE.

 

Supporting Texas was rising country folk star Rianne Downey, adding a Scottish flavour to the evening. Downey impressed the crowd with her original material, as well as crowd favourites Rotterdam and Don’t Marry Her from her collaborations with Paul Heaton.

 

* TK Maxx Presents Live at Llangollen Pavilion continues on Friday (June 27) with headliner Rag’n’Bone Man.

* Rianne Down supports Texas.

* Texas fans outside the Pavilion.

* A packed Pavilion crowd at the show.