Texas Set Llangollen Alight: A Glorious Opening Night of Hits, Heart, and Homecoming
- Desh Kapur
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod 2025 – Thursday 26th June 2025
IMAGES DESH KAPUR / WORDS SHARON CONWAY
Texas Headline A Spectacular Evening Of Music, Memories, And Emotion
As I walked through the showgrounds of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod on a beautiful summer evening, there was a tangible buzz in the air. The famed international festival, known for its rich celebration of music, culture, and unity, was launching its opening night with an evening of chart-topping pop, soul, and indie rock nostalgia., with the legends that are Texas. The crowd was mostly older, as expected for this band, but the anticipation was electric. From the bunting-draped food stalls to the packed Big Top Pavilion, everyone knew they were about to witness something special.
Kicking off the night with a beaming smile and her unmistakable Scottish charm, Rhianne Downey opened the proceedings in style. Fresh from her recent performances alongside Paul Heaton, Downey delighted the audience with a warm, lilting set of country-tinged tunes that showcased her effortless vocals. Her renditions of Rotterdam and Don’t Marry Her—songs made famous by Heaton and The Beautiful South—sparked early singalongs and set the tone for the evening. Though her performance was well-received and earned sincere applause, there was no denying that the crowd’s collective heartbeat was waiting for one moment: the arrival of Texas.
And when Texas finally took the stage, the Pavilion erupted.
Led by the ever-radiant Sharleen Spiteri, Texas proved once again why they remain one of the UK’s most beloved bands. Spiteri—who by now is practically Welsh royalty thanks to her marriage to acclaimed chef Bryn Williams—strode onto the stage with a confident grin, kicking things off with the iconic I Don’t Want a Lover. Her voice, though slightly weathered by time, still soared with power and soul, delivering each note with a passion that only decades of experience can bring.
The setlist was a masterclass in pop-rock craftsmanship: Halo, Hi, In Our Lifetime, Summer Son, Say What You Want, Black Eyed Boy—each track greeted with cheers as loud as the last, the crowd singing along like it was 1999 all over again. The band, formed in 1986 by Johnny McElhone, Ally McErlaine and Spiteri, were locked in tight, seasoned by years of touring and clearly still loving every moment on stage together.
Sharleen’s banter between songs added to the charm—funny, affectionate, and just the right amount of sweary. She spoke directly to the crowd, told stories, teased bandmates, and made everyone feel like they were part of something intimate, despite the size of the venue. The Big Top pulsed with joy and nostalgia, a shared moment between artist and audience.
But it was the encore that truly cemented the night in memory. Returning to the stage after deafening applause, Spiteri paused, her tone suddenly more solemn, to pay tribute to her dear friend Mike Peters of The Alarm. “A true gentleman, a great musician, a great songwriter, and one of the kindest, truest people I’ve ever met,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “He always wore his heart on his sleeve and he will be very sadly missed.”
With that, Texas launched into a moving version of Suspicious Minds—a heartfelt, soul-stirring tribute that had many in the audience visibly moved.
Texas brought the house down in Llangollen, setting a sky-high bar for the rest of the festival. With their unmistakable blend of country, indie, and soul-infused pop, they reminded us all of the power of great songs, delivered by great musicians, with sincerity and fire. After 36 years, they’re not just still going—they’re thriving.
FOLLOW TEXAS
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