Latest news with #Sharleen
STV News
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
It's no surprise Texas are back at Belladrum, they've always oozed cool
I grew up loving Texas and, in particular, Sharleen Spiteri. To me, she oozed cool. She looked so different from anyone else I'd seen on TV – beautiful with an edge – and her voice was incredible. I liked how she looked like she wouldn't stand for any nonsense – I'm putting that politely there. And she was Scottish – instantly my hero. I told her I thought this the first time I interviewed her a few years ago (fangirled) to which she loudly laughed, saying: 'I was not cool! I was a geek!' Geek or not, she's been making music with Texas for almost 40 years and can't wait to hit the road again this summer with a host of festival performances across Europe on the cards. 'I'm laughing. I'm calling it my four-day week. My four-day week tour,' said Spiteri. 'That's the dream. It's the total dream. I say to the family: 'It's like I work Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Any other day don't annoy me because I'll be recuperating.'' Among those festival dates is a return to Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival in the Highlands, where Texas will headline on Saturday August 2, celebrating 21 years of the northern soiree. 'It's such a good festival and the last time we played I think was 2011,' said Spiteri. 'And I have to say I'm really proud that we were in there quite early and that we've been invited back. 'I really enjoy playing in the open air – I love playing with the wind in your face. You get plenty of that at Balladrum!' It's no surprise Texas have been invited back though. With a plethora of hits including Black Eyed Boy, I Don't Want a Lover and Halo, to name but a few, the band provide the perfect singalong vibe for all ages. Never was this more prevalent than when they played two nights at the Hydro last year. Despite having performed on some of the most revered stages around the world, including an amazing Glastonbury performance, Sharleen admitted the Hydro moment was special. 'The first night we walked out on stage, we couldn't hear,' she said. 'The crowd were so loud. It was like a wave of love. I feel emotional even talking about it now.' Emotions were especially high for Sharleen due to two important faces being absent in the crowd. Having lost both her parents in the past few years, she said: 'My mum and dad would have been so proud.' The fact they're no longer here truly hits home for Sharleen whenever she returns to Glasgow, but her sister and family are always on hand with home comforts to help. 'That's what I like to do,' said Spiteri. 'I go to my sister's. Last night, after rehearsals, she got a pot of soup on and a slice of plain bread with loads of butter.' Sounds pretty perfect. And when she's not working? Sharleen likes to unwind in her garden proudly showing off her gardener's tan. She joked: 'I look like a blubbery zebra when I take my clothes off!' That I very much doubt, but I love her self-deprecating style. I also love that she chatted away for ages before the interview actually began, discussing our ailments, children and putting the world to rights! Down-to-earth, interested and interesting – you can say what you want but Sharleen is truly a class act. Bring on Belladrum in August. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Sharleen Spiteri given major honour by hometown uni
Texas star Sharleen Spiteri beamed as she told fans she is 'honoured' by the accolade Sharleen Spiteri has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Glasgow. The Texas singer, 57, has taken to Instagram to share the news with her beloved fanbase. The Scots singer posed for a snap outside of the prestigious university in her red and blue gown as she held up her degree and kicked up her leg in delight. Sharleen captioned the snap: "Is there a doctor in the house! Thank you @uofglasgow for my honorary doctorate and for such a wonderful day, everyone that looked after us, it's an honour indeed." Fans raced to the comment section to congratulate the Say What You Want hitmaker on her impressive achievement. One wrote: "Congratulations Dr Spiteri, sounds so good!" Another added: "Well deserved. It was a pleasure to meet you. Enjoy the upcoming festivals." A third penned: "Contrasts Dr. Spiteri. " A fourth replied: "Oh wow, congratulations doc", alongside a clapping hands emojis. Somebody else added: "Oh this is just so fabulous. Congratulations darling." Another joked: "Whats up, Doc? A true doctor of music! Congratulations doll." Glasgow-born star Sharleen, who rose to fame in the 1980s, is the lead singer of the Scottish rock band Texas, who are set to play multiple festivals this summer. The band, formed in Bearsden in 1986 by Sharleen, Johnny McElhone and Ally McErlaine, are in for a brilliant summer with a series of major shows across the UK and Europe. It all kicks off this weekend with the band set to perform at the Isle of Wight festival on June 22. From there on after, they have another 23 festival gigs, travelling to a multitude of places to perform, including Belgium, Spain, Ireland, France, Switzerland and Denmark. Texas will also be appearing in Scotland in the midst of their busy summer schedule. The band are set to play Belladrum Festival in Inverness on Saturday, August 2. However, Sharleen has previously revealed her favourite festival she's ever performed at, describing it at "the best day of her life". Texas played on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2023, 24 years after their first slot at the iconic event in 1999. Speaking on podcast I Never Thought It Would Happen from the charity Help Musicians, Sharleen reminisced on their most recent Glastonbury gig. Stating how much she "absolutely loved" the experience, she added: "I didn't think they were going to act the way they did". Sharleen explained how their Glastonbury set changed things for the band, with the likes of Fred Again playing their songs which led to her daughter saying for the first time that she thought her mum was "actually quite cool". While reflecting on her career, Sharleen said that she feels "privileged to still be relevant"- particularly as a woman in music.
