RTL2's very, very private concert with Texas: we were there, we tell you all about it

This Thursday, February 29, 2024, RTL2 offered its listeners a wonderful gift when it invited the famous Scottish band Texas for a very, very private concert at the prestigious Studios Ferber in Paris. This ultra-intimate set was attended by 45 privileged spectators, including ourselves. Let's take a look back at this uncluttered show, in honor of Texas' forthcoming album "The Muscle Shoals Sessions".

An intimate Texas set at Ferber Studios is an opportunity that doesn't come along every day. Even less so on February 29. But that's exactly what happened on Thursday, when RTL2 hosted the fourth evening of its very, very private concert week. After Calogero, Vianney and Shaka Ponk, the pop-rock radio station had invited an international band, world-famous since the release of its first opus,"Southside", in 1989. You've probably recognized them by now: Texas!

Led by the inimitable Sharleen Spiteri, Texas was at Ferber Studios on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Studios Ferber are legendary studios located in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. Proof of its renown, Jean-Louis Aubert was recording his next album at the same time. Over the next few weeks, Ferber Studios will also be welcoming Clara Luciani and Marc Lavoine for the recording of their forthcoming opus.

But in the meantime, 45 privileged guests - including ourselves - were able to attend this very private Texas concert at Ferber for RTL2. For this ultra-intimate set, Texas had reserved a nice surprise for listeners and the audience present by proposing a rather special configuration. No drums or guitar. Instead, they returned to their roots, with piano and vocals.

Surrounded by Eddie Campbell on piano (upright then grand) and two talented backing singers, Sharleen Spiteri took the opportunity to preview the band's forthcoming album. Entitled"The Muscle Shoals Sessions" (out March 29), the album features soulful covers of Texas ' most cult songs, with musician Spooner Oldham on piano. The album also features two previously unreleased tracks, Charles & Eddie's " Would I Lie To You " and The Drifters' " Save The Last Dance ".

This Thursday evening at Ferber Studios, Texas offered us a very, very private and uncluttered concert. The tone was set from the very first track, with " Halo ", which was hard to recognize at first, but confirmed the band's ability to challenge themselves. As Sharleen Spiteri will say on the night, this new opus is above all a gift to the fans who have followed the band for 35 years now. And what a gift it is. The tracks, reworked in piano-vocal versions, are an opportunity to rediscover these hits that everyone knows, and to see that Sharleen Spiteri 's voice remains intact, as incredible, powerful and spellbinding as ever.

Wisely seated, dressed in a tartan wool sweater and red socks on this Thursday evening, Sharleen Spiteri delivers one hit after another before the delighted eyes of the audience: from " Mr. Haze " to " Keep On Talking ", not forgetting " In Our Lifetime ", the highly successful " Summer Son ", sublimated by the voices of the two backing singers, or the sublime " In Demand", once again demonstrating the vocal prowess of the Scottish singer. Texas also indulges in a very successful cover of Charles and Eddie's " Would I Lie To You ", whose chorus is sung by part of the audience.

A surprise when bassist Johnny McElhone enters the studio, dressed for the occasion in tartan socks, a bob, tracksuit and very short pants! Armed with his bass, he joins Sharleen, Eddie and the two backing singers on the hits " The Conversation " and " I Don't Want A Lover ". Once again, the versions are well done, controlled and catchy, encouraging the audience to get involved and clap their hands rhythmically.

After a dynamic, soulful " Let's Work It Out ", and the beautiful " Say What You Want ", Johnny returns to the studio to finish on a high note with the unmissable " Black Eyed Boy ", much to the delight of the visibly conquered audience.

On Thursday evening, RTL2 listeners and concert-goers at Studios Ferber had the immense honor of getting a sneak preview of"The Muscle Shoals Sessions" album. Surprising, but highly successful tracks, allowing us to (re)discover the incredible repertoire of Texas, the Scottish band who have been rocking us for 35 years now, and who have not finished surprising us.

For the time being, Texas have scheduled a UK tour, including a concert at London's O2 Arena in September 2024. No shows have yet been announced in France, but we imagine the band will be expanding their tour in the coming months. In the meantime, you can replay this very, very private Texas concert on RTL2, as well as the week's other concerts at Studios Ferber!