Texas, one of the UK’s defining bands of the 21st century, celebrate 3 decades of the record that made them superstars when ‘White On Blonde’ turns 30 on February 5th next year. Alongside the anniversary release comes brand new single ‘Another Way To Cry,’ and a huge 2027 UK & EU tour, including a date at the Brighton Centre on 26th October. Listen to ‘Another Way To Cry’ HERE.
Released in February 1997 into a musical landscape running on Britpop swagger and laddy energy, Texas’ landmark fourth LP, which is certified 6x platinum in the UK, was the absolute opposite: a record that embraced the band’s love of soul, trip-hop and more, and turned it into a catalogue of emotionally-resonant, radio-ready hit singles. Following its immediate, huge success (a Number One album chart placing upon its release, plus five Top 10 singles), the band followed it up with curveball moves including a Wu-Tang Clan collaboration on ‘Say What You Want (All Day, Every Day)’ that earned them a further Top 10. Nothing about any of it was expected, but that was precisely what turned it into magic.
“It didn’t feel risky because no-one at our label gave a shit,” Spiteri recalls of the attitude towards the band in the UK ahead of ‘White On Blonde’. “We were in Glasgow, we made the album in my house and I did all the vocals in the coat cupboard. We had nothing to lose, and anyway, I didn’t want to fit in. If everybody’s doing something, I’m always running in the opposite direction and that’s always been the attitude – whether it’s walking on stage at Glastonbury, or with ‘White On Blonde’. It’s always been us saying: We will play our own tune. If you want to jump on, great. If you hate us, fine. But this is what we want to do.”
The album will also feature a brand new, unreleased song ‘Another Way To Cry’. Proudly influenced by their love of Northern Soul, and filled with brass and strings, it finds Texas broaching new territory yet again. “It’s a really good test for a new song if you play it up against the big hits; it’ll either sit up to them, or it f*cking dies,” Spiteri says. “‘Another Way To Cry’, you could put it in the setlist tomorrow with all the hits and it’ll stand its ground.”
The track comes alongside stunning video shot in the Scottish Highlands directed by Niall Trask (Jamie T, Fat White Family, Nadine Shah), which stars longtime friend and celebrated actor Robert Carlyle alongside Sharleen. The piece is a love letter to the film Paris Texas, which the band took its name from. Watch the video HERE.
The special anniversary, which features sleeve notes by friend and comedian Peter Kay, will be released on multiple formats including on vinyl for the first time. The album will be released on LP + 7″ single, a x2LP version, double CD and digitally across all streaming platforms via Play It Again Sam. For more info head HERE.
Known for their enthralling live shows the band will be back for an arena tour across the UK & EU in 2027. Kicking off at the P&J Arena in Aberdeen on October 15th, the 18 date run includes shows in Newcastle, Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Brighton, Manchester and a date at The O2 in London on October 27th. Texas will be joined by special guests Del Amitri on all UK and Ireland dates. Pre-sale begins Wednesday October 28th at 10am local time, with general sale on Friday October 30th at 10am local time. For more info hear HERE.
Texas play the following 2027 UK & EU dates:
October
Fri 15th – P&J Arena, Aberdeen
Sat 16th – Newcastle Utilita Arena
Mon 18th – The O2, Belfast
Tues 19th – 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland
Thurs 21st – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Sat 23rd – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds
Mon 25th – Cardiff Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Tues 26th – Brighton Centre, Brighton
Wed 27th – London The O2, London
Fri 29th – Manchester Co-op Live
Sat 30th – Birmingham Utilita Arena
November
Tues 2nd – KB Hallen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Wed 3rd – Gashouder, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Fri 5th – Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
Sat 6th – Accor Arena, Paris, France
Mon 8th – Vaudoise Arena, Lausanne, Switzerland
Tue 9th – LDLC, Lyon, France
Thu 11th – Palacio Vistalegre, Madrid, Spain
‘White On Blonde’ 30th Anniversary Tracklist:
CD1
0.34
Say What You Want
Drawing Crazy Patterns
Halo
Put Your Arms Around Me
Insane
Black Eyed Boy
Polo Mint City
White On Blonde
Postcard
0.28
Ticket To Lie
Good Advice
Breathless
CD 2
Say What You Want (Wu-Tang Clan Remix)
Black Eyed Boy (Demo)
Halo (Demo)
Mr. Haze (Demo)
Sunday Is The Saddest Day (Japanese Single)
Say What You Want (Demo)
Another Way To Cry
Say What You Want Feat. Method Man (Live at The Brits 1997)
Say What You Want (Mary Anne Hobbs BBC Session)
You’re All I Need To Get By (Mary Anne Hobbs BBC Session)
Tear It Up (Forever)
Asking For Favours
Dollshouse (Demo)
Last Train (Original Single)
If all this momentum and excitement feels like the start of something new, then fans might not have long to wait until Texas reveal their next moves. “It’s to be continued,” Spiteri winks. “Don’t worry, we won’t make you hold your breath too long…” Now, having reminded their public just how good the band can be, it looks as though the next chapters of Texas’ incredible career could be their finest yet.
