It was billed as a an intimate evening with Texas to mark the band’s 25th anniversary but anyone such as myself seeing them for the first time might not have realised it could become X-rated at times.

The very forthright Sharleen Spiteri sprinkled four-letter words through the show at Margate’s Winter Gardens on Sunday like they were part of normal conversation. It soon became evident that the 47-year-old Glaswegian with the shock of dark hair and distinctive golden vocals wouldn’t suffer fools gladly, and that almost anything would go during a gig.

Hecklers – one of whom was particularly annoying – can be put firmly in their place and in danger of incurring a Glasgow kiss unless they amuse the demanding former hairdresser, who was apparently nicknamed Spitz.

Despite recognising many of us in the audience were “of a certain age” and noting the frequent loo visits by some, Sharleen soon made it clear she doesn’t like her fans to be seated.

Ignoring attempts by security staff to keep some people rooted to their seat so as not to spoil the view for others, we were ordered up to ensure a concert atmosphere rather than that of a polite recital.

Sharleen inquired if we liked to stand up and when we didn’t dare disagree she responded: “Thank (expletive deleted) for that!”

Texas fans came out in force for the band’s first appearance in the seaside town and probably not the last judging by the androgynous singer’s affection for the fish and chips and the historic theatre’s acoustics.

Sharleen ambled on stage for the stripped back first half wearing a familiar striped top and dark slacks to regale us with stories behind the songs before easing into the latest single Start A Family backed by her acoustic guitar.

More stories followed from the natural comic, including one about actress Jane Birkin “snogging her face off” on stage and her recoiling in horror at the stench of cigarette breath.

The tale was a cue for a song from collaboration with Birkin’s paramour Serge Gainsbourg which has more than a hint of Je t’aime about it.

More gems followed with reworkings of many of the hits including I Don’t Want A Lover from 1989, which started chart success rolling for the group, Say What You Want, When We Are Together, The Conversation and more.

The ante was well and truly upped in the second half for the “soul sessions” with brass instruments of trumpet and sax added to put extra oomph into the rocking versions of Black Eyed Boy, Summer Son, Halo and Everyday Now.

Having urged the audience to get lively Sharleen threw a major wobbler when she spotted able-bodied revellers blocking out the view of wheelchair bound fans but the good humour soon returned.

We were treated to two encores, ending with a surprise package of the Elvis classic Suspicious Minds, given the Spiteri magic touch.

By then some audience members had resigned themselves to the night being over and left the building. The rest of us didn’t want to miss a note.

Keith Hunt

For more tour news, visit www.texas.uk.com. For more on upcoming events at Margate Winter Gardens, visit www.margatewintergardens.co.uk.