Music / Bristol Sounds
Bristol Sounds superfans: Texas
In the run up to the Bristol Sounds concerts, which this year feature much-loved acts that have long stood the test of time, Bristol superfans reveal their favourite memories of the bands playing.
The second in the series features Bristol Sounds programmer Conal Dodds sharing his love for Texas, who play the Lloyds Amphitheatre on June 27.
Conal Dodds (l) pictured with Alan McGee, manager of (among others) the Fratellis, Sleeper and Cast, bands which are all appearing on the bill with Texas as part of Bristol Sounds on June 28 – photo: Conal Dodds
“I put on my first ever gig in 1989 with Robert Plant in Monmouth (that’s another story).
is needed now More than ever
“I got a phone call when it was first advertised by a music manager who said he had a new band from Glasgow that would love to be the support act. He said he would send some music and a CD duly arrived in the post.
“I didn’t even have a CD player at the time, but the shiny CD I held in my hand for the very first time was the first single by Texas!
Texas played Glastonbury festival in 2023 and have a new record out that was recorded at the infamous Muscle Shoals – photo: Texas
“Sharleen (Spiteri, lead singer of Texas) has a great rock voice and has always been a great performer…
“…in that effortless stylish way that cool cats like her and Chrissie Hynde have always had.
“For my sins I don’t think I’ve ever seen them live, other than maybe a fleeting glimpse of them back in the day at Glastonbury in a packed field where I couldn’t get anywhere near the stage.
“The Bristol Sounds show is, I think, the first time they’ve played in Bristol since 2017.
“Eight years is a long wait to have them back in the city. We have the fabulous Turin Brakes supporting so it’s going to be a great night of two brilliant live bands who both are such consummate songwriters.
Turin Brakes are still going strong after forming in 1999 and releasing their debut record The Optimist in 2001 – photo: Turin Brakes
“I fell into promoting all those years ago and have learnt from my mistakes along the way.
“It’s a different landscape to the one I entered in 1989 – pre internet/mobile phones – but this world we live in that’s dominated by technology has given us the opportunity to provide something that computers and phones can never replace – wonderful life fulfilling LIVE experiences.
“We thrive on this and our Crosstown team work hard to provide concerts that can bring a lot of happiness to people.
Bristol Sounds fills the Lloyds Amphitheatre with music fans each June. This year the lineup includes old favourites Kaiser Chiefs, Supergrass and the Fratellis – photo: Plaster
“I think I have quite mainstream tastes really and Bristol Sounds is an event that appeals to the masses, which is why we’ve been running it for so long.
“I try to programme the event with different sorts of people in mind . We can obviously only book who is available and that we can afford for a 5,000 capacity event, but we always try to cater for as many different types of audience as we can.
“Given the huge amount of competing events in the west country these days I try hard to be offering something that other local festivals don’t have.
“With Sounds we aim to offer a great day or night out, value for money, and hopefully a life enhancing live experience that stays with them for years to come.
“Ultimately we as people are just “vessels of experiences” and I want to be able to play my part in continuing to create great memories for people for years to come.”
Main image: Texas
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