Freshly Squeezed: Squeeze Live in Brighton.

Squeeze: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Squeeze

Squeeze are a British rock band that came to prominence in the United Kingdom during the new wave period of the late 1970s, and continued recording successfully in the 1980s and 1990s. They are known in the UK for their hit songs “Cool for Cats”, “Up the Junction”, “Slap and Tickle”, and many more. The band’s founding members in March 1974 were Chris Difford (guitar, vocals, lyrics), and Glenn Tilbrook (vocals, guitar, music). Difford claims that in 1973, he stole 50p from his mother’s purse to put a card in a local sweetshop window to advertise for a guitarist to join his band, although he was not actually in a band at the time. Tilbrook was the only person who responded to the advert.

Squeeze: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Now, dear reader let me assure you that you would know more of their material than you think you do. They have produced so many hits across the years, you will know some of what was promised tonight. This seemed to be a Difford and Tilbrook greatest hits night. Perfect! Gotta love a bit of Squeeze. Tonight, supporting Madness, we saw both original band mates take to the stage at an almost sold out gig at the Brighton Centre, they were joined by their five other members forming up the Squeeze line-up.

Squeeze: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Squeeze could have easily have been headliners for this, and indeed when Scene Sussex saw them and last caught up with them, in November 2019, they were! Squeeze founders and only original members, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, took centre stage. They were backed by a superb band of musicians for tonight’s show.

Click to enlarge image

Squeeze: The Set

OK, so the band settled in on the big stage, and a huge crowd had gathered for Squeeze. We were about to be taken on a 45 minute set of biggest and best! OPening up tonight with the pounding Take Me I’m Yours!

Squeeze: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Take Me I’m Yours
Up The Junction
Hourglass
Cradle To The Grave

Squeeze: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Glenn was on top form tonight, so strong vocally and sang pretty much everything! He would also stop for a brief chat and swap some banter with his band mates. The opener had done the trick and got us in the mood, and Squeeze had pulled out a great selection.fine selection of their back catalogue, mostly from the 80’s. Footprints, Big Beng, Hourglass was the opening triple tracker to get things underway. And then again, the magic took hold for the wonderful Pulling Mussels (From the Shell).  This dear reader was a lively rockin’ it rendition, and am pretty sure everyone was bopping along to that one!

Squeeze: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The two main characters Tilbrook, with his electric guitar and Difford with an acoustic stir up another crowd favourite with Slap and Tickle as a duo. Great fun.

Slap And Tickle
F-Hole
Labelled With Love
Another Nail In My Heart

So glad one of my top Squeeze tunes was in there, Labelled With Love, what a tune and the Brighton “choir” took the chance to join in. It’s hard to believe that this pair have been writing together for around 45 years. Tonight Squeeze performed their set with a vigour that made it almost seem the band had only just got together and performing the songs as if they were fresh of the shelf.

Squeeze: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)
Tempted

Tilbrook’s pitch perfect voice was offset by the gravelly distinctive sound of Difford, who provided the grit to Cool for Cats. Perfect rendition. I think I still have that one on 7″ pink  vinyl! A true classic from back in the day.

Click image to enlarge

Cool For Cats
Black Coffee In Bed

Squeeze sounded top class when they pulled in the full band. Both drummers, bass, keys fleshed out the band’s full sound for the set finale Black Coffee In Bed. Awesome gig and a brilliantly executed set.

Squeeze: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Squeeze are on the WWW at www.squeezeofficial.com

Like what we do here? Give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram, and we have a Facebook page also. We work hard with the artists, the venues and the crowd to bring you the best photos and reviews across the area. Keep Music LIVE! Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.

Please note all original images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.

All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2021.

Got an event coming up? Need some gig photography, promo shots, previews or reviews? – please get in touch! See you down the front – come and say “hi!”