It’s early for a Saturday night, yet the Brighton Centre is buzzing with a crowd eagerly poised to catch Damon Gough aka Badly Drawn Boy guesting as a support slot to Squeeze’s 50th Anniversary tour. He strolls on stage in his trademark beanie hat and we’re incredulous to note he carries his own milestone moment now with 25 years since the release of his debut album, ‘The Hour Of Bewilderbeast’. The opener, ‘This Is That New Song’, is a poignant tribute to a lost friend ironically sounding as fresh as the day it was written 20 years ago. It’s introduced with his own brand of black humour and vulnerability by way of an apology “Sorry it’s a sad beginning but things will pick up”. The audience laugh alongside: one man and a guitar immediately transforming this vast space into a witty, honest reunion.
The set does indeed gather pace as he flicks between guitar, harmonica and keys revisiting key moments in his back catalogue. Highlights include his buoyantly catchy ‘Something To Talk About’, written as part of the soundtrack for About A Boy where he was “trying to get the words in without being corny”, and a nostalgic nod to Bruce with ‘Born In The UK’, an observational song rammed packed with his own bunch of memories growing up in the 70s and 80s. When it comes to ‘Silent Sigh’, he implores the audience to “clap along at the end as it’s long and boring”, everyone is happy to oblige with a song destined to raise the roof. By the end of his set, the auditorium is sincerely and warmly prepped: all oven-ready for Squeeze.
Veteran new wavers Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford bound on stage to a packed crowd and an almighty cheer erupts. The stage is awash with an eight-piece suited and booted band: snazzy checks and stripes dazzle as they instantly throw their party gauntlet out into the arena with a ‘Squeeze on 45’ style run of four giant fan favourites kickstarting with ‘Black Coffee In Bed’ and ending with ‘Up The Junction’. The latter sees this seasoned crowd dancing, yelling their hearts out and transforming the Brighton Centre into one huge retro teenage house party. Testament to a monumentous back catalogue, this band can afford to launch proceedings with such an explosive bang as they have plenty more firecrackers in their song tank for later.
Glenn explains they have just recorded two albums, one that has re-worked unreleased songs written way back in 1974 and the other being a collection of brand new songs. The next track falls into the new camp, ‘One Beautiful Summer’ was inspired by a story Glenn heard about two folks in a care home who, as he explains, “fell absolutely head over heels in love, it was really touching – the possibility of love at any time which is a great thing”. With a driving heavy riff and trademark Squeeze witty lyrics, brimming with realism, it’s received with huge enthusiasm and applause.
So much choice means the set-list is a musical lottery, but the crowd are delighted when an ‘East Side Story’ memorable album track ‘In Quintessence’ makes the final mix as it’s classic catchy new wave pop. Glenn picks out his favourite song from their last album ‘The Knowledge’ which showcases an atmospheric vocal delivery courtesy of Chris Difford with ‘Departure Lounge’. It creates a moody, dreamlike contrast to their other songs and leads us nicely into one of the most heartfelt moments of the evening. Chris recalls meeting Glenn and his girlfriend Maxine 51 years ago “they were so open-armed and welcomed me into their life, it was wonderful, we built a little nest so we could write songs, you’re gonna hear all of them tonight” and he explains that ‘Some Fantastic Place’ is for her. It’s a rousing version, Stephen Large’s keys soar high alongside collective vocals, their choir-like harmonies sumptuously filling the room.
The band are tight, dynamic and the pure energy on stage throughout their performance is infectious. The latter section includes a Brighton beach party vibe with a punchy version of ‘Pulling Mussels From A Shell’, Simon Hanson’s feisty drums whisking the crowd up to a frenzy.
The final hurrah is wall-to-wall Squeeze classics. We get Stephen Large centre stage, accordion in hand, for an extended version of ‘Goodbye Girl’ and the crowd are invited for guest vocal duties on ‘Tempted’ which they oblige with gusto. Their anthem ‘Cool For Cats’ inspires energetic dancing in the aisles and the grand finale, ‘Take Me I’m Yours’, includes more audience vocal challenges and sees the whole band pogoing on the spot.
Squeeze have labelled their 50th Anniversary Tour with a lot of love and nostalgia whilst gently introducing the next chapter in Squeeze’s discography. A perfect party playlist for tonight: this band have always continued to put one foot in front of the other musically and judging by the enthusiastic reception tonight, their fans will remain with them every step of the way.
The Brighton Centre, Saturday 2nd November 2024
Words by Anita Joyce
Photos by Jon Southcoasting
