Squeeze – Live Review – Halifax Victoria Theatre
By Graham Clark, November 2024
Celebrating fifty years on the road, Squeeze arrived at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax for their first appearance at the venue, delivering an evening that was not just steeped in nostalgia but also looked forward with optimism.
The theatre is quickly becoming a staple on the touring circuit, having recently hosted acts such as Blossoms and Shed Seven. Halifax itself is gaining recognition in music circles, thanks in part to the summer concert series at the historic Piece Hall.
The songwriting duo of Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford have kept Squeeze at the forefront of the music scene for decades. Often compared to the brilliance of the Lennon/McCartney songbook, their catalogue has stood the test of time, as the band reminded fans of their prominence in both the singles and albums charts.
“It’s great to be here,” Tilbrook declared as he and the band took to the stage for a 90-minute set. They launched straight into ‘Black Coffee in Bed’, with the hits flowing like a jukebox playing fan favourites back-to-back. ‘Is That Love’ and ‘Up the Junction’ sounded majestic, performed with the same enthusiasm as if it were still 1980.
“Impeccable”
With much of the Halifax audience seeing the band live for the first time, the atmosphere in the theatre was electric. Squeeze did not disappoint, as the eight-piece band enhanced the sound of some of the greatest pop songs of the last half-century. The addition of an extra percussionist, a new keyboardist/slide guitarist, and a female backing singer brought fresh energy to many tracks.
Sunday night gigs can sometimes feel turgid or lacklustre, but this was far from the case. The audience were soon on their feet as ‘Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)’, ‘Another Nail in My Heart’, and ‘Annie Get Your Gun’ followed in quick succession. Tilbrook demonstrated his impeccable guitar skills throughout.
Tilbrook shared with the audience that the band are releasing two new albums: one featuring new songs, and the other a collection written in 1974. Jokingly, he remarked how their first record producer had tried to make them sound like the Bay City Rollers. Thankfully, ‘One Beautiful Summer’—a song about two widows finding love in a care home—proved to be a quintessentially observational Squeeze number, while ‘You Get the Feeling’, from their 1974 period, gave a glimpse of how the band might have sounded if they had not shifted musical direction.
Pink Floyd may not be the first band you’d associate with Squeeze, but ‘Departure Lounge’ introduced a surprising and intriguing dimension to the evening. ‘Cool for Cats’ still retained its charm, with Chris Difford’s unmistakable vocals giving the track its familiar edge. Finally, the military-style introduction of ‘Take Me, I’m Yours’ brought the evening to a triumphant close, concluding a polished performance that balanced nostalgia with confidence in the band’s future.
images: Graham Clark
