What: Squeeze
Where: Reading Hexagon
When: 15th November 2010

There was an extra bonus to tonight’s gig and that was the support provided by The Lightening Seeds. Lead singer Ian Broudie’s distinctive vocals lead the band through a set sprinkled with well known songs including “Pure” and “Life of Riley”. I couldn’t help think how most of their songs felt like football chants though. Was this the reason they were chosen to write “Three Lions” or did that shape the band’s sound?

The lightening Seeds warmed up the packed audience and there was a good feeling building when the be suited Squeeze took to the stage. It’s easy to forget just how many hits Squeeze have had, however when they rattle through “Black coffee in bed”, “Take me I’m yours” and “Annie get your gun” to start you soon realise all the hits you’ve forgotten.

The main singers and songwriters of Squeeze are Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbook. They are viewed as inspirational by many of today’s artists such as Razorlight, The Feeling and Lily Allen. Once cited as the new Lennon and McCartney, Difford and Tilbrook have a huge collection of quality songs. Difford’s lyrics paint wonderful stories of “normal” life as well as documenting semi-autobiographical the troubles of a rock star. Difford’s wonderful lyrics are superbly complimented by Tilbrook’s ear for a tune and excellent guitar playing. Talking of musical excellence, the current Squeeze line up was joined on this tour by Elvis Costello’s keys man Steve Nieve. Squeeze’s original keyboard player was Jools Holland and Nieve can very capably step into those shoes with not only Holland’s trade-mark honky-tonk piano but also intricate improvisation and subtle colour.

Squeeze let the music do the talking tonight and barely spoke between songs bar to introduce the band members and mention their new album. “Spot the difference” is a re-working of their greatest hits. I am glad in some ways that they didn’t mess around too much with them as many stand as classic pop songs of the era.

I last saw Squeeze live 3-4 years ago and was amazed at how many of the audience were singing along to every song. Tonight’s audience seemed very reserved in comparison but enjoyed the gig none the less. Squeeze started the gig with a three hits and interspersed them throughout. The band finished with four in a row with “Is that love”, “Hourglass”, “Tempted” and “Cool for cats” leaving the crowd on such a high. They added a couple more hits for the encore from the 1980 album “Argybargy” with “Another nail in my heart” and “Pulling muscles from a shell”. If you went to the gig undecided about being a Squeeze fan I am fairly certain you would have left it convinced. There were a larger than expected number of younger members to the audience many of whom were singing along, I suspect their parents indoctrinated them up well on a diet of Squeeze played on long car journeys.

This was the third night of Squeeze’s UK tour which takes in another twenty or so dates ending with four nights in the capital in mid December.

View photos of the show below, and read the interview with Chris Difford.