Squeeze play rock classics at the Forum

Last night the HMV Forum in Kentish Town was host to the London leg of the very popular Squeeze tour. The late 70s, early 80s new wave band were glad to be “back home” as announced by lead singer and guitarist Glenn Tilbrook who originally formed the band in Deptford in 1974, accompanied onstage by bassist Chris Difford, another early member. Squeeze sold out the auditorium which seemed filled with the middle aged and some young admirers of the past, showing a loving devotion to the band.

Indeed Squeeze is an old school band whose hardcore fans believe the music in your iPod is nothing but noise. Ironically the noise that filled the venue came largely from the members of the crowd who sang along to the band’s greatest hits as if they were chanting from the terraces at a football stadium.

Squeeze gave the crowd some of the old and some of the new. The new song From the Cradle to the Grave was extremely endearing especially as it was accompanied on the stage screen by a video of the band at different ages played by actors. The band made great use of the visuals throughout to really bring their set up to date.

Oldies but goldies like No Place Like Home really got the audience moving with its driving 80s drum beat and rippling guitar line. As the band went through their repertoire it was clear to see they had hits that forever touched their fans. Tempted was a real sing-a-long moment and Up the Junction got everyone dancing like the dancing girls of Top of the Pops fame.

After an hour and a half the band finished with Pulling Mussels and left to a rapturous applause. However, the 2000 devotees were not going to let that be the end. The band returned after an encore to play some of the missing bangers. Cool for Cats, their 70s classic for which they are famously known for, went down extremely well. They ended the 24 song set with Another Nail in the Heart and Goodbye Girl to which they unplugged their instruments and walked through the crowd.

Samuel Mensah
Photos: Sarah Tsang

For further information and future events visit Squeeze’s website here.