Acapela Studios, Cardiff - 29/03/2019
When The Beatles created the pop band template for many to follow, one of the bands who seemed to slip effortlessly into their eventually discarded shoes were Squeeze.
Not that it was all plain sailing for the band who themselves suffered for their art with the strain and stresses of pop stardom taking its toll on band members, Squeeze have managed to put aside their demons with a genuine love of their music and more importantly each other.
Band founder members Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford still tour and record as a band, and both together and apart continue to produce music of such a rare quality.
Whilst as a band they are a joy to behold it's the small solo tours that the real personalities come to the fore and at a packed Acapela Studio it was the turn of Mr Tilbrook.
Playing classics from their impressive back catalogue interspersed with a few covers most notably local legend Dave Edmunds no 1 hit "I Hear You Knocking" and a wistful Bacharach and David's "Always Something There To Remind Me" Tilbrook dazzled with some stunning, frenetic, fretwork displays showing what a talented musician he is as well as insightful songwriter.
Acapela Studios offer fans a chance to get up close and personal with performers and the personable Tilbrook was certainly one to benefit from the cosy setting delighting fans with his friendly banter.
Obviously, it was is Squeeze era-songs that attracted the greater response with fan participation a feature on songs like "Take Me I'm Yours" and "Tempted" with a stunning "Goodbye Girl" and "Another Nail In My Heart" bringing the evening to a delightful end.
Thankfully fans don't have to wait long for a return with a Squeeze gig planned for later in the year with a visit to the Acapela by soulmate Difford just around the corner.
Squeeze are spoiling us, long may it continue.
Glen Tilbrook