Live Review: Squeeze and Boy George – Hail the Essence of New Wave
From Cool For Cats to Karma Chameleon, a match made in pop heaven
Credit: Amy McGrath Hughes
I took my 18-year-old son to see Squeeze and Boy George at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando and after hearing one of the former’s new songs, “Trixie’s Hell on Earth,” was stunned that it was nowhere to be found on any streaming service. Quote he, “You mean, it’s not out yet? I loved that song!”
And those were a few of the surprising nuggets sprinkled into the band’s set on September 22, the last gig of their U.S. tour. While that question comes from a Gen Z’er, seeing and hearing the new mixed with the classics wasn't hard to detect for these ears. Songwriter/singer/guitarist Glenn Tilbrook had placed his foot full throttle on the effects pedal and didn’t let up for the entire set.
If I can back up a bit: Tilbrook and songwriting partner Chris Difford are in their 50th year of performing together, and they don’t show any signs of stopping. There are currently two albums in a future offing, one with their oldest unrecorded material (featuring “Trixie” as a pre-Squeeze song.) and one of new material, which they showcased by introducing “You Get the Feeling” and “One Beautiful Summer,” with the latter stoked in flavoring from their 1991 release Play.
This current line-up – Difford, Tilbrook, bassist Owen Biddle, pedal steel guitarist Melvin Duffy, percussionist Steve Smith, drummer Simon Hanson, and keyboardist Stephen Large (and tour vocalist Danica Dora) – have been the tightest iteration since… forever. As a functioning touring and recording unit, I’m looking forward to the material coming henceforth, which should be in the first half of 2025.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Squeeze gig without the acknowledged classics, including “Cool For Cats,” “Tempted,” “Slap & Tickle” – with the always enjoyable keyboard antics of Large on display – and “Hourglass” which as I remind anyone coming into the Squeeze universe is actually their highest charting song (#15) in the U.S.
Squeeze – Hourglass – Live @ Toyota Music Factory – Irving TX – August 28, 2024/℗©Warner Chappell Music, Inc./YouTube
Having a back catalog as long as theirs, one would love to hear deep cuts that don’t make it onto a short setlist. But with Difford showcasing “Someone Else’s Heart” (from 1981’s East Side Story), it’s a reminder that it doesn’t matter how far back you go, Squeeze can make it sound fresh.
Another addition to the newcomer’s perspective is Tilbrook the guitarist. After getting a solid confirmation from my son, I can safely say Tilbrook shredded the hell out of every note. Considering his admiration of Jimi Hendrix, one can see why he let loose, even at breakneck speed for his solo on “Another Nail For My Heart.” If you’re curious, he has been playing the same go-to ‘67 Telecaster for the last 30 years, customized with a Parsons/White B-bender.
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Boy George is on a swing upwards, with a recent release “Electric Energy” from the movie soundtrack Argylle, and his Broadway role of impresario Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge. His theatrical flair was on display here, as he made a dramatic entrance to cover Prince’s “Purple Rain.” Quite honestly, having never seen him live, I was taken with his delivery and choice of material. Resplendent in flowing garb and wearing an elongated hot pink bowler hat, he may not be a mover and shaker, yet his 1000-watt smile, audience engagement and saucy banter is a winning combination.
He combined Culture Club’s 1983 song “Church of the Poison Mind” with Wham’s 1985 hit “I’m Your Man” in a mashup that should have happened years ago, while turning tables for his cover version of “The Crying Game,” from the 1992 movie of the same name.
Boy George – The Crying Game – Live @ Toyota Music Factory – Irving TX – August 28, 2024/℗©Peermusic (UK) Ltd./YouTube
In fact, George can be his own cover band for others, taking a medley of “Bigger Than War/You Can’t Always Get What You Want/Walk on the Wild Side,” and T-Rex’s “Bang A Gong (Get It On)” in stride while having his protégé Vangelis Polydorou take center stage for his original composition “Kylie T-Shirt.”
His band is cracking and even while swinging through an audience fave like “Karma Chameleon” it’s clear he has lost none of his winking charm or appeal to the gathering throng.
Thanks for this, Amy! Sounds like a great show. I didn't know Squeeze had two (!) records on the way! That's a nice surprise to start the day. :)
Those sound like two great shows worth seeing! I didn't know either had new material out.