Photos by Andy Argyrakis

The players may have changed many times, but the constant thread that continues holding Squeeze together is the impenetrable songwriting nucleus of longtime co-leaders Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. Along with several newer but no less capable musicians, the British band that emerged in the new wave era and continued to craft power pop gems well into the ‘90s caught a sold out Vic Theatre up to speed on what everyone’s been up to since reconvening in 2007.

Even those who may have come primarily for “Tempted” likely went home with an increased appreciation for Squeeze, who wound up being truly enticing, and ultimately, quite timeless.

For about 90 minutes, that meant several of Squeeze’s signature songs (which were also re-recorded on 2010’s “Spot The Difference”), plus samples of 2015’s entirely original “Cradle To The Grave” and the brand new “The Knowledge.” Whether it was debuting “Please Be Upstanding” and “Patchouli” or resurrecting “Pulling Mussels (From The Shell)” and “Annie Get Your Gun,” the group maintained its sunny harmonies with the frequently-leading Tilbrook selling every last witty and whimsical lyric.

Some of the most memorable examples of its trademark storytelling naturally splashed the highest (the Difford-fronted “Cool For Cats,” an accordion-laced “Take Me I’m Yours”), though Squeeze kept insisting the “Join The Dots” Tour was more than exclusively nostalgia thanks to “Innocence And Paradise,” “Nirvana,” “Albatross” and roughly a half-dozen others. While each of those selections were solid enough, they couldn’t quite compare to the classics, but at least earned the type of respect that once went so far as to suggest Difford & Tilbrook were potential heirs to Lennon & McCartney’s lofty throne.

Based on the massive audiences they’ve drawn in the UK over the years, that wasn’t all that much of exaggeration, and despite pulling in smaller numbers in America, the majority at the Vic appeared to be extremely ardent appreciators. Even those who may have come primarily for “Tempted” likely went home with an increased appreciation for Squeeze, who wound up being truly enticing, and ultimately, quite timeless.

Click here for more photos of Squeeze at the Vic Theatre.

For additional information on Squeeze, visit SqueezeOfficial.com.

For a list of upcoming Jam Productions shows, visit JamUSA.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Vic Theatre include Iliza Shlesinger (Dec. 1); Damien Escobar (Dec. 2); Rhett & Link (Dec. 9) ; “The Irreplaceables” Tour (Dec. 17); Felipe Esparza (Jan. 12) and Big Head Todd & The Monsters (Jan. 19-20); For additional details, visit VicTheatre.com.

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