Favourite Gig
It's self-explanatory - where's the best place you've seen a solo Glenn gig?
For me, it was the BBC Wales studios on Halloween, a few years back. It was by invitation only and there were only about 50 people there. It was great - Glenn was relaxed and on top form. It's undoubtedly my favourite solo gig - and the best thing of all, I have it on tape when it was aired! My friend lives with the DJ who interviewed him, so I have it unedited, too! Yay!
Re: Favourite Gig
I think my favourite Glenn gig was actually my first. It was in a pub in a small village called Allendale near Hexham in Northumberland. I’m guessing that it was in about ’96 – between Ridiculous and Domino anyway.
It seemed the least likely setting for a gig ever. The village only had about 10 houses and the pub looked more likely to serve up Sunday lunches rather than a helping of raw Tilbrook.
I arrived very early and felt quite stupid asking if this was the right place, just as Glenn himself arrived in the bar! If I had known then how approachable he is, I might have bought him a drink, but at this stage I’d only seen Squeeze in the usual big venues and I was somewhat star struck!
As for the gig itself, it was held in a small room upstairs with (I’d guess) 70-80 people in attendance. I’d never witnessed anything like it. It was one of those places where Glenn had to push past people at the bar to get on to the “stage” and duck behind his amplifier to affect an encore. I can’t remember what he played but I do recall being impressed at the spontaneity of it all. No set list, a bit of Squeeze, a few covers, and people dancing and singing on stage with him. It seems standard practice now, but the first time was just amazing.
Thinking back, it was great at that time when you got a proper Squeeze gig, then a Glenn solo gig a few months later then another Squeeze gig….
Re: Favourite Gig
Those small, unusual gigs are my favourites too, especially in places where they don't really know who Glenn is.
I've been thinking about this one and can't make my mind up.
My first (and last) Squeeze gig in 1998. Hull City Hall, 18th December. I couldn't believe I was seeing this band whose music I'd listened to incessantly for months, and how GOOD they were.
My first Glenn gig at The Fishpond in Matlock - a happier and more good humoured evening's entertainment I don't think I've ever enjoyed.
Sheffield Boardwalk in 2000 when I met my lovely new friends Maggie and Liz for the first time. Also the first night I spoke to Glenn (talked total gibberish, of course) and had my picture taken with him (died and gone to heaven)
Theatr Ardudwy in Harlech in 2001 - Glenn totally manic and the audience baffled. He finished the night playing in the bar.
The Lomax in Liverpool later in 2001. The Party on terrific form and a huge gang of us having a ball. Lovely Simon Hanson chatting to us later
Bar Cuba in Macclesfield in 2002. Glenn was on such wonderful form that night.
Limelight Club in Crewe later in 2002. Bad gig from Glenn's point of view but good one for all the rest of us. Nick Harper turned up later and a few small drinks were consumed
Witchwood in Feb 2003. Glenn so tired he could hardly keep his eyes open, but the gig came alive about half way through.
Bolton the following night. Absolutely heaving with people!
I'd better stop! Sorry. I'm going to end up listing them all at this rate. How about WORST gig ever!? (Greenwich Borough Hall in 2001, incidentally).
Re: Favourite Gig
Mmmm, I'm struggling on this one. The first time I saw Squeeze in 1991 i was blown away and completely starstruck - nothing changed there then. Can't think of my fave solo gig at the mo they're all good in different ways.
Re: Favourite Gig
I think my worst gig was seeing the latter-day Squeeze supporting Blondie at the Cardiff International Arena. Chris had mysteriously quit, Blondie were bloody awful, the crowd sat on their hands and the atmosphere was just dreadful . . .
Except for my wonderous companion on the night, of course! *looks at Steven*
Re: Favourite Gig
Yes, the company was definitely better than the gig that night!
I had the "pleasure" of seeing the whole thing again a few days later back home in the North East. Not sure which of the two to choose as the worst (most of) Squeeze gig ever! As well as Chris having departed, wasn’t Ash Soan missing too? He was on tour with Marianne Faithfull or something.
Re: Favourite Gig
I missed that Arena tour when it came to Manchester but friends who went said they'd gone to see Blondie and came away appreciating and enjoying Squeeze more
I did see the following gig, just a little later when Squeeze supported Blondie again at The Apollo and both bands went down really well. Squeeze were cheered and danced to all the way through their set, the crowd jumping up and down to all the hits. I don't think anyone would have minded if they'd stayed on stage longer. But I couldn't reconcile the image of Glenn walking off stage and being followed on by another band, if you know what I mean. It just didn't feel right. I did stay until the end though (and ended up getting my car locked in the car park )
)
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