Review: Squeeze and Madness, First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds

Squeeze were on first and delivered a blistering hour of superb musicianship to a full house.

Every one of the songs was perfect. As they segued from one hit to another, I was transported back to the 1970s when, still at school, I bought the single Cool For Cats and played it incessantly. I dug it out when I got home from the gig and played it again.

Squeeze was founded in 1973 by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, both still very much in evidence after 50 years.

The eight-strong band are all accomplished musicians, each one turning their hand to several different instruments.

They began the night with Pulling Mussels (From the Shell), which was followed by Is That Love, Up the Junction, Tempted, Cradle to the Grave and Goodbye Girl.

Then came Slap and Tickle, Cool For Cats, Another Nail in my Heart and finally Take Me I’m Yours.

The set also included a couple of ‘new’ tracks from the forthcoming album Trixies.

The album, full of songs written by Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook when they were just 19 and 16 respectively, is out in March 2026.

It was just a joyous set from start to finish, and everyone seemed to be having such a good time on stage. Steve Smith on percussion and Simon Hanson on drums were mesmerising to watch, as they bounced around grinning wildly.

It’s difficult to pick a standout moment, but I suppose, apart from Cool for Cats, my vote must go to Another Nail in My Heart; the harmonising of Difford and Tilbrook is just pure magic.

Squeeze may have been together on and off for 50 years, but they are as good now as they ever were.

At 9pm, it was the turn of Madness. The ‘Nutty Boys’ were appearing in Leeds midway through their Hit Parade UK arena tour to promote the release of their new greatest hits album.

This album features 45 singles from the 45 years between 1979 and 2024, including 27 Top 40 hits.

As Madness appeared on stage, they immediately launched into a lively Prince Buster cover of One Step Beyond.

From our seats on the balcony, we watched as the standing crowd moved as one, stamping and singing and really getting into the swing of things.

Embarrassment was followed by The Prince, a tribute to Prince Buster, then the evening turned more reflective with such as My Girl, Tomorrow’s (Just Another Day) and Wings of a Dove, interspersed with a few lesser-known hits such as NW5.

It all ramped back up a gear when it was ‘Showtime’ and House of Fun, Baggy Trousers and Our House were belted out before closing the set with It Must Be Love, complete with an avalanche of glitter.

In deference to the season, the three-song encore began with a cover of the Wizzard staple I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, then Madness and finally a blistering rendition of Night Boat to Cairo.

The evening was fun, but nothing like as irreverent as the Madness gigs of old. It was none the worse for that.

Suggs was note perfect and interacted at times with the crowd, although he didn’t move around the stage as he may once have done - but after all, he is 64.

My only complaints from the night were that the multiple screens displaying old Madness video clips, along with the flashing lights and cartoonish graphics, distracted from the musicianship. Additionally, the bright stage lights were so dazzling that it was hard to see the other band members.