We had to wait almost two years to see Squeeze. This time last night Saturday, August 29) the “Tried, Tested and Trixies” tour at Radio City with Adam Ant and Haircut 100 opening.  Last time we enjoyed two shows — perhaps anticipating an extra year ‘tween concerts — at Mohegan Sun as part of a nice weekend with our friends Eric & Jarmine Diamond and at Central Park’s Summerstage with Marisa joining us (as she did last evening); Boy George opened at Central Park and closed in Connecticut.  I recall really enjoying the Summerstage encore with Boy George joining Squeeze for a cover of the great T Rex tune, “Get it On.” We did see the Boy George & Culture Club documentary (last year) June 2025 (& if I may divert for a moment, we really like & strongly recommend Boy George’s new release, “We Will Dance Again.”).

Haircut One Hundred an ‘80s new wave from the UK that enjoyed several hits but only one (“Love Plus One”) “across the pond” opened.  I found I enjoyed their brief set.

Not the case with Adam Ant, a late 70s artist who I recall as a staple on old MTV. Just could not relate to his music though most in the Hall seemed to get his noise.

Just another story with Squeeze.  The band led by Glenn Tilbrook-Chris Difford is even larger than before, this year adding Leon Tilbrook (son of Glenn) on guitar and vocals.  The rest of the lineup: Stephen Large (keyboards) and Simon Hanson (drums) since 2007, Steve Smith (percussion/vocals) since 2017, Melvin Duffy (steel guitars, mandolin) since 2019, Owen Biddle (bass) since 2020 and Danica Dora (backing vocals/keyboards) since 2024.  

Squeeze opened the closed their set with most of their most popular tunes — at least IMHO. In the middle they performed all but one song from their brand new album, Trixies.  I noticed this concert included the first performance of If I Didn’t Love You on this tour. This eve’s version of Black Coffee in Bed was among the best performances of my all-time fave Squeeze song and was a personal highlight for this correspondent (Thank you Marisa for the video.).

Squeeze set:

1. Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)
2. Up the Junction
3. Another Nail in My Heart
4. Is That Love
   [Trixies]
5. What More Can I Say
6. You Get the Feeling
7. The Place We Call Mars
8. Hell on Earth
9. The Dancer
10. Good Riddance
11. Why Don't You
12. Anything but Me
13. It's Over (Trixies)
14. The Jaguars
15. Trixies, Pt. 1
16. Trixies, Pt. 2
    [end Trixies]
17. Hourglass
18. Black Coffee in Bed
19. If I Didn’t Love you
20. Third Rail
21. Goodbye Girl
22. Slap & Tickle
23. Cool for Cats
24. Tempted
25. Take Me I'm Yours (With band intros - Danica Dora performed a short Dolly Parton tribute: Coat of Many Colors)

Adam Ant set:

1. Dog Eat Dog (Adam and the Ants song)
2. Vive le Rock
3. Friend or Foe
4. Cartrouble (Adam and the Ants song)
5. Zerox (Adam and the Ants song)
6. Prince Charming (Adam and the Ants song)
7. Desperate but Not Serious
8. Kings of the Wild Frontier (Adam and the Ants song)
9. Antmusic (Adam and the Ants song)
10. Goody Two Shoes
11. Stand and Deliver (Adam and the Ants song)

Haircut 100 set:

1. Someone
2. Nobody's Fool
3. Kingsize (You're My Little Steam Whistle)
4. Fantastic Day
5. Love Plus One
6. Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)