British pop legends Squeeze head out on UK tour calling at Sheffield

Icons of British pop music Squeeze have revealed their Pop Up Shop, “a combination of new songs and technology, of musicianship and experience.”

With fans who still cry out for music in the old fashioned sense - that they can touch, and feel – whilst existing in an industry where the outlets for the physical product are diminishing, Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford will be taking their Pop Up Shop on tour this Novemberember and Decemberember. Thirty five years after their first record release they are embracing technology to ensure that they remain as relevant and accessible as ever.

At the end of each of the 22 nights of the tour Glenn and Chris will move from the stage to the Pop Up Shop, performing as they go. Fans will then be able to buy a recording of that night’s show which will include new Squeeze songs.

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Glenn says: ‘When Squeeze signed to a major label in 1978 the phrase they used to describe our first album was ‘A Giant Step Sideways’. That world no longer exists and I definitely don’t mourn its passing. I love the opportunities and surprises thrown up by the digital age and the fading away of the major labels. Being able to inNovemberate and take control of our own destiny is something I could only have dreamt of back then. So this Pop Up Shop tour is where we’re at now... a combination of new songs and technology, of musicianship and experience that make this tour for Squeeze ‘A Giant Step Forward’.”

To develop the shop Chris and Glenn are working closely with Sandbag, a merchandise company who only source ethical products which is an important factor for the band. “With the traditional record label no longer relevant for us, our relationship with the merchandisers is increasingly important in order to help us deliver quality products for our fans” explains Glenn.

Fans will be delighted to hear that Glenn and Chris have been writing new material, the first in 14 years, and that these songs will be available at the shows.

Chris says: “It’s taken a long time to get ourselves back to the writing table, mainly because we’ve been touring our greatest hits packages in the UK and in the States. Time for new material, and things have moved on. Glenn now co writes the lyrics and as before produces the music in his South London studio. SiMonday Hanson, John Bentley, Lord Large are the backbone of the lineup. The tour and album will prove I hope that we can move with the times and use our imaginations to sell our songs. I’m looking forward to next year and holding the old fashioned version of the new album in my hands, but for the meantime we are tooled up like travelling sales men and going on the road with new songs and our live show. See you at the Pop Up Shop.”

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On October 12, BBC4 will screen a brand new documentary ‘Squeeze: Take Me I’m Yours’ which reappraises the song-writing genius of Difford and Tilbrook, and shows why Squeeze hold a special place in British Popular music.

With contributions from former band members Jools Holland and Paul Carrack, together with testament from Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler and Aimee Man, as to the genius of Difford and Tilbrook’s song writing, and why they deserve to be placed alongside such renowned song-writing partnerships as Lennon and McCartney, Jagger and Richards and Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Pop Up Shop 2012 UK Tour plus special guest Paul Heaton dates:

Friday 16 November Guildford G Live 0844 7701 797

Saturday 17 November Cambridge Corn Exchange 01223 357 851

Monday 19 November Bristol Colston Hall 0117 922 3686

Tuesday 20 November Plymouth Pavilions 0845 146 1460

Wednesday 21 November Brighton Dome 01273 709 709

Friday 23 November Bournemouth O2 Academy 0844 477 2000

Saturday 24 November Reading Hexagon 0118 960 6060

Monday 26 November Cardiff St David’s Hall 029 2087 8444

Tuesday 27 November Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall 0844 871 7627

Wednesday 28 November Southend Cliff Pavilion 01702 351 135

Friday 30 November Birmingham Symphony Hall 0121 780 3333

Saturday 01 December Manchester O2 Apollo 0844 477 2000

Sunday 02 December Sheffield O2 Academy 0844 477 2000

Tuesday 04 December Leeds O2 Academy 0844 477 2000

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Wednesday 05 December Nottingham Royal Concert Hall 0115 989 5555

Thursday 06 December Norwich UEA 01603 508 050

Saturday 08 December Newcastle City Hall 0191 277 8030

Sunday 09 December Glasgow O2 Academy 0844 477 2000

Monday 10 December Liverpool PhilharMondayic Hall 0151 709 3789

Wednesday 12 December London HMV Forum 0844 847 2405

Thursday 13 December London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire 0844 477 2000

Friday 14 December London Indigo O2 0844 477 2000

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