British New Wave Takes Over Hard Rock Live

Squeeze, Adam Ant and Haircut 100 Take Hollywood Back to the ’80s

Photos and review by BRAD STEVENS

Squeeze continued its U.S. “Tried, Tested & Trixie’s” tour with support from Adam Ant and Haircut 100 on August 20 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fl.

The evening opened with the bright, infectious pop of Haircut 100, the British band fronted by Nick Heyward whose early ’80s sound blended funk-inflected rhythms and catchy melodies. Songs like Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) and Love Plus One sounded every bit as joyful as they did more than four decades ago.

Then came Adam Ant. At 71, Ant remains one of the most distinctive performers to emerge from the British new wave explosion. He followed Haircut 100 to a crowd that was thoroughly primed for him. Dressed in unmistakable Adam Ant fashion and bringing the theatrical swagger that has been part of his persona since the days of Adam and the Ants, he wasted little time reminding the audience why songs like Stand and Deliver, Prince Charming and Goody Two Shoes became defining tracks of the era. Ant’s performance was energetic and unapologetically his own, and his set had the crowd fully engaged.

And then it was time for the headliners.
Squeeze closed out the night, bringing with them one of the deepest and most enduring songbooks in British pop. Led by the extraordinary songwriting partnership of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, Squeeze has always occupied a unique space: sophisticated without being pretentious, clever without sacrificing emotion, and able to turn the details of everyday life into unforgettable songs. From Take Me I’m Yours and Cool for Cats to Up the Junction, Tempted and Pulling Mussels (from the Shell), the band’s catalog gave longtime fans plenty to sing along to. But what made the night work so well was the progression of the three acts. It felt like a celebration of music that never really left.