Glenn Tilbrook (of Squeeze)
Glenn Tilbrook has more than earned his place at pop’s top table as one of our most cherished singers, guitarists, and songwriters, and he is an in-demand and endlessly endearing live performer. But it’s been 50 years since he first answered an ad placed by Chris Difford looking for like-minded sorts to form the band that became the much-loved evergreen Squeeze, an ending is nowhere in sight.
Such is the continuing work ethic of a fellow who’s never been far from the action since Squeeze made their recording bow with the Packet of Three EP in 1977. Those humble three tracks led to such enduring pop classics as Take Me I’m Yours, Cool for Cats, Up The Junction, Another Nail In My Heart, Tempted, Labeled With Love, Black Coffee In Bed, Hourglass, not to mention landmark albums like Argybargy, East Side Story and Some Fantastic Place.
Squeeze’s demise in 1998 (though not permanent), saw Glenn embark on a solo career that spawned the albums The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook (2001) and Transatlantic Ping-Pong (2004), showcasing an ever-maturing songwriting talent. In 2009 came the fantastic energy of Pandemonium Ensues, an album made with his solo touring band The Fluffers. Arguably, though, Happy Ending is Glenn’s most personal work to date, a series of evocative portraits of time, people, and places that included writing and vocal contributions by his children Leon and Wesley, in addition to old friends Simon Hanson (Fluffers/reunited Squeeze drummer) and Dennis Greaves (Nine Below Zero, also Glenn’s compatriot in the side project band The Cooperative).
Anyone who has witnessed Glenn on the live stage can relate to his ready wit, raucous vibes, and a shed load of grin-inducing great songs. Few musicians can connect with their audience on such an immediate and warm level. The ever-burgeoning festival circuit is frequently enriched by Tilbrook the troubadour, whether he be leafing through the plentiful back catalog of Squeeze or dashing off impromptu audience requests ranging from Jimi Hendrix to Tony Orlando & Dawn and all points in between.
Glenn is taking a short break from his studio, where he is currently working on two new Squeeze albums due in 2026 and doing a handful of solo shows, the first since 2022.
LEON TILBROOK
Leon Tilbrook literally grew up on tour. The son of Squeeze frontman Glenn Tilbrook, Leon made his major festival debut at age five, accompanying his dad on bongos at Glastonbury. By the time he turned eleven he had shared the stage with Glenn in the U.K., U.S., and Japan; mastered pretty much any instrument that came to hand; and begun to develop a powerful voice all his own.
From there on in, everything fell into place like the elements of a finely crafted hit. Leon began writing his own material in 2012; underwent total immersion at the BRIT School (where he met the first members of his achingly talented backing band, Beautiful Landing) from 2017 to 2021; and put out his first EP in 2024. Throughout, he has been building a devoted following for his live shows in London (Notting Hill Arts Club; Half Moon Putney; Windmill, Brixton), New York (City Winery; Stephen Talkhouse), Nashville (Ryman Auditorium) and L.A. (Hotel Café).
On stage Leon blooms, with wit and charisma that make crowds fall in love at first song. His lyrical, layered tunes dig deep and wide into the past, referencing everything from indie rock and jazz to country and electronica. But the result is something entirely new: a signature brand of chamber pop that spans the emotional spectrum from infectious, sing-along enthusiasm to searching, honest introspection: “I can easily feel like the world’s about to end,” says Tilbrook, “when really I just need a slap in the face. The best way I’ve found to cope with that is to get it off my chest and into a song.
