Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook of SQUEEZE. Photo by Chyrisse.CPT_4277 — Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook of SQUEEZE. Photo by Chyrisse.

By Vlad T, Journalist, Detroit and Chyrisse Tabone, Photographer, Tampa

Live Review: SQUEEZE with Adam Ant and Haircut 100 – The BayCare Sound, Clearwater, Florida – August 19, 2026

Pop craftsmanship of the highest order took center stage last night at The BayCare Sound in Clearwater, Florida, as Squeeze, Adam Ant, and Haircut One Hundred delivered an exhilarating, three-act masterclass in British new wave and sophisticated pop.

Nick Heyward and Les Nemes of HAIRCUT 100. Photo by Chyrisse.

Opening the evening, Haircut One Hundred set an infectious, celebratory tone right out of the gate. Their bright, brass-tinged, jazzy-flavored pop immediately roused the seated crowd to its feet. Energized renditions of early-’80s gems like “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” and the sunny, rhythm-driven “Love Plus One” served as a vibrant reminder of the group’s heyday, proving their buoyant hooks and tight arrangements remain as sharp and danceable as ever.

Adam Ant followed with a theatrical, high-octane performance. Backed by dual drumming and crunching guitars, Ant led his band through a spirited, tribal-beat-heavy set featuring iconic anthems such as “Antmusic,” “Stand and Deliver,” and “Goody Two Shoes.” Strutting across the waterfront stage with unmistakable swagger, Ant’s charismatic showmanship kept the venue buzzing.

When Squeeze took over the headlining slot, they wasted no time proving why their catalog remains peerless. Leading the charge, Glenn Tilbrook was in astonishing, ageless vocal form, hitting every soaring melodic leap with effortless clarity and warmth. Tilbrook’s guitar playing was equally first-rate, punctuating verses with crisp chord voicings and peeling off fluid, lyrical solos—notably during the kinetic, spiraling lines of “Another Nail in My Heart.”

The entire backing band operated with exquisite taste and dynamic control, seamlessly anchoring the sharp wit of Chris Difford’s lyrics. They brought rich, nuanced textures to evergreen favorites—including “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell),” “Up the Junction,” “Tempted,” and an extended, soulful “Black Coffee in Bed”—while executing selections from their recent release, Trixies, with equal finesse. Fresh cuts like “What More Can I Say,” “Hell on Earth,” and “The Place We Call Mars” locked into the set with natural authority, blending effortlessly alongside historic powerhouses like “Cool for Cats” and “Take Me I’m Yours.”

It was a triumphant night on the bay, defined by pristine musicianship, enduring songcraft, and unrelenting momentum from the opening chord to the final encore.