An ‘80s rock band has announced a new tour, less than two weeks after a classic era member’s death.
Squeeze, the London-based group best known for the 1981 hit song “Tempted,” will kick off a UK arena tour in November 2026. Special guest Billy Bragg will open the concerts, including a hometown show at The O2.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 28, via Ticketmaster and StubHub. Fans in England and Europe can get presale access by pre-ordering Squeeze’s upcoming album, “Trixies.”
“Trixies,” Squeeze’s first new studio release since 2017, is a concept album coming out March 3, 2026. The LP will feature songs written by Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford when they were teenagers in 1974, nearly five years before Squeeze’s self-titled debut was released with producer John Cale in 1978.
Tilbrook and Difford said they recently rediscovered the first cassette they made for the “Trixies” songs. They decided to record them and officially release them with bassist Owen Biddle producing.
Tilbrook and Difford, who both play guitar and provide vocals, co-founded the New Wave/rock/power-pop band Squeeze in 1974. The lineup has changed many times over the years, with notable members like keyboardist Jools Holland, bassist Harri Kakoulli, drummer Paul Gunn and current percussionist Steve Smith (of Dirty Vegas “Days Go By” fame).
Former Squeeze drummer Gilson Lavis died earlier this month at age 74. He joined the band in 1975 and played on all of the band’s first 10 albums, released from 1978 to 1991.
Lavis performed on Squeeze’s biggest hits, including “Tempted,” “Up the Junction,” “Cool for Cats,” “Pulling Mussels (From the Shell),” “Black Coffee in Bed,” “Take Me I’m Yours” and “Hourglass.” “Tempted,” one of the few Squeeze songs with Paul Carrack as lead singer, was also remixed in 1994 for the “Reality Bites” soundtrack and featured in multiple video games, TV shows (like “The Office”) and commercials for Burger King and Heineken.
Lavis was reportedly fired from Squeeze in 1992 due to issues with alcoholism. He later performed with Holland in the Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.
“I was heartbroken to hear that Gilson had passed away, he gave so much to our music down the years. His playing was the deep thread that kept our verses and choruses firmly on the tapestry of our Squeeze journey,” Difford said in a Nov. 7 tribute. “Off stage in recent years he inspired me in so many ways with his gentle supportive nature, a dear listening friend who introduced me to the sober side of the street. Gilson’s drumming will be heard upstairs in the other place tonight and the angels will dance and sing the dressing room full of stories. I send my love and prayers to his family.”
“Gilson was a hero to me and to all of us when he brought his knowledge to a young band. He absolutely propelled us like rocket fuel,” Tilbrook added. “He was so great and inventive, there is no one else like him. My thoughts are with his family.“
Difford and Tilbrook plan to perform new songs from “Trixies” along with classic Squeeze songs on the new tour.
“The reaction to the 50th anniversary tour in 2024 was amazing. We have never sounded better, and it feels really special to be looking forward to playing the biggest headline shows of our career,” Tilbrook said in a statement.
“It’s going to be amazing to show off songs from our album ‘Trixies’ and, of course, all the hits and some surprises,” Difford added. “I’m also excited that Billy Bragg will be joining us for all the shows.”
Squeeze “Tried, Tested & Trixies” 2026 tour dates
Nov. 12 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Nov. 13 – Opera House, Blackpool
Nov. 14 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Nov. 16 – O2 City Hall, Newcastle
Nov. 17 – Stockton Globe, Stockton
Nov. 19 – Connexin Live, Hull
Nov. 20 – First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds
Nov. 21 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Nov. 23 – O2 Apollo, Manchester
Nov. 26 – The O2, London
Nov. 27 – Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Nov. 28 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Nov. 30 – Swansea Building Society Arena, Swansea
Dec. 1 – Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth
Dec. 4 – Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth
Dec. 5 – Brighton Centre, Brighton
