Squeeze co-founder is set to play Theatreship on the Isle Of Dogs for Music Venue Trust’s Everywhere At Once festival, plus donate tour cash
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“Back in the day, access to venues and pubs was key for me in learning how to do what I do,” said Glenn Tilbrook, co-founder of Squeeze, who is set to play a gig in support of Theatreship on the Isle Of Dogs later this month.
“I wasn’t taught by anybody. I started out playing with Jools Holland in pubs in east and south-east London as well.
“We did that for a couple of years and it taught us a lot about communicating with people – there’s no real substitute for that experience.
“That’s where we got our training – how we got ourselves together to move on and climb the ladder.
“It’s why you need these spaces to do that work in – they’re so important, not just for musicians, but for people to come and access performances – for it not to be all about money.”
playing the festival
Glenn is set to perform alongside his son Leon at the venue as part of the Music Venue Trust’s Everywhere At Once festival, which will see more than 1,200 gigs take place from June 26-28, 2026, nationwide.
Thousands of artists are set to participate with the likes of Fatboy Slim, Becky Hill, Tinie Tempah, The Divine Comedy, Rizzle Kicks and many more all performing.
Glenn, who has fond memories of performing early in his career at The Waterman’s Arms – just down the Isle Of Dogs from Theatreship – is scheduled to perform on the Sunday evening.
“I’ll be playing with Leon, who has joined Squeeze,” said Glenn.
“He’s 23 now and a great musician.
“We’ll be playing a selection of his songs and mine – we’ve just finished a short tour, so we’re well-versed in performing together and we’re sounding great.
“I first went to Theatreship about two months ago and I was so impressed by what they’ve done with the space – the atmosphere is great and it has a lovely bar at the back.
“I think it’s important for people to recognise what venues like this bring to an area.
“They’re quirky, but they work so well.
“Theatreship is clearly a place people will come and be surprised by what you can do on a ship.
“Squeeze have played on boats – we did a cruise gig last year, which was interesting.
“We were only on board for one day between Florida and The Bahamas, where we got off.
“It was a small stage, but it seemed like there were thousands of people in the audience.”
how Glenn Tilbrook co-founded Squeeze
Born in Woolwich, Glenn grew up in Docklands, forming Squeeze after meeting Chris Difford via an advert posted in a shop window. Jools Holland also joined.
The band first found fame in the 1970s with albums such as Cool For Cats and Argybargy, with Glenn and Chris continuing their partnership to this day.
“Squeeze is having a bit of a moment in the sunshine and we’re relishing that,” said Glenn.
“We’ve got an album called Trixies out at the moment, which is a set of songs that Chris and I wrote when I was 16 and he was 19 in 1974.
“At the same time we did an album of new songs that will be coming out next year. I’m keen to prove that our chops are still intact and we’re still growing.
“The old songs really sound like they were written in 1974, and the influences in the songs were in the three years leading up to 1974.
“When you’re 16, you don’t have a lot of history, so we were listening to contemporary music at the time and that’s what we were absorbing.
“Now I’ve had a lifetime of going to see lots of different acts and I’m thrilled by it even now.
“I love the journey – it’s never-ending, it’s fantastic.
“This year we’re on tour in America and we have a lot of huge shows including one at The O2 Arena in Greenwich.
“Who would have thought that at this stage in our career more people would be coming to see us than ever?
“It feels really great and we’re a really tight, professional band – we sound fantastic.
“The reaction we get from audiences now is unlike anything we ever had, even from the beginning of our career.
“We were really exciting when we started out and we’re really exciting now, at the other end of my life.
“It’s wonderful to play locally. I have my studio just yards from the Thames in Charlton.
“I’ve always been around Greenwich, it’s where I grew up and I love it.
“I remember that there was a tradition among the people who worked in the dock and on the ships to sound the ship’s horn at midnight on New Year’s Eve, and it was a really thrilling noise.
“I also love what’s happened to Canary Wharf, which I can remember before anything was built, and I’m amazed at it – it’s a brilliant place.
“It was a big vision to develop that, and it’s ongoing – a really exciting place to be.
“What’s important is that it isn’t just on a monetary level.
“What places like Theatreship do is so good for people’s souls. I don’t think it’s too much to say that.
“It’s a place that brings people together, it’s so enriching.”
how Glenn Tilbrook is supporting Theatreship
Inigo Lapwood, Theatreship director said: “We’re so thrilled to be working with MVT for their Everywhere At Once festival.
“At the moment we’re sadly all too accustomed to hearing about grassroots music venues when they’re under threat of closing.
“We’ve lost almost a third of them nationwide over the last three years alone.
“The trust has worked tirelessly to try to stem that tide.
“At Theatreship we’ve been hugely grateful for that work – they’ve been instrumental in our own ongoing battles to stay afloat.
“Everywhere At Once is a great counterpoint to this narrative of loss – a nationwide celebration of the spaces that remain.
“We really appreciate this timely reminder that we’re not alone, that the UK is filled with passionate grassroots music venues showcasing incredible work, and that brilliant, inventive artists like Glenn can be found in them.
“Since opening Theatreship, we’ve been consistently amazed by the sheer depth of musical talent in London.
“From the upper decks of the ship you can see The O2 where Glenn will be playing later this year, but we’re absolutely certain that he won’t be the only artist currently performing on the grassroots music circuit who’ll be headlining stadium gigs in short order.”
key details: Glenn Tilbrook and Squeeze
Glenn And Leon Tilbrook are set to play Theatreship on June 28 at 7pm. Tickets cost £33, although the gig has now sold out.
Find out more about the venue here
The Everywhere At Once festival runs from June 26-28 with more than 1,200 gigs at 500-plus venues.
Squeeze (with support from Billy Bragg) are set to play The O2 Arena on November 26 at 6.30pm.
Tickets start at £47. Squeeze is donating £1 to support the trust from every ticket sold.
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