Squeeze have been through numerous line-ups since they first formed in 1974 - at one time counting both Jools Holland and Paul Carrack amongst their ranks.

But its beating heart has always been the brilliant song writing partnership of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook.

And that brilliance was clearly on show at The Ipswich Regent on Thursday night.

The band performed a selection of tracks from their new album “The Knowledge” along with a good sprinkling of old favourites – proving that a couple of hours in Squeeze’s company is a happy place to be.

A relaxed Ipswich audience spent the first hour of the gig enjoying the comfort of the Regent’s seats until Chris Difford suggested they might like ‘to get onto their feet to enjoy the music”.

Once up there was no stopping the band (or audience) as they tore through one great hit after another.

Tempted, Slap and Tickle, Take Me I’m Yours – all sounded fresh out of the box and It’s hard to believe some of the tracks are over thirty years old. Cool for Cats was imaginatively reworked using the percussive talents of the two drummers and Labelled with Love featured a sweet and plaintive harmonica solo provided by a member of Nine Below Zero. And throughout the evening you were reminded of what a great and unsung guitarist Glenn Tilbrook is – enhancing each song with his neat, efficient and precise solos.

Special mention should go to the very strong support from Nine Below Zero – sounding crisp, clean and with a great brass section - they played their very own, distinctive and robust version of R&B and were very well received by the Ipswich audience.

It added to the good-natured and relaxed atmosphere of the night that band members from Nine Below Zero took turns to support Squeeze on some of their songs later in the evening.

The audience played their part too, eager for the encore to begin; they broke into an impromptu chorus of the riff to Black Coffee in Bed which Squeeze dutifully played once they were back on stage.

Closing the show Glenn Tilbrook remarked, “Every day I have to pinch myself because I don’t believe I do this for a living - especially at my age”. He shouldn’t worry –a night out with Squeeze is to be in the safest pair of hands. Long may they continue.