Concert review: Paul Heaton and Squeeze, Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Both acts could be described as clever pop - lyrically intricate and as catchy as they come.

It also isn't often that a support act receives a standing ovation, but that is what happened at the end of former Beautiful South frontman Heaton's 40-minute warm up.

The Hull singer, who brought his 8th musical drama to Birmingham's modest St Paul's Church earlier this year, revelled on the bigger stage.

He is a fantastic singer and songwriter, as illustrated by the wonderfully dramatic Dumb and frantic classic Me and the Farmer towards the end of his set. But it was the acapella version of Caravan of Love that really brought the crowd to its feet.

It is the one song from his back catalogue that he consistently resurrects, and stripped back to basics it works a treat.

Glenn Tilbrook hasn't aged as well as Heaton. He looked every bit his middle age and wore an appalling suit and lime green shoes.

But the effortless voice is still there and Squeeze rattled through a set of hits, with the odd album track and new material worked in.

It was a little self-indulgent and workmanlike at times, but the performance came to life with the intense Slap and Tickle and poignant Some Fantastic Place.

After a clever unplugged Tempted and Labelled with Love, the night ended at a pace with classics including Hourglass, Cool for Cats and Up The Junction.

And the band exited in style, performing Goodbye Girl as they wandered through the audience en route to the bar.

By Stuart Filmer