Live Review : Stone Broken + A'Priori @ The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on February 1st 2024

At the start of last year, I’d never seen A’Priori play live; by the time twelve months had rolled around I had seen them numerous times, and they ended 2023 as the band I had seen the most during the year. And whether filling a support slot, appearing on a festival bill or headlining their own shows, the one thing that is blindingly clear, is that regardless of the venue or event, A’Priori are a ferociously entertaining and excitingly dynamic live proposition. Something they proved once again tonight.

Live Review : Gin Annie + White Raven Down + A’Priori @ The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on May 19th 2023

It’s an unseasonably warm evening in Blackpool and if it’s hot outside, the temperature inside the Waterloo Music Bar, is through the roof, both literally and metaphorically.

An air raid siren intro announces the arrival of local heroes A’Priori to the stage, the first of the three bands that make up tonight’s bill. Boasting a somewhat unusual line-up configuration of guitar/vocals, drums and keyboard but no bass guitar, A’Priori ‘s sound is equal parts familiar and unusual all at the same time.

Live Review : The L.A. Maybe + A'Priori + Unknown Refuge @ Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on December 7th 2022

The small venue with the massive attitude serves as a worthy backdrop on this bitterly cold December evening. The L.A. Maybe are perhaps one of those bands you may or may not have heard of, and I confess to being one of them. A couple of You Tube videos later and I can report back being suitably impressed by this American quintet. One video, a beautiful power ballad called ‘When I’m Done’ blew me away. Apparently, the new singer is the old singer who doesn't sing that tune on the video. Would they play that tonight? I’m ready to find out.

Live Review : Kira Mac + A'priori + Dan Byrne @ The Waterloo Music Bar, Blackpool on November 24th 2022

Small correction to that third name actually, as tonight the banner on stage tells us we are watching Dan Byrne featuring… well let me explain… Last year we saw Myke Gray (Skin, Jagged Edge) make something of a comeback in what was meant to be his final year of touring. Dan Byrne helped him out alongside his day job in Revival Black, and was very much a bit player (albeit a good one!) in Myke’s show. Now we have reached the stage where Dan has left Revival Black to embark on a solo career, and this run of shows with Kira Mac were going to be a toes-in-the-water time for him as a solo artist.