Live Review : Springfest at The Waterloo Music Bar in Blackpool on April 20th 2024

It’s April, the sun is shining and we’re back in Blackpool and that can only mean one thing.  Springfest is back in town for a second round, with another impressive roster of bands old and new carefully curated from across the UK rock scene. 

Crooked Revival play what they describe as “brutal blues” and as such they are at the much rockier end of the blues spectrum; they have a singer with a voice both soulful and powerful (often within the space of the same song) and big choruses underpinned by massive riffs and luscious keys.  For an opening band they have a strong enough sound and delivery to pull a sizeable crowd away from the bar and the merch stand, by doing what every opener should do, and playing like they’re the headliner.  As a result, they manage to get a few folks moving and grooving which is no small feat at 3.30 in the afternoon. ‘Sacrifice’ is a mid-tempo throbbing beast of a tune with impeccable soloing, whilst ‘Back to Freedom’ is a riotous romp of power and attitude, a swirling keyboard intro, throbbing bass and impassioned vocals that certainly makes ears perk up around the venue.  By the close of their set more and more have joined the burgeoning crowd to witness Crooked Revival deliver an emphatic and impressive start to the day. 

By contrast Unknown Refuge’s is a more modern flavour of rock.  Heavier and tougher in style and sound than some of the bands on today’s bill, there’s a lot to love in what they do.  Latest single ‘Spearhead A Revolution’, displays this perfectly with its crashing China cymbals and thick overwhelming sound, it’s a pounding call to arms and although an evolution of their sound, still boasts a solo that initially seems straight out of the NWOBHM playbook (no bad thing) before morphing into something altogether fresher and more contemporary.  On guitar Jack throws out a cavalcade of inspired riffs and guitar lines, and with head thrown back and bathed in red light, is the epitome of a young guitar hero, dispensing flicks, tricks and runs with aplomb.  It’s a powerhouse display of confidence and intent, raised still higher by the inclusion of a crowd-pleasing cover of ‘Creeping Death’, (although I’m not quite sure what late afternoon passersby will make of a chant of “die, die, die” emanating from the bowels of the Waterloo!). And although a technical problem necessitates a quick change from the set list - with ‘Journey’ being replaced by ‘Shadows’ – this doesn’t derail them for a second as the set accelerates to a stunning conclusion with the always wonderful ‘To the Light’. Unknown Refuge’s juxtaposition of contrasting styles, mining the best of the old and the new, continues to make them a dynamic and exciting prospect and with a new single due in a matter of weeks the future certainly looks bright for these young guys. 

There’s something decidedly old-school about the brilliantly named Heartbreak Remedy, the Cumbrian three piece boasts a delightfully retro feel that evidently has huge appeal as the crowd swells to the largest it’s been so far.  Their latest album “Let the Good Times Roll” - from which we get a number of choice cuts today - very much seems to be the band’s manifesto.  They’re here for a good time not a long time and make the most of the time they do have, working hard to lift the crowd, who in turn seem to love them for their efforts and repay them with a suitably enthusiastic response.  Whether it be the infectious ‘Rock Me’, the meatier charms of ‘Working Man Blues’ or the propulsive ‘White Line Suicide’, there is an engaging charm to Heartbreak Remedy, that only the hardest hearted would be able to resist. We get the first proper singalong of the day and before we know it the set is over, leaving the crowd wanting more.  Don’t know about a remedy for heartbreak, but judging by this set and the reaction from the Springfest crowd they’re a definitely a remedy to soothe the rock n roll soul in us all. 

Intensity.  That’s the word the comes to mind to describe Molly Karloff; another trio but radically different than the one who preceded them, led by the wickedly suave and tailored (pin-striped trousers reminiscent of the much-missed Pete Way) Simon Gee on lead guitar and vocals they deliver a very different sound from the others on today’s bill.  But that’s the beauty of an event like Springfest, to experience music that might otherwise pass you by and maybe discover a new favourite along the way.  It’s a refreshing change of style and pace, showing the variety that Springfest offers, with many of the audience apparently Molly Karloff “virgins” and seeing them for the first time.  It’s a punchy, aggressive, at times staccato, alt-rock vibe that Molly Karloff deliver, making them stand out from the other bands today. ‘The Other Side’ for instance, boasts a formidable groove that sticks in the head driven by a fabulous funky bass line that throbs and swings all at the same time.  It may be a little left-field but going off this performance Molly Karloff definitely made some friends today and left the Waterloo with more fans than ever having fallen for their charms…  

The third in today’s trio of trios, A’Priori are certainly a band who inspire passion, as can be heard from the roar of appreciation that goes up when they take to the stage, indicative of the love for these local heroes in the Waterloo.  At this point, having seen A’Priori many times over the last twelve months and having reviewed them more than once, I’m beginning to run out of superlatives to describe the band.  This time round they’ve changed up the set list a little but it’s still a perfectly judged performance; A’Priori never give less then their all and tonight is no exception. The irresistible singalong fun of Na Na Na Na has everyone in the place singing along, with surely even the most reluctant unable to resist its delights. ‘Wasted Years’ is a thing of lean beauty, dramatic and epic, pushing the energy levels ever higher; there’s no need of Tony on lead vocals to ask the crowd to get involved, as hands go up unbidden and stay there for the rest of the set. This is a band that exudes real star quality, from Tony’s outrageously cool guitar and impassioned vocals, to Mouse at the back, all flailing limbs and thunderous and impeccably complex rhythms, with Marks dazzling keys an integral part of what makes A’priori so unique. ‘Shotgun Blues’ brings the set to a breathless close and with the tantalising prospect of new material with an album due in September, surely bigger and better things are within their grasp…watch this space… 

Sons of Liberty are the perfect band for a Saturday night bringing the Southern Rock party to Springfest in gloriously riotous fashion.  Never having seen the band before I was unprepared for the sheer upbeat joy of their performance. From the second they take to stage, to the closing notes of ‘Ruby Starr’ this is a colourful, engaging, life-affirming set of the highest order.   There are cowboy hats, there are bandanas, there’s singalongs, clapalongs, at one point vocalist Russ Grimmett sings from the middle of crowd, at another we were all improbably singing “give me alligator” (yes, really) and do you know what, it was absolutely wonderful! But all the antics in the world can’t make up for a lack of good tunes, but that’s not something Sons of Liberty need to worry about as tonight’s set is a masterclass of strong songwriting, gorgeous melodies and fantastic musicianship, with over half of the set culled from their most recent album, “The Detail is in the Devil”. 

If your taste runs to the Southern, they’re surely can’t be many better purveyors of that craft on this side (or even possibly the other) of the Atlantic.  Part way through their set, they play a song called ‘Damaged Reputation’, well tonight damaging their reputation is the last thing the band could be accused of; quite the contrary, they sealed it as one of the most ferociously entertaining bands that you could wish to see. Sublime. 

Collateral is the band that many of the assembled masses have come to see and as you would expect they rise to those expectations, putting in a polished and high energy performance.  Angelo Tristan is the beating heart of the band, every inch the rock star, bare chested in black leather, a charismatic frontman with fantastic vocals he owns the stage absolutely. Another band with an imminent album release (entitled “Should’ve Known Better”), Collateral show off some of the new tracks, firstly with the magnificently moody ‘Glass Sky’. But when Angelo grabs an acoustic guitar for a stunning version of the powerfully emotive ‘On the Long Road’ (only released the day previous) it’s a major set highlight. A delicate moment of introspection in amongst the big rock tracks, it shows an emotional maturity in the songwriting, and a genuine honesty and vulnerability, with truly heartfelt lyrics that most of us can sadly empathise with… 

One of the many weapons in Collateral’s arsenal is the strength of their catalogue and ‘Mr Big Shot’, ‘Sin in the City’ and ‘Merry Go Around’ are just a few of the winning tracks that the Springfest crowd are treated to in tonight’s winning performance.  And whilst Angelo is the focal point of proceedings, he’s surrounded by a talented band of musicians of impeccable skill who ensure that this material gets the treatment it deserves and they certainly do it justice. But as the evening draws to a close, it can only be the fabulous ‘Midnight Queen’ that ends the night, bringing the curtain down on both Collateral’s set and Springfest in a suitably upbeat and dynamic fashion.    

It’s amazing how quickly time passes; it seems like only moments before that the first band were getting up on stage but now it’s nearly midnight, nine hours have passed and we’re all exhausted and exhilarated in equal measure.  In only its second year Springfest delivered triumphantly on all counts, building on the success of its inaugural outing and providing another welcome showcase for the cream of the UK rock scene, with something to suit almost every taste.  An event with a true community feeling, Springfest is what happens when you mix great music, a great venue and great people, in so doing creating something rather special indeed.  Here’s hoping it continues for years to come and becomes a fixture on the calendars for all discerning rock fans…. 

Check “In The Flesh” for photo galleries!
Collateral, Sons Of Liberty, A’Priori, Molly Karloff, Heartbreak Remedy, Unknown Refuge, Crooked Revival