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. 

There is an alluring synergy in A’Priori’s sound and approach, where guitars, keyboards and drums come together in a distinctly unique sonic tapestry, at times beguiling and hypnotic, at others heavy and grooving.  In a trio there is nowhere to hide but these Blackpool boys have all the personality and panache (not to mention talent), both individually and as a unit to hold the crowd rapt, a particularly impressive feat when many may have been unfamiliar with the band before the opening track ‘Watch the World Burn’ grabs the uninitiated and demands their attention. 

In the greatest rock trios, each member has a distinct charisma that contributes to the overall magic of that band, and here in the Waterloo, home of Lemmy’s Bar, unsurprisingly one in particular comes to mind.  Think Lemmy, Philthy and Fast Eddie (or even at the other end of the musical spectrum, Geddy, Neil and Alex) and you immediately see them as not only exceptional musicians but also as fascinating characters in their own right.  Tony, Mouse and Mark follow in that grand tradition; whilst Tony on guitar and vocals - as the only member not tied to their instrument - is the most mobile, a whirlwind maelstrom of swirling hair, tasty guitar licks and rock star poses, Mouse is a fearsome presence on the drums, seemingly using every part of the kit (including the cowbell!), his intricate fills complementing the power, flair and attack of his performance.  Mark rounds out the triumvirate, completing the aural punch of the band with impeccably played and tasteful keys, impressively inked and poised over his ruby keyboard. 

Tonight’s is a surgical strike of a set, finely honed through relentless hard work and touring, it showcases everything that is special about the band, and as a consequence it is no surprise to hear the buzz around the venue about them that follows the conclusion of their set.  With album number three, “Voodoo Love” due in September, surely it is an inevitability that A’Priori make that deserved jump to the next level of success.  File under “Ones to Watch in 2024” … 

And if that success were to be measured by the size of the crowd that you draw and the devotion they inspire, then surely Stone Broken are already winning in the game of rock n roll. The venue is sold out, rammed to the gunnels with one of the biggest crowds I can recall, and on a cold Thursday night in February no less, a fact that vocalist and guitarist Rich Moss is quick to point out.  It’s a night of firsts, first gig of the year and first time for the band in Blackpool and the band seem delighted to not only be at the Waterloo, but playing to such a large and receptive number who seem equally delighted to be here. 

Opening with the title track from 2022’s “Revelation” album, Stone Broken waste no time in grabbing the captivated crowd from the off and rarely let go during the duration of their set. ‘Stay All Night’ and ‘Heartbeat Away’ follow in quick succession, each greeted with a deafening roar of appreciation and approval (as is every song tonight). The crowd feels like the fifth member of the band, bouncing back the energy coming from the stage and nailing the lyrics to pretty much every track. 

With Rich the centre of attention, flanked by the solid bass and guitar duo of Kieron Conroy and Chris Davis, and the propulsive kick of Robyn Haycock behind the kit, their stage presence is bolstered by additional lighting extra to the Waterloo’s own rig; vertical strobes and smoke cannons add to the feeling of this being a gig that is actually an arena show somehow shoehorned into a much smaller venue.  In fact, with Stone Broken, it feels like those wide-open arenas, with crowds as far as the eye can see must be where they are headed and is actually their natural environment – they certainly deliver a show with a fire and commitment that wouldn’t feel out of place in Wembley, Long Beach Arena or the Budokan to name but a few.   

Rich is an endearing frontman with an enviable ability to connect with each member of the audience and whilst his charm and relatability are surely a large part of the band’s appeal (and why so many have travelled so far to witness tonight’s gig) this can’t be the only reason that the band command such loyalty, as charisma can only get you so far. If you’ve not got the songs you’re not going to succeed, but Stone Broken have such a strong back catalogue, which is apparent across the tracks played across the ninety-minutes or so that they are on stage.  There is such a range of light and shade, heaviness side by side with melody and lyrical depth, that is the hallmark of both their set and the band in general, that make them so irresistible to many. 

With a set boasting sixteen (I think) songs, pace is all important but the band play it perfectly.  From the atmospheric and attention-grabbing opening, to audience pleasing T Shirt throwing antics and the powerful conclusion, the ebb and flow of the set is expertly judged.  This is never clearer than with those final three tracks; the coruscating guitars of ‘Worth Waiting For' swirling and chugging by turn, the driving ‘The Devil You Know' and the heavy groove of ‘Not Your Enemy' and before we know it, the band are gone, leaving the assembled Broken Army deliriously breathless and heading off into the night exhilarated and already looking forward to the next time… 

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Stone Broken, A’Priori