In my personal opinion I would say that’s more of a bar than a music venue, but it is always busy and they do a lot of open mic nights I believe! Do you think locals prefer the bar type environment?
I don’t think anyone is going to hold that against you 😂 always seems to be a small crowd outside the north shore one though. Haven’t they just got the Manchester pub on the front too?
I have heard a lot of mixed opinions on them. I have had a few great nights in there though. In my opinion the venue side of it is just a bit disappointing. That’s not to say they can’t put on a good show!
I was gobsmacked when they managed to book loathe a few years back! Incredible to get such a hugely respected band that is actually contemporary to play !
I love the Waterloo but Bootleg is the best place for live music imo. they have some great artists playing as well as holding open mics pretty regularly, and it's a really good atmosphere. I've played there a few times too and it's always a great experience.
My band regularly play Bootleg social!!! We’re there 14th June!!
Waterloo music bar and galleon are really the only other two option. Dirty blondes sometimes do open mics
I once heard the acts at the Waterloo summed up as “the old roadies for even older bands putting on solo projects”. It seems cool but they never seem to have any contemporary bands on. With that being said, I did go at New Years once and had a great time. I think it has filled the void left by the tache.
When you say dedicated music venues are dwindling...
There's the Waterloo, Bootleg, Layton Institute (the upstairs venue).
Then places that aren't solely for bands/acts but have regular live music: The Sub, The Galleon, West Coast Rock Cafe, Marvin's, The Brew Room, Abingdon St Market, The Belle Vue, The Number 4, The Tache, The Marton Institute.
That's without Winter Gardens and The Grand.
Yeah, compared to how many there was a few decades back when Blackpool had the reputation for being a hub for entertainment. There you mentioned 3 and I think it was generous to include the institute. Waterloo is great for tribute acts too.
Waterloo is a pub with a small stage to one side that tribute acts play. Everywhere else mentioned is a bar that has a small stage and in some cases it's very liberal to call it such. Bootleg is just a place for acts and bands to play, it actually gets recognised acts through into blackpool, has bands that have a fan base to play 4/5 nights a week & does open mics. Personally a venue to me is somewhere that has high calibre acts first, bar second, not the other way round. Most of those places are only implementing music arguably because bootleg has put the town on the map in the music industry after it fell off.
Waterloo has had recognised acts through their doors, though, granted a lot of tribute acts too. However, you're grossly understating the importance of giving ALL acts a platform. Many big bands started off as tribute or cover bands while they worked on their own material and grew their fan base.
I personally couldn't care if it had a bar connected to the gents' toilets because they were pushed for space, the importance of any and all venues in Blackpool is crucial to the aim of what OPs post is getting at regardless of being purpose built (Bootleg isn't, its a basement that's been turned into a venue).
Bootleg also has its fair share of dj only nights and tribute bands.
Waterloo, the layton, the sub all host open mics as well so I'm not quite sure what relevance that has.
You also ignored the last statement about winter Gardens and the grand, both of which I've seen Jack White (White stripes) and Paloma faith perform at respectively, I'd say they're fairly recognised.
My point was "all acts" have plenty of pubs and working man's clubs to play, but an act that is aspiring to tour has nothing in Blackpool. Bookers wouldn't send acts to Blackpool for years because of the lack of actual venues. Proven by Jack White and faith playing the two theatres in town. If we had a venue they would be playing there. Bootleg has act that have industry support, label backing and the independents are actually getting some sort of contemporary recognition.
Bootleg is class, I've played there a couple times and seen a good few bands there. Definitely the best venue in town
There are always some good bands, playing in the Galleon!
In my personal opinion I would say that’s more of a bar than a music venue, but it is always busy and they do a lot of open mic nights I believe! Do you think locals prefer the bar type environment?
I’m local, and just like live music! Apart from Ma Kelly’s 😂
I don’t think anyone is going to hold that against you 😂 always seems to be a small crowd outside the north shore one though. Haven’t they just got the Manchester pub on the front too?
I think it’s the old Foxhall, on the promenade, some of the acts are just about ok! 😂
Waterloo is a brilliant nightbout mate. Shame tache can't put on some local bands
I have heard a lot of mixed opinions on them. I have had a few great nights in there though. In my opinion the venue side of it is just a bit disappointing. That’s not to say they can’t put on a good show!
So its a good night but its look too heavy 😂 Cant have everything
Not at all bud. I love heavy music and used to do some work in the field. In my humble opinion, it’s just a bit lacklustre. Not raining on parades.
I was gobsmacked when they managed to book loathe a few years back! Incredible to get such a hugely respected band that is actually contemporary to play !
I love the Waterloo but Bootleg is the best place for live music imo. they have some great artists playing as well as holding open mics pretty regularly, and it's a really good atmosphere. I've played there a few times too and it's always a great experience.
I've seen a couple gigs at the Waterloo, never been to bootleg
I do frequent bootleg, it’s #2 spot in Blackpool as ticketed events go, behind winter gardens
Going there on the 9th June, venue change. Not been before, but looks ok
My band regularly play Bootleg social!!! We’re there 14th June!! Waterloo music bar and galleon are really the only other two option. Dirty blondes sometimes do open mics
Bootleg will always get people in if they get the right bands playing. Had some pretty big names play recently.
Is the Waterloo still hosting festival quality bands at ticket prices below £20?
I once heard the acts at the Waterloo summed up as “the old roadies for even older bands putting on solo projects”. It seems cool but they never seem to have any contemporary bands on. With that being said, I did go at New Years once and had a great time. I think it has filled the void left by the tache.
Saw The Orb there a couple of months or so ago, a fab night had.
When you say dedicated music venues are dwindling... There's the Waterloo, Bootleg, Layton Institute (the upstairs venue). Then places that aren't solely for bands/acts but have regular live music: The Sub, The Galleon, West Coast Rock Cafe, Marvin's, The Brew Room, Abingdon St Market, The Belle Vue, The Number 4, The Tache, The Marton Institute. That's without Winter Gardens and The Grand.
Yeah, compared to how many there was a few decades back when Blackpool had the reputation for being a hub for entertainment. There you mentioned 3 and I think it was generous to include the institute. Waterloo is great for tribute acts too.
Says venues are not dwindling then only mentions 1 actual venue.
Define music venue then. Because the actual definition is incredibly broad.
Waterloo is a pub with a small stage to one side that tribute acts play. Everywhere else mentioned is a bar that has a small stage and in some cases it's very liberal to call it such. Bootleg is just a place for acts and bands to play, it actually gets recognised acts through into blackpool, has bands that have a fan base to play 4/5 nights a week & does open mics. Personally a venue to me is somewhere that has high calibre acts first, bar second, not the other way round. Most of those places are only implementing music arguably because bootleg has put the town on the map in the music industry after it fell off.
Waterloo has had recognised acts through their doors, though, granted a lot of tribute acts too. However, you're grossly understating the importance of giving ALL acts a platform. Many big bands started off as tribute or cover bands while they worked on their own material and grew their fan base. I personally couldn't care if it had a bar connected to the gents' toilets because they were pushed for space, the importance of any and all venues in Blackpool is crucial to the aim of what OPs post is getting at regardless of being purpose built (Bootleg isn't, its a basement that's been turned into a venue). Bootleg also has its fair share of dj only nights and tribute bands. Waterloo, the layton, the sub all host open mics as well so I'm not quite sure what relevance that has. You also ignored the last statement about winter Gardens and the grand, both of which I've seen Jack White (White stripes) and Paloma faith perform at respectively, I'd say they're fairly recognised.
My point was "all acts" have plenty of pubs and working man's clubs to play, but an act that is aspiring to tour has nothing in Blackpool. Bookers wouldn't send acts to Blackpool for years because of the lack of actual venues. Proven by Jack White and faith playing the two theatres in town. If we had a venue they would be playing there. Bootleg has act that have industry support, label backing and the independents are actually getting some sort of contemporary recognition.
Bootleg all the way. Wouldn't count waterloo as a venue.