In years gone by, The Star, at the south end of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, was one of the best music venues in the area. All year round you could guarantee to see some of the best local bands gracing the ample stage to rock the night away for anyone lucky enough to be there. The sheer size of the main room lent itself perfectly to bringing in the crowds while leaving enough room to get to the bar. I became a new fan of many of the artists that got to perform. It was a sad day for many when, due to various reasons, it was forced to close its doors and music had to find a new home. As Don McLean so eloquently put it, for this venue anyway, it was ‘the day the music died’.
I have often questioned whether the venue could be re-opened in some form, especially when you consider the current crop of new bands making their way on to the scene to top up the already amazing quality of the talent in the area.
Well, that day is almost upon us. July 4 2014 sees Apple and Parrot take over at The Star and open the doors once again to this fantastic entertainment venue. With a Friday night ‘In Live Music We Trust’ line up of Jess Allan, Lupa Tom and Mr Kurtis Reid & The Sessions, followed by Saturday’s ‘Main Event’ of Tamara Fox and Rupert Fabulous, this is one opening weekend that should not be missed.
And it gets better. Fridays and Saturdays will be band nights, bringing the best local talent. From 10 July, however, Thursday brings Jam Night which will see great opportunities for anyone to show their talents in a classic open mic arena. And what pub in Blackpool would be complete without the Parrot-oke on Sundays?
Whilst the Apple and Parrot at The Star will only be open until October, this is the chance for all the live music fans in the Fylde coast area to show that we need a venue like this. We need a place that can nurture the up and coming bands, a place that can give them a start on the road to fulfilling their dreams.
I can think of many local bands I would love to see perform here and many events that could take place here. I am counting the days until the doors open, the guitars are plugged in and the first power chords are struck that will signify that this iconic venue has returned.
Images courtesy of The Extra Third Photography
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