VENUE – The Waterloo, Blackpool
DATE – 2nd April 2026
Words and Pictures – Graeme Wright
Another Thursday were the opening act for Ward XVI at The Waterloo in Blackpool and they were a totally new outfit to me. They operate out of Blackpool itself so this was a home town gig, and the fact that the venue was already busy when they hit the stage early doors proved how well thought of they are in these here parts.
They play an aggressive form of Heavy Rock, but never lose sight of ensuring that melody and accessibility are the order of the day for their material, with the high quality of their musicianship being the icing on the cake. A couple of musicians were here as deputies for the evening but you would have never known because they were incredibly tight, and even the odd technical issue on the night didn’t faze the band and they delivered an excellent set from start to finish.
Gabrielle Cross is a hugely confident and immensely talented vocalist and she led the line superbly tonight, with the ability to turn her hand to virtually any vocal style as required. Guitar work was exquisite and the deputising back line ensured things thundered along nicely. I always love a band that use keyboards and Laura Walmsley was fantastic tonight, adding massively to an already large and expansive sound that hugely impressed on the evening.
The band are due to release their debut album soon, and tonight’s set was made up of songs from that forthcoming opus. Opening song ‘Euphoria’ begins proceedings impressively, with Another Thursday hitting the ground running straight out of the blocks. ‘Shades Of Charcoal’ is tremendous. A touch of blues around the vocal is juxtaposed by a hugely heavy back line and a screaming lead guitar break that is the chefs kiss to an impressive song that has this crowd rocking to the max.
Highlights tonight included ‘Divergent’, an intense and moody song that builds insistently to its firecracker of a finale. ‘Raindrops’ ends the show and is a complex and tricky song that indicates the talent on display here. Speaking to people after the show, it was clear that Another Thursday had impressed everyone this evening, and I suspect we will see them back at this venue sooner rather than later. In the meantime track down their album when it’s released, you won’t regret it.
Setlist
1. Euphoria
2. Divergent
3. Momma
4. Nothing But Now
5. Nobody Wants You
6. Shades Of Charcoal
7. Leave It Behind
8. Raindrops
Band Members
Gabrielle Cross – Vocals
Luis Gutarra – Guitar
Laura Walmsley – Keyboards
Deputies
Ben Cross – Bass
Matt Longshaw – Drums
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