KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
Saturday the 6th of April
Review and photographs by Linda McDermott
The Mayor’s festival enters its ninth year and runs across three days in KK’s Steel Mill and the Giffard Arms in Wolverhampton. This festival has grown in reputation over the years and raises a lot of money for local charities through music. This year they have some amazing and exceptional groups to help raise funds.
Everything kicked off on Friday night with three bands playing a warmup gig to ease everyone into the festival. Pete K Mally was compere for the weekend and introduced Alabama Crow, Apriori and The Soul Revival, all bands getting a great reception from the eighty or so people gathered in the small but perfectly formed Giffard Arms. If this was a sign of what’s to come, it was going to be a fantastic weekend.
Saturday
After such a great start from the bands who played last night, I was ready for a full day of live rock music at KK’s. There were seven bands on the main stage, so there was plenty to keep me occupied.
In order of appearance:
Jayler
New Saints
Voodoo Sioux
The Hot One Two
She Burns Red
The Hot Damn
Terrorvision
Jayler
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Jayler as three of the band came out and took their places on the stage…… then out runs the singer like a hyper cocker spaniel puppy and raises the energy level in the venue just by doing that. They played classic rock songs that were polished and crafted, with intense guitar riffs that added depth to their music. Formed in 2022 it is evident that Jayler are on a mission for greater things, and I have the feeling they will succeed if this gig is anything to go by. Look out for them as they are supporting Kira Mac on her UK tour.
Video
Take Me Home https://youtu.be/ZiRTt53_H8o?si=JHXum6jzXsKk5RsK
New Saints
Local band New Saints are another band I’ve not seen before, but I like to get a first impression of a band when I hear them play live and I wasn’t disappointed one little bit as they played a cracking set. Playing all the songs from their new EP which came out in February called ‘Resonate’ they had me bopping about to the whole of
their set with its uptempo punchy beat. New Saints are a band I will be looking out for in the future. Check out the EP on the usual platforms, see if you agree!
Video
Resonate https://youtu.be/7P2hY_oUB2g?si=uepU8r0EEeRXmKYa
Not forgetting what this whole event is about the Mayor took to the stage to thank Doddy White and his band of warriors, as well as all the bands and the owners of KK’s who all helped make the event run smoothly.
There were three charities this event was supporting, ‘Wings and Paws’ an animal rescue centre, ‘Give Us A Break’ an organisation who help disabled young people and their families, and ‘The Haven’ who have been running for 50 years and support woman and children against domestic abuse and homelessness.
Then it was back to the music…..
Voodoo Sioux
The third band who took to the stage was Voodoo Sioux and just like the two previous bands they were on a mission to entertain KK’s growing crowd of rockers. As well as a powerful performance that had me captivated, I was transfixed by the bass player who commanded my attention with his theatrical poses and facial expressions, adding flair to the band’s energetic presence.
This is turning out to be a day full of high energy bands and I’m loving every single minute of it.
Video
Running on Empty https://youtu.be/Wh9iEb1XcTQ?si=yqr7-UlRW-jstMmx
Acoustic stage.
Not only was there a main stage but there was also a small acoustic stage set up next door. This meant that there was continuous performances from start to finish and I managed to catch a couple of the sets played.
Slyder Smith always delivers and today was no exception as he sang his own songs as well as some recorded with the ‘Oblivion Kids’ to a 200 strong crowd.
Next up was Waking the Angels who, on this occasion were, Biff, Mike and Greg. They have great charisma that captures the whole essence of playing music live, they just have a way of radiating that enjoyment out from the stage. Looking around there was a lot of smiling faces, which had nothing to do with them throwing out Easter eggs, I don’t think! Unfortunately, Mike Deely’s jokes were terrible, but probably just slightly better than Pete K Mally’s, so thank goodness Mike can sing!
In order of appearance:
Retsecrows
Slyder Smith
Waking the Angels
White Skies
Alabama Crow
Buzzsaw Radio
The Hot One Two
These five guys are gathering fans by the day as their reputation for putting on a show grows. They enter the stage shouting ‘hey, hey, hey’, that starts everyone repeating it back to them. This is a masterclass of how you get the crowd’s attention, with all eyes firmly focused on the stage they launch into their first high spirited song. Nick, Kev, Simon, Nick and Joe fill the stage with their energetic show, as they played all the songs from their brilliant Superbia album.
Their enthusiasm is contagious, and I just got caught up in their foot-stomping lively set. If you’re heading to the Stonedead festival this year, make sure you catch them opening up proceedings.
Set List
Playing With Fire
Bleed On Me
God Forsaken Blues
Demon Daze
You’ve Got Me
The Fray
Rolling Stone
Neon Move and Shake
Feeling Good
Is It Hot
Tie Me Down
Video
The Fray https://youtu.be/VpMAfUbd9N4?si=Wvx2gx2GeQr9LT3–
She Burns Red
Going by the amount of people wearing their tee-shirts and hoodies, She Burns Red had brought the whole clan down from Scotland to join their English fans at the front of the barrier. Playing all the songs from their phenomenal debut album ‘Out of Darkness’ as well as playing what will be their next single ‘What are you waiting for?’ (release date 17th May) the crowd were like putty in Scott, Naz, James and Andy’s hands. Their thirteen song set was over way to quickly for my liking. This band are growing in stature every time I see them, so if you’ve not seen this band play live, they will be headlining at KK’s on the 24th of October, so catch them then if you can.
Set List
Touch
Rise and Fall
Stronger
Copernicus Fall
Heavy is the Head
Maelstrom
Killing Time
Crosshairs
What Are You Waiting For?
Run
It’s So Easy
Crack the Sky
Out of Darkness
Video
Heavy is the Head https://youtu.be/ErsFC4FfCgI?si=tllKl8JgTOWG0slF
The Hot Damn
The penultimate band before Terrorvision took to the stage and just radiated warmth and energy with their diverse coloured outfits which I felt mirrored their individuality. Not only that, but they are also accompanied onto the stage by two very large inflatable unicorns, what’s not to like about that?
They kick off their set with a couple of great tracks from their EP which was released in December last year. I loved ‘Dance Around’ with its harmonies and melodies; it just had a great boppy pop feel to it that was hard to resist moving too. Listening to the whole set, they just provoked summertime vibes for me, that and their fun stage presence had me hooked.
Set List
Fizz Buzz Crash
Dance Around
About Last Night
Can You Hear Me Now
Jukebox on the Radio
Loud & Clear
Damn, Damn, Damn, Damn
Automatic
Live, Laugh, Love
Merch Song
Going Down
I Didn’t Like You Anyway
Video
Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! https://youtu.be/3HWy64-2Q3o?si=7Uiw4xqDSzCdNnog
Terrorvision
What can I say about Terrorvision? This band are just pure unadulterated entertainment, with stage presence that had me exhausted just watching Tony bounce around like he was on a pogo stick, (remember them?) They have so many hits under their belts, from this millennium and for the last, that have everyone singing along.
With everyone on stage wearing something pink they pulled out hit after hit including the likes of ‘Tequila’, ‘Alice What’s the Matter’, ‘Oblivion and ‘Whales and Dolphins’ and with everyone knowing at least the chorus, the place was jumping and in party mood. I couldn’t believe it when they walked off stage at the end of their set, surely that wasn’t ninety minutes? I had only one thing to say after that and it was “we want more, we want more!”
Set List
Pretend Best Friend
Da Ya Wanna Go Faster
American TV
Stop The Bus
If I Was You
My House
Enter Alter Ego
Problem Solved
Dog Chewed The Handle
Tequila
The Night That Lemmy Died
Alice What’s The Matter
Some People Say
Alone
Come Home Beanie
Babylon
Oblivion
Celebrity Hit List
Middleman
Discotheque Wreck
Josephine
Perseverance
Video
D’Ya Wanna Go Faster? https://youtu.be/giFnAKVB860?si=VEvNxu5c8birNyH6
So that was my first of many Mayor Festivals in Wolverhampton and what a festival it was. I honestly couldn’t have asked for more. The organisers must be so proud of what they have achieved, not only for the charities but with supporting and promoting all these amazing bands. Well done to all concerned, and I’ll see you next year.
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