Kira Mac / KK’s Steel Mill / Wolverhampton

May 8

May 8 Kira Mac / KK’s Steel Mill / Wolverhampton

A trip back to my roots in the Black Country and a first visit to KK’s Steelmill in Wolverhampton to catch Kira Mac on her 2024 headline tour. I was really looking forward to this one. Kira is fast building a reputation as one of the hottest up and coming artists, AND KK’s, I’m told is the best venue in the Midlands for live rock…..

First up in support is Jayler, who are Line-up James Bartholomew (vocals & guitar), Tyler Arrowsmith (guitar), Ricky Hodgkiss (bass) and Ed Evans (drums). Only formed in in 2022 they are already becoming a tour de force on the live scene with their high-energy rock style.

Part way through the set James declares to the crowd that “we love the 70’s”. It’s a line that should be followed by the retort ‘no shit Sherlock’ lol. With his thick mop of curly hair, and open shirt waving in the breeze as he rushes round the stage they it’s the closest I’ll ever come to seeing Plant & Zep in their early 70’s prime. Favourite track of the set has to go to The Getaway….. brilliant !

Right from the opening chords of Acid Rain the intensity is off the scale. Its certainly old school 70’s rock but with a modern influence a la Greta Van Fleet. But Jayler are special…. Very special. The musical ability is second to none, and that voice ! James’ has an incredible, powerful range and can certainly hold a note ! The performance is simply mesmerising from start to finish and flashes by. As it comes to a close the power and intensity rises even more with stunning versions of Love Maker and The Rinsk.

Hugely entertaining, Jayler are most definitely one to watch.

Setlist

Acid Rain

No Woman

Down Below

When You Go

The Getaway

Love Maker

The Rinsk

Headliners Kira Mac. Formed by frontwoman Rhiannon Hill from Stoke on Trent, whilst studying in Manchester as recently as 2018. Already an accomplished writer and performer, Kira Mac have rapidly risen to prominence and are seen as one of the best up and coming rock artists around, with their straight-up old school blues rock riffs, but with a modern twist. They released their debut album “Chaos in Calling” in 2022.

The lights dim, and Tribute by Tenacious D rings out, and has the whole crowd singing along (badly in my case, but who cares !). The band rush out onto the stage full of energy and dive into Save Your Whiskey. Their sound has that rich blues rock feel, but a depth and element of soul in the vocals, and a big pinch of good old rock ‘n roll. The place is rocking !

We hurtle through Dead Man Walking, Chaos Is Calling and enjoy some new tracks in Play the Game, No Way Out and Scorned.

Rhiannon’s voice is outstanding. Powerful and emotive able to hold the audience’s attention throughout. There’s a couple of covers thrown in with Say Something (Justin Timberlake feat. Chris Stapleton) and a great version of the classic You Oughta Know (by Alanis Morissette on “Jagged Little Pill”) that has the crowd singing along again enthusiastically.

The band have a great togetherness and a natural interaction, and newest member Phil Williams on bass has fit in brilliantly, and is quite the showman, darting round the stage from side to side, pulling faces and entertaining the crowd.

The set comes to a close with Downfall and the excellent track One Way Ticket.

Kira has a relaxing presence on stage, despite the power of her voice, and a sense of humour. The whole band come over as loving every second of being on stage together doing what they do. There is also a modesty and genuine sense of humbleness to the band. I love that this tour ends with its final show on 11 May…. At the Underground in her home town Stoke on Trent. The Underground is a small but brilliant old school, dark, grimy, gritty venue that plays host to many a metal / punk / psychobilly band, and shows that genuine connection her roots.

What a great night. Jayler were outstanding and are going to be BIG, and it’s easy to see why Kira Mac are impressing so many in the blues rock world. A voice to die for…. catch ‘em as soon as you get a chance !

Setlist

Save Your Whiskey

Dead Man Walking

Chaos Is Calling

Play the Game

No Way Out

Scorned

Say Something (Justin Timberlake / Chris Stapleton cover)

Imagine What We Could’ve Been

Back for More

You Oughta Know (Alanis Morissette cover)

Hit Me Again