Street Voice UK

With the train service being a nightmare I was unsure if I’d make the gig but at least one service was running so I jumped on that and on arrival I went straight to the venue to interview Hayseed Dixie and The Zipheads.

Once the interviews were complete it was time for a drink and to set up my camera and with it The Zipheads were just about to start their set. I was eager to see them as they sounded amazing during their sound check!

From out of nowhere the room filled for this three-piece and their punk influenced rockabilly sound won the crowd over. For just over 30 minutes I was blown away with their energy. The Zipheads were amazing and as I stood watching them I wondered how Hayseed Dixie were going to top this set!

The vocalist / guitarist was bang on the button followed by an amazing double bassist who was keen to show his moves. Great moves too! Those double basses are huge! Keeping it all in time was their cool and a cucumber drummer.

The Zipheads really did the business last night and I for one look forward to seeing them again very soon!

After meeting John Wheeler the founding member and vocalist / guitarist of the band I was so looking forward to seeing Hayseed Dixie as I hadn’t seen them in maybe a decade or more! I was so looking forward to this show to be believed!

Come 9pm and the band were on stage and really went for it big time! This legendary bluegrass/rock band really did deliver the goods last night! In fact the 90 minute set was the best show I’d seen post-covid! Hayseed Dixie were on fire and the Wolverhampton crowd were lapping it up!

Lots of great bluegrass interpretations of rock songs from Ace Of Spaces to Don’t Stop Believing right through to even a Grease Movie song being given the Hayseed Dixie treatment.

Hayseed Dixie delivered something so fun yet magical I don’t think I’ll see another show where a band made such an impact on me! Well not just me! In fact I’ve cancelled all the other shows I had planned as I don’t think I’ll get the buzz like I did last night!

The demographics of the audience was different to what John was expecting. When we spoke earlier he thought the audience would be 50 to 60 year old’s in attendance. While that rang true for most part there was also teenage goths and punks in the crowd!

My advice to you is get tickets for this amazing show. I really didn’t want to end but those guys must have been shattered!

You really wont find a better live show out there!

Thank you to John Wheeler for everything.

Words / Photos – Kat Riot