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Street Voice UK

Tag: live-music

  • The Levellers + Grace Petrie – Live KK’s Steel Mill – Thurs 13th Nov 2025 – Review

    Street Voice UK



    Due to on-going health issues this was pretty much a quickly planned venture out but I had a friend who’s a nurse to accompany me and help out if needed.

    Suffice to say we made it to KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton which is my favourite venue in the UK. A class venue for not only just great sound but pub price drinks too!

    Once in the venue Nikki headed to the bar area while I set up my camera and I even had a quick hello with Grace Petrie too!




    Soon it was time for Grace Petrie to hit the stage.

    I hadn’t seen Grace play in a fair while – That’s been down to health reasons, work and the amount of gigs I already attend!

    Last night Grace Petrie entertained lyrically, vocally, musically with some comedy thrown in and from where I was standing certainly won over The Levellers fan base.

    Grace in her own words is a ‘Lesbian, Socialist, Folk Artist’ and she let everyone know!

    Fair play to her – This 30 minute set was filled with some great acoustic folk songs that were both personal and political in nature!

    A big up for bringing up the dire situation in Palestine too!

    Well done Grace – Top show!

    If you get the chance to go and see Grace Petrie then you’re going to love every minute of her wonderful set!




    Last night this performance was to celebrate thirty years of the 1995 Zeitgeist album in its entirety.

    I was so looking forward to this as The Levellers were going to be playing songs I hadn’t heard in years. In fact its fair to say that many Levellers fans wouldn’t have heard many of these songs live either!

    After half a hour of trying to get a signal on my phone and edit some photos I literally had to run to the photo pit as the intro to The Levellers was kicking in!

    Mark Chadwick and co from the off had the audience eating out of their hands and that was down to playing one of the best Levellers gigs I’d experienced since their tour with Dreadzone and Ruts DC.




    From the opening moments of Fear I knew this was going to be a top night and it just got better with Hope Street, Exodus, Forgotten Ground, Fantasy, Just The One and Leave This Town.

    As I said The Levellers were on top form and were enjoying the atmosphere as much as their fan-base were. That was good to see!

    I also enjoyed hearing the didgeridoo guy – That sound I always enjoy hearing. It wouldn’t be a Levellers show without it!

    Once the Zeitgeist was played it was time for some classic Levellers songs such as One Way, Carry Me and Cholera Well. One Way in particular really got the crowd going and rightfully so! It’s a great song!




    Around an eighty minute set came to a close with The Riverflow and what a way to finish!

    The Levellers and Grace Petrie were at the top of their game last night and if you get the opportunity to get to one of the few shows left then you’re going to have a great experience!

    Thank you to Connie Fairburn at Crosstown Concerts and Nikki Upton Smith for driving. Thanks also to all the staff at KK’s for making the venue the best place to see live bands in the UK.

    Words / Photos: Kathleen Riot




  • Kira Mac + Support – KK Steel Mill – Wolverhampton – 4th May 24 – Review

    Street Voice UK



    With the train being delayed I had to literally leg it from Wolverhampton train station to KK Steel Mill. Luckily I had 5 minutes to set my camera settings and before I knew it Jayler had hit the stage. I’d never heard the band before but they were a pleasant surprise. For 30 minutes Jayler delivered a cool hard rock n roll sound that was so infectious I purchased some stuff on line as soon as I got home! If you’ve not heard this band before then I suggest you check them out as you wont be left disappointed. The vocalist was all over the stage – What a voice! What a character! The rest of the band were totally solid from start to finish! I was tired for them! I’m fully converted!


    Kira Mac is a group that I was told about and I made it one of my new years resolutions to check them out! Damn diabetes hypo almost put a stop to me seeing this band but I pulled it together to see watch them! From the moment Rhiannon opened her mouth she had everyone in her hands and this amazing woman sung like her life depended on it! An amazing vocalist with a superb band who gel really well. If you love late 70’s / early 80’s rock with a modern touch then Kira Mac is the act for you! For 90 minutes this group delivered and you really need to see them live! They are still on tour – Check the dates out HERE. And if the truth be known I’m still buzzing from seeing Kira Mac in action!

    Thanks to Peter at Noble PR for arranging the press pass.

    Words/Photos – Kat Riot

  • The Nightingales + Support – Firefly – Oakengates – 3rd May 24 – Review

    Street Voice UK




    Arriving at the venue I set up my camera and watched as the audience grew larger by the minute. Opening up the night was Ted Chippington who did his stuff! I hadn’t seen him in action for 40 years and didn’t know what to expect! His material went down well with many and lost on others. For 30 minutes Ted Chippington gave a good show and I’ll make sure I get to see him again!




    Come 9.30pm the firefly was packed and beers were flowing. The bar staff did well to keep up as a few in the audience were happy they didn’t have that long to wait for drinks. The anticipation was building and like me many of the audience hadn’t seen the iconic The Nightingales in action for years!

    When the Nightingales hit the stage the audience were captivated and while the band warmed up waiting for a member it wasn’t too long before they kicked off the proceedings with Something Nice. Everyone was in awe in the band they hadn’t seen in years.

    Number by number the band delivered with songs like CCTV, Seconds, Fire And Brimstone, Lambs, British Luck and Top Shelf! The audience were loving what they heard and many were singing along!

    For a hour this post-punk/alternative rock act were adored by everyone in the crowd. Sadly the show had to end but the smiles on people’s faces as they left the venue said it all for me!

    A top night for Telford as we tend not get these cult bands to our town and anyone who’s seeing them on this tour will have a blast!

    As well as a great gig it was awesome to see many old faces in the audience – Some I hadn’t seen since the late 80’s.

    Thanks to Gemma for sorting this out for me!

    Words / Photos – Kat Riot




  • Jesse Ahern + Support – Review – Sanctuary Venue – 1st May 24

    Street Voice UK

     


    So after walking around looking for the venue I decided it might be a good idea to ask two Special Constables for directions. Luckily for me the venue was just a short walk away!

    On entering the venue I didn’t have to wait long until I bumped into Jesse Ahern! We sat down to do an interview which can be heard HERE and we chatted for a little while in his dressing room along with the first support act Lauren Marie

    We headed upstairs and it was time for Lauren to strut her stuff.


    First up was Lauren Marie who can certainly play her instrument but her biggest asset was her voice that grabbed my attention. For 30 minutes delivered some well crafted acoustic songs that really do deserve to be heard on a big scale. I enjoyed Lauren’s set and it wont be the last time I see her play!



    While I was expecting the band to play Scott explained that as it was an acoustic show so only one quarter of Lunar Hijack would be playing. Despite my camera having a hissyfit on Scott he did play a fantastic set. I wouldn’t expect anything less as I’d seen him play with his band. Top stuff and so pleased to catch up with him again. Check out Scott with his band or solo – Either way you’re in for a good show!



    Just after 9pm it was time for main act Jess Ahern to hit the stage with hit acoustic guitar and armed with a box of harmonicas. I have Jess’ records but didn’t know what to expect from him live and what I heard I was blown away!

    Some of you would have heard Jess Ahern before due to opening up for the likes of the Dropkick Murphy’s but if you haven’t imagine Woody Guthrie, Joe Strummer and Billy Bragg fused with the Boston sound!

    Great Eh?!!

    I loved the hour set and throughout that set apart from well delivered and well crafted songs you realise what an amazingly humble guy Jesse is! I wish more artists were this way!

    Throughout the set Jesse told us the stories behind the songs. All meaningful but a couple of funny things thrown it too!

    Aside from Jesse’s own songs such as Heartache And Love, Girl From Dorchester and Back Against The Wall being delivered in style he totally rocked Bankrobber by The Clash.

    What a set but don’t expect predictability. The set could change as there’s that many great songs in Jesse’s back catalogue so do yourselves a favour and pop along to a show.

    Sadly the audience was small but Jesse Ahern has a big heart and delivered a non-compromising set that he would do in front of three thousand people!

    Everyone left with a smile on their faces.


    Big Love to Jesse – You were brilliant last night!


    Visit HERE for all tour dates in UK / Europe and for merch and other information.

    Words/Photos – Kat Riot