Live Review: Stone Broken - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
16th December 2022
Support: Kira Mac, Ashen Rach
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
To quote a local hero “IT’SSS CHRISTMAAASSSSS” and to celebrate those good folk at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton have teamed with local heroes Stone Broken to put on a very special holiday bash! And the Broken Army is out in force as coach after coach pull up to the front of the venue depositing fans from all over to country, tonight is going to be very special.
Opening the evening are Liverpool based rockers Ashen Reach, who have been building a lot of momentum over the past few years. The five piece burst into action, warming up the crowd nicely with their brand of hard hitting rock and roll. Opening with ‘Broken Column’ their fan friendly nature is sure to win over anyone not already on board and by the time they close with ‘Homecoming’ the whole room is bouncy along with them.
After a quick turn round the lights dim once more, only to reveal the figure Planet Rock DJ Paul Anthony who eloquently introduces tonight’s special guest Kira Mac. The band have been very much in favour with the radio station of late, their singles on regular rotation long before their debut album dropped a few weeks ago.
The industrial sounding drum beats lead us into ‘Dead Man Walking’ and the appearance of vocalist Kira Mac (nee. Rhiannon Hill), whose delivery with a slight southern American twang gets the crowd moving. Bursting onto the scene she has quickly established herself as a powerhouse rock vocalists along sides the likes of Lzzy Hale with the dynamic strength of her delivery.
The band as a whole are in their element, tearing up the stage with the radio friendly ‘Hit Me Again’ leading us into ‘Hellfire & Holy Water’. It’s a dominate show from the five piece who close off with ‘One Way Ticket’ and proof, if any was really needed, that they group are destined for big things in 2023!
When we spoke to Chris and Kieron over the summer they had promised us some big surprises for the Stone Broken Christmas show and on the night they delivered in full. Opening with ‘Revelations’ it takes just seconds for the first bursts of pyro of the evening to warm the chilly Wolverhampton air. The opening segment of the show runs through ‘Stay All Night’, ‘Doesn’t Matter’ and ‘Heartbeat Away’ the pyro setting this apart from a normal Stone Broken show, so far...
As ‘This Revival’ tails off Kieron, Chris and Robyn launch into a little jam, a head nodding, foot tapping section. When Rich reappears he introduces a very special guest… it’s Santa! The pair launch presents into the crowd, big and small fans alike revel in the merriment until Santa departs once more and it’s back to business. With ‘Make It Out Alive’ and ‘The Devil You Know’ having enough pyro flares to singe the eyebrows of the front row!
Whilst Noddy Holder may be the local hero, the band pay homage to another Midlands great very much associated with Christmas, Roy Wood. Their rendition of ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ triggers the snow! As the crowd celebrate in style a snow machine tops off festivities and gives us all that wintery/Christmas feel. Even the confetti cannon during set closer ‘Not Your Enemy’ couldn't top the snow, but the whole show went to prove there are big things to come from Stone Broken's future. What a show that was!
Photo credits: Tim Finch Photography
