Live Review: Airbourne - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
25th July 2023
Support: Florence Black
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
The energy was palpable from the moment I stepped into KK's Steel Mill for the high-paced rock show featuring South Wales' Florence Black and the headliner, Airbourne. The venue was buzzing with anticipation, and the crowd was ready to rock the night away.
Opening the night, Florence Black wasted no time in setting the stage on fire. Their setlist was a perfect blend of adrenaline-pumping tracks that got the crowd's blood pumping. ‘Zulu’ kicked things off with a bang, and the energy only intensified with each song. The band first came to our attention at Bloodstock many moons ago and the last time they crossed our path they were in the smaller room in this very venue. Now playing to 1200 rabid fans demonstrating just how much they have grown.
‘Bird on a Chain’ and ‘Sun & Moon’ had the crowd singing along, and ‘Smoke’ filled the air with an electrifying atmosphere. The highlight of their performance was undoubtedly ‘Black Cat’, which had everyone headbanging in unison. Florence Black's performance set the bar high for the night ahead.
Then came the moment everyone had been eagerly waiting for - Airbourne took the stage, and the crowd erupted into cheers. The Aussie rockers launched into their set with ‘Ready to Rock’, and it was clear that they meant business. The energy was through the roof as they ripped through songs like ‘Too Much’ and ‘Back In the Game’. Joel, the lead vocalist, had an incredible connection with the audience, constantly engaging them and encouraging participation.
During ‘Girls in Black’, Joel ventured into the crowd, perched on a roadies shoulders while shredding his guitar and spraying beer into the air. It was an epic moment that solidified the band's reputation for putting on an unforgettable show.
Airbourne's set was packed with crowd favourites, and the intensity never wavered. ‘Burnout The Nitro' brought fiery pyro bursts that elevated the excitement to a whole new level.
As the night came to a close, Airbourne treated the audience to an explosive encore. ‘Live It Up' had everyone singing at the top of their lungs, and ‘Running Wild’ was the perfect way to end the night, complete with more dazzling pyrotechnics that lit up the stage and singed the eyebrows of the front row.
Overall, the high-paced rock show at KK's Steel Mill in Wolverhampton was a wild and electrifying experience. Florence Black and Airbourne both delivered high-octane performances that left the crowd in awe. If you have the chance to catch either of these bands live, don't miss out - you're in for an incredible rock 'n' roll ride!
Photo credits: Tim Finch Photography
