Live Review: The Dead Daisies - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
Support: Dan Byrne, Scarlet Rebels
16th August 2025
Words & Photos: Tim Finch
Wolverhampton’s KK’s Steel Mill played host to The Dead Daisies, a show leading up to their Stonedead Festival appearance. With Dan Byrne and Scarlet Rebels in support it was all set to be a classic night of rock.
It was Dan Byrne tasked with warming up the crowd to start. Judging by the reception, he did far more than that. Opening with ‘Hard To Breathe’ Byrne wasted no time showcasing the soaring vocal power that has earned him attention across the UK rock scene. His voice immediately drew the audience closer, proving he has the charisma to hold his own even in front of a crowd waiting for a legendary headliner.
‘Hate Me’ and ‘Saviour’ carried that momentum, balancing anthemic choruses with sharp, modern hard rock grooves. The dark swagger of ‘Cherry & Leather’ stood out as a highlight, its sultry rhythm laced with attitude, showing another dimension to his songwriting.
‘Like Animals’ had an almost primal energy to it, Byrne pushing his vocals to the limit and matching the intensity of his backing band. Closing with ‘Death Of Me’ he left the stage on a high, the track’s punchy riffs and emotive delivery ensuring the crowd was fully fired up for The Dead Daisies.
Midway through the night at KK’s Steel Mill, Scarlet Rebels took to the stage and their set proved why they’ve become one of the UK’s most consistently exciting modern rock outfits. With a growing reputation for heartfelt songwriting paired with arena-sized choruses, the Rebels didn’t waste a second making their mark.
They launched in with ‘Secret Drug’, a riff-driven opener that immediately drew the crowd into their world of melodic hooks and gritty delivery. From there, ‘Streets Of Fire’ showed off their knack for anthems that feel tailor-made for big stages, frontman Wayne Doyle’s vocals commanding the room.
The emotional weight of ‘Grace’ provided a poignant moment in the set, its heartfelt lyrics connecting strongly with the audience and offering a quieter, more reflective contrast to the driving rock that surrounded it. That thread continued into ‘It Was Beautiful’, which built into a soaring climax.
Closing with ‘Let Me In’, Scarlet Rebels left the crowd uplifted, their signature blend of big riffs and even bigger choruses ensuring they exited to roars of approval. Their set was tight, polished, and perfectly paced - the sound of a band on the rise, more than capable of holding their own on a bill alongside veterans like The Dead Daisies.
The Dead Daisies, a band built on the collective pedigree of its members, thrive on their ability to blend classic rock spirit with an infectious energy that makes every show feel like a celebration. Tonight in Wolverhampton was no exception.
They opened with ‘Long Way to Go’, setting the tone with driving riffs and John Corabi’s unmistakable vocals commanding the stage. From there, the likes of ‘Rise Up’ and ‘Dead and Gone’ hit with muscular grooves, the band tight and powerful, instantly proving why they remain one of the most respected acts in the scene.
‘Last Time I Saw the Sun’ and the newer ‘Light ‘Em Up’ injected freshness into the set, showing The Dead Daisies are far from just a nostalgia act. ‘Bustle and Flow’ pulsed with swagger, before the tempo shifted for a more intimate moment – ‘Love That’ll Never Be’ stripped back acoustically, with Corabi performing solo and proving why he’s one of rock’s most compelling frontmen.
Things quickly turned rowdy again with ‘I Wanna Be Your Bitch’ and ‘I’m Gonna Ride’ before the band tipped their hats to their influences with a thunderous take on ‘Take a Long Line’ by The Angels. The centrepiece of the evening came in the form of a sprawling medley that stitched together classics including ‘Highway to Hell’, ‘Seven Nation Army’, ‘Heaven and Hell’, ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and ‘Living After Midnight’. Part tribute, part jam session, and pure entertainment.
The covers kept coming with a fiery ‘Black Betty’, a grooving ‘Going Down’, and an electrifying spin on ‘Fortunate Son’. Guitarist David Lowy even stepped up to the mic for a rendition of ‘Get a Haircut’ proving the band’s strength lies in their ability to share the spotlight.
Of course, the crowd demanded more, and The Dead Daisies delivered. The encore of ‘Resurrected’ and a high-octane take on The Beatles’ ‘Helter Skelter’ was the perfect send-off, sending the Wolverhampton faithful out into the night with ringing ears and wide smiles.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
