2023-11-16 KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton UK

[Damaged+Done]

I decided to get a hotel in Birmingham because I couldn't find anywhere nearby so I thought it was just as handy to get somewhere there ... I'm hoping that wasn't a bad idea.

[Planet Dave]

I decided to get a hotel in Birmingham because I couldn't find anywhere nearby so I thought it was just as handy to get somewhere there ... I'm hoping that wasn't a bad idea.

Blimey that's a bit of a walk innit?

[H. Blackrose]

Nervous about whether can cope with two nights in a row, health-wise

[Planet Dave]

Nervous about whether can cope with two nights in a row, health-wise

Sure, every gig between now and when he's better is a journey into the unknown. Much hoping for the best will be occurring.

[ribbons69]

I decided to get a hotel in Birmingham because I couldn't find anywhere nearby so I thought it was just as handy to get somewhere there ... I'm hoping that wasn't a bad idea.

You can get a tram from Birmingham to Wolverhampton, although a train might be quicker. The train takes about twenty minutes. I'll be travelling to Wolverhampton from Bristol on the train, then back up to Nottingham on the Friday. I'm staying at the Wolverhampton Premier Inn next to the train station.

[PixC]

First time seeing SOM since mid nineties (no excuse other than living in total wilderness). Saw a band earlier this year at KKs though, and it's a great venue. We're staying at Novotel, and its about a 10 minute walk/20min stagger back. We got a taxi there last time and to be honest if you can walk it, do so. Our taxi driver was a bit amused last time at such a
short journey, and the queue round the building took far longer than the taxi ride! Giffard is great for pre drinks.

[oneiros]

Anyone know Wolverhampton well enough to recommend a car park within walking distance of KK's? Thanks.

[Planet Dave]

First time seeing SOM since mid nineties (no excuse other than living in total wilderness). Saw a band earlier this year at KKs though, and it's a great venue. We're staying at Novotel, and its about a 10 minute walk/20min stagger back. We got a taxi there last time and to be honest if you can walk it, do so. Our taxi driver was a bit amused last time at such a
short journey, and the queue round the building took far longer than the taxi ride! Giffard is great for pre drinks.

Welcome to Heartland and thanks for the info, will prolly end up taxi-ing it simply because we're new to Wolverhampton and the likelihood of staunchly heading off in entirely the wrong direction is too high we'll see how the evening rolls.

[PixC]

First time seeing SOM since mid nineties (no excuse other than living in total wilderness). Saw a band earlier this year at KKs though, and it's a great venue. We're staying at Novotel, and its about a 10 minute walk/20min stagger back. We got a taxi there last time and to be honest if you can walk it, do so. Our taxi driver was a bit amused last time at such a
short journey, and the queue round the building took far longer than the taxi ride! Giffard is great for pre drinks.

Welcome to Heartland and thanks for the info, will prolly end up taxi-ing it simply because we're new to Wolverhampton and the likelihood of staunchly heading off in entirely the wrong direction is too high we'll see how the evening rolls.

Thanks for the welcome.
Ahh, 'tis more than half the fun, boldly setting off into possible doom, discovering that you are lost in the middle of nowhere (clue.. if you are, you're probably very close to KKs, which is absolutely in middle of an industrial estate!). Have a great night anyway.. if you fancy buying us a drink, I'll be the one dressed in black

[Planet Dave]

Thanks for the welcome.
Ahh, 'tis more than half the fun, boldly setting off into possible doom, discovering that you are lost in the middle of nowhere (clue.. if you are, you're probably very close to KKs, which is absolutely in middle of an industrial estate!). Have a great night anyway.. if you fancy buying us a drink, I'll be the one dressed in black

In black, you say? No prob, we'll keep an eye out for you!

[Damaged+Done]

I decided to get a hotel in Birmingham because I couldn't find anywhere nearby so I thought it was just as handy to get somewhere there ... I'm hoping that wasn't a bad idea.

Blimey that's a bit of a walk innit?

not so much a pedometer as a mobility scooter required!

[ribbons69]

Just been informed by the Wolverhampton Premier Inn that they have a burst water main ,we were given the option of "outbooking" to Dudley or cancelling. We've cancelled and looking at other options now.

[Planet Dave]

Just been informed by the Wolverhampton Premier Inn that they have a burst water main ,we were given the option of "outbooking" to Dudley or cancelling. We've cancelled and looking at other options now.

Fkng nightmare hoping you can get sorted with somewhere at more or less zero notice good luck!!!

[OLDFART]

Just been informed by the Wolverhampton Premier Inn that they have a burst water main ,we were given the option of "outbooking" to Dudley or cancelling. We've cancelled and looking at other options now.

There's a few hotels next to Birmingham new street , good luck !.

Not stopping in a hotel just waiting in Birmingham coach station afterwards for a 4 am coach back to Leicester .

[Being645]

Hope everybody's arrived safely and already into nicely warming-up at/near the venue ... ...

Have wonderful gig and a top nite out all you lucky folks over there ... ...

[Gothicbiff]

There was a very scathing post on the FB page (no surprise there!) But it seems to have disappeared.

[Europa]

I've just got back to hotel and thought they were good! Andrews voice was audible, he seemed perky and enjoying himself, as did Ben and Kai (a brilliant addition I wasn't a Dylan fan). They played I was wrong which I really enjoyed. Venue was a bit drafty for my old bones and too many human statues parked near the front not dancing, clapping or apparently having fun. Bit shorter than gigs used to run but otherwise top night from my perspective.

[Charlie]

We've just got back to the hotel, knackered, so just a quick post to say we both thought it was utterly, utterly, utterly brilliant. We were on the front row and danced and rocked out from start to finish. Got a setlist (same as Bristol) and a guitar pick. Awesome gig!

[H. Blackrose]

There was a very scathing post on the FB page (no surprise there!) But it seems to have disappeared.

I saw the scathing post but it was about Bristol. Honestly I think some people don't even go to the gigs they just submit their "reviews" based on what they imagine the gig was like / what will get them more "reacts". You can tell this by the people who are complaining that "it's just a Greatest Hits jukebox, you might as well get a tribute band" *at the same time* as others are complaining about all the new songs that they don't know

[Gothicbiff]

We've just got back to the hotel, knackered, so just a quick post to say we both thought it was utterly, utterly, utterly brilliant. We were on the front row and danced and rocked out from start to finish. Got a setlist (same as Bristol) and a guitar pick. Awesome gig!

So happy to hear you guys had a great time
Hope you got the lovely tshirts/ hoodies!

[Planet Dave]

We've just got back to the hotel, knackered, so just a quick post to say we both thought it was utterly, utterly, utterly brilliant. We were on the front row and danced and rocked out from start to finish. Got a setlist (same as Bristol) and a guitar pick. Awesome gig!

So happy to hear you guys had a great time
Hope you got the lovely tshirts/ hoodies!

Yes we did! And yes we did! sensible review to follow in a bit, it was utterly brilliant, besides Kraftwerk Chris and his moody stares it was smiles all round, all gig. Amazing vibes coming from the stage, just brilliant, and the clarity of sound, wow

[FireInReptileHouse]

We've just got back to the hotel, knackered, so just a quick post to say we both thought it was utterly, utterly, utterly brilliant. We were on the front row and danced and rocked out from start to finish. Got a setlist (same as Bristol) and a guitar pick. Awesome gig!

So happy to hear you guys had a great time
Hope you got the lovely tshirts/ hoodies!

Yes we did! And yes we did! sensible review to follow in a bit, it was utterly brilliant, besides Kraftwerk Chris and his moody stares it was smiles all round, all gig. Amazing vibes coming from the stage, just brilliant, and the clarity of sound, wow

hahaa glad it was a good one - chris STILL keeping up that kraftwerk impression lol

[Planet Dave]

Ahh what a banger of a gig that was. Gig number 27, and rarely has there been clearer sound. The lead, the bass, Kai, most of all Von's vocals, all crisp, clearly defined rather than a wall of sound and noise, superb bass standing out when it should, Ben's guitar sounding fkn mindblowing when it needed to sound that way, had to stop myself jumping the barrier and running up on stage to hug him after a totally epic Eyes Of Caligula. The overall volume wasn't LOUD but it was as loud as a rock gig need be, no complaints at all from our spot front-right though I've heard others saying it was quieter than expected, then again one person saying that was attending their first Sisters gig so fair do's. It was perfect where we were, on the barrier in front of the outrageously giddy and enthusiastic Kai, what a star that guy is. As Phantasmagoria said of the Bristol gig, the sheer delight exhibited by both Kai and Ben was a joy to behold. Von was just as upbeat, smiles, quips, nods, positive energy pouring off stage into the crowd.

The new songs are where it's at. All of them sounded crystal clear, all of them stunning songs though Caligula is a cut above everything else the Sisters have done, just brilliant. On The Beach close close behind, 'Thatcher again, who knew?' the gig was a new album tour show minus the physical existence of the new album, and those songs were the meat of it. The lass attending her first show with her partner asked the favourite album question. I kept the answer simple and stuck to those you can buy, but the new unreleased one is assuredly my favourite.

Virgin Mary's were highly entertaining again. Nice little tale about the KK's Steel Mill connection, the queue at merch (where they were signing stuff) was a bit long after the show but I'll pick up their CD for a tenner in Nottingham or Manchester. Love the passion they put into their performance

edit : Ally was right, the Steel Mill is an excellent venue, no fuss no frills but compact, simple, perfectly well-organised, nice drinks - KK's Dark inparticular, perfect sounding gig, I'd go again without hesitation

Superb work by Charlie to bag Kai's setlist and a Ben Christo / The Sisters Of Mercy plectrum. Even superber work rocking out for the entirity of the show, again

Add in touring asides like a trip to the groovy Giffard Arms, a top drawer breakfast at the excellent Novotel, two fine hours stood in the cold, but thankfully not apocalyptic rain of later, chatting with Andrew S beforehand, little chat with Scardy afterwards, made it a great trip. Nottingham next, or Rock City as described on the tour list roll on Sunday.

Enjoy Newcastle you lucky lucky people

[Gothicbiff]

Thanks for the review Dave
Sounds like a fab night
Here's hoping they keep the momentum for Manchester and Glasgow

[Pista]

Another review from someone who doesn't understand the concept of stage right & stage left