Review: Skindred, Dead Pony & Dead Air ignite a Halloween inferno at KK’s Steel Mil
Halloween night at a Sold Out KK’s Steel Mill was never going to be quiet, but Skindred’s monstrous triple bill with Dead Pony and Dead Air turned it into a full-blown eruption of noise, sweat, and unity.
A sea of Halloween costumes and anticipation buzzing under the lights. What followed was a high-energy spectacle that blurred the line between gig and celebration — a night where every band fed off the atmosphere, every riff hit harder than the last, and the Wolverhampton crowd proved once again that no one throws a louder party than the KKs Steel Mill crowd on Halloween.
Dead Air
Kicking off the night, Dead Air stormed onto the Steel Mill stage with ferocious intent, wasting no time in seizing the crowd’s attention. For an opening act, they sounded anything but small — thick riffs, pounding drums, and vocals that cut clean through the haze of stage smoke. Within moments, the Halloween crowd shifted from polite curiosity to full participation, heads nodding and fists rising.
Tracks from their latest material hit hard, showing off a blend of alt-metal weight and melodic drive that felt both sharp and emotional. The rhythm section thundered, the guitars growled with precision, and the band’s stage presence radiated confidence. Dressed simply but playing like headliners, Dead Air proved they weren’t there to warm up the room — they were there to ignite it. By the end of their set, they’d earned every cheer and raised horn in the venue. The crowd that had shuffled in expecting a slow start instead found themselves roaring back at a band that clearly belongs on much bigger stages. As openers go, Dead Air set the tone perfectly — powerful, polished, and impossible to ignore.
Dead Pony
Next up were Dead Pony from Glasgow who blended heavy guitar-driven rock, punk energy and melodic hooks. They have a reputation for full-on, high-energy performances and we were not disappointed Lead vocalist Anna Shields commands the stage with strong presence, and the band’s synergy is frequently praised - Blair Crichton: Guitar, Liam Adams: Bass and Euan Lyons: Drums From opening with the title track of their album Ignore This to launching into MK Nothing, they waste no time grabbing attention. Vocalist Anna Shields is in brilliant form and Dead Pony are a live act to watch. They’re emerging, but already bring a professional, high-impact show. If you’re into rock that’s vigorous, hook-laden and crowd-interaction, you won’t leave disappointed.
It’s rare for a support act to make a packed room feel like their own headline show, but Dead Pony managed exactly that. The band oozed charisma, trading grins and riffs while the mosh pits churned. They’ve clearly honed their live craft — sharp, confident, and big enough to fill a stadium. By the time they wrapped their set, the crowd was fully primed, sweaty, and ready for the mayhem to come.
Skindred
By the time Skindred took the stage, the atmosphere inside KK’s Steel Mill had reached fever pitch. The crowd — a blur of face paint, fake blood, and flashing devil horns — erupted as frontman Benji Webbe strutted out like a rock-and-roll ringmaster. Launching straight into Set Fazers, the band wasted no time turning the night into a full-blown carnival of sound.
What makes Skindred’s live show so special is how seamlessly they blend ferocity and fun. One moment, the room is shaking under slabs of metal and dub-infused bass; the next, everyone’s dancing to reggae grooves or chanting along to a hook big enough to tear the roof off. Webbe was magnetic — equal parts comedian, preacher, and conductor — orchestrating every jump, scream, and arm wave from a crowd that was more than willing to obey.
Mid-set highlights included Nobody and Kill the Power both of which sent the floor surging, while That’s My Jam turned the venue into one giant sing-along. But it was the finale, Warning that provided the defining moment of the night — the legendary Newport Helicopter. Hundreds of shirts and jackets spun through the air as the entire room moved in unison, a chaotic, joyful spectacle that only Skindred could command.
As the final chords faded and the lights dimmed, the roar from the crowd felt endless. Skindred didn’t just headline — they owned Halloween. Their ability to unite metalheads, punks, and partygoers under one roof remains unmatched, and tonight’s show proved once again why they’re one of Britain’s greatest live bands.
Pictures and write-up by Andy Shaw.
