Storm forces late start but fans see iconic metal band in Wolverhampton
Floodwater on Frederick Street and a delayed start could not stop the heavy-metal band Accept from delivering a headline set at KK’s Steel Mill on 27 August. A biblical downpour left parts of the street under “a foot” of water, according to an eyewitness account, and the venue opened almost two hours late. Despite the disruption, a sizeable crowd that had been drenched by the storm stayed on to see the show.
The delay meant doors opened late and the evening’s timetable was compressed. The support band had to cut their set by two songs, yet the organisers pressed on and the headline act reached the stage shortly after 10.10pm — about an hour and 25 minutes beyond their scheduled start time. For many in Wolverhampton the night will be remembered for both the extreme weather and the resilience of the local live-music infrastructure.
- Severe weather resulted in flooding on Frederick Street outside the venue.
- Doors opened nearly two hours late; support act reduced their set.
- Accept performed to a patient, if soaked, audience and completed their show.
There was, however, a note of controversy in the billing. The support act, Tailgunner, has been embroiled in recent allegations: their bassist was accused of sexual assault by the band’s former photographer and stand-in guitarist, an accusation that led to the musician stepping back temporarily. The report of the incident and the subsequent treatment of the former guitarist, Rhea Thompson, who left the group to distance herself from the situation, has prompted criticism of how the music industry handles such allegations.
"Tonight was on for the story books, a night that will go down as an ‘I was there moment’."
The review published by a local gig correspondent noted disappointment that the bassist was on stage for the Wolverhampton date despite the accusations. It also pointed readers to a victim’s full statement and to national crime statistics to underline wider concerns about sexual offences and the criminal-justice process.
| Statistic | Figure |
|---|---|
| Sexual assaults in 12 months ending March 2025 (England & Wales) | 878,000 |
| Number of cases reaching court | 15,700 (1.75%) |
Those figures are drawn from national Office for National Statistics (ONS) data and were cited in the review. They highlight the gulf between reported incidents and prosecutions, a matter commentators say requires attention across venues and the music industry.
For Wolverhampton, the night underlined two competing stories: the city’s ability to host popular touring acts and the pressures confronting artists, crew and venues when serious allegations surface. Venue staff at KK’s Steel Mill were praised by concertgoers for keeping the event running despite the flood, with many commending the team for their efforts to get fans inside and to proceed with the show.
Local residents who attended described a mixture of frustration and admiration. Frustration at having been soaked by the storm and at the truncated support set; admiration for the determination of venue staff and the stamina of the fans who stayed. The episode speaks to wider questions about event management in Wolverhampton when faced with extreme weather and about the responsibilities of promoters and venues when artists or support acts are the subject of serious allegations.
As the city’s live-music calendar continues to attract national and international names, the balance between maintaining events and addressing safeguarding concerns will remain under scrutiny. For now, the memory of a rain-soaked Frederick Street and a late-night set by a long-standing metal act will linger with those who packed into KK’s Steel Mill on that stormy August evening.
