Dead Pony @ Corporation, Sheffield - 31st May 2026
- John Hayhurst
- Jun 7
- 3 min read
Scotland's hottest alt-rock export turns Corporation into a pressure cooker of riffs and huge choruses
Words and Photos - John Hayhurst
Fresh from the release of their latest EP Eat My Dust and with a growing reputation as one of the UK's most exciting live acts, Dead Pony arrived at Corporation in Sheffield looking like a band with serious momentum behind them. By the end of the night, it was clear that momentum is only heading in one direction.
Opening the evening were Sheffield's own Air Drawn Dagger, who delivered a set packed with gothic flair, crushing riffs and enough energy to jolt even the most casual early arrivals into life. Frontwoman Maisie Manterfield was impossible to ignore, effortlessly switching between soaring melodies and ferocious screams while prowling the stage with infectious confidence. At one point she climbed onto the front barrier rail itself, drawing cheers from the crowd and setting the tone for what would be a night full of memorable moments.
Next up were Overgrown, bringing a welcome dose of nu-metal nostalgia without feeling like a tribute to the past. Their blend of chunky riffs, melodic hooks and modern production landed perfectly with this Sheffield crowd. Tracks from their latest material sat comfortably alongside older favourites, and their set proved they are far more than just another band riding a revival wave.
Then it was time for the main event.
As Dead Pony emerged, the atmosphere inside Corporation went up a notch immediately. The opening blast of Eat My Dust sent the sold-out crowd into a frenzy, and from that point onwards there was little chance for anyone to catch their breath. This wasn't a set that built gradually. Dead Pony came out swinging and never let up.
At the centre of it all was Anna Shields, whose stage presence continues to elevate the band to another level. Whether leading singalongs, trading jokes with the audience or throwing herself headfirst into the heavier moments, she commanded the room from start to finish. There is a natural charisma about her performance that never feels forced. Every interaction felt authentic, creating a connection with the crowd that many bands spend years trying to achieve.
Behind her, the band were razor sharp. The guitars hit with relentless force, the rhythm section drove every song forward with precision and power, and the chemistry between all four members was undeniable. Dead Pony have always blurred the lines between punk, alternative rock and infectious pop sensibilities, but live they make those genres feel completely irrelevant. The only thing that matters is the impact.
A standout moment arrived with a cover of Alanis Morissette's You Oughta Know. Rather than simply recreating the original, Dead Pony injected it with their own identity, delivering a version that felt both respectful and refreshingly fierce. It was one of several moments that highlighted just how versatile the band have become.
Material from debut album Ignore This drew huge reactions throughout the set, but perhaps most encouraging was how seamlessly the newer songs from the EP fitted alongside fan favourites. There was no dip in energy when the latest tracks arrived. If anything, the crowd seemed just as invested, singing back every word and proving that Dead Pony's catalogue continues to grow in both quality and confidence.
As the set charged towards its finale, the temperature inside Corporation seemed to rise with every song. Bodies bounced, drinks flew and voices grew hoarse as the crowd gave everything back to the band. By the final notes, there was a genuine sense that Sheffield had witnessed a band rapidly outgrowing venues of this size.
Dead Pony have long been tipped as one of the UK's brightest alternative prospects, but nights like this suggest they're moving beyond potential and into something far more tangible. The songs are bigger, the performances are sharper and the crowds are growing louder.
Corporation may have contained them for one night, but it feels increasingly unlikely that rooms this size will be able to for much longer. Dead Pony aren't the future of British alternative rock anymore. They're the present.
