STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL 2021

STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL / 23 – 25 JULY 2021 / WORDS BY LAURA KILBOURNE & PHOTOS BY DAWN OSBORNE

FRIDAY 23rd  JULY

The Welsh mountain is finally open for its 10^th anniversary of the Classic Rock festival, Steelhouse!
And in true Steelhouse tradition, along came the rain and the wind to greet everyone arriving to the camps. Once everyone was set-up and ready to rock, the arena gates opened kicking off with Howling Tides:

They got the crowd ready for their weekend ahead with some belters from their self-titled debut album.

 

 

 

Following this was Matt Mitchell & The Coldhearts on his solo mission to bring his well-known voice and their modern classic rock sound to the mountain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

King Creature were up next to bring a heavier sound to Steelhouse. With a sound for those fans of Motorhead out there, playing songs from their newest record “Set the World on Fire”, King Creature play a very solid set

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RavenEye took to the stage performing some fresh songs for fans new and old. The band, made up of  Oli Brown on vocals, bassist Aaron Spiers and drummer Adam Breeze, never fail to impress with their heavy rock sound.

 

 

 

The final support comes from The Quireboys, who played the first ever Steelhouse Festival back in 2011. Playing hits from their forthcoming re-recorded 1990 album “A Bit of What You Fancy” getting the crowd singing over the mountaintop, proving that a decade means nothing in the world of rock and roll.

 

 

 

Closing up the Friday night with a bang, was Phil Campbell & the Bastard Sons starting with songs from their latest album “We’re the Bastards” they got the crowd moving into the night. Playing Motorhead covers such as “Ace of Spades” and “Born to Raise Hell”, it was a night to truly remember for any fan of old-school rock & roll.

 

 

 

SATURDAY 24^TH JULY

Overnight the wind was so hard, it actually took some of the stage with it, so Saturday began an hour behind schedule with the first band on the line-up almost losing their slot, but with positive thoughts and hard work from the team behind the stage, we got up and running with our first band of the day: Revival Black.

It was hard to believe at times that this classic sounding hard rock band were a group of guys in their early 20’s who have played less than 40 shows and not a group with years of experience behind them. Throwing in some cool blue’s numbers the crowd soon gathered to cheer them on and get their Saturday in full swing. I would keep an eye out for Revival Black in the near future, because you will no doubt be seeing them on huge tours and festival bills soon enough!

Next up was West Yorkshire band Hands off Gretel and I have to say, the girls are finally coming for punk rock!

Singing songs from their latest record “I Want the World” with strong messages against exploitation and misogyny, Lauren growls her pent up anger to the crowd whilst remaining flawless in her stature. Speaking to the younger girls in the audience to follow their dreams no matter what, this group got the crowd bouncing and head banging from the get go.
Up on stage next were Florence Black showing us what the Welsh could bring to the mountain.

Playing some of their new hits including “Can you Feel It”, they brought a heavier sound to the day, with smooth guitar solos and passionate screaming mixed with singing from backing vocals, these guys are not to be missed in the future.

Following this was Kris Barras Band, starting with “Ignite (Light It Up) from their debut album, he did ignite an excitement in the crowd that was felt throughout the set. With slower blues numbers and rhythmic guitar solos, you could feel the influence of the bands Kris had grown up loving and worked with in recent years. This classic rock set was a personal favourite of mine over the weekend and I look forward to what these guys have to offer in the future.

 

During a small interlude between bands, it was announced that unfortunately Black Spiders would no longer be able to perform on Sunday, so some changes had been made. Instead of the expected set from Wayward Sons, they would now be replacing the Black Spiders’ set on the Sunday. Now, instead of Wayward Sons’ set, we were treated to a full acoustic set from front man Toby Jepson, playing hits from the Little Angels back catalogue. The crowd took to this information with glee as everybody came together to sing and sway along to this fantastic acoustic set.

Next to the stage were local boys Those Damn Crows and I do not think a single person in the crowd did not know who they were. Front man Shane even referred to the festival as like “playing in their own front room”. With some newer hits thrown in, the crowd were in the palm of their hands, rocking and singing to every song.

When it was announced they had to drop two songs due to the timings of the late start in the day, the crowd received this with loud chants of “encore” and “two more songs” and I think if given the chance, Those Damn Crows would have played into the night and probably the early morning!

 

 

 

 

 

Our final support for Saturday were Northern Irish legends, Therapy?. Starting with a Joy Division cover of “Isolation”, it felt like a big screw you to the previous 18 months of no live music and several lockdowns, and you could feel the crowd felt it too. Playing a mixture of 90’s rock, punk and grunge, including songs such as “Die Laughing”, “Nowhere” and “Potato Junkie”, it was an honour to see these live.

Finishing this windy Saturday night, were The Darkness. Playing a full set including encore, regardless of the later start due to the time changes throughout the day, nothing was stopping these guys from getting on that stage and giving that crowd a show to remember. This included Justin’s denim chaps, soon changing into denim jorts, keeping the stage fashion in true Darkness style. With their 1^st album “Permission to Land” now legally old enough to drink in the UK, they played 9 songs from this album to celebrate its success and the fact the album will never grow old.

 

 

 

SUNDAY 25^TH JULY

As we move into the Sunday, the predictions are more rain and wind, yet as the first band of the day walked on stage, we were blessed with nothing but sunshine for the whole day! So thank you to Empyre for bringing the sun with you! With their dark, emotive sounds, this band, which has often been described as “the love child between Soundgarden and Pink Floyd” praised the crowd for their biggest show to date, which surprised me as their sound felt arena ready.

Running on stage next with their hit “Mr. Big Shot” were the fun and exciting Collateral! After front man Angelo was manhandled by a crew member to pull his arms out of his beautiful long jacket, these guys brought a taste of their classic rock sounds, playing hits from their debut self-titled album, everyone in the crowd were soon jumping to the upbeat, positivity that radiates from the stage as they flawlessly perform each track.

 

 

 

 

Up next were fast rising rockers Mason Hill, bringing along a set list from their long awaited album “Against the Wall” including the song “DNA” which the crowd shouted along to in unison. At one point the emotions ran so high, the crowd took over the singing to give the band a second to take in the atmosphere. Singing an acoustic cover of Foo Fighters favourite “Best of Me” neither the band nor the audience wanted this show to end.

As announced the day before, Black Spiders set was unfortunately cancelled. Thankfully, Wayward Sons came on strong to keep the day rolling. Using their 70’s hard rock and glam influences and a double denim outfit, Toby brought a completely different presence to his acoustic set the day previous. The crowd went wild to hits such as “Faith in Fools” showing off Toby’s vocals once again, and ending with “Until the End” had the crowd bouncing and cheering for more.

 

 

 

Following this were visionaries Stone Broken. Bringing their love for the music they create and also a love for life in general, this band gave a set that was not only emotional with slower blues numbers, but also fast-paced and fun, with hits including their new song “Black Sunrise” expected to be released on their upcoming record with a huge UK tour in the works for 2022.

 

Next to the stage was blues-rock guitarist Bernie Marsden ft. Nev MacDonald to bring some Whitesnake classics along with his own solo work.

With smooth guitar solos and piano numbers, this set was favoured hugely amongst the crowd, with everyone joined together to sing and dance along to every song, this was probably the most upbeat and fun set of the weekend, just from the stage presence and crowd attendance.

 

 

Tonight’s final support and second to last band of the weekend were creatively brilliant The Wildhearts. Kicking off with “Diagnosis”, we were straight into the palms of charismatic lead, Ginger. Taking over the stage and demanding the crowds attention, we heard classic songs such as “I Wanna Go Where the People Go” and “Caffeine Bomb” which got the crowd moving and screaming for more.

Final band of the weekend were old school legends Uriah Heep, bringing their classic rock, acoustic sounds and powerhouse vocals to close up the weekend. Performing back catalogue hits such as “Easy Livin’” and “Stealin’” it was non-stop from start to finish with legendary tunes. We had Russell Gilbrook give an amazing drum solo showing off his experience and then a beautiful firework display to end this crazy, fun little weekend.