Well, butt, it was always gonna ruffle a few feathers… or eardrums. Blackweir Live stormed into Cardiff’s Bute Park with a stacked line-up and a sound system that could wake the dead in Cathays Cemetery. But now, it’s under fire – and not the pyrotechnic kind. Over 100 noise complaints were logged during the festival’s four-day blast. That’s more moans than a Slayer circle pit full of dads who forgot their earplugs. 😅
🎤 WHO PLAYED?
Blackweir Live kicked off with the TikTok troubadour Noah Kahan on Friday, June 27 – serenading the trees and probably some confused squirrels – and wrapped up on a high note (literally) with Stevie Wonder on Wednesday, July 9. In between?
- 🧁 Alanis Morissette (July 2) served up angst and 90s nostalgia like it was hot soup in a flannel thermos.
- 💀 Slayer (July 3) detonated the decibels with their metal mayhem, making sure no one within a 5-mile radius slept easy.
📢 “THE SOUND IS BOOMING!”
Local residents weren’t all saying “YESS MUN!” Some were saying “TURN IT BLOODY DOWN!”
Quotes flying around social media included:
“It sounded like Slayer were performing in my lounge. And I live in Roath.”
– One bemused resident, probably hiding their secret love of Raining Blood
“Alanis brought the drama. And the bass. I thought my windows were going to file a noise complaint themselves.”
– Another, possibly still humming You Oughta Know
🕵️♀️ FULL REVIEW PROMISED
Cardiff Council have confirmed that a “full review” of the events and licensing will now take place. Translation: a load of meetings where someone has to say “Slayer” very seriously.
Let’s be fair though – Blackweir Live brought global legends to our backyard, and it’s the first time the Fields have rocked this hard since… well, ever. But with great volume comes great responsibility. 🎶⚖️
🌳 ONLY IN WALES, MUN…
Putting a metal titan like Slayer in the middle of a blooming park full of daffodils and joggers? That’s peak Welsh chaos. And we absolutely love it.
But next year, maybe we throw the Slayer lads a gig and the neighbours some free ear defenders, tidy?
🗣️ What’s Occurring Next?
We’ll keep an eye on the licensing aftermath, but for now – shoutout to Blackweir for trying something new. Loudly.
🎤 Got noise complaints or gig reviews of your own? Tag us @theriffreportuk and let us know if you could hear Stevie from your garden shed. 🌼🤘
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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