Right. Deep breath. Confession time.
The Riff Report has officially started playing Pokémon Go.
There. We said it. Judge away 🤓
But before anyone shouts “sell-outs” or “midlife crisis”, let’s set the scene properly. This isn’t about chasing Pikachu for clout. This is about survival. Because when your daily routine includes gigs, late nights, keyboard warfare, and a frankly dangerous relationship with Greggs, something has to change.
And that something… is steps. A lot of them.
🚶♂️ FROM MOSH PITS TO POKÉSTOPS
Somewhere between our fifth sausage roll of the week and another argument about who used the last Monster, it hit us. We needed to get outside. Touch grass. Move our legs. Do something vaguely resembling exercise.
Enter Pokémon Go.
Now instead of pacing the newsroom like caffeinated goblins, we’re:
Walking between PokéStops like it’s a mini tour Taking over gyms with the same aggression we bring to barrier spots Catching Pokémon outside venues, car parks, and questionable industrial estates Still thinking about Greggs. Constantly. Always.
Is it nerdy? Absolutely.
Is it working? Also yes.
Are we one incense away from calling this “wellness”? Probably.
🥊 THE RIFF REPORT ON TOUR (BUT IT’S JUST A WALK)
You might spot us wandering around Cardiff, Newport, or wherever the WiFi is strongest, phones out, muttering things like “that’s a shiny” and “WHO TOOK OUR GYM, BUTT?”
This is what growth looks like. Allegedly.
➕ ADD US, YOU LEGENDS
If you’re already on Pokémon Go or fancy joining us on this strange, step-counting quest, get involved.
Trainer Code:
👉 2383 2230 0279
Add us, send gifts, help us justify this as fitness instead of just another distraction disguised as self-improvement 😅
Rock journalists. Pokémon trainers.
Still Welsh. Still loud. Still thinking about pasties.
Only in Wales, mun 🤘🔥
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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