— A Loud, Daft, and Very Welsh Riff Report Send-Off
Pack the waterproofs, load up the car with cider, and for the love of Lemmy don’t forget your earplugs — Team Riff Report is officially heading up the mountain to Steelhouse Festival 2025! 🖤🤘
We’ve been counting down the days like a bunch of riff-hungry lunatics, and now it’s finally here: a weekend of pure rock’n’roll chaos, set in the glorious Welsh hills. Proper job, mun!
🏕️ What’s Occurring Then?
We’re dragging our tents, hoodies, and at least one inflatable dragon all the way to the top of that mighty Ebbw Vale mountain for three days of:
- Massive riffs
- Mosh pit mayhem
- Welsh weather tantrums
- And more denim than a 1986 Whitesnake tour
You’ll find us howlin’ along to every chorus, neckin’ hot dogs the size of our heads, and queuing for the loos like it’s a pilgrimage. All in the name of rock. 🎤
🎸 Who Are We Buzzing For?
Oh c’mon butt — the Steelhouse lineup this year is absolute carnage in the best way possible. We’ve got everything from homegrown heroes to international axe-slingers. Expect full breakdown reviews from us on:
- The legends bringing the thunder ⚡
- The up-and-comers stealing the spotlight 🎶
- And that one band who plays at 1pm and still melts faces 🤯
We’ll be reviewing every set, every dodgy t-shirt purchase, and every moment of “Did we just high-five a guy in a gorilla costume?”
🍻 Come Say Hi, You Beauts
If you see a gang of slightly sleep-deprived bloggers with notepads, cameras, and cans of Monster, that’s us. We’ll be the ones yelling “Tidy solo!” and arguing about whether the burger van chips are better than last year’s (they always are when you’re 4 pints deep).
Say hello! We don’t bite — unless it’s the last sausage roll.
Better yet, tag us in your festival pics and chaotic campsite tales over on socials:
👉 @theriffreportuk
👉 #Steelhouse2025
👉 #UpTheMountain
💬 What to Expect Post-Festival?
Once we’ve limped back down the mountain (probably covered in glitter, dust, and emotional damage), we’ll be dropping:
- Full band reviews (yes, every single one)
- Festival survival write-ups — the good, the muddy, and the moshy
- Best merch, worst sunburns, and weirdest moments
- Top quotes from rockers, ravers, and toilet queue philosophers
So if you can’t make it up the mountain this year, don’t worry — we’ve got you covered, front row to portaloo.
🎤 LET’S GO THEN!
We’re off, mun! Laces tied, horns raised, bags packed (badly), and hearts pounding like a kick drum.
See you all at the top of the mountain for a weekend of rock, rain, and ridiculousness!
💥 C’MON BUTT, LET’S DO THIS!!! 💥
#SteelhouseFestival
#UpTheMountain
#TheRiffReportOnTour
#CymruAmByth
#RockTillYouDrop
Diolch to everyone who’s followed us so far — now let’s get loud.
— The Riff Report Team 🏴🎸🍻
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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