Held on 27–28 July 2013, Steelhouse Festival 2013 marked a turning point for the mountain bash – bigger bands, bigger crowds, and a solidifying reputation as a go-to summer rock festival in the UK. Nestled high above Ebbw Vale, the mountain once again echoed with classic anthems, metal mastery, and Welsh rock passion! 🤘🌧️🌤️
Let’s take a look at the lineup that shook the Valleys that year:
🔥 Saturday – July 27th
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Heaven’s Basement 🏠🔥 (Headliner)
Riding high on the success of their debut album “Filthy Empire”, they headlined Saturday with explosive energy and anthems like “Fire, Fire” and “Nothing Left to Lose”. One of the most intense Steelhouse sets to date! -
The Quireboys 🍷🎩
Rock ‘n’ roll charmers with Spike’s signature swagger. A boozy, bluesy, singalong masterclass. -
Fighting Wolves 🐺⚔️
Big choruses, modern edge – rising UK rockers showing serious promise. -
Fireroad 🔥🛣️
South Wales heroes with gritty riffs and big-stage ambition. Local love was STRONG. -
Skam ⚡🎶
Leicester power trio bringing thick riffs and tighter-than-tight grooves. -
Falling Red ❤️🎸
Sleazy, raw, and rowdy – old-school vibes with modern fire.
🤘 Sunday – July 28th
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Saxon 🦅⚔️ (Headliners)
NWOBHM titans and true metal gods brought the thunder to the mountain. From “Denim and Leather” to “Princess of the Night”, Saxon closed the weekend with a full-blown battle cry of British metal. -
Snakecharmer 🐍🎸
Featuring ex-members of Whitesnake, Thunder, and Wishbone Ash – bluesy, classy, and technically top-tier. -
Terrorvision 🍻🐯
Party starters with huge festival energy. “Tequila” on a mountain? Go on then! -
FM 📻🎤
The AOR masters brought polish, pipes, and peak professionalism – perfect for a sunny set. -
Bonafide 🇸🇪🎶
Swedish rockers channelling AC/DC energy with Scandi fire. -
Hand of Dimes ✋🎵
Local legends with soulful vocals and emotional weight – Nev MacDonald’s voice shook the stones!
🏁 Final Thoughts – Steelhouse 2013
2013 was epic. With Saxon flying the flag for classic metal and Heaven’s Basement representing the next generation, it was a weekend of proper torch-passing on the mountain. Add in The Quireboys’ pub-rock charisma and a tidal wave of Welsh talent, and you’ve got one of the most balanced, beloved Steelhouse lineups to date.
Welsh Sayings Recap:
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“Bendigedig!” to Saxon – metal royalty on a mountain throne.
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“Iechyd da!” to everyone who crowd-surfed to “Tequila”. 🍻
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“Tidy!” for Fireroad and Hand of Dimes – homegrown heroes!
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“C’mon Wales!” roared like a dragon every time a local band took the stage.
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“Ych-a-fi!” to the mud near the burger van 🫣🍔
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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