Held on July 28–30, 2017, Steelhouse Festival 2017 proved once again why it’s the highest, mightiest, and most community-driven rock festival in the UK. Nestled on a Welsh mountain and blessed (mostly) by the weather gods, the 2017 lineup brought hard rock royalty, rising stars, and a whole lotta Welsh pride to the Valleys. Let’s dive in 🤘
🎉 Friday – July 28th (Warm-Up Night)
A rock ‘n’ roll starter course served with big energy and proper mountain vibes.
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Skam ⚡🎸
Leicester power trio with modern hard rock thunder – tight, loud, and totally relentless. -
Bigfoot 🐾🔥
Hard rock beasts! Riffs, hair, and hooks as huge as their name. -
Florence Black 🌑🐉
Fresh-faced and fierce – representing Wales with pride and power!
🔥 Saturday – July 29th
The mountain rumbled under the weight of monster riffs and soaring vocals!
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Saxon 🦅⚔️ (Headliners)
NWOBHM legends delivered a battle-hardened masterclass. “Wheels of Steel,” “Denim and Leather,” “Crusader” – you name it, they brought it! A bucket list band for many mountain-goers. -
Inglorious 🎤💥
Nathan James’s voice hit the back of the mountain and then some. Powerful, soulful, pure rock drama. -
King King 🎩🎶
Bluesy brilliance. Alan Nimmo and co. brought warmth, smiles, and stellar musicianship. -
Broken Witt Rebels 🎙️🥃
Southern-tinged rock from Birmingham – emotive, anthemic, and fiery. -
Stone Broken 💎🥁
Back again and bigger – future headliners-in-the-making, no doubt. -
Jared James Nichols 🎸🧔
Wisconsin blues-rock shredder – “pickless” and fearless!
🤘 Sunday – July 30th
The final day saw legends take flight and newer acts rise to glory.
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Last in Line 🛡️🎤 (Headliners)
Featuring former Dio bandmates, they delivered a thunderous tribute to the metal legend, playing Dio classics and new material alike. “Holy Diver” on a Welsh mountaintop? Bendigedig! -
Steve Harris British Lion 🦁🇬🇧
Iron Maiden’s bassist brought his side project to Steelhouse – thundering, raw, and full of gallop! -
Gun 🔫🎶
Scottish rock veterans who fired hit after hit – “Better Days,” “Word Up!” and more! -
The Quireboys 🍷🎩
A Steelhouse staple – Spike’s charm, boozy singalongs, and good-time rock ‘n’ roll. -
Tequila Mockingbyrd 🍸🐦
Aussie power trio with sass, speed, and proper punch. -
Scarlet Rebels (then known as V0iD) 🔴🎸
Welsh rockers who’ve since gone on to big things – already turning heads here!
🏁 Final Thoughts – Steelhouse 2017
Steelhouse 2017 was a mighty mix of nostalgia and new blood, a weekend where NWOBHM met modern hard rock and Welsh talent stood proud. From Saxon’s thunderous set to the breakout energy of Florence Black and Stone Broken, it was a weekend for the books.
Welsh Sayings Recap:
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“Bendigedig!” to Saxon and Last in Line – true mountain headliners.
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“Ych-a-fi!” to whoever dropped their chips in the pit 🍟😂
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“Tidy!” for the energy of Bigfoot and Jared James Nichols.
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“Iechyd da!” to every muddy legend in the bar queue 🍻
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“C’mon Wales!” for Florence Black and V0iD – local heroes in the making.
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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