Croeso i’r mynydd, rockers! As the mist rolls off the Ebbw Vale peaks and the amps begin to hum, there’s only one place to be this summer – Steelhouse Festival 2024! From July 26th to 28th, our beloved mountain becomes the holy ground for headbangers, riff lovers, and full-throttle festival warriors. 🎶🌄
Whether you’re a mud-splattered veteran or a fresh face with your first wristband, Steelhouse is more than just a music festival – it’s a family reunion with a killer soundtrack. This year’s lineup is bursting at the seams with legends, loudness, and lacerating licks. We’re talking Skindred bringing the Newport helicopter, Mr. Big’s final farewell, Accept melting faces, and enough rock ‘n’ roll spirit to wake the dragon himself. 🐲⚡
We’ve got:
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Mountain-top mosh pits 🏔️
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Sky-splitting solos 🎸
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Pint-in-hand singalongs 🍺
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And more Welsh pride than you can shake a leek at! 🧅
Expect the unexpected, pack for every season (you know how our weather rolls – ych-a-fi to that mud, but tidy when the sun shines! 🌧️☀️), and bring your biggest cheer for the loudest little festival in the world.
So grab your boots, raise your horns, and let’s make 2024 bendigedig! 🤘
C’mon Wales! Let’s turn this mountain into a metal mecca once more!
🎪 Friday, July 26 – Welcome to the Rocking Valleys!
🧡 Jim Kirkpatrick
Kicking off the festival like a proper gent with a bluesy fire in his belly, Jim’s set was a soulful starter to our heavy weekend feast. His guitar tone was smoother than Penderyn whisky and had the crowd swaying like sheep on a breezy hillside. His rendition of “Brave New World” had us shouting “Tidy!” from the front rail to the back tents.
👉 Verdict: A bluesy warm-up with Welsh weather-proof charm!
🔥 Nev MacDonald
Nev, the voice of Skin, came out and absolutely owned the stage like he’d never left it. His vocals soared higher than the Black Mountains – powerful, gritty, and packed with that unmistakable Welsh heart. His presence had the whole crowd yelling “C’mon Wales!” and waving inflatable dragons. A true Steelhouse legend returning home.
👉 Verdict: Homecoming hero – bendigedig! 🐉
🎶 Zac Schulze Gang
This trio brought the groove with a storming set of blues-rock, channeling the energy of Cream with a youthful bite. Tight rhythms, killer solos, and a grin that said, “We’re here to blow your socks off, butt.” And blow them off they did.
👉 Verdict: One to watch – next year they’ll be even higher on the bill!
🎸 Oli Brown & The Dead Collective
Oli’s darker, heavier direction hit like a thunderclap over Ebbw Vale. Atmospheric, emotional, and dripping with intensity – this was no background noise; this was a sermon from the mountain. Tracks like “Sinking Ship” silenced even the most beer-fuelled chatterboxes.
👉 Verdict: Moody magic – like a gothic hymn in a rainstorm. 🌧️
💎 Elles Bailey
Elles brought the soul, the sass, and the storm! Her smoky vocals wrapped around the audience like a dragon’s tail – fierce yet comforting. Her songs of love, resilience, and fire had the whole hilltop spellbound. “Rebel rock ‘n’ roll with a velvet glove,” one punter whispered.
👉 Verdict: Queen of the mountain Friday night – Iechyd da, Elles! 🍷
👑 King King
Friday’s headliners roared onto the stage with that unmistakable Glasgow swagger. Alan Nimmo, donning his kilt, ripped through riffs and vocals that felt like they echoed across the whole of Wales. “Rush Hour” and “You Stopped the Rain” were emotional high-points. They owned the mountain like kings indeed.
👉 Verdict: Crowned and conquered. A royal finish to Day One!
⚡ Saturday, July 27 – The Mountain Gets Loud!
🎩 Cassidy Paris
This Aussie firecracker kicked off the day with a bang, bringing bubblegum glam and gritty riffs together. Young, fierce, and full of charisma, she had everyone yelling “Tidy!” before lunchtime.
👉 Verdict: Pop-metal princess in the making!
🗣️ Dan Byrne
Flying the flag for British melodic rock, Dan’s vocals were pure power – think Bon Jovi if he grew up in Pontypridd. His set was heartfelt, high energy, and had the crowd crooning along to every chorus.
👉 Verdict: A voice like a dragon’s roar – proper lush!
⚡ Jared James Nichols
He took to the stage like a man possessed, guitar slung low, hair flying. No pick, no problem – this man’s bare-knuckle blues had the crowd in awe. “Nails in the Coffin” shook the mud off the boots of even the sleepiest campers.
👉 Verdict: Raw power – a human lightning bolt!
🌿 The Commoners
Canadian roots-rock brilliance with harmonies tighter than your tent’s guy ropes. Their set felt like a southern breeze over the Welsh hills – refreshing, honest, and foot-stompingly good.
👉 Verdict: Americana with a Cymru twist!
💥 The Last Internationale
Politically charged and fiercely passionate, this set was a rally cry against the madness of the world – all wrapped in dirty riffs and rebellious vocals. Delila Paz is a rock priestess, leading her congregation into battle.
👉 *Verdict: Grit, fire, and fury – proper hwyl! 🔥
🌈 Living Colour
Steelhouse witnessed a masterclass in genre-blending. Funk, metal, soul, and chaos – Living Colour gave us everything. “Cult of Personality” had the crowd erupt like a dragon’s sneeze!
👉 Verdict: Legends doing what legends do – bendigedig!
🖤 The Almighty
The return of Ricky Warwick and co. – and they did not disappoint. Dirty, punk-tinged hard rock, snarled with intent. The mosh pit swelled like a Brecon storm cloud. A proper throwback to when rock was mean and sweaty.
👉 Verdict: Almighty by name, almighty by nature. 💀
🤘 Skindred (Headliners)
Wales’ own, and Steelhouse’s most glorious chaos merchants. Benji Webbe commanded the crowd like a bard of battle, bouncing across the stage in gold robes and sunglasses. When “Nobody” dropped, the Newport Helicopter took flight, and the mountain exploded. Fire, fury, and family – Skindred brought the house down.
👉 Verdict: The greatest Steelhouse set of all time? Probably. 🔥🐉
🎸 Sunday, July 28 – A Proper Rock Send-Off
🎤 Zac and The New Men
Returning for a Sunday wake-up call, they brought youthful energy and Welsh charm. These lads are rising fast – and with a crowd this size loving every beat, they’ll be much higher on next year’s lineup!
👉 Verdict: Cymru’s next big thing!
🕺 Creeping Jean
Groovy, retro, and dripping in 70s swagger – they brought a glam-tinged freshness that had the front row shaking their glittery wellies.
👉 Verdict: Like Queen had a jam session with T. Rex – lush!
🎸 James and the Cold Gun
Explosive, noisy, and pure rock ‘n’ roll chaos. Their punk energy was a wake-up punch, and they left the crowd sweaty and begging for more.
👉 Verdict: A proper mosh-fest – diolch, boys!
🦇 South Of Salem
Gothic, theatrical, and heavy as a mountain goat’s headache. Their mix of horror visuals and bone-crunching metal was spellbinding.
👉 Verdict: Like Alice Cooper went to Swansea Uni – brilliant!
🔥 The Warning
Three sisters from Mexico who delivered one of the most jaw-dropping performances of the weekend. Harmonies on point, stage presence to die for – and enough energy to power the valleys.
👉 Verdict: Don’t warn us, just bring ‘em back next year! 💃
🐍 Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons
Steelhouse royalty. Phil Campbell brought Motörhead spirit back to the mountain. With bangers like “Born to Raise Hell” and “Ace of Spades” – the whole crowd was shouting “Iechyd da!” through the dust and glory.
👉 Verdict: Legends keeping Lemmy’s fire burning. 🎩🔥
⚔️ Accept
German metal royalty. Riffs like Panzer tanks, vocals sharp as a dragon’s claw, and a set that turned the hillside into a war zone of horns and hair. “Balls to the Wall”? You bet.
👉 Verdict: Teutonic thunder. Oof!
🎤 Mr. Big (Final UK Show – Headliners)
Emotional. Epic. Unforgettable. This was Mr. Big’s swansong, and they played like gods. “To Be With You” became a mountain-wide singalong, tears mixing with cheers as the sun set behind the stage. They ended with smiles, solos, and Welsh flags flying.
👉 Verdict: A perfect goodbye. Diolch am y gerddoriaeth, legends. 💔🇬🇧
🏁 Final Thoughts – Steelhouse 2024: A Festival for the Ages
From roaring riffs to tearful goodbyes, Steelhouse 2024 was an emotional rollercoaster with a soundtrack that could move mountains. The weather? All four seasons in a day. The people? Like family. The music? Louder than a dragon’s growl.
If you weren’t there, you missed history. If you were – we did it together, butt! 🐲🍻
Until next year… keep your boots muddy, your horns raised, and your heart full of riffs.
STEELHOUSE FOREVER.
#CmonWales #TidyRiffs #MountainMadness #Steelhouse2024
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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