πΈ 2001 β Soul, Pop & Classic Cool
- Aerosmith
- Solomon Burke
- The Flamingos
- Michael Jackson
- Queen
- Paul Simon
- Steely Dan
Queen and MJ in the same year? Thatβs not a ceremony β thatβs a global event.
π€ 2002 β The Classic Rock Lock-In
- Isaac Hayes
- Brenda Lee
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Gene Pitney
- Ramones
- Talking Heads
Ramones and Talking Heads in one go? Punk and art-rock finally getting the velvet rope treatment.
πΆ 2003 β Legends Only Mode
- AC/DC
- The Clash
- Elvis Costello & The Attractions
- The Police
- The Righteous Brothers
AC/DC and The Clash in the same room? Thatβs a volume warning.
π₯ 2004 β Funk, Soul & Stadium Moments
- Prince
- Bob Seger
- Traffic
- The Dells
- ZZ Top
- Jackson Browne
Princeβs induction performance alone could power Cardiff Bay for a month.
π₯ 2005 β Political Rock & Proper Anthems
- U2
- Buddy Guy
- The O’Jays
- The Pretenders
- Percy Sledge
U2 going in during their stadium-conquering era? Felt inevitable.
πΈ The Early 2000s Verdict
By 2005 the Hall had:
- Locked in punk legitimacy
- Crowned classic hard rock
- Brought funk royalty to the stage
- Cemented 70s and 80s arena giants
But you could feel the pressure buildingβ¦
Metal fans were getting louder.
Grunge was officially eligible.
And the internet had started keeping score.
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 specialβfrom 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 heβs 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, heβs 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 heβs not writing or interviewing artists, youβll 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 musicβtheyβre about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Thatβs exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. π€
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