Location: Dunraven Brewery Field, Bridgend
Date: August Bank Holiday Monday β 28th August, 2023
Event Type: Rock Concert x Rugby Celebration
Bands/Teams: Those Damn Crows πΈ + Bridgend Ravens π
Attendance: Estimated 3,000+ locals, rockers, and rugby fans
Welsh Saying of the Night: “Ymlaen gydaβr sΕ·n!” β βForward with the noise!β
π₯ A One-of-a-Kind Bridgend Homecoming
Imagine the roar of the rugby crowd colliding with the roar of Marshall amps. Thatβs exactly what happened when Bridgend’s very own Those Damn Crows returned for a once-in-a-lifetime homecoming gigβright on the turf of Dunraven Brewery Field.
This was more than a show. It was community spirit with a setlist, a celebration of music, sport, and Welsh pride under the wide August sky. Locals came out in droves β with kids in band tees, seasoned fans waving flags, and even a few confused rugby dads who left as fully-converted Crows fans.
π΅ Those Damn Crows: A Thunderstorm of Emotion and Energy
The moment the band took the stage, the field lit up like a rock battlefield. Every lyric hit harder. Every riff echoed down the valleys.
Set Highlights:
- πΆ βSend the Reaperβ β With the full force of Bridgend shouting the chorus back.
- πΆ βThis Time Iβm Readyβ β Dedicated to fans whoβve been there from the pub gigs to the arenas.
- πΆ βRock ‘n’ Roll Ainβt Deadβ β It was a rallying cry, a foot-stomping reminder that the Welsh rock scene is alive and screaming.
Special Moment: During βBlink of an Eye,β the band paused to thank their families and supportersβtears were flowing and phones lit the sky. Tidy doesnβt even cover it.
π Bridgend Ravens: Kicking Off the Spirit
While the evening belonged to rock, rugby was the heartbeat. The Bridgend Ravens kicked off the day with a showcase of their legacy, hosting youth teams and meet-and-greets for fans. It felt like a cultural handoverβfrom scrum to stage.
- Local youth teams got signed merch from the band
- Bridgend legends past and present were spotted soaking up the vibes
- The clubhouse was turned into a mini merch village β band tees and club scarves side by side
π Food, Beer & Festive Flair
Festival-style food trucks flanked the field, serving up loaded Welsh rarebit fries, BBQ stacks, pizza, and Crows-themed cocktails (yes, really β The Feather Dropper was a crowd favourite πΉ).
The bar? Overflowing, but efficient. Local brews from Glamorgan Brewery and Bragdy Twt Lol were on tap.
Top shout: Free water points. Hydrate or headbang responsibly. π§πΈ
π¨ Extras That Made the Night Special
- πΈ Crow Photo Booth: With inflatable guitars, feather capes, and a mock stage setup for fan snaps.
- πΌοΈ Art Wall: Fans left messages and doodlesβnow preserved as part of a community art piece in the clubhouse.
- π·οΈ Exclusive Merch Drop: Limited-edition rugby x rock crossover shirts sold out in under 20 minutes!
π Final Thoughts: The Spirit of Bridgend, Amplified
If you ever doubted that Bridgend could throw a world-class event β this gig dropkicked that doubt into touch. It was pride, power, and passion, all rolled into one epic night.
π€ Final Score:
Atmosphere: πππππ
Band Performance: π₯π₯π₯π₯π₯
Community Vibes: π― Pure Class
Rugby x Rock Combo: 10/10 would mosh again
As the night drew to a close and the echoes of the final encore rang out across Brewery Field, one thing was clear:
βThis town doesnβt just raise players and performers β it raises legends.β
ππΈ Cβmon Wales! Iechyd da, Bridgend β you smashed it. π₯π
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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