They say the mountain never forgets… and 2017 proved it remembers every scream, every riff, and every rain-soaked cheer. This was a year where the weather threw punches, the bands threw down, and the fans stood tall – unified by the power of live music, community spirit, and a mutual loathing of soggy socks. ☔🧦
Some came for legends, some came for rising stars, and some came because nothing else feels quite like standing on a Welsh mountainside with your fists in the air shouting “C’MON WALES!”
From veteran icons to raw, hungry newcomers, Steelhouse 2017 had one of the most diverse and deeply loved lineups the festival has ever pulled off. And you know what? It absolutely slapped.
So let’s break it down… one beautiful, rain-battered, speaker-destroying performance at a time. 🎶👇
🎸 FRIDAY – The Warm-Up that Woke the Mountain
Florence Black 🔥
Merthyr’s finest hit the Friday stage with the kind of fire that could dry out a tent from 50 feet. Florence Black were already making waves in the Welsh rock scene, and this set cemented their status as the hometown heroes of Steelhouse.
Tristan’s vocals were loaded with power and grit, and the riffs? Colossal. From the swampy stomp of The Deep End to the explosive fury of Fiesta, the trio made it very clear: “We’re not here to mess around.” Their already-legendary take on Budgie’s Breadfan had fists flying and chants echoing down the valleys. A band that belongs on this mountain, full stop.
Broken Witt Rebels 🌊
Bringing a heavy dose of soulful swagger, Broken Witt Rebels turned the energy inward – showing that you don’t need to scream to shake a crowd to its core. Their southern rock-tinged sound, layered with bluesy emotion, gave Friday a rich, textured punch.
Danny Core’s vocals were molten honey and heartbreak, soaring effortlessly on tracks like Low and Georgia Pine. The band’s dynamic chemistry gave the crowd space to breathe – but when the choruses hit, they hit like thunder. It was a masterclass in groove and grit – one that had many shouting “who the hell are these guys?”… in the best way possible.
🤘 SATURDAY – Riffs, Rain, and Roars
SKAM ⚡
Kicking off Saturday with full throttle energy, SKAM brought Leicester grit and power trio thunder. Their blend of classic British hard rock and modern metal edge set the tone for a day of no-holds-barred noise.
Songs like Fading Before the Sun and Let It Breathe showcased Matt Gilmore’s gritty vocals and razor-sharp guitar work. These boys don’t deal in subtlety – it was a high-octane, riff-heavy wake-up call, and the Steelhouse crowd responded in kind. Mosh pits in mud? Standard.
Bigfoot 🐾
The now sadly disbanded Bigfoot were one of those bands that simply owned the stage when they were on it. With Sam Millar and Mick McCullagh laying down dual guitars like a pair of duelling dragons, their sound was big, bold, and brilliantly melodic.
Run and Tell Me a Lie had the hooks to draw people in, but it was The Fear that left the biggest mark – a wall of vocals and emotion that made the rain stop just to listen. If you saw Bigfoot at Steelhouse, you saw them at their best.
King King 👑
Few bands bring class and warmth like King King. With Alan Nimmo front and centre, all smiles and soul, this was a set that hugged the crowd like a warm jacket in a cold field.
Their blues-rock groove was rich and heartfelt. Rush Hour, Long History of Love, and Waking Up were all delivered with incredible musicianship and humility. Nimmo’s voice was velvet and voltage, and his guitar work? Sublime. A perfect afternoon set that offered a breather without dropping the intensity. Proper tidy.
Inglorious 🎤
When Inglorious hit the Steelhouse stage, the heavens opened – but so did the crowd’s lungs. Nathan James, wrapped in a cascade of curls and leather, roared like a man possessed. His voice was one of the finest in rock at the time, and the band matched that energy pound for pound.
Holy Water, Read All About It, and Until I Die sounded massive – drenched in 70s swagger and 80s attitude. The band’s chemistry was electric, and their performance theatrical without being overblown. Inglorious? Absolutely. Unforgettable? Definitely.
Last in Line (Headliner) ⚔️
The Dio legacy lives on – and it lived large on that Steelhouse Saturday. With original Dio members Vivian Campbell and Vinny Appice on board, and Andrew Freeman commanding the mic, Last in Line gave the crowd a true heavy metal masterclass.
Holy Diver, Rainbow in the Dark, and We Rock were played with reverence and power, while their original material held up strong alongside the classics. Freeman’s vocals were fury and finesse, and Vivian’s solos felt like divine fire through the rain. As headliners, they honoured a legend – and made their own mark on the mountain. \m/
🎶 SUNDAY – Blues, Battles, and British Steel
Stone Broken 🧱
The new blood arrived hungry and heavy. Stone Broken took the stage with swagger and maturity far beyond their years. Not Your Enemy and Wait For You were sung loud and proud by a growing fanbase.
Rich Moss’s vocals soared, and their ultra-tight musicianship proved why they were being pegged as future headliners. Sunday sunrise sets don’t always pull big energy – but Stone Broken proved they could get the mountain moving again, no matter how many sore heads were in the crowd.
The Graveltones 🥁
A two-piece with the sonic power of a five-man assault unit, The Graveltones were raw, rhythmic chaos. With distorted blues riffs and pounding tribal drums, they played like The White Stripes on a Zeppelin bender.
Their set was intense, primal, and gloriously unpolished. It felt spontaneous, explosive – like every song might derail at any moment, only to be yanked back with a howl and a hammer blow of rhythm. One of the most unique and underrated sets of the weekend.
Y&T 🇺🇸
Still bringing the fire after all these years, Y&T returned to Steelhouse and once again set the gold standard for classic hard rock. Dave Meniketti’s vocals were sharp and soulful, his solos searing, and the band was tighter than a backstage pass.
Rescue Me, Don’t Stop Runnin’, and I Believe in You hit like old friends arriving at the bar – nostalgic, loved, and still absolutely brilliant. A perfect late afternoon blast of hard rock sunshine – even if the clouds had other ideas.
Saxon (Headliner) 🦅
What can you say about Saxon that hasn’t been screamed from the top of a mountain already? With Biff Byford in roaring form, Steelhouse 2017 ended in absolute glory.
This wasn’t just a set – it was a declaration of metal dominance. From Motorcycle Man to 747 (Strangers in the Night), and Heavy Metal Thunder to Princess of the Night, Saxon tore through decades of anthems like they were just warming up.
Biff’s voice was commanding, the band tight and thunderous, and the crowd? A sea of raised fists, roaring every word. There’s a reason Saxon are called British metal royalty – and at Steelhouse 2017, they wore the crown proudly. An unforgettable, mountain-levelling finale.
🏁 Final Verdict – Steelhouse 2017: One for the Ages
Steelhouse 2017 was a perfect blend of past, present, and future.
🎸 The legends delivered.
🔥 The newcomers conquered.
🌧️ And the fans? We danced in the rain like we were born in it.
It was a festival of passion, power, and pure mountain magic – a reminder that when the weather gets rough, the rock gets LOUDER.
Steelhouse 2017 – the storm didn’t stand a chance.
Cymru am byth! 🐉
We’ll see you next time – same hill, louder amps, and a whole lot more mud.
