This one’s for the grafters, the gaffers, and the gurners. The crew that makes the mountain move. 🔧🎸🏔️
Powered by caffeine, chaos, and Carling – only on The Riff Report.
💡 WHO THE HELL ARE THE MOUNTAIN CREW?
You might not see them onstage, but they’re the first to arrive and the last to leave – usually covered in mud, mystery bruises, and duct tape.
They’re the:
- 🎛️ Tech heads
- 🔌 Power wranglers
- 🏗️ Stage builders
- 🚧 Trackway layers
- ☕ Tea brewers
- 🧻 Loo saviours
- And absolute legends of logistics
Without them? There is no Steelhouse. Just a windy field and some confused sheep.
“We don’t wear capes. We wear hi-vis. And smell like diesel.” – Matty, Steelhouse Veteran of 9 builds
🎤 MEET THE MOUNTAIN HEROES
Let’s shine a massive floodlight on the crew keeping Steelhouse alive every year. Torch batteries fully charged? Good. Let’s go.
🔧 BIG DAZ – The Stage General
Role: Master of Scaffolding, Lord of the Load-In
Catchphrase: “If it ain’t zip-tied, it ain’t finished.”
Fun Fact: Once built an entire riser during a thunderstorm with a dislocated thumb.
Daz runs the stage like a battlefield commander – every plank, platform and pyro rig bends to his will. Don’t ask how. Just nod, pass him the drill, and move out of his way.
⚡ LEAH “THE CABLE WHISPERER”
Role: Power distribution goddess
Catchphrase: “Do NOT step on the cable trunk, or so help me…”
Fun Fact: Has tattooed cable layouts on her leg – for efficiency (and because she’s a legend)
Leah keeps the lights on and the amps humming. She’s patched more 3-phase power in one weekend than most electricians do in a year – usually while shouting at the sky and sipping lukewarm tea.
🎛️ OWAIN ON SOUND – The Volume Viking
Role: FOH wizard / Monitor whisperer
Catchphrase: “More snare. No, more snare.”
Fun Fact: Can mix your favourite band while dodging beer cups and balancing on a flight case
Owain lives at the mixing desk, surrounded by faders, flashing lights, and the ghosts of feedback past. He’s got ears like a bat and a no-nonsense attitude that makes divas cry and monitors sing.
🧽 JULIE – QUEEN OF THE CLEAN-UP CREW
Role: Litter ninja, toilet whisperer, patron saint of post-gig carnage
Catchphrase: “That’s not mud. Don’t touch it.”
Fun Fact: Once recovered a full tent, unopened cider crate, and sleeping metalhead before 7AM
Julie and her army of unsung heroes wade into the battlefield of bins and bogs, armed with black bags, jet washers, and pure rage. She’s the reason you don’t drown in crisp packets.
🛻 DAI THE DRIVER – MAN VS MOUNTAIN
Role: Shuttles gear, people, and rogue llamas (don’t ask)
Catchphrase: “Hold tight. This road’s steeper than a Slayer solo.”
Fun Fact: Has never spilled a single amp. Has spilled three drummers.
Dai’s 4×4 is the real backstage headliner. He’s the human SatNav of Steelhouse, hauling tonnes of gear up gravel tracks in sideways rain with one hand on the clutch and the other holding a Greggs pasty.
🎪 THE “TENT TECHS” – Lords of Lashing & Pegging
Role: Building tents, saving tents, replacing tents…
Catchphrase: “That’s not tensioned right. Watch this.”
Fun Fact: Invented the infamous “Steelhouse Tent Triangle” – where tents vanish without trace overnight
They brave wind, sleet, and overzealous campers to make sure every structure stands tall – from the merch tent to the food court to the backstage chill zone that somehow becomes a sauna.
🎸 VOLUNTEER ARMY – THE MOUNTAIN’S BEATING HEART
Every year, dozens of mad legends volunteer to shift bins, sell shirts, and guide the masses. From locals to lifelong fans, they’re the friendly face of festival chaos.
“We come back every year because it feels like family – loud, sweaty family who like Motorhead.” – Beth, volunteer & wristband ninja
🎪 LEGENDARY CREW MOMENTS
Here’s just a taste of what these lunatics pull off behind the scenes:
- Built an emergency second bar from pallets and tarpaulin after a storm destroyed the original
- Rescued a singer stuck inside a portakabin after the wind slammed the door shut (with a bandmate inside playing kazoo)
- Fixed a generator mid-set using a metal spoon, chewing gum, and prayer 🙏
🖤 WHY THEY DO IT
They’re not in it for the glamour, butt. There’s no backstage champagne, no limo drop-offs. Just long days, short tempers, endless rain… and absolute magic.
“It’s hard work. But when that first riff kicks in and the crowd goes off… it’s worth every splinter.” – Leah
Steelhouse Crew aren’t just staff. They’re the soul of the festival. Every bolt, banner, bog, and bass amp is thanks to them.
🤘 HOW TO THANK THE CREW
- Be kind. Be patient. Don’t be a knob.
- Buy ‘em a pint if you see ’em
- Shout “DIOLCH CREW!” from the pit
- And maybe… join them next year? (Applications open, ya know 😉)
🏁 NEXT UP…
Steelhouse Build Diary: Part 6 – “The Steelhouse Superfans: Tattoos, Tent Shrines & 10-Year Veterans” 🔥🏕️
Want it? Just say the word and we’ll blow the lid off the mountain’s most devoted riff addicts.
Until then…
#CrewLife #BuiltByLegends #TheRiffReport
Diolch, you beautiful backstage beasts 💪💚
