Posted by The Riff Report Blog – July 25th, 2025
📍Location: Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale, South Wales
🎟️ Attendance: Thousands of riff-loving legends
🍻 Beers drunk: Honestly? We lost count.
🏁 THE MOUNTAIN OPENS – AND IT’S GLORIOUSLY LOUD
We’ve waited 364 days for this, and Steelhouse Festival 2025 didn’t disappoint – not even for a second. Friday on the mountain always feels like a family reunion with distortion pedals, and this year the vibes were cowing lush. The sun was out, the beers were flowing, the merch stalls were already selling out of sizes XL and XXL (classic), and the Steelhouse faithful were back in full force.
From the first tent pole being hammered in to the first band hitting the stage, The Riff Report was THERE – sunscreen in one hand, pint in the other, notebook hanging from our lanyard like a war medal.
🎪 FESTIVAL VIBES – TIDY AS EVER
From the moment the first can of Carling cracked open at 9am (you know who you are), the Steelhouse 2025 vibes were immaculate.
Toilets? Surprisingly clean (for now). Staff? Friendly as ever. Shout out to security giving out high-fives and water. Vendors? Chips, burgers, merch, bandanas, glitter beards – only in Wales, mun. Crowd? Packed with legends. Grandads in Motörhead vests, mums in Iron Maiden tees, and a lad dressed as a banana absolutely going for it in the pit during Mason Hill.
We even spotted someone in full Knight of the Round Table cosplay headbanging like their life depended on it. And honestly? Respect.
📸 FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
First unicorn inflatable crowd surf of the weekend – majestic stuff 🦄 Three lads in kilts lifting each other up during “Bird on a Chain” A toddler with pink earmuffs out-dancing most of the crowd 👶 Dan Byrne watching Florence Black side stage, grinning like a proud brother Us? Crying into our pint during the “Sun & Moon” singalong. No regrets.
🎧 SOUND, LIGHTS & STAGE
Massive kudos to the Steelhouse tech crew – the main stage sound was crystal from front rail to the back fence. Even with a cheeky breeze kicking up mid-afternoon, every note landed sharp. The light show during Florence Black’s finale? Chef’s kiss. That strobe during “Smoke” nearly sent us into another dimension.
🥴 THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE HEADBANG
The Good:
Every band brought their A-game The weather held (miracle) VIP acoustic sets = genius move
The Bad:
The queue for cheesy chips nearly became a mosh pit No merch left in XXL by 6pm (come on now) Our tent zipper is already broken
The Headbang:
Florence Black. Enough said.
🎤 FINAL VERDICT
Steelhouse Friday was the perfect kickoff. Equal parts chaos and community. Loud enough to wake the valleys. Full of heart, full of soul, full of beer. If this is the energy we’re starting with, Saturday and Sunday better watch their backs.
We’ll be back tomorrow with a full Saturday review, including That Banner Night with W.A.S.P., the chaos of Tailgunner, and whatever the hell happens when Ravenbreed and FM get loose.
So for now…
THE RIFF REPORT FRIDAY SCORE:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ 9/10
(One point off because we forgot sunscreen and look like lobsters)
📸 Got epic pics? Tag us: @theriffreportuk
📰 Follow for more updates, madness and merch from the mountain
💬 Comment below: What was YOUR favourite set from Friday?
💀 Stay loud, stay proud – and for the love of Dio, drink water.
The Riff Report Blog – Keeping It Steel Since Day One 🤘
#Steelhouse2025 #TheRiffReport #FlorenceBlack #MasonHill #KiraMac #MountainMadness #CmonButt #RockOnTheMountain 🏴☠️⛰️🔥
