By Monk and The Dark Queen
It is a mark of Steelhouse’s stature as one of ÜR’s favourite festivals that it is one of the very rare occasions when your HQ team bite the bullet, max out the collective credit cards and traverse the singular most expensive of water in the Überverse for a weekend of classic rock as delivered by some of the finest exponents of the genre, both old school and new breed alike. And so it is that, in exactly four weeks time, we once again will be climbing that long and winding path to the top of the mountain, hooking up with a tonne of old friends and basking in whatever the (in)glorious Welsh weather chucks at us for three days of quality rock ‘n’ roll action…
Probably nursing a massive hangover from Friday’s frolics, we’ll still have a massive spring in our step as we climb that winding path up the mountain to check out the next eight acts on this year’s eclectic menu, each bringing their own twist on the (largely) NWoCR theme that permeates today’s proceedings.
To kick off proceedings, we’ll be gleefully imbibing in a sip or several of thon there Dead Man’s Whiskey, who will no doubt get their party started with their vibrant and energetic brand of blues-infused hard rock, very reminiscent of our buds in Trucker Diablo, delivered with good-old fashioned, no-nonsense aplomb. This ain’t no masquerade, this is definitely, and defiantly, the real thing:
Next up, we have the first of two back-to-back acts who are (relatively) new to us ‘uns here at ÜRHQ, although they doubt will be familiar to many of the NWoCR massive assembled on top of the mountain (well, they wouldn’t be there if they weren’t now, would they?). Now, regular readers know that we love a swelling organ, and Austin Gold deliver that in spades with a sound that harkens back to the vintage days of early-Seventies British rock, a la Deep Purple, but delivered with a modern, alt-rock twist:
Next, we’ll be staring into some Black Mirrors, who fit neatly into the same sort of blues-infused psychedelic (or psychedelic-infused blues?) groove mien filled by When Rivers Meet and Blues Pills. They’ll no doubt provide some suitable chillaxing moments after the freneticism of our two opening acts, while also laying down some neat ‘n’ dirty riffology that will get the diehard heads at the front nodding along in appreciation. Hopefully, it won’t turn into a mud-caked mess:
One thing that characterizes this year’s Steelhouse is that the bill is rammed with strong frontwoman – and that’s the truth, the whole Damn Truth, whom we’ve been following for a couple of years now. In Lee-La Baum, they have a powerful and entrancing presence up front, but they can also back this up with a tight and accomplished trio of musicians who exemplify all that is best about the NWoCR sound. One thing is for certain: these Montreal retro-rockers won’t be feeling lonely on top of the mountain:
Steelhouse has always, often boldly, championed local talent, and such is the case with Florence Black, with the three lads from just down the road in Merthyr having first graced this stage back in 2015 and been regular return visitors ever since, showing that they have never forgotten their roots… and those lie in classic rock delivered with a heavy emphasis on grunt and melody. These bais may have the #WeightOfTheWorld on their shoulders but they carry it with more aplomb and panache than Atlas could ever achieve:
Now, I must admit that the last time I saw Blues Pills, on this same stage, I was somewhat disappointed, their set filled as it was with what I saw as needless meandering solo sections and lacking any energy. Hopefully, this year’s set will be a bit more “festival friendly” as when they are at the top of their game these Swedish retro-rockers, and especially Janis-evoking frontwoman Elin Larsson, are one of the most hypnotic acts around:
Another local talent that Steelhouse has championed since the beginning is Those Damn Crows, who exponential rise has been as inexorable as it is deserving, with the Bridgend celebrating a #3 album, a sold-out Swansea Arena show and a triumphant support tour with The Holly wood Vampires already this year… there’ll be plenty of inhaling and exhaling (sic) during this well-deserved main support slot, and I’m sure if the field had a roof it would be well and truly lifted by the massive singalongs to each and every one of the ‘bangers these bais no doubt will perform…
Bringing the second day to a typically rousing finale, Airbourne no doubt will do what they do best… and that is deliver party tune after party toon in their continuing bid to prove that they are, indeed, one of THE singular most party-tastic bands in the Überverse. Well, that they are, never failing to ‘bang heads and bring smiles to drunken faces and a worthy closing acts for this second day… now, how far will Joel get up that gantry?
Everything else you need to know…
- Steelhouse takes place at Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, Aberbeeg, Ebbw Vale, NP13 2ER. The ‘What 3 Words’ locater is Needle.Navy.Canal. The site is best approached from the north (ie Ebbw Vale/Cwm) as the entrance to the site is on the southward side of the A4046. If you approach from the south you will be directed on towards Ebbw Vale to return to the site during busy periods. The car park is about 500 yards from the festival arena and the general campsite along a farm track.
- There will be traffic on the road to the site – an obvious statement we know, but the road to the site is towards a forestry/farm site and is a bit “interesting” shall we say. Make sure your tyres and handbrake are in good condition!
- Again stating the obvious, but the festival is on the top of a mountain, 1,300 feet above sea level so irrespective of the weather it is likely to be windy. Pack good quality tent pegs, not the traditional 3mm wire pin ones you get with any tent: the number of tents that get trashed each year is not funny for those festival goers on the receiving end of the sometimes rather strong hilltop “breezes”.
- The festival site won’t open before 12 midday on Friday. The arena opens at 2pm on Friday, and 11.30am on both Saturday and Sunday. It closes at midnight each night.
- Food and non-alcoholic drinks are available throughout the night from campsite vendors. All vehicles and campers must exit the site by 11am on Monday 31st July 2023.
- No glass is allowed on site, as it is a working farm. Please take cans or plastic bottles only. Steelhouse is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. Please help them and throw your rubbish in the appropriate bins. Cleaning the arena of litter every morning is undertaken by the volunteers who also help to set up the site every year.
- There is no drinking water on site, but bottled water will be provided, free of charge, by the volunteers in the site offices.
- No fires or tinfoil barbecues are allowed, although BBQs can be used if they are raised off the ground.
- Above all, please be friendly – and expect to receive plenty of cwtches over the course of the weekend.
- For all terms and conditions, and answers to FAQs, visit www.steelhousefestival.com/info/
Very limited tickets remain available.
Tune back to this channel tomorrow for our guide to all of the acts gracing the third and final day of Europe’s geographically highest stage. In the meantime, keep ‘er lit rockers n’ groovers \m/
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