By David O’Neill
Chepstow Castle is a venue steeped in centuries of history, but on this late‑summer evening it became a fortress of modern hard rock. Welsh heavyweights Florence Black headlined the iconic setting with a commanding performance that underlined their growing reputation as one of the ÜK’s most exciting live acts. With support from Trucker Diablo, Black Lakes and South of Salem, the night offered a snapshot of hard rock in rude health.
Trucker Diablo, the seasoned Northern Irish act, kicked off proceedings with muscular riffs and anthemic choruses that immediately warmed the crowd. Their no‑frills approach worked perfectly, setting a rowdy, good‑time atmosphere as fans filtered into the castle grounds.
Next up, local favourites Black Lakes shifted the tone with a darker, more expansive sound. Their set carried a sense of drama, weaving between weighty grooves and soaring melodies, proving themselves adept at balancing heaviness with accessibility. With their cinematic feel, they stood out as a band clearly on the rise. They obviously enjoyed the opportunity as they were all grinning like Cheshire cats throughout the set.
The intensity only ramped up with South of Salem. Draped in gothic imagery and brimming with swagger, the Bournemouth five‑piece injected a theatrical edge to the evening. Fusing horror‑tinged glam with hard‑hitting metal riffs, their performance was as visually striking as it was musically fierce. With anthemic choruses tailor‑made for audience participation, they left the crowd primed and restless for the main event. These are another of those bands who provide a truly sensational set list of original songs and performances from each band member.
As the red stage lights illuminated Florence Black‘s entrance, and with new music forthcoming, the set commenced with the live debut of ‘Coloured In’ marking an impressive beginning to the event. ‘Rocking Ring’ and ‘Start Again’ rapidly followed.
From that first crushing riff, the Merthyr Tydfil trio made the historic venue feel like their own fortress. Their set list moved seamlessly between full‑throttle heaviness and melodic hooks, showcasing both the grit and finesse that have turned them into one of the ÜK’s breakthrough names. Tristan Thomas’s vocals soared powerfully above Jordan Evans’ thundering bass and Perry Davies’ tight, relentless drumming, every note delivered with expressive force.
Florence Black’s greatest strength lies in their ability to craft songs that hit hard while remaining memorable, and that came through loud and clear against the dramatic castle backdrop. Emotional peaks combined with bone‑shaking riffs created a set that felt both celebratory and defiant. The sense of homegrown pride was palpable, with the band visibly energised by the location and the passionate Welsh crowd.
It was great to see older tracks such as ‘Grove Street’ included and by the time the opening of ‘Zulu’ started the crowd were baying for more. The Tydfil trio readily obliged with a tribute to the recently passed Ozzy Osbourne with a great version of ‘Paranoid’.
A Florence Black would not be right without their usual version of ‘Breadfan’; however, this version was extra special with Perry Davies passing the drum sticks to the legend from Budgie – the one and only Ray Phillips! This was a special moment for everyone involved as Ray announced his retirement from gigging at the end of the song.
The encore after this was the fantastic ‘Sun And Moon’ and everyone knew they were in the presence of future headliners at many festivals. By the close of the night, Florence Black had achieved more than just a headline victory — they had stamped their authority on one of the most atmospheric venues in the country. With a flawless supporting lineup and a performance that brimmed with confidence, the show felt like a pivotal moment in their upward trajectory.
Chepstow Castle has seen many battles in its time. On this night, it witnessed another — one fought with guitars, drums, and raw emotion — and it was Florence Black who emerged triumphant Kings of the Castle.
Florence Black are going on a headline tour next month, and on this evidence everyone is in for an absolute storming time, before they return to Wales to storm another castle in Cardiff at the inaugural Blackbird Festival headlined by Alter Bridge next June.
- All photos © Bandtogs/Über Rock.
