The Über Rockin’ Guide To… Steelhouse

It’s been seven years since the Welsh hills first came alive with the sound of classic rock, with the inaugural Steelhouse festival. Officially the highest music festival in the Über Kingdom of Rock ‘n’ Roll – and possibly the whole of Europe this unique event will once again be held in the spectacular surroundings of Hafod-y-Dafal Farm, situated on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons.

 

And like the towering, solid piece of stone it’s perched on, the Steelhouse stands resolute – a seemingly immovable object on the festival landscape. Steelhouse 2018 looks set to be the biggest and best yet, with massive site improvements – including work to upgrade the notorious road leading up to the site – and weekend tickets sold out for the first time in the event’s history (a very limited number of day tickets remain).

 

Of course, Team Über, having supported the festival since the very beginning, will be there again in force next weekend… so, we thought we’d introduce you to the acts we’re looking forward to seeing over the weekend. But first, a quick locals guide to how to get there and, for those camping, where to obtain essentials such as food and toiletries, courtesy of our man from the valleys:

 

The full address for your SatNav is Hafod y Dafal farm, Aberbeeg, NP13 2ER. The site is at the top of a forestry mountain road on the A4046 between Aberbeeg and Cwm. This is the only entrance to the site and traffic backs up in both directions towards Ebbw Vale and Aberbeeg. Gates open at 2pm on the Friday and 11 on Saturday and Sunday for day visitors.

 

The nearest railway station is either Llanhilleth (but there is no transport link to the site) or Ebbw Vale. The trains to Ebbw Vale start in Cardiff. There is no direct link to Ebbw Vale from Newport by train.   From Ebbw Vale station there is a shuttle bus up to the top of the mountain every 15 minutes. It cost £2 each way and is called The Rocket. The station car park is five-minute walk from the Premier Inn.

 

If you need to shop either in advance or over the weekend, Tesco in Abertillery is on the A467 about 11 minutes away by car. There is also a Tesco in Ebbw Vale about 16 minutes away. Whilst the trip times are according to Google maps just be aware that you are travelling up and down a mountain road.

 

You can find full details of onsite facilities, terms and conditions, etc., on the official Steelhouse website. (David O’Neill)

 

So, now you know how to get there and what not, what acts should you make sure you catch? Well, with only one stage, it would be pretty darn hard not to see them all, but we all need things like food and piss breaks, so here is our ready reckoner as those that are definitely top of our hitlist over the two days and one evening…

 

Stone Broken (Friday)

 

 

Friday headliners Stone Broken are going to make the opening night a real party event. Having only recently performed in Pontypridd, many of the Steelhouse family (‘cos that’s what we call ourselves) May have seen them there. With all their songs being good solid Nickleback style rock (don’t get drawn into that argument, I like Nickleback), the crowd are in for a treat. With a new album full of cracking tunes (‘Ain’t Always Easy’) and off the back of a headline tour the performance will be tight and entertaining with many of the crowd probably joining in with the choruses. After all you’re going to be in Wales and more than 10 together is likely to form a choir! What is more unusual is the fact that a band is back two years in a row. So, the crowd will know many of their songs. A good way to get the party started. However, they’ll have a hard act to follow from last year’s Friday night headliners Hand of Dimes and a certain Mr Bernie Marsden. (DO’N)

 

www.facebook.com/OfficialStoneBroken/

 

The Bad Flowers (Saturday)

 

 

The Bad Flowers are one of those bands that are sneaking up on the outside track of the current rock scene. They write good songs and have a unique vocal and musical sound. The last tour supporting Stone Broken has really helped then to gain more of a following and deservedly so. Having heard some of the tracks off the last album on Planet Rock, it was worth a visit to the Muni to see them a few months ago in preparation for the upcoming Steelhouse billing. Tom Leightons’ voice has a different sound to many existing rock singers. The three-piece deliver a phenomenally big sound but then this is superbly supported by the larger than life bassist Dale Tonks and the driving drum play of Karl Selickis who both impressed me and others in the audience in Pontypridd earlier this year. Big enough sound for Steelhouse? Hell yeah! (DO’N)

 

www.facebook.com/thebadflowersband/

 

Aaron Buchanan And The Cult Classics (Saturday)

 

 

One of the most exciting live acts on the Über Kingdom scene at the moment, Aaron Buchanan and his Cult Classics should be one the verge of going stratospheric, if there is any justice in this hoary old rock ‘n’ roll world. With a stunning debut album, ‘The Man With Stars On His Knees’, and a live show that combines cool, strut and swagger with big walls of joyous, ballsy rock ‘n’ roll racket, they most definitely will set the bar high early in the day. Whether Aaron will be able to do one of his now infamous handstands in the middle of the crowd is another thing… but, I’m sure if he has the will he find a way… Definitely, future headliners in the making. (Monk)

 

www.facebook.com/TheCultClassics/

 

Myke Gray (Saturday)

 

 

The former Skin/Jagged Edge guitarist has been flying solo for around a year now, with a debut album, ‘Shades Of Gray’, released last year, and a band that sees him ably assisted by that erstwhile friend of ÜR, Matt Blakout, behind the kit and the raspy tonsils of Blackwater Conspiracy’s Phil Conalane. This summer already has seen him play hugely acclaimed sets at both Download and Ramblin’ Man Fair, and with a pair of shows with Sunday night headliners Black Star Riders at the end of November, 2018 should be year which sees him firmly establish his return to the rock ‘n’ stage. (Monk)

 

www.facebook.com/MykeGrayMusician/

 

Myles Kennedy And Co. (Saturday)

 

 

Being the man with the voice of The Mayfield Four, Slash and the Conspirators and, of course, Alter Bridge (where my 14 year old first introduced me to him seven years ago), the chance to hear him sing and perform his own music at a Steelhouse was too big a draw for me to resist. However, having bought my ticket as an early bird for £65 quid in October, this only capped off what was already in my calendar. What it actually did was persuade a whole different crowd to part with their cash… my son included! The variety of his music is incredible, and his voice is probably (IMHO) one of the best in current rock if only for his vocal range! This is definitely going to be the closest anyone is going to get to him with only the one stage and it’s such a unique venue that it could be the start of bigger, more current rock bands than have previously graced the mountain top. Word of mouth is such an incredible publicity tool and with musical partners such as Tremonti and Slash who knows what next year will bring. It’s definitely the Year of the Tiger! (DO’N)

 

www.facebook.com/OfficialMylesKennedy/

 

Glenn Hughes (Saturday)

 

 

Having already said why I was looking forward to seeing the first joint headliner for Steelhouse, Myles Kennedy, it was only right that I took on the other headliner. I must be one of a very few people who has seen Deep Purple in the early ‘70s with the Mark Three line-up – around the time of Burn (I was 14 at the time) – the last ‘Infinite’ tour and now Glenn Hughes singing tracks that are going to rattle me back to 1974. The only difference is that neither Blackmore and Jon Lord (may he rest in peace) nor Ian Paice won’t be there. This has to be the biggest coup of Steelhouse history, where true classic rock tracks of Deep Purple will be rattling around the most unique festival site in the world. On top of that, I have to say I was a bit disappointed with the Deep Purple gig as Ian Gillan has changed his vocal style to suit his current ability. However, having seen some recent YouTube performances of Hughes I have to say he still has the ability to hit those notes, although the sound at the recent Sweden Rocks festival let the performance down. I know the sound at Steelhouse won’t do that. I just hope that my 40-plus year old memories are not going to be the highlight. (DO’N)

 

www.facebook.com/glennhughesonline/

 

Those Damn Crows (Sunday)

 

 

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again now: these lads from UR’s former homeland of south Wales certainly don’t fuck about when it comes to getting the party started, be it 11am, 1pm or 12 hours later, and they certainly will be doing their damnedest to blow away any cobwebs from the cortexes of early comers. With a new version of their debut album, ‘Murder And The Motive’, due at the beginning of October, and a preceding tour with the awesome The Bad Flowers also scheduled in, the second half of 2018 is gonna be a good one for these youngsters… so, get down early and be able to boast “I was there when they blew the top off the mountain”. (Monk)

 

https://www.facebook.com/thosedamncrows/

 

Massive Wagons (Sunday)

 

 

Talking of bringing the party to the mountain, Massive Wagons are another band who most definitely do that, and in style, with their suitably big and ballsy rock ‘n’ roll. Another band for whom 2018 is shaping up to be a massive year, with their fourth studio album, ‘Full Nelson’, due to hit the shelves on 10 August. Having seen them on a good few occasions, at various festivals and also in my hometown, I can testify that these five lads from Lancashire put on an incendiary live show and definitely will bring the sunshine (sic) to the mountain-top, even if it is teaming down at the time. (Monk)

 

www.facebook.com/MassiveWagons/

 

The Quireboys (Sunday)

 

 

It doesn’t really matter what hour of the day or night, as far as Spike and the lads concerned it’s always ‘7 O’clock’ and time for a ppaarrttyy (hang on, I’m beginning to sense a theme here!). In many ways, The Quireboys are the perfect festival band, with a repertoire of songs that virtually every fan should know off by heart, and the sense to know how to play to their audience – so expect a set rammed with all your favourite singalongs… but maybe a few surprises thrown in (not that I’m saying a little birdie has been talking to me, or anything like that)… One thing is for sure: they will make sure the second half of the day kicks off with a bang! (Monk)

 

www.facebook.com/quireboys/

 

The Dead Daisies (Sunday)

 

 

On the back of their third album, ‘Burn It Down’ the Daisies have been on a world tour taking in places as wide away as Japan and the US. However, after their debut at Steelhouse two years ago, when many thought they should have been much higher up the bill based on their performance, they have the billing a band of such obvious talent deserve. The latest album is the one that is taking centre stage on the current tour and rightly so. A solid bluesy rock effort, it demonstrates much of the music that a classic rock festival like Steelhouse is crying out for. Many of the other bands will demonstrate this over the weekend, but the setlist from Barcelona last weekend indicates that Steelhouse are in for a superb show. I for one can’t wait to hear ‘Resurrected’ live on top of the mountain! (DO’N)

 

www.facebook.com/TheDeadDaisies/

 

The Wildhearts (Sunday)

 

 

I must admit, I was extremely surprised when the Steelhouse line-up announcements were made and saw that The Wildhearts were following The Dead Daisies: it could be argued that it should be the other way around! Maybe they are trying to keep Spike and Ginger apart! Whatever the reasoning, one thing is certain: The Wildhearts are one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands ever to have come out of the Über Kingdom of Rock ‘n’ Roll and will guarantee another singalong-crammed set to take us towards the headline slot. Whether or not the Welsh fire brigade will have to be called to extinguish any onstage fireworks, we’ll just have to wait and see… (Monk)

 

www.facebook.com/TheWildhearts/

 

So, there you have it: our personal picks of what we think will be some of the highlights of the weekend, and the acts to which we believe you should give your full, undivided attention over the weekend. Of course, these are our own choices, and no doubt we have left out some of your favourite bands… but, hey, that’s the nature of rock ‘n’ roll, and why we love it so! Anyway, one thing is guaranteed – it’s going to be great craic!

 

See you up the mountain!

 

www.facebook.com/steelhouse.live.1/

 

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