Uriah Heep and The Darkness headline Steelhouse 2021

Steelhouse Festival was delighted to get the greenlight to go ahead for this year’s event.  This news was truly something positive for the summer and a reward for the Steelhouse family for their patience, understanding, sticking with us and wanting the festival to move forward. Covid will, of course, still have an affect and the travel restrictions have meant that both Europe and H.E.A.T. are unable to join us at the top of the mountain. Whilst this is of course sad news, Covid will not have the last laugh as Steelhouse is proud to announce that two great British acts and indeed friends of the festival, Uriah Heep and NWOCR front-runners Stone Broken, have stepped in to the breach. So, whilst we’ll have to wait a little longer to see Europe and H.E.A.T, there is plenty of top notch entertainment to be had once again. Making their only UK appearance this Summer, Heep will close out this event on Sunday 25th of July and Stone Broken will appear the same day.  Very limited weekend tickets for the event which takes place over the weekend of the 23rd-25th of July remain [day tickets are now sold out].

Mick Box said, “What an honour after playing Steelhouse Festival in 2019 to come back and headline in 2021. The mighty Heep are out of Lockdown and into Rockdown, and to say we are excited, would be a major understatement. We cannot wait to get back to what we enjoy the most, playing live. It will be special, magical, heartfelt, and full-on rock! ‘Appy days!”

In combined statement Europe said, “It is with deep regret that we have to announce our withdrawal from this year’s Steelhouse Festival. Unfortunately, the travel restrictions in place for overseas personnel have made it impossible for us to get our band, crew and equipment into the country for this show.  We left it until the last possible minute in case there were any changes to the procedures but sadly nothing has been forthcoming.  We will be back up the mountain as soon as we can though and, in the meantime, enjoy this year’s event and the bill the promoters have worked so hard to put together”;  Joey, John, John, Mic & Ian.
 
Steelhouse promoters, Mikey Evans and Max Rhead added, “We looked at every practical way to get both Europe and H.E.A.T. over to the UK for Steelhouse. It was also hoped that guidance would change in time for their appearance - ultimately though, it’s come to the point where we all had to call it. At this point we’d just like to thank both bands and their representatives for trying their very best to make it happen - their commitment to that end is massively appreciated. Fear not though they will both return to Steelhouse in the not-too-distant future.”
 
“It is, however, our great pleasure to welcome their replacements – the perfect mix of classic and contemporary – Uriah Heep’s last appearance went down as one of the most popular sets ever at Steelhouse. They have the heritage, songs and energy to put in an incredible headline set – a perfect way to bring down the curtain on SH2021…As for Stone Broken, they are without doubt one of the most exciting young classic rock acts in the UK right now. They’ve already done incredible things and they’re about to go to another level…We’re beyond excited to welcome them back”.

 

COVID ANNOUNCEMENT – APRIL 2021

 

 As the sun starts to shine, all thoughts naturally turn towards the Steelhouse Festival.  The excitement is building at Steelhouse HQ and we are currently all systems go!!  We can’t wait to see all your lovely faces on the mountain in July, for a very special postponed 10^th Anniversary Festival!

 

Of course, there are additional considerations this year and we would like to reassure you all, that we are working very hard behind the scenes to make your safety at the Festival our highest priority. 

 

With everything we know at this point in time, we are confident that the Festival will go ahead.  We will be complying with all Government protocols, advice and recommendations required to make the event as safe as possible.  We have received substantial support from the Welsh Assembly during this last year, which will enable us to put measures in place to make the Festival memorable for all the right reasons!  Obviously, we will also need everyone attending to do their part in helping us to achieve this goal by complying with any and all instructions designed to keep you - and those around you - safe to enjoy the Festival.

 

In the increasingly unlikely event that the Festival is once again postponed, you will of course be able to roll your tickets over to 2022, or request a refund from your ticket provider.  

 

We will publicise details of additional requirements and protocols closer to the event, so keep an eye on our socials for updates.  So, until then, get your sunscreen ordered and we’ll see you on the mountain!

 

COVID PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Steelhouse Festival:

the underdog tale of a rock club that built a festival

From the festival site, a remote farm that quite literally sits atop a mountain, you’re overlooking some of the most beautiful scenery in Wales. Not far is Marine Colliery, the deep mine that employed thousands in the area and finally closed in 1989. The nearby Ebbw Vale steelworks, which inspired the festival’s name, cast its last steel in 1978 and was finally wound down in 2002. It’s a common tale in these parts – heavy industry has been replaced by light, but the region still bears the scars of the UK’s slow industrial decline.

 

All of which makes the Steelhouse Festival one of the more unlikely and inspiring underdog stories of recent times. Saxon, Magnum, Europe, Black Star Riders and UFO have all graced the mountain top over the years. The valleys have always been heartland for rock, yet of the 5000-capacity crowd, just 40 per cent come from the local area. This self-styled ‘Welsh International Classic Rock Festival’ attracts people from across the UK and further afield – Finland, Japan, last year one huge Dee Snider fan flew in from Australia to watch him headline.

Team Rock review by Grant Moon