Steelhouse Festival 2024 – Sunday. Just like Living Colour, class is something that Mr. Big have in spades, and as they head toward their conclusion, they are something of a bucket list band for those who have not had a chance to see them before.
Steelhouse Festival 2024
Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale – Sunday 28 July 2024
Words: Paul Hutchings
Photography: Manuela Langotsch
Mr. Big
Mr. Big open strongly, with Addicted To That Rush and Take Cover hitting hard. It’s soon evidence that Eric Martin’s struggling somewhat with his vocals, but despite a few wobbly moments, they whip through Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy with Paul Gilbert bringing out the electric drill in time-honoured fashion. 
It’s towards the second half of the show that Martin really hits a wall, with To Be With You particularly shaky. Following an accident, Martin arrived at Maid Of Stone Festival from Maidstone Hospital with less than half an hour to show time only days earlier.
Gilbert extends a guitar solo, and Billy Sheehan’s bass solo also appears to be drawn out to help Martin recover. It’s Sheehan taking lead vocals on Shy Boy that is the biggest indication of an issue, although, to be fair, Martin nurses himself through the set with enough panache to probably mask the deficiencies for many.
Regardless, this is a bit of an ‘I was there’ moment and as the band deliver their finale with Baba O’Riley, any moments of doubt are removed. 
The Almighty
It appears there are two camps when it comes to The Almighty. Those that engaged with them from the start of their career in 1988 and were delighted to see them reform for a third time in 2023, and those who are left a little non-plussed about the fuss. I admit I sit in the latter group but I was curious to see the band that I had missed the first, second and third time around.
A powerhouse opening of Resurrection Mutha was a good start, with Ricky Warwick, Andy ‘Tantrum’ McCafferty, Stumpy Monroe and Floyd London hitting the stage with real energy and power. A 17-song set list pleased the diehards, drawing from their first four albums. 
Warwick remains a frontman with presence, his snarling aggression masking a deeply intelligent and composed musician. His trips down the walkway delighted those at the barrier, whilst Tantrum and London effortlessly switched sides time after time. 
Unfortunately, for those not committed to the cause, the energy dissipated a little, and attention began to wander. But this wasn’t about attracting new fans, merely ensuring that Steelhouse closed with a strong headliner, and this is exactly what The Almighty did.
Full Force Lovin’ Machine, Welcome To Defiance and a powerful Jonestown Mind all hit the spot before the band left the stage. 
A three-song encore rounded things off, including a strong Crucify, and then it was time for Warwick and co to say thanks, and give way to the fireworks.
Possibly not the headliner many wanted, as the space in the arena hinted at, but for the organisers and those with an open mind, the culmination of a year’s hard work. 
Steelhouse 2024 was one of the best I’ve ever attended. It is to the credit of Mikey Evans and Max Rhead that this is a permanent entry in the festival diary. 2025? I’m already looking forward to it.
You can read all of MetalTalk’s Steelhouse Festival 2024 coverage at MetalTalk.net/steelhouse.
For the Steelhouse Festival 2023 edition, click here.
