A return to the mountain for the annual Welsh Classic Rock Festival, now celebrating its 15th anniversary. And whilst the shadow of Dee Snider and Twisted Sister hangs heavy over Hafod-y-Dafal Farm this year, there is plenty for fans to enjoy at Steelhouse Festival 2026.
Steelhouse Festival 2026 – Friday
Hafod-Y-Dafel Farm, Aberbeeg, Wales – 24-26 July 2025
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
We have said enough about the road to last a lifetime, but it still makes the arrival at the UK’s highest festival a minor challenge. The site layout has changed a little since 2025, part of the rotation which reminds you this is a working farm.
But it is still the three days of heavy rock that draws the fans, many veterans from that first show in 2011, headlined by The Quireboys and Tigertailz, as well as newbies making their first journey to the head of the Gwent Valley.
Frantic discussion on the Steelhouse social media pages suggested that many fans would still be setting up their tents or waiting to park when the festival opened. A couple more bands added to the Friday bill sees the start time brought forward nearly two hours.
However, the festival hits a home run before the gates are opened as earlier entry allows fans to park and pitch before the advertised time. As a result, the arena is not as sparsely populated as feared at 2.20 pm. In fact, there is a decent gathering for the local heroes.
King Kraken
It has been some 12 months for local heroes King Kraken. 2025 saw the grizzled riff monsters blow the Saturday morning hangover cobwebs away at Stonedead and open the inaugural Winter Gathering at KK’s Steel Mill.
Despite fewer gigs in 2026 than they would have liked, they are still sharp and focused as they kick off proceedings. Pyro is not often a thing at Steelhouse, but Kraken like to shake things up when they play. It adds to their muscular sound, and the mountain shakes as the Kraken do their thing.
New single I Am the Apocalypse sounds huge, whilst March Of The Gods has the stamp of approval from Thor himself, and there is a definite rattle across the hillside.
Another goal ticked, it is job done in style, and the hordes of Kraken-clad fans are happy as they assemble later for a big group photo.
Parker Barrow
We have seen husband and wife duos here before. Parker Barrow follow in the footsteps of When Rivers Meet with their Southern Blues Rock.
Megan Kane and drummer husband Dylan Turner bring their Nashville six-piece to South Wales and soon have the place singing along to their infectious tunes.
There is a swagger to their style which gets nods of approval. Music for the sunshine, it is time to grab a beer and enjoy their bluesy-driven rock. After the ball-busting start of Kraken, a slightly calmer but no less committed approach may be just what is needed.
Plenty to watch and a voice that melts many hearts. It is no surprise that they get a great ovation. Their acoustic set in the VIP tent later in the afternoon goes down just as well.
Anthony Gomes
Although many scratched their heads at the name Anthony Gomes, the gravel-throated Canadian singer, guitarist and songwriter is no Johnny-come-lately, despite his paucity of shows in the UK before 2025.
He is steeped in the old school, as a quote from his website confirms. “I still believe in a world of guitar heroes. I strive for a world where you don’t have to be 19 years old to sell a lot of records and tickets and to make a statement. I’m one of those people who doesn’t think rock or the blues is dead.”
Guitar worship is strong in these parts, and those that know their onions are soon nodding their heads to Gomes’ virtuoso work and gravelly vocals as he and his band rip through a selection of songs from his impressive catalogue, which dates back nearly 30 years.
He loves Wales, loves to talk, and we will even forgive him the slight butchering of a Rainbow classic which he shoehorns in at the end.
Luke Morley
No stranger to the mountain, Thunder’s Luke Morley gets a warm welcome on his return. Although the mothership is on hiatus, maybe never to fly again, Morley brings an easy feel to the early Friday evening as the sun slowly eases its way around the planet.
His between-song banter raises many smiles, and it is a treat to see him at work with his band. Inevitably, it is the Thunder songs that get the biggest cheers, but his solo work, predominantly drawn from 2025’s Walking On Water, is also easy on the ear.
Big grins all round. He throws in an acoustic set later in the evening which proves to be a big draw as well.
Mason Hill
One of a plethora of bands who rode the wave of the New Classic Rock movement, Scots Mason Hill ran aground in 2023 when singer Scott Taylor left the band. It has taken them a while to get back on track, and I was surprised at their high billing.
They do, however, appeal to this audience. It is a Classic Rock Festival and not 2000trees, so the band fit right in. New singer Thomas Ward is not lacking in confidence, looks the part and ensures that my scepticism is misplaced.
It is a warm Welsh welcome that greets a band who clearly are still much in demand in this circuit. Their new album is imminent. Judging by the reception, it looks like the w’ll be welcomed back by many more than just those in the audience today.
Hollow Souls
Kris Barras is another musician who seems to play at this festival every year. He’s one of those artists who I find a bit marmite. At times he excites me and on other occasions, stirs absolutely no emotion in me, despite his undoubted talent.
Tonight, he is lower down the bill than his Friday headline set in 2023, and as the first day moves to a climax, it is one of his side projects, Hollow Souls, who tread the boards.
His fanbase is dedicated, and you can tell from the swell at the front of the stage. It is a set of confidence with singer Phoebe Jane demanding plenty of interplay with those familiar faces on the barrier.
Hollow Souls are another band well received. A couple of covers and a guest appearance from Dan Byrne excite the crowd. Ultimately, it is another big step in the continuing journey for this son of Torquay.
The Temperance Movement
After their dramatic return in 2025, The Temperance Movement are picking up where they left off several years ago. No surprise in many respects, for the band were on an upward trajectory when things came to a halt.
Returning to the festival where I first saw them in 2013, there is no doubt that the band are now intent on grabbing this second opportunity with all ten hands.
It is a superb set with fantastic lighting, the band led as always by the dynamo Phil Campbell. The set is balanced and sensibly paced. Songs are drawn deeply from their self-titled debut with a smattering from White Bear and A Deeper Cut.
They have the confidence to throw in a couple of new songs too, drawn from forthcoming album New Promised Land Incorporated. They seem truly glad to have this second chance.
I only have one complaint as they encore with the raucous Midnight Black, and that is the absence of Chinese Lanterns. Apart from that, it is a buoyant way to end day one back up the mountain.
Steelhouse Festival 2026
MetalTalk’s Paul Hutchings is at Steelhouse Festival 2026. You can read all of this year’s coverage at MetalTalk.net/steelhouse.
You can read all of MetalTalk’s Steelhouse Festival 2025 coverage at https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/steelhouse-festival-2025.
You can read all of MetalTalk’s Steelhouse Festival 2024 coverage at https://www.metaltalk.net/tag/steelhouse-festival-2024.
For the Steelhouse Festival 2023 edition, click here.
