Steelhouse Festival makes two line-up changes including new Sunday headliner
Europe and H.E.A.T. can no longer perform due to travel restrictions
Steelhouse Festival organisers have announced two changes to the 2021 line-up due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.
In bittersweet news, Swedish rock heroes Europe will no longer be able to close Steelhouse Festival on the Sunday night (25th July), however the mighty Uriah Heep have stepped up to headline in their place.
Europe’s fellow Swedes H.E.A.T also cannot perform up the Welsh mountain and they’ve been replaced with Walsall’s prodigal sons and daughter, Stone Broken.
Uriah Heep’s Sunday night headline performance comes two years after they rocked the main stage up the Welsh mountain ahead of 2019 headliners Thin Lizzy.
Mick Box, Uriah Heep guitarist and sole constant member, 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!”
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.”
Steelhouse promoters, Mikey Evans and Max Rhead commented: “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.”
Steelhouse Festival takes place at Hafod-Y-Dafal Farm in Ebbw Vale, South Wales from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th July 2021.
Other artists performing at Steelhouse Festival 2021 include Saturday headliners The Darkness, The Wildhearts, Bernie Marsden featuring Nev MacDonald, Black Spiders, Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons, The Quireboys, Therapy?, Those Damn Crows, Wayward Sons, Kris Barras Band, Florence Black, Hands Off Gretel and many more.
All day tickets are completely sold out, but a very limited number of weekend tickets are on sale from Planet Rock Tickets.