Our good friend Ceri Davies, of Rock & Roll Circus and Grumpy Clown Events high repute, knows a thing or five about quality grassroots’ rocking.

There's something really exceptional about this time of year. Everyone on my news feed is utterly buzzing to get in that field, be free, listen to a phenomenal variety of metal music and be united once again. The metal scene is indubitably one big massive family, I am honoured to be part of this tribe and feel a sense of belonging.

It’s that time of year again… a large abundance of metalheads gather in the pastures of South Derbyshire, descending with smiles and eagerness upon Bloodstock Festival.

The Tygers are back in town! Formed up in the hardened environs of the North-East back in 1978 the Tygers once rode the NWOBHM for all their worth.

Billed as the punk section of the Custom House Square gigs the assumption was that the demographic would be 50 plus (I include myself as part of that)

It’s not an everyday occurrence to discover a national border dividing a festival’s campsite from its stage. However, here in Chepstow, the easternmost town in Wales, this is very much the case.

It has been a busy month for concerts, and fun continued at American Family Insurance Amphitheatre in Milwaukee, WI for Godsmack and Staind. I couldn’t have asked for a nicer night either as it was a cool one, but not cold!

July was a busy month for concerts, and August is even busier. First up for August was the “Psychotherapy Session” tour featuring Mudvayne, Coal Chamber, GWAR, Nonpoint, and Butcher Babies. Thankfully the high temperatures gave way to a nice cool night after a round of storms passed through the area during the day.

The weather, it’s the one topic of thought and conversation that on occasion even overrides the whole consuming one of the music up here at Steelhouse.

The Mother of Crows are a six piece local band who describe themselves as 'gothic folk' but I would throw in prog too.

Effervescent and as sparkling as 4th of July celebrations Tilly is currently riding the crest of a tsunamic wave with the recent release of her debut single ‘Best Breakup Ever’.

After a blistering hot couple of weeks in the Mid-West, the weather finally cooled off just enough to make it comfortable outside. But it is about to get smoking hot again as I head out for Pantera & Lamb of God in Milwaukee, WI.

Attention all metal lovers, Radar Festival is back and is absolutely better than ever. After moving from Guildford all the way up North to the city of Manchester, this year's lineup is definitely one for the books.

An Israeli band, an Irish band and a world-renowned guitarist walk into a bar….well actually six bars on this short Irish tour, no joke! Tonight is the last date on that roster at the Diamond Rock Club in Ahoghill.

After another journey into the heart of Birmingham, this time uneventful even around the Pagoda roundabout, I’m parked outside the venue a little after the doors opening time of 7pm.

Let’s face it head on, there’s absolutely no coincidence that this festival, one of the very best of highlights of the hard rock calendar, shares those very same initials of superhero.