REVIEW: Uriah Heep bring Planet Rockstock 2024 to an epic close

Steve Beebee's roundup of Sunday at Trecco Bay

Uriah Heep's Bernie Shaw at Planet Rockstock 2024

Author: Steve BeebeePublished 2nd Dec 2024

Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024, Trecco Bay, South Wales:

For every great ending and for every worthy climax, there must firstly be a spark, a beginning – and Planet Rockstock is continuing its reputation for spotting the new talent that does just that. Enter Matted, an extraordinary young band bringing so much to love into one focused space. There are certainly some grunge-strewn or alt metal pathways involved, but Matted are very much their own sound garden. Throw in rock hooks, pointedly British-sounding punk, Linkin Park or RATM-fused raps, and Jake Slack’s fascinating, almost symphonic guitar tone and you have a Michelin Star banquet of a band as keen to push boundaries as they are to rock hard. It’s when power hits you from unexpected places that you feel it most.

Matted

If we’re talking about the next generation of rock stars, and we are, then we must also include Jayler. The Midlands outfit are a teen-spirited evocation of classic 70s rock, riffs that are earthy and groovy, with vocals fit to scale skyscrapers in the style of a certain Robert Plant.

Jayler

Syteria, formed by Girlschool guitarist Jackie Chambers, offer the Graham Harding Stage a positively charged and often punky diversion from Jax’s day job, before the intriguing Dead Writers go pretty much the opposite way, all dark eloquence undercut with nu-goth. Frontman Paul Shine is a star in the making, and has the musical poetry to back up the buzz. The smaller venue’s programme wraps with the satisfyingly feisty JOANovARC and a predictably solid performance from Leicestershire power trio Skam. With Steve Hill’s big voice and Matt Gilmore’s contorted four-string and associated ‘bass face’, you’re instantly at home with Skam.

JOANovARC

If it turns out that time travel is indeed a thing, it’ll certainly explain how The Commoners got here. Currently on tour with fellow Canadians The Sheepdogs, they might as well have been beamed up from a 1970s Texan saloon, so authentic is the barrel-aged soul that underpins every moment of their opening slot on the Bernie Marsden Stage. It’s not that they blatantly copy the bluesy, Motown-kissed influence of those times – the fact is that they’re good enough to trick you into thinking this is the first time you’ve heard it. With a frontman as authentic and obviously gifted as Chris Medhurst you’re happily pulled into their time warp, and songs as accomplished as ‘Devil Teasin’ Me’ and ‘The Way I Am’ hit all the pleasure receptors.

The Commoners

Much the same can be said for Oklahoma’s Hillbilly Vegas, making a quick return to Trecco Bay after winning many friends at Planet Rock’s Winter’s End earlier this year. As the name suggests, there’s less dustbowl Americana and more big city pizazz to their fulsome sound. They may have left their horses outside but there’s more than a whiff of southern fried rodeo to ‘Shake It Like A Hillbilly’ and ‘Something Crazy’. With Steve Harris (not ‘that’ one) as our amiable ringmaster – his chat includes unrepeatable anecdotes about sampling haggis in Scotland – the Vegas boys are a neat slice of country rock escapism.

Hillbilly Vegas

While one can only be sad that original special guests Wayward Sons had to pull out due to Toby Jepson’s back injury, having Hugh Cornwell here instead is a neat – if unexpected – treat. Songs like ‘Wrong Side Of The Tracks’ and the splendidly choppy ‘Totem And Taboo’ from his extensive solo career (we also get The Stranglers’ chart-topper ‘Golden Brown’ among others) are rapidly effective earworms. The fact that he’s done this post-limelight thing under the radar is kind of fitting – there was always something cynical, even misanthropic, in his distinctive writing. It’s not a hatred of society but a wary scepticism of the way people are forced to live. This frustration remains the bedrock for his affecting, quietly seething music, and Rockstock provides a concise showcase for the best of it.

Hugh Cornwell

Introducing headliners Uriah Heep, Planet Rock hosts Paul Anthony and Mark Jeeves are conscious of the significance of having this British rock institution present to wrap things up at 2024’s Rockstock. Formed an astounding 54 years ago and with 25 studio albums to their name, Heep are simply part of classic rock’s firmament. What’s immediately obvious from the shared smiles on stage is that Uriah Heep still love what they do – and that has to be the reason for their longevity. Not only that, but recent songs like opener ‘Save Me Tonight’, ‘Hurricane’ and ‘Hail The Sunrise’, all from 2023’s ‘Chaos & Colour’ album, are actually among their best – proving that the spirit of the band isn’t just alive but thriving.

Guitarist Mick Box, now the only surviving member from the original line-up, barely stops grinning throughout and his interaction with amiable singer Bernie Shaw is a joy to witness. Mick introduces ‘Sweet Lorraine’, a 52-year-old song with the kind of infectiously carefree hook that would have worked as well in the 1970s as it does today, and then shows us how hard his 77-year-old fingers can still riff on the frenzied and frankly metallic intro to ‘Free ‘n’ Easy’.

Uriah Heep at Planet Rockstock 2024

Bernie chats, communicates and makes everyone feel part of the band – he’s only sorry that there “isn’t enough room on the tour bus to take you all with us”. There are classics like ‘Stealin’’ and ‘Easy Livin’’, plus ‘Grazed By Heaven’ featuring ebullient bursts of Phil Lanzon’s Hammond-style keyboards that take the chorus to cosmic heights. Rumours of their imminent retirement have been exaggerated – there’s much more to come from Uriah Heep, a near unique survivor from British rock’s formative years.

From Matted to Uriah Heep in one day is some leap, but Rockstock is one of the very few events at which such things can, should and will happen. See you next year.

Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024 in photos:

Matted

Matted open The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Matted

Matted open The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Matted

Matted open The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Matted

Matted open The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Matted

Matted open The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Jayler

Jayler play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Syteria

Syteria play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Dead Writers

Dead Writers play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

JOANovARC

JOANovARC play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

JOANovARC

JOANovARC play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

JOANovARC

JOANovARC play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

JOANovARC

JOANovARC play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Wyatt, Mark Jeeves, Darren Redick and Paul Anthony

'Meet the Planet Rock presenters' in The Trooper Lounge

Wyatt, Mark Jeeves, Darren Redick and Paul Anthony

'Meet the Planet Rock presenters' in The Trooper Lounge

Wyatt

'Meet the Planet Rock presenters' in The Trooper Lounge

Wyatt, Mark Jeeves, Darren Redick and Paul Anthony

'Meet the Planet Rock presenters' in The Trooper Lounge

Mark Jeeves and Darren Redick

'Meet the Planet Rock presenters' in The Trooper Lounge

Paul Anthony

'Meet the Planet Rock presenters' in The Trooper Lounge

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Skam

Skam play The Graham Harding Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

The Commoners

The Commoners open The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hillbilly Vegas

Hillbilly Vegas play The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hugh Cornwell

Hugh Cornwell plays The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hugh Cornwell

Hugh Cornwell plays The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hugh Cornwell

Hugh Cornwell plays The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hugh Cornwell

Hugh Cornwell plays The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hugh Cornwell

Hugh Cornwell plays The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024

Hugh Cornwell

Hugh Cornwell plays The Bernie Marsden Stage on Sunday at Planet Rockstock 2024