There are not many bands that can claim to have shaped the sound of rock guitar as we know it, but Wishbone Ash are absolutely one of them. The legendary British rock outfit rolled into Chepstow Castle for Castell Roc, delivering a set that reminded everyone exactly why their twin-guitar attack has influenced generations of musicians.
Fronted by Andy Powell, the only founding member still standing, the band took a packed crowd on a journey through more than 50 years of music. Powell has kept the Wishbone Ash flame burning for decades now, and watching him on stage at one of Wales’ most iconic venues, it is clear the passion has not dimmed one bit.
Chepstow Castle made for a stunning backdrop. There is something about seeing live music within ancient stone walls that adds a layer of atmosphere you just cannot manufacture, and Castell Roc has built a solid reputation for pairing quality acts with that unforgettable setting.
Wishbone Ash are best known for pioneering the twin lead guitar style that would go on to inspire bands like Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. Albums like Argus, released back in 1972, are still regarded as stone cold classics, and tracks from that era went down a storm with the crowd in Chepstow. There were plenty of long-time fans in the audience who clearly knew every note, singing along and raising their drinks as the familiar riffs kicked in.
Powell has refreshed the lineup around him over the years, but the chemistry on stage felt natural and tight. The twin guitar interplay that made the band famous was very much alive, with the two lead guitarists trading solos and harmonising in that signature way that still sounds fresh even after all this time.
The set drew from across the band’s lengthy catalogue, giving newer fans a taste of what makes Wishbone Ash special while rewarding the diehards with deep cuts they had probably not heard live in years. That balance is not easy to get right, but the band managed it well.
Castell Roc has been growing as a festival destination in Wales, and a booking like Wishbone Ash shows the kind of ambition the organisers have. Chepstow itself is a town that deserves more attention on the live music map, sitting right on the Welsh-English border with a castle that any promoter would dream of using as a venue.
For Powell, touring with Wishbone Ash is clearly more than just business. In interviews over the years he has spoken about the responsibility he feels to keep the music alive and to honour what the original band created. That sense of purpose comes through in the live show. This is not a nostalgia act going through the motions. The playing is sharp, the energy is genuine, and the songs hold up.
The crowd at Chepstow gave the band a brilliant reception from start to finish. As the final notes rang out across the castle grounds, it felt like one of those gigs people will be talking about for a while. Wishbone Ash at Chepstow Castle, on a warm evening with great sound and a passionate audience, is the kind of thing that reminds you why live music matters.