A Welsh blues band have launched their latest album with a video shot in the Port Talbot steelworks.
With frequent appeals to film on one of Tata Steel UK’s sites, Head of PR Tim Rutter found it difficult to turn down the latest request from a Wales-based blues band, Cardinal Black who were looking for ‘an industrial setting’ in which to film the launch video for their forthcoming album, Midnight at The Valencia, thinking Port Talbot might offer something unique.
Tim said:
“I’ve always been keen on letting people onto our sites where it’s safe and practical – employees love nothing more than seeing their workplace on telly! Over the years we’ve hosted programmes including Dr Who, Top Gear, Masterchef, Coast, Great Railway Journeys, Inside the Factory, and BBC’s Nightshifters.
“With the possible exception of the Call Centre’s Nev, I don’t think we’ve ever had a music video filmed on site, though.”
The fact that large parts of the Port Talbot site are no longer operational provided a unique opportunity to allow the band on site with the help of the keep-safe team.
Kevin James picked up the story: “When Tim approached us with the idea, we were all for it. We know the areas like the back of our hand, we know how to keep people safe,and we thought the idea of hanging out with a rock and roll band was too good to miss!”
Mark Powys was also part of the team that acted as guardians and roadies on site. He added:
“They were a great bunch. Clearly hugely talented but also really engaging and thoughtful guys – the whole crew behaved immaculately – not very rock and roll maybe, but perfect for us on a steel site at 10 o’clock at night!”
Cardinal Black singer Tom Hollister said:
“Filming at the steelworks was an incredible experience. To think we might play a small part in the history of the works is pretty humbling. Thanks to the team at Tata Steel for helping us make it a possibility."
The video ‘Breathe’ was filmed in the ore yards as the sun was setting, and was launched on YouTube earlier this month.
The band is currently touring the USA, returning for a series of dates in the UK later in 2025.
About Tata Steel UK
- The Tata Steel Group has been named one of the most ethical companies in the world, and is among the top producing global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 34 million tonnes.
Tata Steel in the UK has the ambition to produce net-zero steel by 2045 at the latest, and to have reduced 30% of its CO2 emissions by 2030. - In October 2024, Tata Steel ceased ironmaking at its Port Talbot site and temporarily paused steelmaking pending the construction of a 3.2Mtpa Electric Arc Furnace, due to be commissioned late in 2027 / early 2028. For that period, the business will import slab and hot rolled coil to support manufacturing and distribution operations at sites across Wales, England and Northern Ireland as well as Norway, Sweden, France, Germany and UAE. It also benefits from a network of sales offices around the world.
- Throughout 2024 Tata Steel UK has been undergoing a restructuring that will reduce the size of its workforce to around 5000 direct employees, supplying high-quality steel products to demanding markets, including construction and infrastructure, automotive, packaging and engineering.
- Tata Steel Group is one of the world's most geographically-diversified steel producers, with operations and a commercial presence across the world.
The group recorded a consolidated turnover of around US$27.7 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2024.
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