Making more room for metal in Pembrokeshire
Black Sea Promotions is launching to bring regular live rock and metal events to Pembrokeshire, starting with monthly gigs at The Jam Cellar in Milford Haven.
For Black Sea Promotions founders Blaire and Gwynne, both lifelong participants in Pembrokeshire’s music scene, the idea emerged organically when setting up a recent gig at The Jam Cellar. Setting up the sound and organising set times when no technical crew was available, the pair drew on their hands-on experience. They said they realised they had the drive, initiative and technical knowledge to launch their own promotion company, which they felt could fill a glaring gap they had both felt long before: consistent heavy metal events right here in Pembrokeshire.
For Gwynne, playing guitar with Plaguefather sparked ideas for a “regular metal scene” when he saw the number of younger people in the crowd. He recalled: “I knew there was gonna be older people who would have been around for the scene in Pembs 10, 15 years ago, but there was a bunch of kids.” Seeing them got the cogs turning. “I thought, you know, maybe there is a viable opportunity in Pembs to get a regular metal scene going again.”
Blaire recalls the metal scene in Haverfordwest, which he describes as “a bit of a hub for metal and rock nights”. He talked about growing up in and out of bands, with friends who put on gigs together that everybody enjoyed. With an almost cheeky grin, Blaire recalled: “It was wild,” remembering a community of people who always turned up and always had a good night. As fond memories of the live music community in Pembrokeshire tug persistently at their heartstrings, Blaire mentions they are “putting on gigs that we want to go to”.
For Blaire and Gwynne, the objective is clear: position Pembrokeshire as a recognised national hub for live alternative music, making use of its geographical position and the gaps they see in the South Wales gig economy.
From rehearsal room to stage
Live events are just one part of the conversation. Pendraig Studios, based on an industrial estate in Waterston, began as a private rehearsal space in 2025. Emily, manager of Pendraig Studios, explained that they are ready to open it to the public. The team acknowledge that the studio is still in development, but that it is at a stage where it is ready to be used as a space for hire.
Pendraig Studios features a large live room with a full backline of high-end, industry-spec equipment, including bass and guitar cabinets, as well as a custom drum kit available to use. A full PA system with condenser and dynamic Shure and RØDE microphones rounds off the setup. They add, “We’re building the inventory as we go along,” identifying expansion and investment opportunities as they grow. They also have a control room inside the studio used for tracking and recording. Gwynne’s role at Pendraig Studios utilises his technical background as the resident producer and sound engineer.
This is where the ecosystem connects rehearsal, recording, promotion and performance into what they hope will become a self-sustaining cycle: rehearse at Pendraig, record with producer Gwynne, release music and play shows promoted by Black Sea. Through this collaboration, Black Sea and Pendraig Studios believe they can reignite a local scene that nurtures talent, supports local and touring bands, and eventually attracts national and international acts.
Services discussed at Pendraig include:
Rehearsal space hire, with pricing for hourly and block bookings.
Recording services ranging from live demos to full production, with mixing and mastering discussed according to the project.
Support for musicians looking to develop and release their material.
They are also proudly conscious of providing an inclusive and accessible space. When asked how young bands might be able to access this space, Emily explained their plans for a student discount for those with student ID. There is also an emphasis on creating a welcoming environment for female musicians and female-fronted bands.
Emily passionately expressed the need for a welcoming atmosphere that reduces intimidation for female and young musicians through her warm and welcoming approach. The team explained that new musicians are greeted at the premises and supported with guidance, while being encouraged to explore and use the equipment independently.
Both Black Sea Promotions and Pendraig emphasise their openness to different genres, with the studio already welcoming musicians beyond rock and metal.
Collaboration and joining forces
It is clear throughout this interview that a key tenet for the founders is the need to recognise the mutual benefit that comes from collaborating with other local events organisers and promoters. They recognise that different promoters bring different connections, experiences and audiences.
“We all need to work together,” they say.
That outlook matters in a place where musicians, venues and audiences frequently overlap. Their ambition is to contribute more opportunities to that network and help it grow.
The scale of what comes next will depend partly on how these early shows go. Larger bills and a possible day festival are among their ambitions, but the immediate work is establishing events people want to attend—and giving them a reason to come back.
The first date in the diary
Black Sea Promotions’ first show is scheduled for 26 September at The Jam Cellar, Milford Haven, with further event details to follow.
For now, the date gives a concrete starting point to a much wider conversation about heavy music in Pembrokeshire: who gets to play, where bands develop and how an audience becomes a regular community.
The founders have experience of travelling elsewhere to perform. They remember local nights that meant something to them, and they have seen younger people turning up for heavy music here.
Now they want to find out what they can build by putting on the next show—and the one after that.
Follow Black Sea Promotions for event announcements and Pendraig Studios for rehearsal and recording enquiries.
