FESTIVAL PREVIEW: Bearded Theory 2025
Words: Laura Muraska-Ross
Photos: Tim Finch / Damian John
With festival season just about to come into full swing, we take a look at one of the UK’s most eclectic and a little bit different from the usual offerings. The family friendly bonanza that is Bearded Theory (previously known as Bearded Theory Spring Awakening) began in 2008 and remains one of the UK’s most independent festivals, choosing to have no sponsorship or branding, but instead concentrating on listening to their attendees and bringing some of the most varied and different line-ups year after year, and this year is no exception! With seven stages, plus the something else tea tent and the busk stop, including everything you could want from music, comedy, speakers, arts and much much more, you are sure to be thoroughly entertained throughout the five-day event.
The biggest name on the bill is undoubtedly the amazing ‘godfather of punk’ Iggy Pop. His appearance here kicks off his UK and European tour and his performance is one that definitely shouldn’t be missed if you’re heading to Catton Park, in Derbyshire for this year’s festival. Other notable appearances include Welsh rockers the Manic Street Preachers who have been churning out hits since the late eighties, and have just released a new album called ‘Critical Thinking’, but are still sure to play some of their older hits as well.
Personally I am looking forward to seeing Ash perform again, I caught them when they recently supported The Darkness on their UK tour dates and they didn’t disappoint, so would highly recommend anyone to check them out if they get a chance. However, like most festivals, scheduling can be a problem, and due to Ash being the headliners on the Meadow stage on the Saturday, Iggy Pop headlining the main Pallet stage, and The Sugar Hill Gang & The Furious Five on the Woodland stage, this could cause a conundrum for some festival goers who were hoping to see any of their full sets.
Other clashes that may cause a stir include singer-songwriter from The Beautiful South and the Housemartins fame, Paul Heaton who is performing as the headliner on the Pallet stage on Friday along with a ‘special guest’ who I am sure is going to stir up some excitement among the crowd. At the same time, headlining the Meadow stage are 80s rock band The Sisters of Mercy, but I always find with clashes you can just plan to catch ten minutes of each and finish with your top pick and you’ll still be satisfied.
Public Service Broadcasting who are playing the Pallet stage on Sunday, are another must see, their visual displays and multi-instrumental performances make their sets an engaging and enthralling journey for the senses, but if you like your music a little more alternative, rock/rap duo the Nova Twins are due to perform on the Pallet stage on Saturday, and nostalgic punk band Split Dogs are going to be appearing on the Convoy Cabaret stage on Friday.
American band Mannequin Pussy are another alternative genre offering in the form of punk/indie rock, and are playing the Pallet stage on Saturday, and punk rock band Millie Manders & The Shut Ups will be playing their hard-hitting set on the Woodland stage on Sunday. If you like tunes to lift you up and have you dancing around like no one’s watching, then check out acts like The Lottery Winners (Pallet stage on Sunday), Irish folk musicians The Mary Wallopers (Pallet stage on Saturday), and Trainspotting writer Irvine Welsh, who will be showing one of his other many talents in the form of a DJ set on the Big Ed stage on Saturday.
Along with all these amazing musical offerings, there’s so much more to explore and sink your ear holes into including a comedy stage, a Dance tent and there’s even a festival school so you don’t get in trouble for taking the kiddos away to experience a festival for the long bank holiday weekend.
You can find the full line-ups here and don’t forget to look out for our full review of the whole event coming after all the fun is over!
