Multi-award winning independent alternative festival Bearded Theory welcomes you to come and celebrate its 15th year on 23-26 May 2024. With community and an intrinsic punk ethos at its heart, the highly-coveted festival has become synonymous with championing powerhouse household acts in an intimate, quirky and inspiring utopia.
The festival has unveiled the lineup for Thursday’s opening party, including English punk duo SOFT PLAY, hotly-tipped Dublin garage noise four piece SPRINTS, electronic 12-piece Dutty Moonshine Big Band, ethereal dream-poppers Bleach Lab, fantasy inspired Australian metal septet Battlesnake, Bristonian queer-punk trio Grandmas House, introspective indie-rockers Slaney Bay, BBC 6 Music’s well esteemed DJ Chris Hawkins and Celtic dub-punk folk group Tarantism. Now that is an intriguing and hugely entertaining prospect to open the 15th edition. Of course there will be additional artists announced across the main stages, as well as the beloved mischief-inducing Convoy Cabaret big top and marvellous and diverse Maui Waui stages.
Bearded Theory shares why Thursday is not to be missed, stating:
“It’s going to be an incredible weekend all round, and our Thursday night opening party is always the perfect way to kick it all off. We’re delighted to have some returning acts, including headliners Soft Play and Bearded favourites Tarantism & Dutty Moonshine Big Band performing alongside some of the latest acts that we’re getting excited about!”
These class acts are joined by iconic rock band, Los Angeles quartet Jane’s Addiction, alternative indie rockers Dinosaur Jr., raucous and rowdy Australian punks Amyl and The Sniffers, synth-pop ensemble Future Islands, Nottingham post-punk duo Sleaford Mods and influential electronica brothers Orbital, as well as other thrilling names Bob Vylan, New Model Army, Wargasm, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Ferocious Dog, Panic Shack, English Teacher, Hotwax, Ibibio Sound Machine, Pip Blom, Divorce and many more.
Bearded Theory is always looking to make improvements and last year inaugurated two new areas which will return this year – The Meadow, a fresh big top stage made to house class rising and iconic acts, and Big Ed, a striking dance district pushing out reverberating bangers til the early hours of the morning. 2023 saw The Meadow host Echo & The Bunnymen, Viagra Boys, Public Service Broadcasting, Kid Kapichi, Witch Fever and many more. ss
Dance and electronic music holds a huge and vital role in alternative communities. Bearded Theory embraces this in the coming year not only through the galvanising appearance from main stage headliners, Orbital, but by presenting an exciting new chapter for the festival – a dedicated dance stage. Ravers galore are in for a treat. Artists already confirmed include Mercury Award winning junglist Roni Size, ambient house pioneers The Orb, acid house phenomenons 808 State, psychedelic dance influencers System 7, and Utah Saints who have been DJing around the globe since the birth of House Music.
Credit: James Reader
Bearded Theory firmly believes that an education shouldn’t only exist within the boundaries of a traditional indoor space. For parents attending with little ones and teenagers, the festival is pleased to announce that the innovative and cherished Festival School initiative returns to the Children’s Village yet again. The school requires official enrolment and permission from the children’s respective schools, runs from 9am-3pm for years Reception through till Year 10 on the Friday of the festival, and provides a huge itinerary of educational classes. Previous years have featured Maths (how to budget a music festival), PE classes by Derby County FC and Mr Motivator, Design & Technology (giving students the opportunity to create their own souvenir to take home!), Slime making, English, Mindfulness, Healthy Eating and First Aid.
Bearded Theory festival presents attendees with monthly payment instalment plans, enabling buyers to spread the cost of purchase up until May 2024. Tickets are on sale now. For more info on the payment plans, camping options and facilities please check out the website.
