Multi-award winning independent alternative festival Bearded Theory today shares its full  lineup for its 15th birthday celebrations 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. Bordering three counties of West Midlands, South Derbyshire and Staffordshire and only two hours away for 50% of the UK’s population, it’s the perfect place to kickstart your festival season.

Bearded Theory’s full bill offering includes freshly announced appearances from pop rockers Dexys, English anecdotal indie-rocker Baxter Dury,  iconic converter of punks to reggae Don Letts, London indie-rock outfit The Big Moon, forward-thinking indie popper BC Camplight, Northern Irish alt-rock/metal powerhouses Therapy?, enigmatic tunesmith, fresh from the release of her latest album, Marika Hackman, angst-fuelled post-punkers Goat Girl, melodic folk-pop duo Prima Queen, fiery riot grrrls Lambrini Girls, murky post-punk quartet Dry Cleaning and over one hundred new fantastic names.

They are joined by previously announced headliners 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, influential electronica brothers Orbital and UK punk duo Soft Play. Other thrilling names include but are not limited to Bob Vylan, New Model Army, Wargasm, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Ferocious Dog, Panic Shack, Sprints, English Teacher, Hotwax, Grandma’s House, Ibibio Sound Machine, Pip Blom and Divorce.

Ravers rejoice, this year introduces CODA, a brand new tent dedicated entirely to dance and electronic music. Festival goers can expect to move their bodies to sets from pioneering acts such as Mercury Award winning junglist Roni Size, ex-Prodigy member Leeroy Thornhill, Orbital (DJ Set), break beaters Bentley Rhythm Ace, tech house icons K-Klass, and Happy Mondays legend Bez celebrating the acid generation with Bez’s Acid House, alongside 808 State, Utah Saints, System 7, The Orb (DJ Set), Fabio & Grooverider and Steve Davis & Kavus Torabi.

A festival favourite, Beans on Toast’s Foolhardy Takeover, returns on the Saturday of the bank holiday weekend party, taking over the beautiful Woodland Stage, nestled between the trees with sets from  Slamboree Soundsystem, Kitty Liv, Samantics, Jeshua Marshall, Ben Brown, Razzomo, Bassie Gracie and Jess Silk. Also returning is the  beloved mischief-inducing Convoy Cabaret big top, with appearances from The Menstrual Cramps, Wytch Pykcknyck, Random Hand, Riskee & The Ridicule and Gen & The Degenerates and others, as well as the marvellous and diverse Maui Waui stage. Attendees can expect performances from Shanghai Treason, The Barefoot Bandits, The Busketeers and more, plus other tremendous artists across Big Ed, The Something Else Tea Tent, The Magic Teapot & elsewhere.

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 innovative and cherished Festival School initiative returns to the Children’s Village yet again. The school requires official enrollment 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. We have even had BSL classes.

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 go HERE.

Image: James Reader