The well-loved, multi-award winning independent festival Bearded Theory returns to its idyllic homeland of Catton Park, Derbyshire on the 21-25 May for yet another year of inspirational, community driven, grassroots festivities.

Over the festive period in December, the festival unveiled a series of exciting new acts confirmed for the weekend each day on Instagram, following the theme of a virtual advent calendar. Amongst the highlights were Mercury Award winners English Teacher, who will headline Thursday’s festivities, and Paul Heaton, joined by special guest singer Rianne Downey, rounding off the Pallet Stage’s impressive lineup of headliners.

Additional exciting names added include highly acclaimed British singer-songwriter Nadine Shah, Bristonian unique indie songstress Katy J Pearson, Chicago’s genre-defying experimentalist Ezra Furman, Philadelphia punk rock force of nature Mannequin Pussy, Bradford coveted alt-rockers Terrorvision, Manchester four piece indie poppers The Lottery Winners, indie hip-hop poet Antony Szmierek, Welsh alternative rock/new wave icons The Alarm, Glaswegian naïve-cum-abrasive rockers The Vaselines, high-energy Irish post-punk quintet Gurriers, renowned BBC 6Music presenter Chris Hawkins (DJ set), self-proclaimed frantic britpunkers The Meffs, theatrical grunge-pop musician Du Blonde, ska-adjacent punk quad Millie Manders & The Shutup and others.

Previously announced headliners include punk rock pioneer Iggy Pop, celebrated legendary band Manic Street Preachers, English rock institution The Sisters of Mercy, electronic innovators Leftfield, post-punk quartet Yard Act, unique Irish trailblazers The Mary Wallopers, Northern Irish vibrant virtuosos Ash, pop-country phenomenon CMAT, devilishly bass heavy duo Nova Twins and genre-spanning Fat Dog. Joining them is a selection of the hottest acts of the year, including alt-country grungers Divorce, indie-electro Lime Garden, lo-fi psychedelic rockers The Lovely Eggs, dreamy folk composer Bess Atwell, post-hardcore quad Dream State, electro-punk CLT DRP, introspective indie rock band Slaney Bay, unique fusion activists Asian Dub Foundation and so many more.

Last year saw the launch of a brand new dance-oriented area, CODA. The tent was welcomed with open arms by attendees, with class acts like Orbital (DJ Set), Leeroy Thornhill (ex-The Prodigy), Roni Size, 808 State, Utah Saints, The Orb and many more. This year, Bearded Theory is proud to share that Phil Hartnoll of Orbital is not only returning to the festival after last year’s tremendous DJ set and stunning headline performance in the Meadow stage, but will be headlining the dance tent, alongside carefully curating his own night of electronic debauchery in CODA on the Saturday night.

To buy tickets, visit: beardedtheory.co.uk

Image: Izzy Challoner