With its prime location, Bearded Theory borders the West Midlands, South Derbyshire and Staffordshire whilst remaining 2 hours away from 50% of the UK’s population.

Originating in 2007 as a birthday celebration in a field, featuring a performance from the 3 Daft Monkeys, Bearded Theory has returned fifteen more times bringing local communities together, who all share a love for music and raising money for charity.

Since its commencement Bearded Theory have raised over £300,000 for charity. This is a spectacular amount for an independent festival, which has no sponsorship or branding but relies on the generosity of its attendees. Bearded Theory are responsible for healing its local communities through a variety of aid, including: financial support to youth clubs, modernising Village Hills and giving support to local food banks and rescue centres.

This process has seen Bearded Theory transform from an up-and-coming festival to a multi-award winning event. In 2016 Bearded Theory won ‘UK’s Best Family Festival’ at the UK Festival Awards along with ‘Promoter of the Year’ at the same awards two years prior. Most recently, the festival was shortlisted for ‘Festival of the Year’ at the Music Week Awards 2024, alongside being crowned ‘Promoter of the Year’ at the UK Festival Awards in 2023, for a second time.

These prestigious awards do not go unnoticed given the festival’s reputation for putting together star-studded lineups year after year. Previous years has seen Soft Play in 2024, Primal Scream in 2023, and Patti Smith & Band in 2022.

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Next year Bearded Theory will welcome rock legend Iggy Pop to their stage, known for his contributions to punk band the Stooges along with his memorable tracks ‘The Passenger’ and ‘Lust For Life’. With multiple decades of performing experience and iconic tracks, there is no doubt Iggy Pop’s set will be one to watch next year at Bearded Theory.

Bearded Theory will also see the likes of Welsh Alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers, known for their tracks ‘If You Tolerate This Your Children Will be Next’ and ‘Motorcycle Emptiness’, perform their socially-conscious tunes to attendees. Alongside Leeds rock band Yard Act, known for their jocular lyricism and punchy instrumentation, will take to the stage to perform some of their classics like ‘Fixer Upper’ and ‘The Overload’.

The 2025 countdown is on! We’re returning to Catton Park with some ace acts in tow, join us and join Iggy Pop, Manic Street Preachers, The Sisters Of Mercy, Yard Act, Leftfield, The Mary Wallopers, CMAT, Nova Twins, Ash, Fat Dog, & 30+ more who we can’t wait bring to the fields! pic.twitter.com/PK8sTgEVlg

— Bearded Theory (@beardedtheory) October 11, 2024

Bearded Theory evidently places their attendees at the forefront, booking acts based off of audience recommendations whilst creating a culture that is accessible and diverse to heighten attendee’s enjoyment. It’s a festival music lovers cannot miss.

Tickets for the upcoming Bearded Theory festival can be purchased here.

The festival, which is set to run from 23 May to 26 May 2024, will also welcome Nottingham based grim duo Sleaford Mods, London based grime-punk duo Bob Vylan, and American synth pop group Future Islands. Other acts scheduled to appear include festival favourites Gentleman’s Dub Club, electronic music duo Orbital, Bradford post-punk outfit New Model Army and Dutch indie rock group Pip Blom.

Next year will be the festival’s 15th year, and is set to showcase the remarkable transition from its humble beginnings in 2008 to becoming one of Britain’s most loved music festivals, with Bearded Theory being shortlisted for Best Medium-Sized Festival at the UK Festival Awards this year.

This year’s edition of Bearded Theory saw the introduction of two brand new stages, Big Ed and the Meadow Stage, playing host to bands such as Echo And The Bunnymen and Viagra Boys. These two stages are set to return in 2024.

Festival organiser Ben Ryles has said, “We’re very excited to have two of our favourite alt-rock heroes choosing Bearded Theory as their only UK festival for the year. We also can’t wait to welcome Amyl and the Sniffers and Future Islands, who are so widely renowned for their incredible live shows, as well as festival favourites Sleaford Mods and electronic icons Orbital.”

He continued, “Across this first batch of almost 50 acts there are fast-rising artists at the forefront of their scenes, legendary performers, and plenty of Bearded Theory crowd-pleasers. We’re really pleased to finally reveal them and get the countdown on to the start of the festival season.”

Watch the music video for “Nudge It” by Sleaford Mods, featuring Amy Taylor from Amyl And The Sniffers, below:

With this announcement, almost 50 acts have been confirmed, and there is yet more to come. Other bands that are set to feature at next year’s event include: Ibibio Sound Machine, Jane Weaver, Panic Shack, Jim Bob, Peat & Diesel, Beans on Toast, His Lordship, Divorce, Sprints, Green lung, English Teacher, BDRMM, Big Special, Bis, Roni Size, The Orb, 808 State, System 7, Utah Saints, The March Violets, The Bar Stool Preachers, Hotwax, Trout, Katie Malco, Girl Scout, Liines, Problem Patterns, 3 Daft Monkeys, Spunge and Sonic Boom Six.

Tickets for Bearded Theory 2024 are available to purchase here.