Bearded Theory 26-28 May 2023, Catton Hall.

It was our first time at Bearded Theory and with the promise of glorious weather and it marking the start of our festival season, we were really looking forward to it. We arrived at a busy camp site. A conversation with our neighbours confirmed all we had heard about the festival – that it’s a really friendly event that draws a crowd who want to enjoy the vibe that used to exist at Glastonbury and hadn’t succumbed to the commerciality of many festivals.

Friday

The festival actually started on Thursday, but our first band was Panic Shack on the Friday. It was a brilliant opening band to see as they delivered a set of punk n roll which had a snarl that reminded us of L7 but with the sarcasm of the Sultans of Ping (for those old enough to remember both those bands!). They may have been the first band on that day, but they had no issues getting the party started. Heck, the drummer standing up on his kit was enough to win us over! They also give each of the band a microphone and group vocals are also a positive with us. A great to start to a festival discovering a brilliant new band.

Up next were The Go Team, a band that the beautiful weather was a perfect match for. Their mix of funk and soul accompanied by horns sees them throw everything into each song. They are literally the perfect festival, good time, party band. We loved them and the crowd loved them. Indeed, it is hard to see how anyone could not adore them given they cover nearly every genre in a beautiful and positive way. Lime Cordial hail from Sydney so they would’ve felt very at home as the temperature rose during the day. Their sound is an easy going, power pop style with even a bit of kazoo chucked in. When they also throw in a cover of “I Touch Myself” it is no wonder that they get the crowd really going.  

Dea Matrona, change things up a bit with a more gothic, bluesy sound but one that still has a groove to it. Every now and again you see a band who just have ‘it’ (whatever that might be) and Dea Matrona certainly do have it. They bravely engage the crowd in some early participation but get away with it due to the quality of their songs. Given the popularity of Daisy Jones and The Six you could see them being picked up on that wave. A fellow punter described them as a rock Heart, but we’d say more Joan Jet or Fleetwood Mac on fire!

The Bug Club are a very ‘indie’ kind of band and a three piece who have some sharp ‘pop’ songs that they play to a very appreciate crowd. There’s a kind of old school charm to their songs which recalls the early days of a band like Supergrass. It’s a great set and their exuberance perfectly matches the joy of the crowd.

Speaking of being nostalgic, we are not ashamed to say that one of the bands we were most excited about seeing was EMF. A band that immediately sends us back to our youth. We were certainly not alone, as the stage and tent was awash with smiley faces. Nostalgia or not, the whole band looked like they were having a fantastic time (indeed a comment was made that they don’t get out much anymore!). That delight at just being there transcended into the crowd. It will come as no surprise to hear that we thought their set was ‘unbelievable’ (sorry/not sorry!).

Maybe a tactic organisers should adopt is to book bands from sunnier climates and with sunny songs to encourage the weather to match them. The Beths are from Auckland and as the sun continued to shine, they played a soundtrack of sunny, indie pop. They drew a large crowd in to the tent, not just to get some shade but also to sing along. It was a similar case with Alvvays. They have a pure pop sound with a set list that seems carefully constructed for the atmosphere to build and build. The tent started busy, but their breezy sound encourages more and more in as the set went on.

We had heard a lot about Gogol Bordello but having not had the chance to see them, we were looking forward to seeing if they lived up to the hype. Gypsy punk may not be the kind of stuff we listen to at home, but early into the set it was clear that the band were the perfect headliners. It would have been impossible for anyone in the crowd not to get caught up with the sheer exuberance of their show. They even make the playing of a fiddle a source of joy (and we hate a fiddle!). They create an awesome party atmosphere as their gypsy flavoured cauldron of noise gets the entire field jumping and dancing around…..it only just left us with enough energy for the silent disco!!

Saturday

The sun is again out on Saturday, and we would imagine there were quite a few sore heads amongst the crowd who came to see Coach Party open on the main stage. Thankfully, Coach Party are a super tight band, and their grungy indie pop immediately gets the audience standing up and moving with the tunes. With an album due and a set of crowd-pleasing songs like “Everybody Hates Me” you can guarantee that this time next year they will be playing much higher up the bill at festivals.

Mind you, the same could also be said about She Drew The Gun who already draw a sizeable crowd to the field. Indeed, having an act with such a set of quality songs so early in the day reinforces how great the festival line up is. There’s a real cinematic feel to their songs and for some reason we can imagine them fitting nicely on the Peaky Blinders soundtrack.

We were then treated to something completely different with the quite fabulous Elvana. When you explain this band to anyone (a band doing Elvis songs in a Nirvana style and vice versa) their normal reaction is one of confusion. The fact is, it shouldn’t work, but oh boy it certainly does. They don’t take themselves seriously and the focus is purely on making sure that all the people watching have a good time. They certainly succeed with that, the number of people watching is huge and they must have created one of the biggest sing alongs that the festival will see. It’s strange how a ‘covers band’ can be so unique but they are, and if you get the chance to see them make sure you do, as you can guarantee having a good time.

It was then quite a contrast to the next artist we saw, Anna Calvi. A total shift in sound and delivery but also a reminder how brilliant a festival this was for having a variety of acts and types of music. The bands sound and style is sparse but her voice and guitar playing are absolutely stunning. Perhaps not an artist we’d pick for a sunny afternoon slot (would be far more suited for at least dusk if not the dark of night) but the set is a reminder of the quality of her musicianship.

Another act that we wouldn’t associate with a sunny day time performance is Gary Numan. But again, it is the sheer brilliance of him and his band that makes the difference. In a live environment he remains a spectacle to behold.  Even though we weren’t familiar with a lot of his material it is really evident what a huge influence he has had over the world of music. Any artist who has a hint of industrial sound tips a nod to Gary Numan.  He also still plays with a passion that makes you think that maybe he really is a vampire!

Beans On Toast is always a festival favourite (we’re talking about the artist not the food!) and the woodland setting provides a perfect venue for his music and tales. It is no surprise that the small area is absolutely packed with a group of loyal fans who gladly sing along to all the songs. His set is the usual mix of music intermingled with entertaining tales and a well-placed political comment. He aims to bring a positive message to the world and his set certainly helps to do that. It’s certainly a tone that is present across the whole of the Bearded Theory festival site, where both the young and old are enjoying a weekend away from their troubles and just enjoying life.

Sunday

The final day certainly starts off with an emphasis on fun with the comical opening act of the Bar Steward Sons Of Val Doonican. They provide a nice gentle start to the day as they entertain with comedy versions of songs like Ace of Spades.  As they rightly say, their aim is to ruin some of your favourite songs. However, we should also give them a shout out for having someone doing sign language for their songs (although we felt for her as she signed a song about getting your balls caught in your zip!!).

We weren’t really sure what to expect from The Undertones, but they were another band who managed to get the tone of their set to match the crowd. Particular credit must go to the front man who showed a great sense of wit and a real desire to entertain the crowd. However, the music is the most important thing, and they benefit from having an array of sharp, catchy, pop punk tunes. They are also a band where you know far more of their songs than you thought you did and of course in the shape of Teenage Kicks have one of the best tracks ever written. It’s a fantastic set that was one of our favourites of the entire weekend.

It was a tough call for The Lovely Eggs to follow that set but one they accepted. The whole explosion of guitar/drum duos post the White Stripes made us very cynical of that type of band. Whilst The Lovely Eggs only comprise of those two musicians, their shouty punk pop was right up our street. It may be simple, but they did bring along a party gong to make sure the crowd knew the aim was to keep the feel-good atmosphere going. Their sound isn’t sophisticated but it’s bloody good fun!

It’s again time for a shift in tone as we make our way over to the Meadow stage to catch Holy Moly & The Crackers. They have a far more bluesy sound with a hint of Americana. It has us thinking of the Southern states of the USA rather than a field in Derbyshire.

We continue to get taken away to different lands but this time by the pirate, folk punk of Skinny Lister. They’re merchandise describes them as playing punk shantys which pretty much sums up the sound. The tent is absolutely rammed with a crowd that seems to be all loyal fans as they sing along to every word. The crowd is well ‘fuelled’ so are jumping and dancing from beginning to end. Their style of music is not one that we would tend to listen to at home but in a live environment it is impossible not to get caught up in the jubilant atmosphere.

As night starts to come, the tone also darkens with The Mysterines. Their sound is a dark and brooding rock noise that also draws a large crowd to the tent. The band plays with a cool assurance and confidence. There is a sense that with a couple of albums in the bag they may well end up headlining festivals like this.  They’ve got the songs, but their cool and icy stage presence does sometimes keep them distant from the crowd. It will be interesting to see how that develops.

On that note, if there is a band that would be a good role model it is The Pretenders. Chrissie Hynde has certainly nailed that cool but slightly aloof front person act. Given their experience, it comes as no surprise that they deliver a strong set. It is sprinkled with crowd favourites throughout but not at the expense of some new material as well. It helps of course when you have a rich musical pedigree and can also throw in refences to old mates like Johnny Thunders (an instant points winner with us).

The headliners of the main stage are Primal Scream. Historically this would have been something that we would be very excited about. But we last saw them deliver a set at Glastonbury where the sound was very disappointing. We were therefore trying to keep our expectations low as the band hit the stage. But we shouldn’t have worried because the band and Bobby were absolutely on fire. It’s a perfectly paced set which starts exuberantly before hitting some slower numbers to ease the crowd down. But it concludes with a crescendo and a collection of songs straight out of their greatest hits. The feel-good emotions just swamp the crowd and as you look around all you can see is a sea of hands in the air and smiling faces. It is an absolutely brilliant live performance which, even with very tired feet, is one of the best headline act sets we have seen.

For most festivals that would be a triumphant end to the weekend, but Bearded Theory have a little bonus treat with Sleeper playing a late night set over at the Woodlands. It was another beautiful nostalgia trip as we got the chance to head back to the Brit pop 90s. Well actually, they also took us further back by playing snippets of Blondie and Joy Division songs as well. It felt like an intimate set that served as a final thank you to the festival crowd.

It may have been our first time at Bearded Theory, but we are sure it won’t be the last. In many ways it is the perfect festival, small but big enough. It also attracts one of the friendliest crowds we have seen (a special nod to our campsite neighbours and the lovely couple (Joe and Cat) who got engaged at Glastonbury and will be married next year). But for any festival to be a success the main thing has to be the music. When we saw the line up for Bearded Theory we were impressed but actually it was even better than we imagined. A top festival and a brilliant weekend.

Words by Paul Hastings

Pictures by Lee Hastings